Vestfold is a coastal playground where the sea has shaped the land for millennia. You find yourself among smooth coastal rocks and rich forests that lead down to the water. The landscape is a bright combination of sunny beaches and vibrant harbor towns. It is a small region but it is packed with beautiful spots for a seaside drive.
You can visit the end of the world at Verdens Ende in Tjøme where the rocks meet the open sea. The coastal roads link quiet coves and busy summer towns like Stavern and Åsgårdstrand where the boats are always on the move. It is a land of light and easy travel perfect for a weekend getaway. The sea is your constant companion as you follow the shore.
The route takes you past the Borre Burial Mounds and through green woods. You find yourself in a landscape that is approachable and friendly. Every harbor offers fresh shrimp and a place to sit by the water in Sandefjord. Vestfold is a place of light and easy roads where the coastal life is at its best.
Vestfold highlights
- Verdens Ende Go to the "End of the World" where the smooth rocks meet the open sea. The iconic tipping lantern is a symbol of the southern coast.
- Borre Burial Mounds See the large royal mounds from the Viking age in this peaceful park. It is the largest collection of its kind in the North.
- Midgard Viking Center Learn about the power and rituals of the old Norse lords in a grand longhouse. The museum features many finds from the nearby graves.
- Tjøme Islands Drive across the bridges to these sunny rocks and hidden coves. The area is a favorite for summer holidays and boating.
- Old Tønsberg Explore the oldest town in Norway with its harbor and the massive tower on the hill. The fortress ruins offer a great view of the coast.
- Åsgårdstrand Wander through the streets of the town that inspired Edvard Munch to paint his masterpieces. His small house and studio are open to the public.
- Horten Naval Museum Visit the historic naval base and see the massive ships and submarines. The park area is a beautiful spot for a seaside walk.
- Færder National Park Discover the thousands of islands and reefs that make up this coastal wilderness. It is a top spot for sailing and birdwatching.
- Mølen Stone Beach Walk across the thousands of round stones left behind by the glaciers. The area features over two hundred burial mounds from the Iron Age.
- Larvik Beech Forest Explore the northernmost beech forest in the world with its majestic tall trees. The paths lead through a green canopy down to the lake.
The local Four
History of Vestfold
Vestfold is the true home of the Viking kings. This small slice of coast holds the greatest concentration of royal burial mounds in the North including the famous Oseberg and Gokstad ship burials. These magnificent vessels were pulled from the clay perfectly preserved showing the incredible skill of the Viking shipbuilders. This was the seat of the Yngling dynasty the legendary ancestors of the first kings of all Norway.
In the Middle Ages the town of Tønsberg became the most important royal residence in the country. A massive fortress was built on the hill above the harbor where kings held court and armies gathered. The town is the oldest in Norway and has survived centuries of fires and battles. The coast was a busy highway for trade with the rest of Europe bringing luxury goods and new ideas to the northern shores.
During the 1800s the region became a global leader in the whaling industry with the towns of Sandefjord and Larvik sending ships as far as the Antarctic. This difficult and dangerous work brought immense wealth to the coast and shaped the local culture for generations. Today you can see the whale skeletons and historic ships that tell the story of this maritime empire. Vestfold is a place where every hill and harbor has a royal story to tell.