Just an hour and a half’s drive south from Norway’s capital Oslo you find a wonderful coastal area with scenic pathways and endless views of the ocean. The area is on the southernmost point of the Tjøme archipelago and is aptly named Verdens ende (World’s end) with its unobstructed views into the horizon. It can be quite busy in the middle of the summer, so if you have the opportunity to go on a warm spring or autumn day, you may get to enjoy a bit more of the peaceful tranquility the area has to offer than if you visit during the buzzing summer vacation weeks.
On the road down from Oslo, you should try to get the most out of your trip into this beautiful part of Norway by making a stop at the city of Tønsberg, and some of the small villages around the Nøtterøy and Tjøme municipalities.
Tønsberg is generally regarded as the oldest town in Norway. The first time the town was mentioned by a contemporary writer was in 1130. According to Snorri Sturluson, Tønsberg was founded before the Battle of Hafrsfjord, which, according to Snorri, took place in 871. It is a beautiful city about 100 kilometers south of Oslo with around 40000 inhabitants. It has scenic waterfront with many bars and restaurants which especially in the summer are packed with both tourists and locals alike. The city’s maritime traditions are evident by the many beautiful ships in the harbor and you can even watch craftsmen build viking ships the old traditional way right there on the waterfront.
With its close proximity to Oslo, Tjøme with the surrounding areas is a popular holiday spot for Norway’s rich and famous and a vacation home here can easily set you back a few millions $US. Even the royal family spends their summers here so if you like wining and dining with the finest this is definitely the place to be in the summer. But even without having a fortune to burn, you will certainly enjoy spending a few days or more in this beautiful part of the Norwegian countryside.