Discover Telemark’s literary heritage, with Henrik Ibsen at its heart. Explore the places, towns and cultural venues that have inspired some of Norway’s most important stories, and gain an insight into the lives and works that continue to leave their mark today.
Read more and get inspired
Explore articles about Ibsen, literature and the places that have shaped the stories.
Cultural experiences in Telemark
From World Heritage to living traditions
Culture and heritage in Telemark
From powerful stories to living traditions
Explore Ibsen and literature in Telemark
In the Footsteps of Ibsen in Skien
Join an exciting walking tour through Henrik Ibsen’s childhood city, Skien, and learn more about the world-renowned playwright’s early years.
Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
The Ibsen stairs
The Ibsen Staircase is a concrete and granite structure with a bust of Henrik Ibsen. It features 32 steps adorned with quotes from "Peer Gynt".
3732 Skien
Henrik Ibsen museum
The Henrik Ibsen Museum is closed until 2028 due to extensive renovations.
Venstøphøgda 74, 3721 Skien
Ibsenhuset
Ibsenhuset is Skien's cultural center and offers a wide selection of concerts and shows throughout the year, with both national and international guests.
Lundegt. 6, 3724 Skien
The Ibsen Theatre
Theater Ibsen works to create experiences you remember! Here, throughout the year, you can take part in performances for both children and adults.
Hollenderigt. 15, 3732 Skien
Brekkeparken in Skien
Brekkeparken in Skien is a lovely park with beautiful flower beds, and with lots of history in the main building and the old houses from Telemark.
Øvregate 32, 3715 Skien
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Discover more along the way
Combine literary experiences with culture, time in Telemark’s towns and great places to stop along the way.
Z Museum in Treungen
Experience a unique collection of art, culture, and history in the heart of Nissedal. Z Museum takes you on a journey through time and expression, from rare historical artifacts to modern masterpieces. Visit us and find your inspiration! Every 1,000th visitor receives free admission and a bottle of wine.
Sundsmoen 27, 3855 Tveitsund
Hardangervidda National Park Visitor Centre
Hardangervidda National Park Visitor Centre is a government-authorized visitor centre offering interpretation and nature guidance all year round. Hardangervidda is Northern Europe’s largest mountain plateau and Norway’s largest national park on the mainland.
Møsvannsveien 1149, Rjukan
Entrance to The Norwegian Industrial Workers Museum - Vemork
This listing provides you with ticket options for the Norwegian Industrial Worker's Museum at Vemork, 5.5 kilometers west of the city of Rjukan.
Norsk Industriarbeidermuseum Vemork, 3660 Rjukan
Entrance to Telemark Kunstmuseum
Entrance ticket to the Telemark Art Museum & World Heritage Centre at Tinfos, Notodden.
O. H. Holtas gate 27, 3678 Notodden
Norwegian Ski Adventure, Morgedal
Visit Norwegian Ski Adventure (Norsk Skieventyr) and immerse yourself in Norway’s rich skiing history, spanning from ancient Sami ski culture through fearless polar explorers and ski pioneers, to modern winter sports as we know them today. Norway, Telemark, and Morgedal hold a unique and important place in international ski history. Welcome to a day full of discovery and adventure.
Morgedalvegen 159, 3848 Morgedal
Vest-Telemark Museum with Eidsborg Stave Church
Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg is the perfect starting point for exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage. The site includes a modern museum building with engaging exhibitions, the Eidsborg Stave Church, and an open-air museum with more than 30 historic buildings – among them Stålekleivloftet from 1184, one of the world’s oldest preserved secular wooden buildings.
Museumsvegen 9, 3891 Høydalsmo
One-Day Ticket to the Porcelain Museum - Telemark Museum
Discover over 135 years of porcelain history in Porsgrunn. Visit the exhibition next to Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik and see how the classic blue-and-white pattern is still hand-painted. Learn about industrial heritage, Norwegian design, and craftsmanship.
Porselensvegen 6b, 3920 Porsgrunn
One-Day Ticket: Brekkeparken – Telemark Museum
Visit Brekkeparken in Skien – join guided tours and explore exhibitions at the museum. The exhibition “Alt dette er ditt” (All This Is Yours) showcases objects from across Telemark, from rose-painted bowls to a 1960s slot machine. These are your stories – and those of your children and grandchildren. Welcome to a day filled with discoveries!
Telemark museum, Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
DuVerden Maritime Museum & Science Centre – Porsgrunn
Explore real science, technology and maritime history at DuVerden in Porsgrunn. With interactive exhibits on climate, energy, logistics, safety and shipping heritage, it offers hands-on learning for kids and families.
Tollbugata 23, 3933 Porsgrunn
Gaustabanen
Gaustabanen is a funicular railway, inside Gaustatoppen. This is a very unique touristattraction. No similiar railway is to be found in North-Europe!
Langefonn, 3660 Rjukan
Heddal Stave Church
Visit Heddal Stave Church in Notodden, Norway’s largest 13th-century stave church. Enjoy guided tours, exhibitions, and charming Café Olea.
Heddalsvegen 412, 3676 Notodden
Tuddal Bygdetun
Tuddal bygdetun is an open-air museum located in Hjartdal municipality. Here you can step back in time and see how people lived on a typical Tuddal farm.
Tuddalvegen 2111, 3697 Tuddal
Stålekleivloftet - one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world
Is the storehouse of the legendary woman Åse Stålekleiv the oldest profane wooden building in the world?
The traditional storehouse situated here at Vindlaus, is a part of the Museum of Vest-Telemark in Eidsborg. It is, however, not like any other traditional storehouse. It has a unique story behind it which goes far back in time.
Museumsvegen 9, 3891 Høydalsmo
The Telemark Canal
The Telemark Canal with its beautiful locks starts in Skien and ends in Dalen. Join various day trips or boat trips with accommodation.
Hjellebrygge, 3706 Skien
Søndre Brekke Estate, Telemark Museum
Visit Søndre Brekke Estate in Skien! Experience Niels Aall's Empire manor, the "Grey Lady" ghost myth, 14 historic buildings, and tulips.
Øvregate 32a, 3715 Skien
A Cultural-Historical Walk Through the Centuries in Telemark
Join the farm’s owner on a two-hour walk through 800 years of history—from Årestua in the 13th century to the beginnings of Norwegian tourism, the National Romantic movement, and the people who have lived and traveled here.
Hike in the Footsteps of the Saboteurs
Would you like to literally follow in the footsteps of Norwegian military history? This autumn, NIA is partnering with local guides to offer exciting tours to Vemork along the old "saboteur route" over the mountains!
Parking lot at Rjukan Mountain Lodge, marked "Sabotørstien."
Photographs of life in Folkestadbyen town 1875-1950
A historical photo exhibition about the life in Folkestadbyen, Fyresdal - an unique little "town" in the middle of Vest-Telemark.
Fyresdal bygdemuseum, 3870 Fyresdal
Winter Olympics: The Cold Games
The exhibition was based on a book by Halvor Kleppen called "De kalde lekene", "The cold games", telling the story of IOC and The Winter Olympic Games.
Vårstaulv 2, 3848 Morgedal
Øvrebøtjern, Gea Norvegica Unesco Global Geopark
Øvrebøtjern, Siljan: Popular swimming lake featuring 300-million-year-old geology and rich timber floating history. Discover Telemark's nature!
3748 Siljan