Renowned for its rich Viking heritage and whaling history, Sandefjord is a lively seaside city south of Oslo. It’s home to several fine museums and sandy beaches, as well as a burial mound where the largest preserved Viking ship in Norway was discovered.

Things to do

Delve into Sandefjord’s past at the Whaling Museum, which occupies a charming 1917 building. It is one of the largest whaling museums in the world, with a highlight of its collection being a 21-metre-long blue whale that hangs from the ceiling. After exploring the galleries, you can board the “Southern Actor”, a whale catcher that was built in 1950 and cruised the Antarctic waters until 1962.

If you want to learn about Sandefjord’s fascinating Viking past, visit Gokstad Mound, a large burial mound where the 9th-century Gokstad Ship (now on display at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum) was uncovered. Sandefjord is also dotted with historic churches dating back to the Middle Ages, including the beautifully reconstructed Høyjord Stave Church from the 11th century.

A short drive north of Sandefjord is the Midtåsen Sculpture Park, which encompasses several large-scale bronze works by the renowned Norwegian sculptor, Knut Steen. Located in scenic natural surroundings, it centres around a light-filled pavilion where 12 marble sculptures are exhibited.

Getting around

Sandefjord Airport Torp is a 15-minute drive from Sandefjord and has flights to destinations across Europe, while Oslo Airport is two hours away. Ferries connect to Strömstad in Sweden and the neighbouring town of Larvik has ferry services to Norway and Denmark. Sandefjord railway station has connections to cities throughout Norway while buses are also available in the city.