Cheap flights to Sandefjord from PLN55*

Sandefjord, rich in Viking and whaling history, is now the holiday destination of choice for Norwegians from Oslo and beyond, with dozens of beaches, islands, summer homes and campgrounds. Stop here for a rest along Norway’s stunning fjords and forests, travel on to Oslo by train or journey by ferry to other parts of Norway or even Sweden or Denmark.

 

Fly to Sandefjord, Norway for

Sandefjord is the richest city in Norway thanks to whaling, which was halted in 1968. The history of this controversial industry is memorialised in Europe’s only whaling museum, and you can also visit Southern Actor, a whale catching ship dating from 1950. Today, Sandefjord’s 146 kilometres of coastline and 100-plus islands draw vacationers to sandy beaches and bays as well as forests and hiking paths.

 

Tour history, then nature

Once you’ve visited the Sandefjord whaling museum, ship and memorial sculpture, head to Sandefjord Spa, once a popular place to soak in sulfur-infused waters. One of Scandinavia’s largest wooden buildings, the spa now hosts cultural events. Visit Berggata, a street lined with 19th-century white wooden homes – the only surviving such street due to a series of fires. Reconstruction after the fires means the city’s downtown now boasts impressive stone Art Nouveau buildings. See the site where the best-preserved Viking boat was unearthed, at Gokstad Mound, or visit Høyjord Stavkirke, a wooden stave church dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Then it’s on to the beaches! Skjellvika is a shallow lagoon perfect for a summer swim (or ice fishing in winter), and Langeby is often rated the best beach in the area. You can camp here or rent boats and kayaks. There are dozens of beaches to explore, plus 20 kilometres of coastal hiking trails on Østerøya (East Island) and 25 kilometres on Vesterøya (West Island), both part of the international North Sea Trail. If you visit in winter, head to one of Sandefjord’s ten cross-country skiing trails.

 

Award-winning seafood

The best seafood restaurant in this seaside haven is Brygga11, which is more casual than you’d expect, considering it is run by Bocuse d'Or winner Geir Skeie. Other restaurants include Chili for Chinese, Kokeriet for whale meat if you are so inclined, Restaurant La Scala for Italian, Kismat for Indian, and Monsj Street Food for Mexican cuisine. If you’d like to buy your own seafood, including smoked or dry-cured salmon, plus moose and reindeer, or just peruse the catch of the day, head down to the harbour and visit Brødrene Berggren, one of Norway's oldest fishmongers, established in 1911. Sandar Haandverksbryggeri is a microbrewery with great Italian pizza to go with your brew, or choose SMAK Winebar for wine tastings. Have the whole range of beer, wine and cocktails at Draaben Bar or head to James Clark Pub if you’d like to have a pint, watch football on the telly or relax outside.

 

Local art, beers and music

Sandefjord has several well-curated art galleries featuring local artists, such as Gallery ER and Gallery M. Hvaltorvet is a mall next to the main square with lots of shops, and explore the nearby streets for local boutiques. As for Sandefjord nightlife, if you’re not on the beach or relaxing with a beer or wine at a cottage on the coast, head to Kurbadhagen, a music and cocktail bar with both indoor and garden space at the historic Kurbad spa building. Look out for concerts and festivals here in summer. For dancing, head to 3 Lykter Nightclub at the Scandic Park Hotel.

 

Cosmopolitan capital or remote regions

Take advantage of the quick and frequent train service to Oslo, set in a horseshoe shape around a fjord. This compact cosmopolitan capital is infused with history, royalty and the avant-garde in terms of art, architecture, design and cuisine. It’s also one of Europe’s most sustainable cities, surrounded by forests and hills in addition to the fjord, for a city and nature break in one. Or how about travelling to the end of the world? In Faerder National Park, you’ll find Verdens Ende, one of five places in the world that call themselves just that. Take in the view of the horizon before heading back to civilisation, to Norway’s oldest town, Tønsberg. Founded by Viking king Harald Fairhair in the 9th century, films such as Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and Avengers: Infinity War were shot here, and you can visit a replica of a Viking ship in the harbour.

 

Sandefjord airport

Sandefjord Airport Torp is about 110 kilometres south of Oslo. Take a shuttle bus to the train station in the nearby town of Torp and then trains to Oslo (1.5 hours) and other cities are available. There’s also bus service to Sandefjord, Horten (ferry service across the Outer Oslo Fjord to Moss) and Telemark (birthplace of skiing), and as far as Kristiansand and Stavanger. Taxis and rental cars are also available. The airport has cafés, a French bakery, pizzeria, Irish pub and takeaway food as well as duty-free and travel item kiosks.

 

Sandefjord weather

In Sandefjord, summers are mild and the winters are long and cold. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the it boasts more sunny days than any other Norwegian city during the summer. Average temperatures are highest in July, at around 17°C. It’s coldest in February, when the average temperature is -2°C. Daylight hours are lowest in December with about 6 hours of sun (often with clouds).