The Slottsfjells Museum

Slottsfjell Museum stands at the foot of Slottsfjellet in Tønsberg and explores Vestfold's history from the Viking Age to more recent times. Discover the original Klåstad Viking ship, impressive whale skeletons and the history of Tønsberg as a medieval town and royal centre of power.

See the original Klåstad Viking ship

In the Viking Hall, you'll find the Klåstad ship, a Viking Age trading vessel discovered near Larvik. It is one of the few surviving Viking ships on display in Norway. Digital displays and a 3D model show how the ship may have looked and explain its construction and archaeological discovery. The exhibition also tells the story of the famous Oseberg ship burial, discovered in 1904. At Vikingodden on the Tønsberg waterfront, you can see the reconstructed Viking ships Saga Oseberg and Saga Farmann when they are in port.

Meet the whales in the Whale Hall

The Whale Hall houses seven whale skeletons, including what is considered the world's largest preserved blue whale skeleton. The enormous bones reveal the scale of the largest animal on Earth. Discover the story of whaling pioneer Svend Foyn from Tønsberg and how modern whaling shaped shipping and society in Vestfold.

Explore Tønsberg's medieval history

Tønsberg was an important centre of power during the Middle Ages. The museum explores the lives of kings, nobles, clergy and townspeople when Tunsberghus was one of the largest medieval castles in the Nordic region. On Slottsfjellet, you can explore the castle ruins. The hill is also home to Slottsfjell Tower, built in 1888, offering views of the town and fjord when open.

Experience historic Vestfold at the open-air museum

Between the museum and Slottsfjellet lies Vestfoldtunet, a collection of historic buildings relocated from across Vestfold. Explore old farmhouses, a smithy, a barn and Heierstadloftet, dating from 1407 and considered Vestfold's oldest surviving secular building. Several buildings can be visited on guided tours. During summer, Seterkaféen also offers refreshments on selected days.

Guided tours and activities

Slottsfjell Museum offers pre-booked group tours covering Viking history, the Middle Ages and the museum's collections. Activities and educational events also take place throughout the year. Check the programme for upcoming events.

Explore more of Tønsberg

Combine your museum visit with a walk through Vestfoldtunet and up to the medieval ruins on Slottsfjellet. For more cultural experiences, visit Haugar Art Museum, featuring changing exhibitions of Norwegian and international art.

Plan your visit

Slottsfjell Museum is located at Farmannsveien 30 in Tønsberg. During the low season, the museum is normally open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. In the high season and school holidays, it is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. Special opening hours may apply.

Children aged six and under enter free of charge. Separate admission rates apply for adults, children, students, seniors and families. Companion cards are accepted. Slottsfjell Tower and Seterkaféen have their own seasonal opening hours. The tower requires a separate admission ticket.

Parts of the historic grounds have steps and uneven surfaces. Contact the museum in advance if you have accessibility requirements. Check current opening hours, admission prices, activities and guided tours at Slottsfjell Museum.