Summary of Attractions in Sandnes
Positioned at the southern tip of the Gandsfjord in Rogaland County, Sandnes is a city within the Stavanger/Sandnes metropolitan area. While Stavanger, known as Norway’s Oil Capital and its fourth largest city, is nearby, Sandnes offers numerous compelling reasons for a day or two of exploration.
The primary attraction is its pristine natural landscape, featuring expansive North Sea beaches and the rugged terrain on the eastern side of the Gandsfjord. Outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, cyclists, and windsurfers, will find ample opportunities here, while families can enjoy various swimming areas along the coast or in the fjord during the warmer months.
Moreover, Sandnes is home to one of Norway’s premier science museums and is just a short drive from Kongeparken theme park, which is an entertaining destination for children up to 12 years old.
Let us examine the top attractions in Sandnes:
1. Vitenfabrikken (Science Factory)
The most prominent attraction and arguably the most striking building in Sandnes is a modern science museum that opened its doors in 2008. The Vitenfabrikken was intentionally established in Sandnes, as Rogaland County is celebrated as the birthplace of the renowned 19th-century mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.
Abel’s legacy is honored in the interactive exhibition known as Abel’s sketchbook, which creatively merges the disciplines of science, technology, and art.
Children can engage in various educational activities, such as determining the weight of their brain, testing their capacity for relaxation, and understanding the extensive DNA present in the human body, all while enjoying the planetarium’s celestial displays.
The museum also features a Foucault pendulum illustrating Earth’s rotation, alongside a collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, with the second floor showcasing the history of Sandnes.
2. Kongeparken
The most frequented attraction in Rogaland is located just 10 minutes south of Sandnes.
This theme park, designed for children aged three to twelve, features over 60 rides and family-friendly amusements.
The park incorporates a bear theme, with these amiable characters roaming throughout the attraction and participating on numerous rides.
Highlights include the Ormen Lange, which is the longest bobsleigh ride in Norway, the Spinnvidle, renowned as the first swing ride in the country, and the Fossen log flume.
Additionally, educational zones such as the fire station allow kids to learn about fire safety while having the opportunity to operate a fire engine.
While the main season extends from March to October, Kongeparken operates on selected dates in November and December for its Jul i Kongeparken program (Christmas in Kongeparken).
3. Stavanger
Only a 15-minute train ride away, Stavanger warrants a visit for those exploring the area.
As Norway’s fourth largest city and the oil capital of Europe, a stop at the high-tech Norwegian Petroleum Museum, designed to resemble an oil platform on the waterfront, is essential.
Prior to the discovery of oil in the Ekofisk field during the 1960s, Stavanger thrived on fishing and shipping.
Taking a leisurely stroll through Old Stavanger, with its charming whitewashed wooden houses, provides a glimpse into the past at the canning and maritime museums.
Stavanger also boasts Norway’s most complete medieval cathedral, featuring Romanesque carvings from the 12th century adorning the capitals within its nave.
4. Lysefjord
Stavanger serves as the ideal departure point for excursions to Lysefjord, which is situated just 25 kilometers east of the city.
This 42-kilometer-long fjord features steep rock walls that rise over 1000 meters, characterized by breathtaking scenery that transcends mere description.
From Stavanger, ferries offer various options for adventures into the fjord.
For an extensive day trip, you can venture all the way to the majestic Kjerag mountain at the fjord’s end, where the scenery is truly cinematic.
Alternatively, you may opt to take a bus and hike up to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), an iconic vantage point rising more than 600 meters above the fjord.
5. Dalsnuten
A popular outdoor activity in Sandnes is the hike to Dalsnuten, a peak that rises 323 meters above the eastern shore of the Gandsfjord.
You can reach the trailhead by driving to the parking lots at Gramstad, where the ascent begins.
The round trip takes approximately three hours. Although some parts of the trail may be rocky, it is accessible to most individuals with adequate footwear.
Along the way, there are several viewpoints offering stunning views of the fjord, Sandnes, and Stavanger.
You can also explore paths leading to Revholstjørn and Dalevatn, picturesque lakes ideal for summer swimming.
6. Rogaland Arboretum
Located southeast of Sandnes in Sviland, the Rogaland Arboretum encompasses a 700-hectare park showcasing diverse shrubs and trees sourced from around the globe.
It is the largest arboretum in Norway, featuring 15 kilometers of trails that meander through its stunning hilly landscapes.
For the most colorful experience, visit in late May or early June when the rhododendrons and magnificent magnolias are in full bloom.
This park also contains a section exclusively dedicated to native Norwegian trees, housing 30 different species, alongside a birch plantation exhibiting various birch and beech trees.
If you visit on a Sunday, the café is open from 11:00 to 16:00.
7. Soma Gård
Ideal for younger children, Soma Gård has emerged as one of Norway’s largest open farms, offering an engaging array of rural activities during the spring and summer months.
Visiting in these seasons allows children to interact with young animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, and cows, enhancing their experience of farm life.
The farm features extensive outdoor areas, including a substantial playground, trampolines, tractor rides, and miniature tractors that children can operate.
8. Jæren Beaches
The coastline of the Jæren region, located to the west, is unlike any other in Norway.
Its defining feature is the low-lying topography, which gives rise to expansive sandy beaches bordered by picturesque dunes.
Numerous similar beaches are within close proximity to Sandnes, and the consistent breezes render them popular spots for kite-surfing and windsurfing.
Family-friendly Solastranden stretches 2.3 kilometers, providing gentle surf and protection from offshore islands, making it an ideal location for young swimmers.
Solastranden Golfklubb, located along the southern foreshore, offers a challenging 18-hole links-style course.
In addition to Solastranden, for those seeking invigorating walks or relaxation in the sun, Vigdelstranden, Selestranden, and the stunning Hellestøstranden are all located within a ten-kilometer radius of Sandnes.
9. Flyhistorisk Museum Sola
Sandnes is situated closer to Stavanger Airport than to the city of Stavanger, and it is here that you can find a delightful aviation museum housed within an old aircraft hangar.
This structure, constructed by the Germans during World War II, opens its doors to the public on Sundays throughout the summer season.
The museum’s collection primarily focuses on the history of the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Luftwaffe during World War II.
Among the exhibits are extremely rare training aircraft such as the Arado Ar 66, 96, and 196, Fieseler Fi 156, Saab Safir, Canadair CF-104, Lockheed T-33A, and Northrop F-5A. A highlight of the collection is the Heinkel HE 115, which was salvaged from Hafrjsfjord in 2012 after spending nearly 70 years underwater.
10. Sola Ruinkirke
This medieval church behind Solastranden possesses a rich and fascinating history.
Believed to date from the 12th century, it may have served as the place of worship for Erling Skjalgsson, a significant political leader in the 10th and 11th centuries who advocated for Norway’s system of small autonomous kingdoms.
An obelisk (Bauta) stands outside in his honor.
The church was abandoned by 1842 and subsequently transformed into a studio by maritime painter Johan Benetter in 1871.
Later, during World War II, German forces dismantled the church to fortify their defenses for the airport to the southeast.
Fortunately, the building materials were meticulously labeled upon removal, facilitating a complete restoration that was finalized in 1995. The surrounding beach, dunes, and greenery make it a favored wedding venue in Rogaland.
11. Sandvedparken
Situated along the banks of the Storånå River, Sandvedparken is an award-winning urban park that flows from Stokkalandsvatnet to the south and into the Gandsfjord.
The park spans 800 meters in length, but is part of a connected chain comprising seven other parks, enabling visitors to follow the entire course of the river through a diverse landscape of forest, heathland, gardens, and pasture.
This series of parks is collectively referred to as Gandsparkene and offers an accessible route for joggers and cyclists to venture from the city into the surrounding countryside.
Notably, Sandvedparken features a “planet walk,” which serves as a scale model of the solar system supplemented by informative panels.
12. Vårlivarden
Another picturesque hike with breathtaking views is Vårlivarden, a 386-meter peak located approximately a few kilometers northeast of Sandnes.
Accessible from the parking lots at Maudland or Øvre Hetland, you can also take bus number 21 directly from Sandnes center to Maudland.
The Øvre Hetland parking area is around five kilometers from Vårlivarden, a trek that typically takes about three hours round trip.
Every step through the marshy and rocky path is rewarded with expansive views of the fjords, mixed forest, and the city of Stavanger across the water.
13. Sverd i Fjell
The Hafrsfjord, situated about 10 minutes north of Sandnes, is the site of a significant battle that occurred at the end of the 9th century, which dramatically altered the trajectory of Norwegian history.
Following his victory at the Battle of Hafrsfjord, Harald Fairhair proclaimed himself King of the Norwegians, unifying the country for the first time.
In 1983, a monumental tribute by sculptor Fritz Røed was erected on a rocky outcrop along the northeastern shore of the fjord.
This installation, known as Sverd i Fjell, consists of three bronze swords embedded in the rock.
The tallest sword symbolizes Harald Fairhair’s triumph, while the other two represent the vanquished claimants to the throne.
Firmly embedded in rock, the swords also signify enduring peace in Norway.
14. Vaulen Beach
Located in the southern part of Stavanger on the western shore of the Gandsfjord, Vaulen Beach offers an easily accessible swimming area.
This beach contrasts with the Jæren beaches along the North Sea, as it is framed by impressive mountain landscapes on the opposite side of the fjord.
The water at Vaulen Beach is shallow, clean, and calm, making it ideal for young swimmers, and the shore is part of a nature reserve featuring forests and meadows.
Facilities include barbecue areas for those wishing to spend an entire day at the beach, as well as a playground complete with a zip-line for children.
15. Tryggvi Islandshestgård
There is no better way to explore the scenic landscapes of Rogaland than on horseback.
This equestrian farm, located five kilometers south of Sandnes, is home to 40 beautiful Icelandic horses, along with dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and an apiary.
During the school year, the farm hosts a weekly riding school for children, complemented by guided riding excursions for groups on weekends and holidays.
The only stipulation is that participants must weigh under 95 kg and be part of a group of two or more to commence their adventure.
