This coastal town in southeastern Norway has deep maritime roots, from its active shipping industry to its connection with explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Sandy beaches and parks line its shore.
Just 1.5 hours from Oslo, Larvik sits along Norway's southern coast. You can swim at Batteristranda's white sand beach, walk among ancient beech trees in Bøkeskogen forest, or explore Bronze Age burial mounds at Mølen beach. The town's mineral springs supply both the Farris Bad spa and Norway's popular Farris sparkling water. In summer, international artists perform at the Stavernfestivalen music festival.
Beaches and Coastal Areas
Walk the 35-kilometer coastal trail from Stavern to Helgeroa to see distinctive rock formations shaped by waves and glaciers. At Mølen beach, part of UNESCO Global Geopark, you'll walk among hundreds of stone burial mounds from the Bronze Age. For swimming, choose between Batteristranda beach in central Larvik or Ula beach, with its smooth granite boulders and white sand.
Bøkeskogen Forest
Walk through 74 acres of beech trees in Bøkeskogen, the northernmost beech forest in the world. The marked trails make it easy to explore on foot or by running. Local musicians perform jazz at Bøkekroa on summer Friday evenings, with the forest as their backdrop.
Family Activities
Climb through obstacle courses and zip lines at Høyt og Lavt, Scandinavia's largest climbing park. Children can try 50 different activities at Foldvik Familiepark in Stavern, including bouncy cushions and electric tractors. Sleep in a treetop cabin or glass cabin in Laagen, surrounded by forest and morning birdsong.
Wellness and Mineral Springs
Swim in pools filled with mineral-rich water at Farris Bad spa while looking out over Larviksfjorden. The same underground springs that feed the spa have supplied water to the region for centuries and are the source of Farris sparkling water.
Archaeological Site of Kaupang
Visit Norway's first known town from the Viking Age at Kaupang. Summer guided tours explain daily Viking life in what was once a busy trading port. Archaeological finds include items from across Europe and the Middle East, showing the site's importance in international trade.
Getting Around
Take the Vestfoldbanen railway line from Oslo to Larvik Station. The E18 highway connects to major cities, and car ferries cross regularly to Hirtshals, Denmark. While you can walk around the town center, you'll need a car or public transport to reach Mølen beach or Kaupang.
