Sarpsborg is a town and municipality in Viken county, formerly
Østfold, Norway. It has almost 57,000 inhabitants and is one of
Norway's ten largest cities. Sarpsborg is part of the region Nedre
Glomma, where Fredrikstad / Sarpsborg has grown together into
Norway's sixth largest town. The municipality borders in the north
towards Våler and Skiptvet, in the east towards Rakkestad and
Halden, in the west towards Fredrikstad and Råde and in the south
towards Hvaler.
The river Glomma and Sarpsfossen, Europe's
largest waterfall, have been crucial to the city's growth. In 2016,
Sarpsborg turned 1000 years old, and the town's name is composed of
the name of the waterfall and Borg, which was the name the founder
King Olav the Holy used in 1016. The king sailed up the Glomma, but
had to stop when he came to the waterfall. Borg was Norway's capital
from the founding of Nidaros (Trondheim) took over in 1030. Later,
the waterfall became the basis for Borregaard's and Hafslund's
sawmills and factories, and the city became known as an industrial
city. East of Sarpsborg center, Borregaard's factories wind their
way along 4 km of the riverbank.
Sarpsborg features a blend of natural, historical, and
family-oriented sites. Key highlights include:
Sarpefossen
waterfall, often called the "Norwegian Niagara" for its power and scenic
views.
Borgarsyssel Museum, detailing the city's and county's
history.
Oldtidsruta (Ancient Trail), with stone circles, burial
mounds, and rock carvings for a mystical historical walk.
INSPIRIA
Science Center, an interactive national hub with exhibitions, a
planetarium, and a pump track.
Kulåsparken, a central park ideal for
walks and relaxation, with a house tied to local ghost stories.
Bethlehem Church, featuring wooden carvings depicting Saint Olaf's
legends.
Indoor water parks and activity playgrounds for families,
including pools, slides, and play areas.
Other spots include viewing
points for ancient reliefs and the historic fortress symbolized in the
city's coat of arms (a bear and castle from 1556).
Sarpsborg is a city and municipality in Østfold county, southeastern Norway, positioned at approximately 59°17′N 11°07′E. It lies along the banks of the Glomma River, Europe's longest river in Norway, and is adjacent to the impressive Sarpefossen waterfall, which boasts one of the highest flow rates on the continent at around 577 cubic meters per second. The municipality spans about 406 square kilometers, with roughly 370 square kilometers of land, making it the 238th largest in Norway by area. Sarpsborg forms part of the fifth-largest urban area in the country when combined with neighboring Fredrikstad, creating a conurbation of over 136,000 people. It is strategically located about 80 kilometers south of Oslo and near the Swedish border, with 80 kilometers of coastline along the Oslofjord, offering a mix of urban, rural, and coastal landscapes. The terrain includes forests, rivers, and ancient rock formations, with the city center featuring parks and historical sites.
Sarpsborg's origins trace back to 1016, when it was founded as "Borg" by Viking King Olav Haraldsson, later canonized as Saint Olaf, who built a fortification there—hence the name meaning "castle" in Old Norse. The area has evidence of human habitation since the end of the Ice Age, and it hosts the highest number of registered ancient petroglyphs in Norway, some dating back 3,000 years. In the 16th century, during the Northern Seven Years' War, Swedish forces burned the city in 1567, prompting many residents to relocate to what became Fredrikstad. A devastating mudslide in 1702 submerged much of the town into the Glomma River, but it was rebuilt. Sarpsborg was re-established as a city in 1839 and expanded through mergers, including with Tune, Skjeberg, and Varteig in 1992. The 19th century saw industrialization powered by the Sarpefossen waterfall, transforming it into a hub for timber and manufacturing. In 2016, the city celebrated its 1,000th anniversary with events focused on historic preservation. As of 2025, Sarpsborg continues to honor its Viking roots while adapting to modern challenges.
As of late 2022, Sarpsborg had a population of around 59,038, ranking it as Norway's 13th largest city, with a density of about 134 people per square kilometer and a 6.6% growth over the previous decade. More recent estimates place the population at approximately 60,000. Residents are known as "Sarpinger." The city is diverse, with significant immigrant communities from Poland (1,646), Iraq (1,382), Bosnia-Herzegovina (1,102), Kosovo (841), and Somalia (725), among others. In 2021, 19% of children lived in families with long-term low income, higher than the national average of 11.3%, indicating some socioeconomic challenges. The official language is Bokmål Norwegian.
Sarpsborg's economy evolved from timber shipping and sawmills in the 19th century to heavy industry, driven by the hydroelectric power of Sarpefossen. Key players include Borregaard Industries, a global leader in bio-refineries and chemicals, which remains a major employer. Borg Bryggerier, part of Norway's second-largest brewery group, also operates here. While historically industrial, only about 10% of the workforce is now in manufacturing, reflecting Norway's post-industrial shift, though the city retains an industrial identity. Tourism, services, and proximity to Oslo support modern economic growth, with opportunities in biotech and green energy.
Sarpsborg's culture is deeply rooted in its Viking heritage and natural surroundings, with a focus on historical preservation. The city has produced notable figures in the arts, such as actor Nils Ole Oftebro. Cultural offerings include museums like Borgarsyssel, which explores local history, and interactive centers like INSPIRIA for science and technology. Ancient petroglyphs and rock carvings highlight prehistoric art. The city center buzzes with restaurants, cafes (including vegan options and historic bakeries), shopping, and cultural events. Annual celebrations, such as the millennium anniversary in 2016, emphasize heritage through festivals and exhibitions.
The municipality oversees 18 primary and lower secondary schools serving about 6,500 pupils, with compulsory education free for children starting at age six and lasting ten years. There are around 50 daycare centers (municipal and private) for ages one to five, with centralized applications. Higher education options are limited locally but accessible via nearby Oslo. INSPIRIA science center supports educational outreach with interactive math, science, and technology exhibits, including a planetarium.
Sarpsborg excels in sports, with elite teams in ice hockey (Sparta Warriors), football (Sarpsborg 08 FF in the top national league, plus a women's team in Division 1), bandy (Sarpsborg BK), and floorball (Sarpsborg IBK and Greåker IBK). Recreational activities abound, including swimming, fishing, canoeing, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, golf, and trampolining. Facilities like the Adventure Factory offer indoor adventures with suspension bridges and trampolines over 2,000 square meters. Outdoor pursuits leverage the Glomma River and forests.
Sarpsborg experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb) or temperate oceanic climate (Cfb), depending on the winter isotherm used. Temperatures range from an average low of 23°F (-5°C) in winter to 69°F (21°C) in summer, rarely dropping below 5°F (-15°C) or exceeding 78°F (26°C). The warmest month is July (average 63°F or 17.5°C), and the coldest is January (average 29°F or -2°C). Annual precipitation averages 915 mm, with the wettest month October (about 113 mm or 3.77 inches) and drier periods in spring. The frost-free season lasts around 184 days, from late April to mid-October. Record highs reached 33.5°C in July 2018, and lows -26°C in December 2002. Winds are moderate, peaking in June at 14 mph.
Sarpsborg is well-connected, about 55 miles from Oslo, with easy access via highways and public transport. Trains and buses are planned through Entur, Norway's national travel planner. The E6 highway runs nearby, linking to Sweden and Oslo. Local options include biking paths and ferries along the fjord.