If you hire a car in the harbour city of Porsgrunn, you'll soon find it stands just inland from the Norwegian south coast. The city is joined to its neighbouring community of Skien and together they form the country's seventh largest urban area. The surrounding Grenland area combines coastal fjords, lakes and rivers with forests, farmland and small communities. The tourist highlights of the area include Ibsen's childhood home on a farm near Skien and the historic wooden buildings in the pretty coastal village of Brevik. There's a small airport near Skien. Geiteryggen Airport is seven miles north of Porsgrunn.
Porsgrunn is just over two miles from the Skagerrak and stands where the Skien River flows into a fjord. It's an industrial city but the location helps give it attractive panoramas. Visitors who hire a car in Porsgrunn will be able to see the attractive buildings and monuments along the riverbank, like the grand 100-year-old city hall and 19th century porcelain factory that offers a café, shop and tours. The city centre also has plenty of riverside places to eat and drink plus an extensive shopping mall. Nearby is the Bymuseum, featuring local history, and the Sjøfartsmuseum, with displays of shipping and boats.
