The Bucket List

Take a trip to beautiful Telemark, with its majestic mountains, spectacular lakes, and rich cultural heritage. A region created for adventurous souls, offering both a relaxed pace and an adrenaline rush from coast to mountain – all year round. Plan your trip and explore the bucket list of unique experiences guaranteed to create lasting memories. Exciting adventures await you throughout the year. When would you like to travel?

1. Explore Telemark's unique waterway: The Telemark Canal

The Telemark Canal is a truly unique natural gem, offering unforgettable experiences both on land and on the water. There is a reason this canal is one of Norway's most iconic waterways. In spring and summer, you can take a voyage aboard the venerable canal boats, M/S Victoria or M/S Henrik Ibsen, traveling up the beautiful waterway surrounded by stunning lakes and steep mountains. Experience the amazing locks, where most are still operated manually by hand, just as they were over 100 years ago. Lower your shoulders as you enjoy good food and drink, and let the scenery of Telemark take your breath away.

You can also explore the waterway in your own boat, or plan an active trip featuring cycling, paddling, or hiking. The Telemark Canal is a destination truly deserving of a spot on your bucket list. You will never forget this!

2. Be enchanted by the fairy-tale style hotel Dalen Hotel

The "Fairy-tale Hotel" from 1894 is beautifully situated in scenic surroundings at the end of Lake Bandak, at the very top of the Telemark Canal. This spectacular hotel features a truly distinct architecture inspired by the Viking Age and stave churches, adorned with dragon heads, spires, balconies, and towers.

Dalen Hotel is not only stunning, but also an award-winning historic property. Today, it stands as one of Norway’s most unique travel destinations, and in 2023 it won the award for Best Historic Hotel in Europe in the "A Story To Share" category at the Historic Hotels of Europe Awards.

A fantastic tip is to combine a stay at the beautiful Dalen Hotel with a canal cruise along the grand Telemark Canal aboard one of the classic canal boats. Enjoy a rich cultural-historical journey complete with modern comfort and exceptional service.

Find complete relaxation in Norway’s most beautiful sauna: Visit Soria Moria

3. Find complete relaxation in Norway’s most beautiful sauna: Visit Soria Moria

Just a short distance from the historic Dalen Hotel, the Soria Moria sauna sits like a glittering golden jewel on the water. In 2019, it won the prestigious DOGA Award for Design and Architecture. The strikingly beautiful sauna is inspired by the majestic mountains surrounding the Telemark Canal and Lake Bandak in Dalen.

Recharge your body and mind with a day at the sauna while taking in the stunning views and surrounding nature. Feel the tranquility wash over you in the warmth of the sauna, and challenge yourself with a refreshingly cool dip. This is an experience of a lifetime!

The sauna is open year-round, making it just as wonderful to visit in the summer as in the winter.

4. Learn about the cradle of skiing: Visit Norsk Skieventyr in Morgedal

In the majestic landscape of Upper Telemark, surrounded by beautiful mountains and deep forests, you can explore the fascinating story of how Norwegian skiing began with a visit to Norsk Skieventyr (The Norwegian Ski Adventure) in Morgedal.

Learn about the father of modern skiing, Sondre Norheim, and see how skiing in Norway was shaped over time, tracing the evolution from historical wooden skis to today's modern skis and snowboards.

Enjoy the amazingly beautiful scenery in Morgedal while immersing yourself in the area's rich cultural heritage. The Olympic flame has been lit here in Morgedal on three separate occasions, earning the village its title as "The Cradle of Skiing."

The museum is open seasonally from May to September, but group tours can be booked year-round.

5. Experience Norway’s largest stave church – Heddal Stave Church in Notodden

Visit the majestic Heddal Stave Church, Norway’s largest stave church, standing proudly in beautiful surroundings in Notodden. This impressive wooden church from the 13th century is a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship, built from solid pine (malmfuru) and adorned with intricate wood carvings. Featuring three towers and reaching a height of 29 meters, the church is a true symbol of Norwegian cultural heritage and architectural finesse.

Inside, you can admire historical artifacts and artworks spanning over 800 years, including medieval furnishings with motifs from Norse mythology. Heddal Stave Church is not only a historical monument, but also an active parish church still used for services and weddings. Plan your visit to this unique attraction in Notodden and be captivated by Norway’s rich history and culture.

6. Enjoy a rich cultural experience at Vest-Telemark Museum and visit Eidsborg Stave Church

If you have an interest in culture, Vest-Telemark Museum in Eidsborg is another fantastic destination. Explore the museum filled with exciting cultural history, wander through the open-air yard featuring over 30 traditional buildings, and see Stålekleivloftet from 1167 – one of the oldest wooden structures in the world. Above all, be sure to visit Eidsborg Stave Church, constructed in the 13th century. Stave churches are regarded as Norway’s premier contribution to world architecture, and Eidsborg is one of the best-preserved stave churches standing today. Visit to gain a fascinating insight into the rich cultural heritage of West Telemark.

The museum is open from May to September, but the exterior of the beautiful stave church can be admired year-round.

7. Visit majestic Gaustatoppen, ride Gaustabanen, and experience UNESCO World Heritage in Rjukan

Rjukan is packed with world-class experiences. Towering above it all is the roof of Telemark, the iconic mountain Gaustatoppen, famous for both fantastic skiing and hiking. Be awed by the mighty landscape, ride the unique Gaustabanen railway inside the mountain to the summit, and take in the spectacular view from the top. This is guaranteed to be one of Norway's most magnificent viewpoints, where on a clear days you can see over one-sixth of mainland Norway.

At the Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum at Vemork, you can discover the extraordinary industrial adventure that earned Rjukan, alongside Notodden, a spot on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.

Be sure to stop by Rjukanfossen waterfall, located right next to Vemork. Known as the "Niagara of Northern Europe," this thunderous waterfall is strikingly beautiful year-round.

8. Swim in nature’s own waterpark at Jettegrytene

During summer, Nissedal in Telemark tempts visitors with an incredible natural gem, where ice from the last Ice Age sculpted the surrounding rock to create nature's very own waterpark. The area spans 300 meters of sun-warmed potholes and natural rock slides. Enjoy summer swimming in this one-of-a-kind setting – a truly unique experience to tick off your bucket list. Will you be making the trip here this summer?

9. Explore the unique treetop walk at Hamaren

Fyresdal makes nature accessible to everyone with this universally designed treetop walkway, suspended 15 meters above the ground. The path winds gracefully through the canopy like a piece of art. Reaching the summit at Klokkarhamaren rewards you with a magnificent panoramic view over Lake Fyresvatn. Unwind and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding forest, whether on a peaceful solo outing or together with family and friends.

Be sure to explore the area surrounding the boardwalk, which features artistic park furniture, a dedicated bike trail, and an outdoor kitchen area perfect for a cozy meal. Families travelling with children will love the exciting obstacle course and the elevated forest net trampoline high in the trees. Relax and take a well-deserved break while the kids enjoy the activities—or jump in and join the fun among the treetops yourself! This beautiful nature spot can be enjoyed all year round.

10. Explore Henrik Ibsen's birthplace – Skien 

Welcome to Skien, the hometown of world-renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen! Follow in Ibsen’s footsteps on a guided walking tour of the city and discover how his childhood here shaped some of the world’s most celebrated theatrical works. Visit the Ibsen exhibit at Telemark Museum in Brekkeparken to learn more about the father of modern drama.

His childhood home at Venstøp, now known as the Henrik Ibsen Museum, is currently undergoing renovation and will reopen with a completely new look in the 2028 anniversary year. The Ibsen town of Skien is an inspiring destination for both culture enthusiasts and curious explorers alike!

11. Explore the rich porcelain history in the porcelain city of Porsgrunn

Here, in this vibrant and warmhearted city along the river, a rich cultural scene thrives alongside a continually evolving hub of technology and industry. The "Porcelain City" of Porsgrunn earns its name well, renowned for its cherished porcelain traditions. Gain insight into this fascinating history with a visit to the Porcelain Museum and the Porsgrund Porselænsfabrik factory outlet. Enjoy beautiful works of art, exquisite porcelain collections, and plenty of inspiration. Pick up lovely keepsakes to take home, or perhaps find the perfect gift for someone special!

12. Water fun at Scandinavia's largest waterpark: Bø Sommarland

In the summer, Bø Sommarland is a must-visit for anyone who loves water- and amusement parks. Discover activities for all ages, including thrill-packed waterslides, splash pools, and rides. It’s a place of joy and laughter for water lovers both big and small. Parents take note: the kids are guaranteed to be thrilled if you plan a trip here and tick this off your bucket list! Have a blast in the water, feel the wind in your hair as you race down the slides, and enjoy precious quality time together.