Month: January 2025

The French author Lorelou Desjardins moved to Norway in 2010 and discovered the realities foreigners face when they try to adapt a new culture. In a humours way she wrote the book “The Frog in the Fjord – The Art of Being Norwegian”.

I am hoping to give non-Norwegians a glimpse of what make Norway and Norwegians so awkward and so lovable; and to give Norwegians something to laugh or to think about.

– Lorelou afroginthefjord.com

If you are a tourist and try to blend in, make sure to watch our movies about Norwegian culture. Visit Vestfold and Lorelou will explain in 4 short movies a glimpse of what makes you a true Norwegian.

Plan Your Trip

Ready to enjoy all that Vestfold has to offer this summer? Don’t miss out on some amazing musical and social experiences – plan your trip here👇

What’s On in Vestfold

We’ve gathered everything that’s happening all year in one place 👇

Maja Moan/Stavernfestivalen

Festival Vibes

Festival week is all about good vibes – and you’ll find them far beyond the festival grounds too 🎪☀️

Stavernfestivalen

Looking for a drink, a bite and a great view? Check out top rooftops, restaurants and cocktail bars near YOU 🗺️👇

🎉Don’t miss this in Larvik & Stavern:

Festival vibes + spa + soft beds = Farris Bad. Just a short drive from Stavernfestivalen, this is the perfect place to catch some quality sleep between concerts, find your zen in the spa and maybe do a spot of celebrity watching (most artists live here during the festival).

Just a short walk away, you’ll find Quality Hotel Grand Larvik, which has a cozy bar with shuffleboard and a great outdoor seating area. The hotel has one of the best locations in the area, as it is just across from the train station in a newly renovated area of Larvik, close to shopping, great dining and the fjord.

Both hotels are within easy walking distance of the festival grounds!

🎉Don’t miss this in Sandefjord:

Touchdown at TORP Sandefjord Airport– the regions gateway by air. Alternatively, come by train, bus or ferry from Sweden. Whether you’re staying in town or heading to nearby festivals, Sandefjord is the perfect place to stay. For a seamless experience, check in to one of these central hotels – Scandic Park Sandefjord, Home Hotel Atlantic, or Hotel Kong Carl.

🎉 Don’t miss this in Tønsberg:

Both Hotel Klubben and Quality Hotel Tønsberg have amazing rooftop terraces! Definitely worth a visit if you’re nearby 😍.

🎉 Don’t miss this in Horten:

Especially relevant if you’re heading to Midgardsblot – Njord Café & Restaurant is just a 15-minute walk from the Midgard Viking Center!

Sun, Sea & Sand

A festival day in Vestfold isn’t quite complete without a swim in the ocean and a laid-back beach break. 🏖️

Take a look at our beach guide to find your nearest spot – and don’t forget to swing by a local café for a tasty lunch before you dive into a few hours of swimming, beach volleyball, sunbathing and pure summer vibes. ☀️

Discover art in Vestfold and go on an art trip! From Edvard Munch’s house in Åsgårdstrand to Haugar Art Museum in Tønsberg, photography at Preus Museum, sculpture parks in Sandefjord, Odd Nerdrum’s paintings, street art and local galleries. Here, art is alive both in nature and in the small towns.

Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch spent many summers in Åsgårdstrand, even while living a restless life across Europe in cities like Paris, Berlin, Dresden, and Rome. In 1898, he bought a small wooden house in Åsgårdstrand – his hideaway by the Oslofjord.

From this house, you can still recognize the landscapes from his paintings: the pebbled shoreline, shimmering moonlight, and coastal scenery. These motifs are central in his famous Frieze of Life.

Munch’s house has been a museum for more than 70 years. Visitors can step into the artist’s “little house of happiness” and follow in his footsteps along the coast, either on a guided tour or with a map.

Haugar Art Museum in Tønsberg

Haugar Art Museum is a striking red-brick building between Tønsberg’s city centre and Slottsfjell. Inside you’ll find an exciting mix of Norwegian and international contemporary art.

Pop icon Andy Warhol admired Edvard Munch and created a series of works inspired by him. Thirteen of these, along with Warhol’s portrait of Queen Sonja, are part of Haugar’s permanent exhibition.

Alongside its collection, Haugar hosts changing exhibitions throughout the year, making it one of the top art museums in Vestfold.

🎨 Haugar Art Museum host exhibitions and events throughout the year – a must visit for all art enthusiasts visiting the area.

Preus Museum: The National Photo Museum in Horten

Located at Karljohansvern in Horten, Preus Museum is Norway’s national museum of photography. Its permanent exhibition take you on a journey through photography’s history, from camera obscura to today’s smartphone photography.

The museum also offers themed exhibitions, a cozy café, and a well-stocked gift shop for photo enthusiasts.

Nerdrum Museum, Stavern

The Nerdrum Museum located in the idyllic village of Stavern, is dedicated to one of Norway’s most renowned contemporary painters, Odd Nerdrum.

Known for his figurative, timeless style, Nerdrum draws inspiration from classical masters while exploring themes of humanity, mythology, and the raw drama of nature.

Nerdrummuseet

The museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience his powerful works in an intimate setting, surrounded by the landscapes that have shaped much of his art.

🎨 In Stavern for the art? Take a break at Havfuglen – the cute coffeshop next door run by the Nerdrum family – or check out the rest of Sjøparkens amenities.

Sculputres and Nature

Midtåsen Sculpture Pavilion & Park in Sandefjord

On the hillside above Sandefjord lies Midtåsen, once the estate of shipowner Anders Jahre. Today, it is open to the public with walking paths, viewpoints and spectacular art.

At its heart is the glass-walled sculpture pavilion, where Knut Steen’s marble works meet the surrounding forest and fjord views. Sixteen of his bronze sculptures are also displayed throughout the park, creating a unique art and nature experience.

“The Path for the Eye” in Stokke

In Stokke, the trail Sti for Øye (“Path for the Eye”) combines contemporary sculptures with Vestfold’s beautiful forest landscape. Twelve international artists have contributed to this two-kilometre walk, open year-round.

The Poetry Park in Larvik

In Larvik, the Poetry Park places inspiring quotes and poems around the city, turning everyday walks into artistic encounters.

Terje Svendsen

Street Art (for All) in Sandefjord

Since 2017, Art for All has filled Sandefjord with international street art. Ten large murals still decorate the city centre, making it an open-air gallery easy to explore on foot.

Local Art Galleries in Vestfold

Sandefjord Art Association ocated next to Scandic Park Hotel, showcases professional art by local, national, and international artists. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday and also hosts courses and lectures.

There are plenty of cute little galleries to explore around the Vestfold towns. Check out some of them👇

In Vestfold, art isn’t just inside museums. It lives in houses, forests, city walls, and coastal landscapes—waiting for you to discover.

– quieter, rawer, and entirely yours.

Just a short drive from Vestfold’s towns, the coastal landscape transforms when temperatures drop. The silence settles in. Wildlife reclaims the islands. And that low winter light? It’s something else entirely.

Fulehuk fyr at the outer edge of the Oslo Fjord is open year-round for those who want to stay where land meets sea.

Boat Trips When Everyone Else has Gone Home

Winter boat trips in the archipelago mean having the islands to yourself. No crowds. Just the sound of water against the hull and seabirds overhead. The winter light sits low on the horizon – perfect if you’re into photography or just want to see the coast as locals do.

Fjordtaxi  runs year-round trips: fishing excursions, lighthouse safaris, sightseeing, or simple transport between islands. Your skipper knows every skerry, every fishing spot, every story worth telling.

All Onboard offers RIB tours throughout the year (ice-free conditions and above –10°C required). You’ll get a flotation suit and life jacket – safety first, adrenaline second. Speed, spray, and close encounters with winter nature.

Vippefyret on Verdens Ende

ℹ️ Insider Tip: Færder National Park in winter
Verdens Ende (World’s End) draws visitors even in the cold months. Warm up at Spiseriet restaurant with its spectacular views, then explore the Færder National Park Visitor Center in the same building. The park protects islands and skerries in the Oslofjord.

Coastal Trails Without Summer Crowds

Winter mood on the beaches along the coast.

Vestfold’s coastal trails are brilliant in winter. Fresh air, rosy cheeks, sea views – and you’ll likely have the trail all to yourself. Just check conditions before heading out, dress for the weather, and enjoy the kind of walk that clears your head completely.

From Nature To City Life in Minutes

One of Vestfold’s best-kept secrets? Everything’s close. Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg, Horten, Holmestrand – each town has its own vibe, and all are a short drive from wild coastline.

Restaurants With a View (and Proper Heating)

After a day outdoors, you’ve earned a good meal. Vestfold has plenty of spots serving local food and drinks with views of the water. Book ahead – winter or not, the best tables fill up.

🦐 Local Secret: Shrimp season peaks in winter. Head to Brødrene Berggren in Sandefjord – one of Norway’s oldest fish shops – for the freshest catch.