Whether you are travelling with your friends or your partner, Telemark offers a wide range of exciting experiences for both friends and romantics. Here you will find something for every one; from nature- and action experiences to culinary- and cultural experiences.
Enjoy the beautiful Telemark coastline
How about some activities by the coast? We recommend a hike on the coastal path on the coast of Bamble in Telemark. You will walk trough different type of scenery like forest, open landscape, beaches and hillsides. Also National Cycle route number 1 follows the coast line. It is a beautiful bike ride along the Telemark coast, and takes you through panoramic views and idyllic seaside resorts – a true fairytale! We recommend one night at Quality Hotel Skjærgården in Langesund. Kragerø is a popular and idyllic coastal town. Here you can enjoy good food, shops, ice cream, beaches and nightlife. In the spring we recommend a trip to the island and national park Jomfruland where you can enjoy a concert or a picnic on the beach.
Enjoy concerts and theater plays
If you want cultural experiences, Telemark is definitely the right place. There is a variety to choose from. Check out our event calendar for things to do. In the two cities Porsgrunn and Skien you will find something on all year around, whilst some places are seasonal. What about a summer concert at Wrightegaarden in Langesund, a visit to the Porsgrunn International Theater Festival or a theater at Ibsen Theater in Skien. We recommend you to stay at Vic Hotel in Porsgrunn, as well as Clarion Collection Bryggeparken or Thon Hotel Høyers in Skien. Welcome to the time of your life in Telemark!
Things to do in Rjukan
In Rjukan you can enjoy a ride with the special cable car Krossobanen (temporarily closed in 2024). It was made to take the inhabitants of Rjukan up to the top to enjoy the sunlight. The top of Krossobanen is a starting point to enjoy the Hardangervidda mountain plateau. Take the time to enjoy the magnificent view of the entire Vestfjord valley, Vemork, the areas for the Heavy Water Sabotage, Gaustatoppen and Gausdalen. Then we recommend you to try one of Norway's most beautiful cycling tours on Hardangervidda through beautiful and wild mountain scenery in to Kalhovd!
Gaustatoppen, is Telemarks tallest mountain, and is located in Rjukan. By many said to be Norway´s most beautiful mountain. Bring your friends and hike up or take the cable car inside the mountain. You can see one sixth of Southern Norway on a clear day. You can also bring your girlfriend or boyfriend and enjoy the sunset or the sunrise from the top. Telemark offers many great trails both for walking and cycling. Some of the best ones are Venelifjell in Vrådal, Falkeriset in Rauland and Lårdalstigen in Dalen. Some of these are also accessible during the winter months. Especially Gaustatoppen is great for free riders. Gausta Ski resort close to Gaustatoppen is one of Telemark´s great ski resorts as well as Rauland Ski Resort, Haukelifjell Ski Resort and Vrådal Panorama. Check out cabins for rent in Telemark, summer and wintertime.
Action for friends and couples
Do you want an action-filled holiday? Norsjø Cable park gives you one of the world's best experiences on wakeboard, wakeskate and water skiing. The park is well equipped and has a good reputation for hosting competitions and for attracting practitioners. You will find small and big rails and jumps, do you accept the challenge?
When you start to get hungry
When you had enough of action and excitement and you feel hungry, you have to visit our Fruit District. Here you will find high quality home made products like apple juice, beer, cider, wine, ham and much more. You can go picking fruit yourselves and bring it with you. This is a great experience where you get a close up to a farmers life and it can also be very romantic.
Experience the fascinating locks on the historic Telemark Canal in combination with a visit to the Fruit District. The best part on the Telemark Canal runs between Norsjø Hotel and Lunde, passing 10 locks on the road. Saying the best part, you will not regret taking the whole trip between Skien and Dalen. When in Skien, enjoy good food at one of the many restaurants or at Dalen Hotel. If you are a food enthusiast, we recommend food festivals such as Mersmak in Skien and Dyrsku'n in Seljord.