Sarpsborg was founded 1,000 years ago by Saint Olaf II of Norway, and is situated beside the Sarpefossen waterfall, which has one of the highest flow rates in Europe. The city has one of the country's coolest science centres for children - and the most days of sunshine of any place in Norway.
Ever since the ice receded and made the area habitable, people have settled in Sarpsborg. But the city itself was founded by Saint Olaf when he sailed up the Glomma, Norway's longest river, in 1016. The huge waterfall Sarpefossen halted his expedition and he therefore chose the location as his capital.
Sarpefossen in Glomma has one of the highest flow rates in Europe, and has been likened to Niagara Falls. The power generated from the waterfall has played a key role in the industrial and urban development of the city, focused primarily around the company Borregaard, today a world-leading bio-refinery.
Sarpsborg is located in the heart of Østfold,between Oslo in the west and the Swedish border in the east. Explore its fascinating history at the Borgarsyssel Museum. No trip is complete without visiting Kulåsparken in the heart of the city (which also has some great play areas for the kids!).
In addition to beautiful nature and good options in the centre with restaurants, culture and shopping, there is a historic buzz about the city. In fact, no place in the country has more registered ancient petroglyphs (over 3,000 years old!) than Sarpsborg.
Families with children will find a lot of good reasons to visit Sarpsborg. INSPIRIA is one of Norway's National Science Centres, where visitors are encouraged to learn through interactive exhibitions in maths, science and technology. Or visit the spectacular planetarium - an indoor starry sky! There is even a cool pump track for skateboards, bikes and scooters right outside.
At Eventyrfabrikken, 'the Adventure Factory', you are met by a suspension bridge, pipes you can crawl through, ball pools, trampolines, pedal cars, and bouncy castles, and much more fun stuff fun within it's 2,000 square metres!
Get in-depth travel information and inspiration on Sarpsborg's official website.
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Top things to do
Don't miss these highlights.
Food and drink
Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.
Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
Getting here and around
Plan your trip to Sarpsborg with Entur.
By plane
Oslo Airport is situated 134 kilometers north of Sarpsborg, and from there you can take an express train or bus to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S ). From Oslo you can reach Sarpsborg by train or bus.
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By road
There are daily bus departures between Oslo and Sarpsborg.
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The motorway, E6, passes through Sarpsborg, so getting here by car is easy. Travel time from Oslo is about one hour.
By train
The Østfold railway runs between Oslo and Fredrikstad via Sarpsborg several times a day. The journey from Oslo to Sarpsborg takes about one and a half hour.
