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LARVIK AND STAVERN

Coastal gems south of Oslo

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Want summer sun and exciting festivals? Not to mention history and scenic surroundings?

Find it all in Vestfold, just a 1.5-hour drive from Oslo!

The adventures starts with a visit to Stavern …

... which has been named "Summer Town of the Year" several years running.

 Buzzing urban life meets art and beautiful nature ...

Even in the middle of the city centre!

Take a historic stroll through the Fredriksvern verft shipyard past the Fredsskipene boats. Stop and listen: the boats are an active art installation with sound and light.

Next, you can follow the 35-kilometre long coastal trail that takes you to Helgeroa, past massive smooth seaside rocks and beaches, forest trails and an endless horizon …

Along the way, you'll pass the spectacular Mølen pebble beach.

The enormous rocks on the pebble beach have been formed by sea, wind, and ice over thousands of years. The area is part of the Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark. The landscape is home to many types of rock, including Larvikite, Norway's national rock.

Make sure to stop at charming Nevlunghavn harbour.

The area also has lots of popular beaches with white powder sand and smooth, sun-warmed boulders.

The urban Batteristranda beach and Ula beach and camping are both favourites among locals.

Did you know that Norway's most popular sparkling mineral water, Farris, has its source in Larvik? And that the same nutritious water …

... flows into the pools at the Farris Bad spa?

With a beautiful location by the urban beach, everything is set for you and your friends, or your partner, to find tranquility - and the perfect spa treatment. It's also ahotel!

In Larvik's inner harbour you can also enjoy fresh prawns or Italian pizza from a wood burning stone oven at the popular Pakkhuset.

If you hear music in the distance in July …

... it may be coming from Stavernfestivalen!

The annual music festival is internationally renowned and attracts major artists from Norway and abroad.

Larvik is just as pretty in the autumn, especially when the leaves change colour in Bøkeskogen beech wood forest.

The 74 acre protected park makes you want to just walk and walk ... But do stop by Bøkekroa, where good food and upbeat jazz music is served every Friday in the summer months.

Get even closer to nature by spending a night for all the senses between the trees.

Wake up to the twittering of birds in a treetop cabin or an ultra cool glass cabin in Laagen.

Nearby, you can also get plenty of air under your feet at Scandinavia's biggest climbing park Høyt og Lavt!

This fantastic playground just 45 minutes from Larvik is where young and old head to enjoy ziplines and obstacle courses, and experience a sense of mastery!

Foldvik Familiepark in Stavern is another favourite among families with small children.

Release some energy and experience joy with outdoor activities including a giant bouncy cushion, the Tøffen train, climbing frames, electric tractors, gokarts, and more.

You can even cool down in the water park afterwards!

Kaupang VikingbyenNorway's first city, is also located in Larvik. Though no longer a city, the site includes activities throughout the summer and tours of the what was once part of the world of the Vikings. 

The area is steeped in history. Water has always been important to Larvik — and to its native son, adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific Ocean in a wooden raft in a bid to prove that migration between the Pacific islands and South America was possible, as recounted in The Kon-Tiki Expedition. 

Take a guided tour of his childhood home, where his adventurous spirit was inspired by his views of the sea. Larvik Museum gives you even more insight into the city's maritime history.

Feel the love in Larvik and Stavern!

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