LARVIK AND STAVERN

A coastal gem south of Oslo

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Looking for sun, summer and festivals? Not to mention history and scenic surroundings?

You can find it all in Vestfold, just a 1.5 hour drive from Oslo!

Start your trip with a visit to Stavern …

Summervibes in Stavern, Larvik .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

Boattrip in Stavern.mp4 .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

... which has been named "Summer town of the year" several years running.

The distances are short here between buzzing city life and skerries and fantastic natural and artistic experiences ...

Stavern city .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

Even in the middle of downtown!

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

"Fredsskipene" at Fredriksvern Verft in Stavern .
Photo: Didrick Stenersen/ Visit Vestfold

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

The coastal road between Stavern and Helgeroa .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

Coastal road between Stavern and Helgeroa .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

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, and are today part of the Gea Norvegica UNESCO Global Geopark. Here, you can see many types of rock, including Larvikite, Norway's national rock.

Stop at the charming coastal gem Nevlunghavn harbour.

Mølen in Larvik .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

The area also has a lot of beaches with white powder sand and smooth, warm rocks - that attract visitors.

The urban Batteristranda beach and Ula beach and camping are the locals' favourites.

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

Ula beach in Larvik .
Photo: Simen Sørhaug / Visit Vestfold

... flows into the pools at 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 a hotel.

Farris bad in Larvik .
Photo: Farris bad

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

And if you hear music in the distance in July …

"Pakkhuset" restaurant in Larvik .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

... it may be coming from the Stavernfestivalen!

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

Happy crowd at Stavernfestivalen in Larvik .
Photo: Eirik Knutsen

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

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

Bøkeskogen in Larvik .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

Extend your nature experience 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.

Treetop cabin in Laagen outside Larvik .
Photo: Christian Lunde

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 can enjoy ziplines and obstacle courses, and experience a sense of mastery!

Høyt & Lavt Vestfold .
Photo: Høyt og Lavt AS

Foldvik familiepark in Stavern is also a clear favourite among families with small children.

Release your energy and joy outside with outdoor activities including a giant bouncy cushion, jumping in the hay, Tøffen train, climbing frames, electric tractors, X-cross-cars and more.

Let the kids cool down in the water park afterwards!

Foldvik familypark in Stavern .
Photo: Dag Jenssen

Kaupang Vikingbyen, Norway's first city, is also in Larvik. Though no longer a city, the site includes activities and a tour of the world of the vikings.

The vikingtown Kaupang in Larvik .
Photo: Visit Vestfold

The area is steeped in history. Water has always been important to Larvik — and to its native son, the adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, who crossed the Pacific Ocean with a wooden raft, as recounted in "The Kon-Tiki Expedition".

Take a guided tour of his childhood home, where he took inspiration for his expeditions from his view of the sea. Larvik museum gives you even better insight into the city's maritime history.