Oslo to Tonsberg and Sandefjord: Private day trip

Explore Scandinavia's oldest town, founded by Vikings in 871 AD and steeped in medieval maritime history. Climb Slottsfjellet Hill to the ruins of the 13th-century royal castle and scale the 17-meter tower for panoramic views across the Oslofjord, where Viking longships once navigated. Wander through the charming Old Town with its traditional wooden houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and historic harbor where fishing boats still dock daily. Visit Haugar, the Viking cemetery, to see ancient burial mounds revealing the town's Norse origins, then explore the Tonsberg Museum showcasing Viking artifacts, medieval weapons, and reconstructed fortress models. Stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade lined with cafes serving fresh seafood and traditional Norwegian dishes like fiskeboller and krumkake. The town's maritime atmosphere comes alive during summer festivals celebrating its Viking heritage with traditional music, crafts, and reenactments.

Discover the world's only remaining whaling museum in the former global capital of modern whaling. Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing massive whale skeletons, antique harpoons, and detailed ship models from Sandefjord's golden whaling age when the town's fleet dominated Antarctic waters. Learn about dangerous Southern Ocean expeditions through interactive displays, authentic logbooks, maps, and photographs revealing life aboard whaling vessels. Walk through preserved captain's quarters and examine navigation instruments, while outdoor exhibits feature the restored whaling ship Southern Actor where you can explore crew quarters and walk the decks. The museum chronicles Sandefjord's transformation from small coastal village to wealthy whaling capital, with displays of scrimshaw art, whale oil lamps, and traditional Norwegian maritime crafts. Nearby cafes serve fresh seafood specialties while the harbor showcases the town's evolution from whaling to modern shipping and offshore industries.