Must-see attractions in The Coast

  • Henrik Ibsen museum in Grimstad.

    Ibsenhuset Museum

    The Coast

    Norway's favourite playwright, Henrik Ibsen, washed up in Grimstad in January 1844. The house where he worked as a pharmacist's apprentice, and where he…

  • Egersund Fayancemuseum

    The Coast

    A walkable 1.5km northeast of Egersund centre, this well-designed museum (squirrelled away in an unprepossessing shopping centre), houses the wares of…

  • Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall

    The Coast

    This highly regarded contemporary art gallery is a 15-minute walk from the town centre on the northern reaches of Arendal. One of the largest contemporary…

  • Kaupanger stave church (Kaupanger stavkyrkje) is the largest stave church in the Sogn og Fjordane, and is situated in the town of Kaupanger, Norway. The nave is supported by 22 staves, 8 on each of the longer sides and 3 on each of the shorter. The elevated chancel is carried by 4 free standing staves. The church has the largest number of staves to be found in any one stave church. It is still in use as a parish church, having been in use continuously since its erection.

    Kaupang

    The Coast

    Kaupang, 5km east of Larvik, was a former Viking town built around AD 800 and occupied until 960. It is believed that up to 1000 people once lived here…

  • Mølen

    The Coast

    The Mølen promontory, around 20 minutes' drive west of Stavern, is Norway's largest beach of rolling stones, and an austere and rather impressive sight…

  • Lindesnes Fyr

    The Coast

    Rising above the cape is the evocative Lindesnes Fyr, a classic lighthouse. In two of the buildings you'll pass as you climb to the cape, there are…

  • Whaling Museum

    The Coast

    You might not agree with the continuation of the practice this museum explores, but there's no denying that Sandefjord's Whaling Museum is a well…

  • Egersund Kirke

    The Coast

    There has been a church in Egersund since at least 1292. The cute, current manifestation dates back to the 1620s. The carved altarpiece, a depiction of…

  • Tyholmen

    The Coast

    Rising up behind the Gjestehavn (Guest Harbour) is the old harbourside Tyholmen district, home to beautiful 17th- to 19th-century timber buildings…

  • Damvann

    The Coast

    Some 20km north of Larvik is the beautiful, haunting lake of Damvann, surrounded by forests. Popular legend claims it to be the home of a witch called…

  • Herregården Manor House

    The Coast

    The classic baroque timber Herregården manor house was constructed in 1677 as the home of the Norwegian Governor General, Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, the…

  • Mandal Museum

    The Coast

    Displays of historical maritime and fishing artefacts and works by local artists are pleasant enough, but this museum is elevated above the mundane by…

  • Bølgen

    The Coast

    The town's impressive wave-shaped cultural centre houses a gallery that has an interesting curatorial calendar of contemporary Norwegian artists, concert…

  • Bøkeskogen

    The Coast

    This sublime patch of green overlooking Larvik is Norway’s largest and the world’s most northerly beech tree forest. It is criss-crossed with walking…

  • Grimstad Maritime Museum

    The Coast

    This spectacularly sited, but rarely open, museum in the office of the 1842 Hasseldalen shipyard provides a glimpse into Grimstad's history during 'the…

  • Southern Actor

    The Coast

    The 1950s whaleboat Southern Actor is moored at the harbour; entry is by your Whaling Museum ticket; while you're there, also look out for the striking…

  • Hollenderbyen

    The Coast

    The old 'Dutch Town' district, with its narrow streets and old timber buildings, makes for a richly atmospheric walk.

  • Larvik Museum

    The Coast

    This multi-part museum is spread across the town and is under the auspices of the broader Vestfold Museene.

  • Tønsberg Castle

    The Coast

    Tønsberg Castle, spread across the hill behind the town, was the largest fortress in Norway in the 13th century. In 1503 the Swedes destroyed what they…

  • Vestfold County Museum

    The Coast

    At the foot of Slottsfjellet (Castle Rock) at the northern end of town, a five-minute walk northwest of the train station, this museum's highlights…

  • Flekkefjord Church

    The Coast

    One building that stands out of the uniform streetscape is the unusual octagonal log-built Flekkefjord Church, which was consecrated in 1833. Designed by…

  • Risør Saltwater Aquarium

    The Coast

    The interesting Risør Saltwater Aquarium, on the quay in front of the Risør Hotel, is a small showcase of saltwater fish, crustaceans and shellfish common…

  • Larvik Maritime Museum

    The Coast

    A 1730 brick structure immediately east of the harbour is home to maritime art and a number of impressive model ships. Colin Archer, the famous Norwegian…

  • Verkensgården

    The Coast

    Verkensgården has tools and implements from a local 17th-century sawmill and ironworks. There's also a permanent geological exhibition documenting the…

  • Berg-Kragerø Museum

    The Coast

    On the shore of Hellefjord, 3km from the centre, this museum consists of a 120-hectare estate with a country residence dating from 1803. There are gardens…

  • Flekkefjord Museum

    The Coast

    Flekkefjord Museum is housed in a home dating from 1724. The 19th-century interiors, mostly the bequest of one local woman, illustrate how a high…

  • Dalane Folk Museum

    The Coast

    The 'folk' part of the Dalane Folk Museum features eight historic timber homes at Slettebø, 3.5km north of Egersund just off the Rv42.

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