Family holiday in Telemark

A family holiday in Telemark can be tailored to suit your family. As one of Norway’s most varied destinations, Telemark offers everything from family parks and fun activities to coastal adventures, mountain hikes and days out in town.

Whether you’re travelling with young children, teenagers or several generations, you can combine fun, nature and new experiences in safe and inspiring surroundings. In this guide, you’ll discover some of the best things to see and do with the family in Telemark.

What would your family like to experience?

Family parks and activities – for families looking for action and adventure

Telemark offers a wide range of family activities combining fun, excitement and a sense of achievement – perfect for both children and adults. In summer, Bø Sommarland, Scandinavia’s largest water park, is a major highlight, with water slides, a wave pool and dedicated areas for younger children. In the Bø area, you’ll also find Høyt & Lavt climbing park, with zip lines and treetop climbing. A short drive away, you can try wakeboarding and other water activities at Norsjø Cable Park – perfect for an active day outdoors. Bø, Norsjø and Skien are all connected by the Telemark Canal, making it easy to combine several experiences in one trip.

In Grenland, there are plenty of active family experiences to choose from. Skien fritidspark in Skien, the city of Ibsen, offers an indoor water park as well as outdoor activities – fun for the whole family. Nearby, Høyt Under Taket indoor climbing centre offers climbing for all skill levels and is a great choice for active families. Along the Telemark coast, Badeparken in Langesund offers indoor and outdoor swimming and fun in the water, with several lovely beaches and coastal experiences close by.

Best for:

• Families looking for active days packed with fun
• Families who want to combine activities with sightseeing, a road trip or a camping holiday

Bø Sommarland – a family favourite

It’s easy to see why Bø Sommarland is so popular with families. Considered Scandinavia’s largest water park, it offers exciting water slides, activities and fun for both children and their parents. You can easily spend a whole day here enjoying the water, trying new activities and taking breaks along the way – and combine your visit with other experiences in the area.

Fun and learning – museums and visitor centres for families

For curious minds of all ages, a museum or visitor centre can be an exciting addition to a family holiday in Telemark. You’ll find plenty of great options across the region.

In Grenland, visit the Porcelain Museum in Porsgrunn and discover the town’s rich porcelain-making heritage through guided tours, workshops and activities. Just across the river is a favourite with children: DuVerden Maritime Museum and Science Centre, where experiments, play and learning take centre stage.

In neighbouring Skien, Brekkeparken and Telemark Museum are well worth a visit, with fascinating exhibitions, activities and a welcoming café. Take a stroll through beautiful Brekkeparken, and if the children still have energy to burn, stop by the playground in the park.

Heading west from Grenland, Vest-Telemark Museum offers several family-friendly experiences. In Morgedal, known as the birthplace of skiing, you can visit the Norwegian Ski Adventure centre and discover the story of Sondre Norheim. You can also try the ski simulator for a little extra excitement.

Further west, explore the mines at Åmdals Verk, where families can put on their helmets and head underground into a real mine – an experience that’s sure to be remembered. At Eidsborg, not far from Dalen, you’ll find Vest-Telemark Museum Eidsborg and Eidsborg Stave Church. Here, children can play with boats and locks on a 105-metre-long model of the Telemark Canal – a popular hands-on activity.

Continue towards the mountains and you’ll reach the Hardangervidda National Park Centre, with films, interactive exhibitions and activities designed for families.

Best for:

• Families looking to combine fun with learning and cultural discovery
• Families who want to enjoy a variety of experiences during their trip

Explore the outdoors – nature experiences for the whole family

Telemark is known for its beautiful and varied landscapes, stretching from mountains to coast. Head outdoors and explore the region’s many hiking opportunities, with plenty of trails suitable for families with children.

At Lifjell, close to Bø in Mid-Telemark, you’ll find Tretopper’n – a family-friendly 5.5-kilometre circular hike starting at Jønnbu. The well-marked trail takes you across three peaks, with beautiful views and several great places to stop for a break along the way. If you prefer the coast, the coastal trail offers family-friendly stretches with lovely views and plenty of places to stop and relax.

Swimming is all part of a summer holiday, and Telemark has plenty of great options for families. If you’re near Seljord, Telnessanden by Lake Seljordsvatnet has plenty of space for both play and relaxation. Along the coast, you’ll find many lovely family-friendly beaches, including Hydrostranda in Bamble, with its sandy beach and good facilities. A useful tip is to pack your swimwear whatever your plans – that way, you can always stop for a spontaneous swim along the way.

Best for:

• Families who enjoy spending time in nature
• Families who want to enjoy a variety of experiences during their trip

Stay somewhere special – family-friendly accommodation in Telemark

Telemark has plenty of great family-friendly places to stay. Choose from hotels, campsites with cabins and more unusual accommodation – often within easy reach of both nature and attractions.

Along the coast, Quality Hotel Skjærgården is a firm favourite with families, with Badeparken water park directly connected to the hotel. Here, you’ll have accommodation and activities all in one place.

If you’re heading to the mountains, Gaustablikk Fjellresort at the foot of Gaustatoppen is a great option, with a swimming pool, playroom and activities for children. In Mid-Telemark, you’ll also find several family-friendly campsites and cabins, within easy reach of attractions such as Bø Sommarland.

For something a little different, there are also unique places to stay such as Å Camp near Hardangervidda, where nature is an integral part of the experience – particularly well suited to families with older children.

Make the most of your family holiday in Telemark

Keep these tips in mind when planning your trip and while you’re exploring Telemark, and you’ll have everything you need to create great memories together as a family:

• Mix and match activities and experiences to suit your family’s interests and needs.
• Plan for variety – follow an active day with a more relaxing one.
• Allow plenty of time for breaks along the way – Telemark has many family-friendly places to eat.
• Be flexible with your plans. Whether you’re out hiking, the weather changes or the youngest member of the family gets tired, it’s always okay to change course.

Whether you’re looking for action and adventure, peace and nature, or a combination of both, you’ll find it in Telemark. A family holiday isn’t about fitting in as much as possible – it’s about experiencing something together.

Ready to plan your family adventure in Telemark?