After three visits to Oslo in recent years, we fancied trying somewhere different on our latest trip to Norway.
We were flying into Oslo Torp Airport, which despite the name is actually quite a distance from Oslo itself, so I started looking at what other places we could visit closer to the airport.
Sandefjord is probably the obvious choice, particularly as it's so close to Torp, but while researching the area I came across Tønsberg.
I'd barely heard anything about it before, but the more I looked, the more it sounded like our kind of weekend. Norway's oldest city, loads of Viking history, a waterfront lined with restaurants and bars, and just around 20 minutes from Torp by train.
So instead of heading towards Oslo, we jumped on a train in the opposite direction and spent the weekend seeing what Tønsberg had to offer.
And I'm very glad we did.
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Our visit to Tønsberg was supported by Visit Vestfold. There was no obligation for us to write this guide or feature any of the places we visited, and as always, all opinions are completely our own.
Where: Vestfold, Norway
Nearest airport: Oslo Torp Airport (TRF)
From Torp: Around 20 minutes by train, plus the short airport shuttle
How long I'd stay: 1–2 nights for a weekend break
Best for: Viking history, waterfront restaurants and easy short breaks
Getting around: Very easy on foot
Don't miss: Slottsfjellet, Vikingodden, Brygga and a Walk with a Viking tour
Would we return? Yes, particularly in warmer weather so we could explore more of the surrounding coast
Tønsberg is in the Vestfold region of southern Norway, around 100km south of Oslo.
It's considered Norway's oldest city and has links stretching back to the Viking Age, but today it feels much more like a small, relaxed waterfront city than somewhere built entirely around its history.
For us, one of the biggest advantages was how close it is to Oslo Torp Airport.
We flew into Torp from Manchester and travelled to Tønsberg using the airport shuttle and train. The shuttle takes around five minutes to Torp Train Station, followed by a train journey of around 20 minutes.
I've written a full step-by-step guide to getting from Oslo Torp Airport to Tønsberg, including where to find the shuttle, which train you need, what we paid and how to make the return journey.
This was probably the thing I was most curious about before we went because I'd seen very little about Tønsberg from UK travel sites or on social media.
The centre is compact and really easy to explore on foot, with Brygga and the harbour being one of the main areas for restaurants, bars and sitting outside by the water.
Head away from the harbour and you've got the main shopping streets, while Slottsfjellet sits above the city with some lovely views across Tønsberg and the surrounding area.
What surprised me was how much we managed to fit into such a short visit. It wasn't a case of arriving, walking around the harbour for an hour and then wondering what to do next.
We had more than enough to fill our weekend.
Yes, particularly if you're visiting for one or two days.
One of the highlights for us was Slottsfjellet, or Castle Rock. We walked up to Slottsfjell Tower, passing the statue of Princess Kristina along the way, before exploring the historic site and enjoying the views from the top.
We also joined a Walk with a Viking tour, which ended up being one of my favourite parts of the weekend. Having someone explain the history while you're actually standing in the places where events happened made everything far more interesting.
Down at Vikingodden, you can see full-size reconstructions of Viking ships, including Saga Oseberg. When we visited, work was also underway on Saga Gokstad, so we could actually see another Viking ship being constructed using traditional techniques.
Then you've got Brygga, museums, shopping, second-hand shops and plenty of places to eat and drink.
We even managed to fit in a swim in the heated rooftop pool at our hotel.
I've put together a separate guide to 15 things to do in Tønsberg, which goes into everything we did, plus a few more ideas if you're staying for longer.
I knew Tønsberg had Viking connections before we visited, but I hadn't appreciated just how much history there was here.
The famous Oseberg Viking ship was discovered in a burial mound just outside Tønsberg in 1904. The ship had been buried with two women and an incredible collection of grave goods for more than 1,000 years.
Today you can see the reconstruction, Saga Oseberg, at Vikingodden.
Tønsberg's history goes well beyond the ships too. Between Slottsfjellet and our Viking walking tour, we came away knowing far more about the area than when we arrived.
If Viking history is one of the reasons you want to visit Norway, Tønsberg is definitely somewhere I'd consider.
History aside, Brygga was probably where we spent most of our time.
The waterfront is lined with restaurants and bars, with boats in the harbour and plenty of places to sit outside overlooking the water.
Our hotel was right beside it, which meant we could walk out and immediately be amongst everything.
We visited in September and were really lucky with the weather, so we spent plenty of time walking along the harbour and stopping for food and drinks.
It gave the trip a nice balance. We could spend a few hours sightseeing and then quite happily sit beside the water with a drink and watch the world go by.
I actually think this is where Tønsberg works particularly well.
We only had a weekend and didn't feel like we'd spent half of it travelling between attractions. Once we'd arrived in Tønsberg, we walked everywhere.
Slottsfjellet, Brygga, Vikingodden, the shopping streets and our hotel were all close enough that we could just wander between them without planning transport.
That makes a big difference when you've only got one or two nights.
If we'd stayed longer, there were still plenty of things we could have added, particularly around Færder, Tjøme and the coastline. But for a short break, we felt like we'd had enough time to properly experience Tønsberg rather than spending the whole weekend rushing around.
I'd say one or two nights is a good amount of time for a first visit.
One night would work if you've found particularly good flight times and want a quick break. With two nights, you can slow things down a little and have more time for museums, meals around Brygga and some of the things outside the immediate centre.
If we returned for three or four nights, I wouldn't spend all of that time in central Tønsberg. I'd use the extra time to explore more of the surrounding Vestfold coast, including places such as Færder National Park and Verdens Ende.
Norway has a reputation for being expensive, and there are definitely things that cost more than we're used to paying in the UK, particularly alcohol and eating out.
But the trip itself doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.
Our return flights from Manchester to Oslo Torp were £73.62 for two people, hotels are very similar to other European cities, and because Tønsberg is so close to the airport, we didn't need expensive transfers or a hire car once we arrived.
We also walked everywhere during the weekend, and several of the things we enjoyed most, including exploring Brygga, walking around Vikingodden and heading up Slottsfjellet, don't need to cost anything.
So while I'd budget more for eating and drinking than I would on some of our European city breaks, I wouldn't automatically dismiss Tønsberg because it's in Norway.
For a short break, I'd stay as centrally as possible.
We stayed at Quality Hotel Tønsberg, right beside Brygga and Vikingodden, and the location couldn't really have worked much better for us.
It also has a heated rooftop Pool Club with views across Tønsberg, which we made very good use of on the Saturday.
The breakfast deserves a mention too because it was genuinely one of the best hotel breakfasts I've had.
I've written a separate Where to Stay in Tønsberg guide, including our full experience at Quality Hotel Tønsberg and some other central options.
I think Tønsberg works particularly well for couples, friends and anyone interested in Viking history.
It's also a good option if you enjoy smaller cities where you can walk everywhere rather than spending your weekend navigating public transport.
For families, there's plenty in the wider area too, particularly if you're visiting for longer and can explore beyond the centre.
And if you're someone who tends to spot a cheap flight first and work out what you can do at the other end afterwards, Tønsberg is exactly the sort of place worth knowing about.
Sometimes the airport on your ticket doesn't have to dictate where you actually spend your weekend.
Yes. We found it incredibly easy.
We travelled from Oslo Torp Airport by shuttle and train and then spent the entire weekend walking.
For the central sights, I wouldn't hire a car specifically for a weekend in Tønsberg. Most of what we wanted to see was close together, and not having to worry about parking or driving made the trip really straightforward.
If you're planning to explore much more of the surrounding coastline, you'd need to look more carefully at your transport options, but for the trip we did, public transport worked perfectly.
Yes, and next time I'd like to see a completely different side of the area.
We had lovely weather during our September weekend, but I'd love to return during the warmer months and spend more time exploring the coast, Færder and Tjøme.
I'd still spend time in Tønsberg itself because there were things we didn't manage to do, but I'd probably stay a little longer and use the city as a base for exploring more of the surrounding area.
That's probably the biggest compliment I can give somewhere after a short break. We didn't leave feeling like we'd seen it once and could tick it off the list.
We left with a list of things we'd like to come back and do.
For us, definitely.
If you're looking for huge attractions and a packed capital-city itinerary, Tønsberg probably isn't what you're looking for. But if you want somewhere compact and easy for a short break, with loads of Viking history, a lovely waterfront, good restaurants and enough to comfortably fill a weekend, I think it's a great option.
And being so close to Oslo Torp Airport is a huge bonus.
If you spot cheap flights into Torp, have a look at Tønsberg before automatically heading towards Oslo.
That's exactly what we did, and I'm very glad we did.
Whenever I spot great-value DIY flights and accommodation from UK airports, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club.
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