Population 57,795 / 59.1 degrees north

Tønsberg, Norway

Tønsberg is located about 100km south of Oslo on the Oslofjord near its mouth into the Skaggerak between Norway and Denmark. It’s good location has been the basis for Tønsberg’s incredible history; after all, it is considered to be the oldest city in Norway and was an important place during the Viking Age.

Fun Facts About Tønsberg

Latitude: 59.1 degrees north

Population: 57,794

Tønsberg Municipality

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Tønsberg

Oseberg Mound

The Oseberg Mound is where the 9th century Oseberg ship was excavated. The ship is now in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. In addition to the ship, the mound contained a carriage, five intricately carved bed-posts shaped like animal heads, sledges, beds, chests, weaving frames, utensils and more.

Foynegården

Foynegården is the city’s best-preserved merchant building and is the site of a patrician house from the 1700s where Svend Foyn was born in 1809.

Ruins of St. Olav's Church

The ruins of St. Olav’s Church are the site of a former monastery founded in 1191.

Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences

Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!

Færder

The island group Færder is renowned for its beaches and skerries and is a popular place for local sin the summer.

Road-Trips

Follow our road-trip guides for scenic trips around Tønsberg

The E18 from Ørje to Kristiansand

The E18 is the main highway from Oslo down south to Kristiansand. Along the way are several important towns and villages that feature in Norway’s early history.

Self-Guided Walks

Tønsberg on YouTube

Watch our YouTube videos featuring Tønsberg

Uniquely Tønsberg

Here are some things that you must do and try in Stryn

Slottsfjellet

Slottsfjellet was built in the 12th century during the Civil War era. When Håkon Håkonsson became king, he had a castle built on the fortress. In 1888 the tower was constructed as a memorial to the fortress. Below the mountain is a museum (called Slottsfjells Museum) dedicated to the fortress. The ruins of St. Michael’s Church are still visible here.

History of Tønsberg

Tønsberg was founded by King Harald Fairhair in the 9th century and served as an ancient capital of Norway. According to Snorre Sturluson, who wrote the Viking sagas, Tønsberg was founded before the Battle of Hafrsfjord, which according to Snorre was in 871. This makes Tønsberg one of the oldest still-existing Scandinavian cities.

Archaeological excavations in the 1980s under the remains of a monastery revealed several Viking graves.

The King lived at the old royal court where Jarlsberg Manor is located today. Haugar became the seat for the Haugating, which was Norway’s second-most important place for the proclamation of kings. The site had two Viking era mounds.

The town’s importance declined as other cities like Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim rose to prominence, and under the Danish union from 1397 onwards there was not as much need for a royal court. After a large fire in 1536, almost all the town was destroyed. Because of this, not much remains of the medieval town.

Tønsberg transformed into an important harbour town. King James VI of Scotland stopped here on his way to meet Anne of Denmark in Oslo to get married.

The centre of the world’s modern whaling industry was in Tønsberg (and Sandefjord). During the 19th century Tønsberg turned into a base of operation and source of expertise for whalers. Tønsberg has been called the ‘cradle of modern whaling’. One of the city’s most prominent residents, Svend Foyn, was a pioneer of whaling and established many places in Finnmark for whaling. Norway had a monopoly on European whaling until 1883, first and foremost due to Svend Foyn’s patent rights to whaling techniques and inventions. At the beginning of the 20th century, Tønsberg lost its pre-eminence in whaling to Sandefjord.

During World War II the Nazis constructed a concentration camp near Tønsberg.

Tønsberg Today

Today Tønsberg is mostly a shipping town and administrative centre. It is also known for its silverware.

Tønsberg has been mentioned many times in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was first mentioned in Iron Man 2 as a location under surveillance by S.H.I.E.L.D. It was then mentioned in Thor as the invasion point where the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, who sought to conquer the earth before they were defeated by Odin and the forces of Asgard. It’s then mentioned again in Thor Ragnarok, Odin chooses the town as the site of his death. These are just some of the mentions of Tønsberg.

Travel Information

Getting Here

Fly: Sandefjord Airport is close to Tønsberg.

Drive: Tønsberg is located just off the E18 between Oslo and Kristiansand.

Train: Trains run between Tønsberg and Oslo.

Ferry: A catamaran route connects Tønsberg with Fredrikstad.

Getting Around

Vestfold Kollektivtraffik operates the local buses, but all the main attractions are within walking distance.

Shops

Places to Eat

Cafes & Bakeries

Quick Bites

Reasonable Restaurants

Roar i Bua is a seafood restaurant.

Restaurant Haveriet is an international restaurant and one of the most popular options on the waterfront.

High End & Unique Eats

Places to Stay

At The Hidden North we believe in recommending quality & local places, so this website only recommends places to stay that have been tested or researched.

Camping

Tønsberg Hostel is a well run and friendly hostel close to the city.

Cabins & B&Bs

Chains & Mid-Range

Thon Hotel Brygga is the main chain hotel in town.

Click here to view rates & book

Quality Hotel Tønsberg is a reasonably priced hotel.