Kongsberg: Mining History, Culture and Nature
Accommodation in Kongsberg
In Kongsberg, mining history, Baroque architecture and outdoor experiences come together in one travel itinerary. You can combine your stay with culture, a festival visit or activities on the water and on a mountain bike.
Mining history and historic sites
The Norsk Bergverksmuseum offers insights into 335 years of mining history; one of its special features is the world’s largest collection of native wire silver. For your visit, it is important to note its current status: the museum has been temporarily closed since 3 August 2026 for reconstruction work. A new main exhibition is planned for June 2027.
An architectural highlight is Kongsberg kirke, Norway’s largest Baroque church, with a rich Rococo interior. It can be visited free of charge, and tours can be booked through the church. Check current visiting hours and tour dates before your visit.
The family-friendly LĂĄgdalsmuseet is in the heart of Kongsberg, on the grounds of the former Glitre farm. There stands an Empire-style building constructed in 1812, with elegant interiors from different periods. The precisely dated building and its varied room designs give this museum a distinctive architectural character.
You encounter other traces of history in very different forms: Kronene i Håvet is a group of royal monograms on a rock face in Kongsberg. The rock carvings at Hvittingfoss, at Kongsberg’s 1,000-year site, are more than 3,000 years old.
The silver mines at Saggrenda are also within reach of the town: they are located 8 km outside Kongsberg. Train tours take visitors to Kongens gruve, which lies 342 metres underground and 2,300 metres into the mountain. If you want to plan for the ride, check the available departure times in advance.
Festival and getting around the town
The Kongsberg Jazz Festival lasts four days and takes place every year in calendar week 27; 2020 was the exception. Around 15 venues are spread throughout the town, including clubs, churches, courtyards and outdoor stages. The number of venues and the programme may vary from one edition to another. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and programme for that year before making plans.
For digital orientation, there is the Kongsberg guide, with a total of 53 stops. The HĂĄvet route is the fifth route in the guide and connects GruveĂĄsen with the town. It offers another perspective on Kongsberg, without limiting your visit to a single museum or building.
Outdoor activities
Kongsberg has numerous mountain lakes and rivers suitable for short and longer canoe trips. The Kongsberg og Omegns Turistforening rents out canoes and offers tips for paddling trips. Rental terms may change; check the current conditions in advance. Kongsberg and its surrounding area also offer hiking options for different time frames: trips can be planned for a few hours, a day or several days.
There are eight family-friendly swimming spots in Kongsberg municipality. If you choose one, check the current information about the site and its facilities in advance. This keeps your plans specific to the swimming spot you have chosen.
Mountain bikers will find options in Kongsberg for guided rides, courses and riding independently. Trails are about ten minutes from the centre. Providers and availability may change, so it is worth checking the current options in advance.
For winter sports, Skimore Kongsberg offers 12 km of downhill runs and five lifts. Its total capacity is 6,000 people per hour. Operating information may change from season to season, so check it for your travel dates.
Getting there by train
Kongsberg station is on the Sørlandsbanen railway line. From there, train connections run to Stavanger, Kristiansand, Arendal, Drammen, Oslo S, Oslo Airport and Eidsvoll. Local trains run hourly; regional trains run to Oslo and Stavanger eight times a day. As connections and timetables are subject to change, check the current service before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Passebekk, Skollenborg, Hvittingfoss, Kongsberg, Krødsherad, Ål, Flesberg, Lier.
Back to the overview of the region: Buskerud.
