Places to stay and activities in Skien

Roughly midway between Holmestrand in the north and Tønsberg in the south, and with Oslofjord as the nearest neighbour, you will find the coastal idyll of Horten. With its rich naval history, and traces of both Vikings and artists, there’s plenty to explore when you’re visiting. 

And with what is referred to as Norway’s cosiest festival, fireworks concert and festivals for both chamber music and punk – as well as both photo and food festivals – it is no wonder that Horten is also called the festival city and Vestfold’s cultural capital. 

Hotel Horten is located right down by the quay in the town centre, and offers beautiful rooms, its own restaurant, bar and several meeting rooms. The hotel also has its own lounge with views of the Oslofjord. 

Here are some things to do when you check into Horten:

Activities

Discover the coast on foot

If you’re going to do one thing in Horten, go the coastal path. It stretches around 17 kilometres from Falkensten by Løvøya to Åsgårdstrand, and takes you past both beautiful nature and historic areas such as Karljohansvern. From Hotel Horten, you can walk to the starting point at Horten Harbour in five minutes.

Tips: Horten also has nice cycle paths. See Visit Vestfold for suggested routes.

Farm fun for the whole family

At the Buggegården family park, children can greet animals, jump in the hay, play hen bingo and test the obstacle course. Here you will encounter alpacas, rabbits, pigs and sheep - and perhaps you will see both Greta and the poodle elf. Theatre, cinema and tractor tours are also arranged. The grills are ready and the kiosk is tempting with something tasty. A great day out for both young and old.

For fishing enthusiasts

If you want to try your fishing luck, you have several good choices. The borewater, ten minutes from the city centre, is known as one of Norway’s best gjeddewaters. You can also get perch here. If you want mackerel, Steinbrygga and Veggfjellet are good alternatives.

Tips: Around Borrevannet you will find hiking trails, swimming areas and good conditions for canoes and rowboats. The lake is a nature reserve with a rich flora and fauna.

Horten for water babies

Pack your swimwear. Horten has several beautiful beaches, many within walking distance of the hotel. Rørestrand, about two kilometres away, is a popular sandy beach with grassy plains, a volleyball court and barbecue areas. You will also find bathing spots such as Borrestranda, Vollane, Møringa and Varnestangen. If you prefer fresh water, you can swim in the Borrevannet bathroom.

Sightseeing at sea

If you want to see Horten from the water, kayaking is a good choice. The “Indre Havn, Horten Historisk Tursti 10” tour is a simple 6-8 kilometre tour that takes you through the Canal and past several bathing spots. You can rent a kayak from Borre Kayak rental. If you are new, you can join courses at RS Noatun or DNT Horten.

Learn to brew craft beer

At Buggegården Bryggeri, you can taste local beer and learn how to brew yourself. Gråtass IPA and Bondens Blonde Ale, brewed with grain from our own farm, are made here. You can also buy beer with you home. The brewery also makes kombucha and ice tea.

Culture and festivals

The Verven Festival

With the slogan “Norway’s cosiest festival”, most things speak for themselves. The werving festival was held for the first time in 2013 and has since become an integral part of Horten. With artists such as Veronica Maggio and Postgirobygget on stage, the festival attracts audiences from all over the region.

Horten Chamber Music Festival

In June, Gamlehorten Gjestegård at Karljohansvern is filled with notes from Horten Kammermusikfest. Musicians from home and abroad gather here to create great experiences with classical music - for both experienced listeners and curious newcomers.

The fireworks concert

The fireworks concert at Vollen is a firm summer tradition. The concert is organised by Marinemusikken and Horten Municipality and ends - as the name promises - with fireworks. An atmospheric evening out at Karljohansvern.

Kanalrock

Kanalrock is Horten’s longest-living festival and a meeting place for punk and metal fans. The festival runs over two days at the Archery Line, about ten minutes’ walk from the hotel. On Saturday morning, there is “Knøttepønk” and a football tournament for the youngest, before the rock party continues into the evening.

Horten Food and Beer Festival

Horten food and beer festival brings together food and drink enthusiasts in the Culture Quarter and the Artillery Workshop at Karljohansvern. Here you can taste the local and travelling exhibitors, enjoy live music, courses and activities for the whole family room. A social and tasty weekend in Horten.

Museums and attractions

Find your inner Viking

Horten and Vestfold have a rich Viking history. At the Midgard Viking Centre at Borrehaugene, you can learn more about life in the Viking era. Here you will find exhibitions and activities such as archery, axe throwing and kubb. Borrehaugen is one of Norway’s most important cultural monuments and Northern Europe’s largest collection of burial heaps, used between the years 600 and 900. You can join a guided tour of the area or visit the Midgard Viking Festival, which is held every other year in July.

The artist town of Åsgårdstrand

Ten minutes by car from Horten - or a nice walk along the coastal path - is Åsgårdstrand. The small coastal town is known for its white wooden houses, small galleries and cosy cafes. Many artists have lived here, with Edvard Munch at the helm, which is why the city has been nicknamed the “artists’ town”. If you are visiting, you should taste crawls at Frantzens Konditori or Munchs Kafé.

At home with Munch

At Åsgårdstrand you can visit Munch’s house, which the artist bought in 1898. He spent many summers here, and several well-known works were created here, including “The Girls on the Bridge”. Today, Munch’s house is a museum, and looks just like it was when Munch lived there. In the summer, you can also join a guided hike in Munch’s footsteps.

Karljohansvern

The former Karljohansvern marine area is now a vibrant cultural and hiking area. Here you will find museums, events and parts of the coastal trail. Take a stroll along the canal, walk the Fortress Trail or stop by Vollane, one of Horten’s popular bathing spots.

The history of photography

At the Preus Museum, Norway’s National Museum of Photography, you can explore the evolution of photography - from camera obscura to mobile camera. Located at Karljohansvern, the museum offers exhibitions, historical equipment and photo literature.

The Norwegian Naval Museum

At Karljohansvern you will also find the Naval Museum, one of the world’s oldest of its kind. Here you get an insight into Norwegian naval history, from sailing era to modern defence. See vessel models, board a submarine and finish your visit in the museum’s cafe.

Local History Centre

At the Local History Centre, you can take a trip back to the 1940s and 50s. Here you will find a contemporary apartment, a school room and a lord’s office, among other things. There is also a cafe and a ship simulator where you can try your hand as a captain. A great experience for both curious children and adults.

Food and drinks

Restaurant Baltzer

At Restaurant Baltzer, you’ll eat in historic surroundings - it’s been serving here for over 200 years. The restaurant is located on the first floor of Hotel Horten, right next to the guest harbour. The menu includes pan-fried scallops, duck confit and fish soup. A great choice when you want to enjoy a meal with a view of the harbour.

Restaurant Njord

If you follow the coastal path towards Borre and Åsgårdstrand, Restaurant Njord is located by RS Noatun on Langgrunn. A lunch buffet with local ingredients is served here, and you can also choose from burgers, pizza, sandwiches and salads. Four times a year, the restaurant invites guests to seasonal dinners with accompanying drinks. These evenings fill up quickly, so it’s worth booking in advance.

Fishland

At Fishland, seafood is at the centre. The restaurant is a five-minute walk from the hotel, with a great location in the harbour. The menu includes fish soup, grilled squid, prawns and other dishes from the sea - as well as some meat options. A nice place for a laid-back dinner by the sea.

Himalaya Tandori

The Himalaya Tandori is only a two-minute walk from the hotel. It serves dishes from the Northwest Indian kitchen, such as butter chicken, lamb tikka and samosa. A tasty break from everyday life - in the middle of Horten.

Traktern Coffee Shop

If you get thirsty for coffee, Traktern Kaffebar is a nice stop in Storgata, five minutes from the hotel. Here you can get both hot and cold drinks, as well as simple lunch dishes such as toast, buns, salads and croissants.

Horten Microbrewery

Horten Mikrobryggeri is located in the middle of Storgata. Here you can taste home-brewed beer straight from the bottle, often with up to eight different varieties. Burgers and snacks are also served, and beer tastings and courses are arranged for those who want to learn more about brewing.

Group activities

Tufte Gård

If you’re gathering a larger group for a wedding, party or kick-off, Tufte Gård is a good choice. Here you can celebrate in the barn, in lavvo or in the staff cage - and combine the evening with activities such as axe throwing and sawing competitions. The farm serves local food made by a local chef and local beer from its own separate brewery. Tufte Gård is about a 10 minute drive from Hotel Horten.

Invite to a Viking party

At the Midgard Viking Centre, you can invite guilds to Gildehallen - inspired by the Vikings’ own party halls. A host in a Viking costume welcomes you and tells you about the story before serving food based on Viking-era ingredients and dishes. There will be entertainment along the way, and perhaps dancing. The set-up and activities can be customised as desired, and the hall can accommodate up to 100 people.

Sightseeing at sea

If you want to experience the archipelago from the water, kayaking is a great activity. The “Indre Havn, Horten Historisk Tursti 10” tour is a simple 6-8 kilometre tour that goes through the Canal and past several bathing spots. You can rent a kayak from Borre Kayak rental. If you want a safe start, RS Noatun and DNT Horten offer courses and organised tours.

Learn to brew craft beer

At Buggegården Bryggeri, you can both taste local beer and learn how to brew your own. Here, Gråtass IPA and Bondens Blonde Ale are made from grains from our own farm. In courses, you will get an introduction to the brewing process and tips for home brewing. The brewery also has a separate outlet, as well as production of kombucha and ice tea.