Sandefjord between Viking Ships and Fjord

Sandefjord brings together striking traces of Viking history, whaling themes, tours and a bathing spot by the fjord. Each experience has a different focus: Gokstadhaugen is associated with the famous Gokstad Viking ship, while the Whaling Monument offers a striking depiction of whaling history. If you prefer to explore outdoors, you’ll find a signposted cycling route, a tour starting in the town centre and a nature park nearby.

Viking history at Gokstadhaugen

The famous Gokstad Viking ship was excavated at Gokstadhaugen in 1880. The site is laid out as a park with seating and information boards. For orientation, Gokstadhaugen is on Helgerødveien, about two kilometres from the centre of Sandefjord. This approximate distance gives you a concrete reference point when planning visits and other activities during your stay.

Another cultural and historical attraction is the rock carvings at Haugen in Sandefjord. They depict ships as well as spiral figures with feet. The variety of images makes them particularly interesting for anyone curious not only about a single famous ship, but also about the range of early depictions. The rock carvings and Gokstadhaugen offer two distinct historical themes for a stay that explores history in more than one form.

Whaling history in monuments and exhibitions

The Whaling Monument is dedicated to whaling and was created by Knut Steen in the late 1950s. It depicts whalers rowing an open boat, with harpoons at the ready and water splashing around them. Its form is unusual, too: modelled on a compass rose, the monument slowly rotates on its axis. The subject, movement and design give you several specific details to discover as you view the work.

The exhibition “VI VAR UTE ETTER HVAL” at the Whaling Museum covers Norwegian explorations and Norway’s presence in Antarctica. Other topics include cultural encounters in whaling, as well as family life and gender roles. This broadens the focus beyond work at sea to include its social context. The whaling ship “Southern Actor” was used for whaling in the Southern Ocean until 1962. You can go aboard during the summer season; check whether this seasonal option is available before your trip.

Tours, a park and fjord bathing

Marumrunden is a signposted cycling route from Sandefjord town centre via Marum to Istrehågan. The 10 Peaks Tour starts at the Sandefjord Tourist Association office at Matrosgata 6 in the town centre. This gives you two different tour options to consider when planning: the Marumrunden route description includes its course, while the 10 Peaks Tour has a specified starting point.

The Preståsen Nature Park lies east of the town of Sandefjord. The area includes woodland and a pond, as well as viewpoints, marked trails and numerous benches. People use it for walks and play throughout the year. There’s more to explore than a single viewpoint: depending on what interests you that day, you can plan around the trails, viewpoints or natural surroundings.

For swimming in the sea, Strømbadet is a destination in its own right: it is a floating pier structure at the inner end of the Sandefjord fjord. It complements the historical themes and tours with an activity by the water.

Which location suits your plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide which experiences you want to shape your stay. The town-centre starting points for the Marumrunden and 10 Peaks Tour are useful planning references; Gokstadhaugen is about two kilometres from the centre. Strømbadet offers a different focus at the inner end of the fjord. Compare these reference points with your own plans for each day to choose a location that matches your priorities.

Discover more destinations: Tjøme, Duken.

For the broader travel overview: Vestfold.