Car holiday in picturesque Southern Norway

Route suggestion: Oslo – Horten – Tønsberg - Skien – Arendal – Kristiansand

From city beaches and outdoor dining in Oslo, it'sonly a little over an hour's drive to two of Norway’s most popular summer towns, Horten and Tønsberg. If you have a bit more time, we also recommend visiting some of Telemark’s gems in Skien, as well as the family-friendly destinations of Arendal and Kristiansand.

Coastal and bicycle paths in Horten

Horten offers great opportunities to explore, both on foot and by bike. The landscape is flat and there are lots of paths to choose from, including the Coastal Trail, Møringa at Karljohansvern and Borrevannet in Hortensmarka.

The city of Horten is centrally located in the middle of Vestfold and Telemark, just over an hour’s drive from Oslo. Horten is known for its coastline, woods, cultural heritage and history, with both nature and urban life nearby!

Looking for a place to stay in Horten?

Spend the night at Thon Hotel Horten, located down at the pier and easily accessible by ferry from Moss, public transport and car. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, lounge and meeting rooms.

Small town life, pier and swimming beaches in Tønsberg

Tønsberg is a charming town that’s easy to navigate. There are restaurants along the quayside, beautiful beaches and rock formations, as well as both nature and cultural experiences. Slottsfjell has historic ruins and fantastic views of the city. Ringshaugstranda is located slightly outside the town centre and has a beautiful sandy beach. There is a free ferry from Husvik to Husøy that lets you bring your bicycle on board. You can also take a boat to the Bolærne islands.

The World's End scenic spot is located at the very end of Tjøme and well worth a visit. The southernmost tip offers fantastic sea views and great swimming. Made from old cobblestones, the old Vippefyr lighthouse is an iconic landmark and popular picture-taking spot.

Tjøme skate park is located in Færder National Park, where there is also plenty of grassy space for a game of frisbee and a slackline.

Thon Hotel Tønsberg Brygge is centrally located at Brygga in Tønsberg. It is only a short distance from the hotel to shopping, swimming and Slottsfjellet mountain. The hotel was fully renovated in 2017 and is now a modern and inviting hotel.

Wooden houses in Åsgårdstrand

Picturesque Åsgårdstrand is lined with painted wooden houses and ornamental gardens. It's no wonder that so many famous painters have lived here. Edvard Munch had a summer house here and his The Girls on the Bridge feature a typical scene from the harbour. The swimming area and sandy beach are perfect for a hot summer day.

Whaling Museum in Sandefjord

Sandefjord is a larger coastal city with shops, eateries and the Whaling Museum. There are lots coastal paths to choose from and beautiful recreational areas on Østerøya. Sandefjord’s new public pool was completed in June 2020 and you'll find a skate park, fitness facility and sand volleyball court nearby.

The Telemark Canal in Skien

Skien is home to some of the best that Telemark has to offer and our hotel is within walking distance of the Telemark Canal, Telemark Museum, Henrik Ibsen Museum, Brekkeparken, as well as nightlife and shopping.

About the Telemark Canal – the unique waterway from sea to mountain

The Telemark Canal was dug out of rock well over 100 years ago and on completion in 1892, was called an 'eighth wonder' in Europe.

By the time it was finished, 500 men had spent five years blasting their way through rock. With no fewer than 18 sluice chambers, there was now a direct connection from Skien to the town of Dalen, a 105 km voyage with a height difference of 72 metres. The canal was called the 'Hurtigruten' between eastern and western Norway, and was also the most important transport route between upper and lower Telemark for people, cattle, goods and timber.

Today, tourists from far and near come to experience this unique waterway, which looks much the same as it did over a century ago. The stone-faced sluice walls, enormous sluice gates and opening and closing mechanism are all completely authentic.

Car-free island off the coast at Arendal

One of southern Norway’s most beautiful villages combines a picturesque archipelago with urban living. Lined with restaurants and delightful cafés, the Pollen harbour basin, often called Arendal’s 'Nyhavn' (like in Copenhagen), is buzzing with activity during high season. 

A short ferry ride from one of the city centre jetties is the picturesque and car-free island of Merdø. Small, cosy summer houses and beautiful shallow beaches make this island a must-see destination. A visit to Merdø is a great way to spend the day, with ferries departing several times daily during high season. There is also a small restaurant on the island.

On the one side of the island is a pebble beach, and from here you can see the lighthouses Lille and Store Torungen, two of Arendal’s most famous landmarks. Other great swimming spots in the area are Hovestrendene, Spornes, Havsøya, EB-Stranda on Tangen and Stølsviga on Hisøy.

For those who like to go on long walks, Raet National Park spans from the Valøyene islands in Grimstad along Arendal’s coastline and all the way to Lyngør in Tvedestrand – a hike that should be on everyone's bucket list!

Looking for a place to stay?

Thon Hotel Arendal is a newly renovated and modern hotel with comfortable rooms and top-class conference facilities. The hotel’s central location on the quay in Arendal puts you close to shopping and all the sights and attractions that the city has to offer.

A trip to Kristiansand

There is plenty to see and do in Kristiansand besides visiting the famous zoo. Along the seafront promenade, you'll find Bystranda, a shallow and family-friendly sandy beach. And just outside the city centre are Hamresanden and Dvergsnestangen, both of which are well worth a visit.

Odderøya is a former naval base where the Quart Festival used to be held. Here you'll find picturesque hiking trails, small cafés and a number of exciting galleries. There are great swimming spots and recreational areas on the island, which is only a short walk from the city centre.

Other popular islands are Dvergsøya, Herøya and Bragdøya. On Bragdøya, you can spend the day relaxing in a hammock or rowing boat, which are available for rent. Stampe is great for those who prefer to swim in fresh water. When it comes to sightseeing, Fiskebrygga, Møvik Fort and Christiansholm Fortress are worth seeing.

We have three hotels in the centre of Kristiansand. Hotel Kristiansand is centrally located on the city’s pedestrian street, Markens, while Hotel Parken and Hotel Norge are located close to Wergelandsparken, the Kristiansand Cathedral and Torvet.

Have a wonderful trip from all of us at Thon Hotels!