Founded by King Olav Haraldsson in 1016, this Norwegian city has Norway's largest waterfall, Sarpsfossen, and remains a key industrial center along the Glomma River.
In Sarpsborg, you can walk alongside Europe's highest-flow waterfall, watch ice hockey matches at Norway's first indoor arena, or join up to 6,000 people for summer concerts in Kulås park. This southeastern Norwegian city includes the Inspiria Science Center where you can explore a modern planetarium, and swimming complexes where you can try water slides of different speeds.
Transportation to Sarpsborg
You can reach Sarpsborg by taking a 1.5-hour train ride from Oslo Central Station. Trains run regularly throughout the day on the Vy line toward Halden. The station is in the city center, next to the Storbyen shopping center. By car, drive 90 kilometers south of Oslo on the E6 highway. The city is 30 kilometers from the Swedish border at Svinesund, making it a common stop between the two countries.
What to See and Do
Walk to the Sarp Falls viewing platform to experience one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls. The water creates a constant roar that you can hear from hundreds of meters away. The riverside path to the falls takes 25 minutes from the city center, passing millennium-old ruins and information boards about local history. In the city center, Kulås park's outdoor amphitheater hosts concerts and the May 17th National Day celebrations, with space for 6,000 people.
Science and Recreation
Visit the Inspiria Science Center on weekends to try hands-on experiments about energy, environment, and health. The center's planetarium shows films about space exploration and astronomy. Outside, you can test physics principles at the bike park. At Superland swimming complex, choose between fast and slow water slides, swim laps in the sports pool, or take children to the dedicated play areas.
Sports and Entertainment
Watch Sarpsborg 08 play football in Norway's top division from April to November. The Sparta Warriors ice hockey team plays home games at Sparta Amfi, which opened as Norway's first indoor ice hockey arena. Browse through 70 stores across three floors at the Storbyen shopping center, including the Meny supermarket.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Temperatures in Sarpsborg range from -5°C in winter to 23°C in summer. Plan your visit in July or August for warm weather and long daylight hours - ideal for walking along the river and exploring parks. September and October have mild temperatures with fewer visitors. In winter, you can go cross-country skiing on local trails or downhill skiing at nearby slopes.
Industry and Development
Borregaard ASA runs one of the world's most advanced biorefineries in Sarpsborg. The facility processes wood into chemicals, materials, and fuel, while generating enough electricity to power 20,000 homes. More than 1,000 local people work at the plant, which has influenced the city's growth since the first paper mills opened along the Glomma River in the late 1800s.
