Skien is the capital of Telemark and the largest municipality in the area. It is also the location of the county administration. Skien has 49,740 inhabitants, making it the 11th largest municipality in Norway. Skien covers an area of 778.9 square kilometres. Forests make up 479 km2, cultivated land 46 km2, freshwater lakes 57 km2 and 197 km2 of city areas, real estate and industrial areas.

Approaching Skien by boat along 'Skien river' - the journey ends in the area called "Bryggene" (the docks). Charming restaurants and bars are located in this area.

Skien City Hall rises majestically and will probably be the first building you notice coming into Skien, either from the waterfront or from the main road east of the river.

Left of the city hall is the 'Kaffehuset' ( 'the Coffeehouse'), where the municipality Servicecentre is located on the ground floor. . Skien Church can also be seen, marked by its two spears.

If you want to experience a 'Norway in miniature', you will surely enjoy the boat-trip along the Telemark Canal. We highly recommend this tourist-attraction. You might use private boats or travel as a passenger on one of the regular boats travelling the canal named 'Victoria' and 'Henrik Ibsen'. From the waterfront, the first lock lifts the boat 5 metres, up through 'Klosterfoss' and 'Damfoss' arriving 'Hjellevannet'). From this point you can go through 17 more locks and rise more than 67 metres, ending up in 'Dalen', in the northwestern part of Telemark, 105 kilometres inland.

'Bakkestranda' is the nicest of Skien's green parks and is a popular recreation spot for people of all ages. The water is nice for a swim, with a small sandy beach for the young ones and a floating dock for the older children. This area is also popular for barbecuing and picnicking in the summertime and is often used by schools, sports teams and social arrangements. A gravel road goes all along the waterfront from 'Hjellevannet' to 'Bakkestranda'. The area is also nice for a walk, run or a bicycle-ride.

Henrik Ibsen overlooks The 'Ibsen-park', at the end of the pedestrian walkway. To the north is Skien Church is on the highest point of the city.