Here are 15 of the best things to do during your stay in Sandefjord.
1. Visit the Whaling Museum
Sandefjord was once one of the world's most important centres for modern whaling, and the Whaling Museum is the best place to understand this part of the city's history. The museum tells the story of life at sea, Antarctic expeditions, shipowners, sailors and the global whaling industry that shaped Sandefjord for generations. Inside, you will find exhibitions about whales, whaling vessels, polar expeditions and maritime life. It is an excellent stop for families, history lovers and anyone curious about why Sandefjord became such an important seafaring town.
2. Explore Strømbadet and the Ranvik Coastline
Strømbadet is Sandefjord's city bath — a modern floating dock facility for sea bathing, opened in 2020 and located right in the harbour basin near the city centre. It is not a beach but a purpose-built bathing platform with multiple swimming zones, wave breakers, a diving tower and easy entry into the fjord. The surrounding Hjertnesstranda area includes outdoor exercise equipment, a skate park, sand volleyball and football courts, communal grills and a service building with showers and toilets. The facility was designed with accessibility in mind, making it suitable for all visitors. From the Ranvik area, Strømbadet is a short walk or drive and is one of the easiest ways to experience Sandefjord's coastal life — especially in summer, when the harbour comes alive.
Photo: EasyLivin
3. Walk Hjertnesskogen — Forest Views Over the City
Hjertnesskogen is a small forested hill park just a few minutes' walk from the EasyLivin apartments in Ranvik — and one of the most rewarding walks in Sandefjord. A short path through pine and deciduous forest leads to open viewpoints with sweeping panoramas over Sandefjord harbour, the city centre, Vestfjorden and the islands beyond. It is a wonderful place for a morning walk, a quiet evening stroll or simply a breath of sea air with a view. At the foot of the hill, right next to the forest entrance, there is a well-equipped children's playground — making this a perfect short outing for families. Hjertnesskogen captures what makes Sandefjord so special: a compact coastal city where forest, sea and neighbourhood life meet in a very small area.
4. Walk Along the Harbour Promenade
Sandefjord's harbour area is one of the city's most enjoyable places to spend time. The promenade is perfect for a slow walk, a coffee by the water or dinner with a view of the boats and fjord. In summer, the harbour becomes especially lively, with restaurants, outdoor seating, people strolling along the waterfront and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It is a natural place to start or end your day in Sandefjord.
5. Discover Sandefjord City Centre
Sandefjord has a compact and walkable city centre with cafés, shops, bakeries, restaurants and local services all within easy reach. It is small enough to explore on foot, but lively enough to offer plenty of places to stop along the way. The city centre is a good choice for lunch, shopping, coffee or simply taking in the atmosphere. During summer, there are often events, markets and activities around the main square and harbour area.
6. Take the Ferry to Strömstad, Sweden
One of Sandefjord's most popular experiences is the ferry trip to Strömstad in Sweden. The route is operated by Color Line and takes around 2.5 hours each way, making it possible to enjoy a full day trip across the fjord. Many visitors take the ferry for shopping, food, sightseeing or simply for the experience of being out on the water. The crossing itself is part of the attraction, with sea views, restaurants and tax-free shopping on board.
7. Visit the Gokstad Viking Ship Burial Site
Sandefjord has deep Viking roots. The famous Gokstad Ship, one of the most important Viking ship finds in Norway, was excavated near Sandefjord in 1880. Today, the original ship is displayed in Oslo, but the burial mound at Gokstad remains in Sandefjord. The site is quiet, atmospheric and historically important. It is not a large attraction, but it is well worth visiting if you are interested in Viking history and want to connect with one of Norway's most significant archaeological discoveries.
8. Experience Midtåsen Sculpture Park
Midtåsen is one of Sandefjord's most beautiful cultural attractions. Located on a hill with views over the fjord, the area includes a sculpture park and pavilion dedicated to the work of Norwegian artist Knut Steen. The park combines art, architecture, nature and history in a peaceful setting. It is a great place for a short excursion, especially if you enjoy sculpture, photography, quiet walks or panoramic views.
9. Enjoy Sandefjord's Beaches and Coastal Bathing Spots
Sandefjord is surrounded by coastline, islands, rocks and beaches. In summer, swimming is a big part of local life. The most central option is Strømbadet — the city's floating harbour bath with a diving tower and full facilities, right in the city centre. For a more traditional beach experience, Vøra and Langeby are popular sandy spots, and the peninsulas of Vesterøya and Østerøya offer plenty of rocks, coves and quieter swimming areas. Bring a towel, swimwear and perhaps a picnic — this is one of the simplest and best ways to enjoy Sandefjord.
10. Try Golf, Kayaking or Cycling
For active visitors, Sandefjord offers several outdoor activities. Sandefjord Golf Club has an 18-hole course in green surroundings, while the fjord and coastline are excellent for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in calm weather. Cycling is also a good way to explore the area, especially along coastal roads and quieter residential routes. The combination of sea views, forests, beaches and small-town streets makes Sandefjord a rewarding place to discover at a slower pace.
11. Eat Seafood and Enjoy Local Restaurants
A visit to Sandefjord should include a meal by the harbour or in the city centre. The town has several good restaurants, cafés and casual dining spots, with seafood naturally being a strong choice thanks to the coastal location. For the best experience, choose a table near the water in summer, enjoy fresh fish or shellfish, and end the evening with a walk along the harbour promenade. Sandefjord is not a big city, but its food and waterfront atmosphere are part of what makes it so pleasant to visit.
12. Hike the Vesterøya Coastal Trail — 25 km of Coast, Forest and Fort
The coastal path on Vesterøya and Folehavna is one of the best long walks in the Sandefjord area. The trail stretches for around 25 kilometres along fields, pine forest, open skerries and windswept rock faces, with numerous vantage points and bathing spots along the way. At the outermost tip of the peninsula lies Folehavna — an exposed headland with smooth granite rocks and wide views out to the open sea. The fort at Folehavna was occupied by the German military in 1941 and adds a layer of wartime history to the walk. The trail is marked with blue paint and can be started from Gokstad Kystlag at Framnes or from Djupsundveien. The full route takes around 6–7 hours, but it is easy to walk shorter sections. This is a wonderful way to experience the unspoilt coastline of outer Vestfold.
13. Walk Østerøya and Yxney — The Tønsberg Tønne Sea Marker
The coastal trail on Østerøya and Yxney takes you to one of the most historically significant landmarks in the Oslofjord: Tønsberg Tønne — an ancient sea marker first mentioned in the Sverris Saga from the 1200s. Originally a barrel on a stake used to guide ships, it is today a large stone cairn painted black and white, standing at the outermost tip of the Yxney nature reserve. The trail starts at the parking area at Østerøyveien in the innermost part of Mefjorden and passes through varied coastal scenery — forest, rock, small beaches and open water views. The full route can be completed in a day, but it is easy to shorten by turning back from any of the scenic points along the way. A rewarding walk for anyone interested in coastal hiking and local history.
14. Try a Sauna and Sea Bath in Sandefjord
Sandefjord has developed a small but excellent sauna culture, with several options for outdoor sea bathing combined with wood-fired or electric saunas right on the waterfront. Kur Sauna operates at multiple locations around the city — including Lahelle (5 km from the centre, open year-round with regular sauna rituals and aufguss events), Tangen (a wood-fired sauna at Tangenodden by the sea, for up to 6 people) and Ula. FLOAT Sauna at Granholmen offers a modern heated sauna for 10–12 people with direct sea access. All facilities combine the sauna with a plunge into the cold fjord — a deeply Norwegian experience that is invigorating in all seasons. Booking in advance is recommended for most locations.
15. Visit Kurbadhagen — Historic Spa Garden in the City Centre
In the heart of Sandefjord city centre you will find Kurbadhagen — a unique outdoor bar and gathering place set within the grounds of the historic Kurbadet. Sandefjord Kurbad was established in 1837 as a spa resort and was once one of the most fashionable health destinations in Norway. The main building from 1899 is one of the largest wooden structures in the country. Today the venue houses a music bar, a cocktail bar, a café, gallery spaces and a range of local associations. In summer, Kurbadhagen expands with generous outdoor seating and hosts large concerts, festivals and events. Even if you only stop by for a drink in the garden, the historic setting makes it a memorable Sandefjord experience.
Things to Do Near Sandefjord
Vestfold is one of Norway's most historically and scenically rich counties. Within an easy drive of Sandefjord — typically 25 to 50 minutes — you will find Viking royal burial grounds, Edvard Munch's summer house, dramatic coastal national parks, a world-class naval museum, and art galleries. Here are some of the best day trips from Sandefjord.
Åsgårdstrand — Munch's Summer Village (~35 min north)
The small coastal town of Åsgårdstrand, just north of Horten, was Edvard Munch's beloved summer retreat for over a decade. Munch purchased his little yellow house here in 1897 and returned almost every summer until 1908, painting some of his most iconic works directly from the scenery around him. The wooden bridge that appears in Girls on the Bridge still stands and can be walked today. The house — Munchs Hus — is preserved as a museum and is open to visitors in summer, giving an intimate glimpse into the artist's daily life. Åsgårdstrand itself is a beautifully intact 19th-century coastal town with cobbled lanes, wooden houses, a small harbour, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere — well worth a leisurely afternoon.
Borrehaugene — Scandinavia's Largest Viking Burial Field (~40 min north)
Borrehaugene in Borre, near Horten, is one of the most impressive and atmospheric Viking-Age sites in all of Scandinavia. The burial mound field contains seven large and around 21 smaller royal mounds dating from approximately 600 to 900 CE, belonging to the Yngling dynasty — the ancestral line of the Norwegian kings. The mounds sit in a pine and oak forest directly by the Oslofjord shore, making the setting unusually beautiful. Unlike more touristy Viking sites, Borre has a quiet, slightly mysterious quality that rewards a slow, unhurried visit. Entry is free and the site is open at all times. Combine it with a visit to the Midgard Viking Centre nearby for context and guided tours.
Midgard Viking Centre, Borre (~40 min north)
Adjacent to the Borrehaugene burial mounds is the Midgard Viking Centre — the regional heritage centre that brings the site to life with permanent exhibitions on the Yngling kings, Viking ships, Norse religion and the history of the Borre mound field. The building itself is architecturally striking, designed to evoke the long, low forms of Viking longhouses. In summer, Midgard offers guided tours of the burial mounds, children's activities and special events that make the history tangible. If you are visiting Borre, pairing the outdoor mound walk with a visit to Midgard is highly recommended — especially for families and anyone wanting more than a walk in the forest.
Marinemuseet — The Royal Norwegian Navy Museum, Horten (~40 min north)
Situated on the historic Karljohansvern naval base in Horten — a remarkable 19th-century dockyard complex that is itself a heritage site — Marinemuseet is one of the best free museums in Vestfold. The collection includes Norway's oldest continuously serving warship, the ironclad monitor HNoMS Tordenskjold (launched 1878), Norway's first submarine, a full range of torpedo boats, naval history exhibitions, and the beautifully preserved dockyard buildings of Karljohansvern. Entry is free. The surrounding base area, which retains its original layout and architecture from the 1800s, is worth exploring on foot. The museum and base make a natural pairing with a Borre day trip — both are in or near Horten.
Verdens Ende & Færder National Park — The End of the World (~45 min south)
The southern tip of Tjøme island is one of the most dramatic and iconic landscapes in all of Norway. Smooth, wave-worn pink granite skerries extend into the sea, the historic red Verdens Ende lighthouse stands guard, and on clear days the views stretch far across the outer Oslofjord. The name — "The End of the World" — feels entirely appropriate. The surrounding area is part of Færder National Park, Norway's first national park to be located entirely at sea and along the archipelago coast. It is excellent for swimming, fishing, birdwatching and simply sitting on the rocks watching the sea. Entry to the area is free, with a small parking charge in summer. This is one of the most photogenic spots in the region and should not be missed on a longer stay in Vestfold.
Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum & Slottsfjellet, Tønsberg (~25 min north)
Tønsberg — Norway's oldest city — makes a rewarding half-day trip from Sandefjord. The Haugar Vestfold Kunstmuseum is a regional art museum with a strong permanent collection of Norwegian 20th-century painting and sculpture, including works with links to Munch and the Vestfold artistic tradition, as well as changing contemporary exhibitions. A short walk away is Slottsfjellet, the ruined hilltop fortress of Tunsberghus — one of the largest medieval castles in Scandinavia in its heyday — with the Slottsfjelltårnet observation tower offering panoramic views over Tønsberg, the fjord and the islands. The combination of good art, medieval history and coastal views makes Tønsberg an excellent full-morning outing.
Nerdrumsmuseet — Old Master Painting, Stavern (~35 min south)
The small coastal town of Stavern, in Larvik municipality to the south of Sandefjord, is home to Nerdrumsmuseet — a museum dedicated to the large-scale figurative oil paintings of Norwegian artist Odd Nerdrum and works by his students. Nerdrum is one of Norway's most internationally recognised contemporary painters, known for his dramatic, highly crafted canvases that consciously draw on the traditions of Rembrandt, Caravaggio and the Old Masters. His work is striking, unforgettable and completely unlike mainstream Norwegian art. The museum is a private initiative with irregular opening hours — verify before visiting at the official site. Stavern itself is a charming, well-preserved coastal fortress town with a historic citadel, cobbled streets and a relaxed harbour area.
Stay Close to the Coast with EasyLivin
Staying in Ranvik gives you a great base for exploring Sandefjord. You are close to the coastline, beaches, the city centre, the harbour and many of the area's best local experiences — while still staying in a quiet residential neighbourhood. EasyLivin offers comfortable apartments in Sandefjord for guests who want more space, privacy and flexibility than a hotel. Whether you are visiting for work, a family trip, a weekend by the coast or a longer stay, our apartments make it easy to enjoy Sandefjord at your own pace. Looking for a place to stay in Sandefjord? Explore our apartments in Ranvik and book directly for the best experience.
Written by EasyLivin · Ranvik, Sandefjord