The historic town of Tønsberg stands at the western side of the mouth of Oslofjord in southern Norway. The E18 coastal trunk road passes by, two miles to the west. The city and its satellite villages span several islands and inlets joined by bridges, this makes it a great area to explore with a hire car from Tonsberg. In fact, the whole Vestfold region is dotted with attractive views, nature reserves and some of Norway's most fertile farmland. Nautical towns like Sandefjord and Horten are in easy reach, as are sights like Høyjord's 12th-century wooden church, Midgard's impressive Viking museum and the home of painter Edvard Munch in Åsgårdstrand.
The most obvious landmark in Tønsberg is the hill topped by the 19th-century Slottsfjellet tower marking the spot where a medieval fortress once stood. If you hire a car in Tønsberg, you'll spot it from all over the town. The Viking Museum at the foot of the hill is one the town's top attractions. Elsewhere, the 19th-century brick cathedral is an impressive sight and you'll find the contemporary Hauger Art Museum in the former Seamen's School in a park between ancient Viking remains. The ruins of St Olav's monastery are similarly dotted across an area of parkland. At least the 1,000-year-old Sem Romanesque Church is still intact. The Oseberghaugen Viking royal burial mound still attracts visitors, even though its treasures have been removed to Oslo's museums.
