Places to stay and things to do in Sandnes

At the very end of Gandsfjord, just over a 15-minute drive from Stavanger, is the picturesque city of Sandnes. Whether you’re interested in spending time on the fjord, shopping, culture, outdoor activities or exciting museums, all kinds of great experiences await.  

The city is the seventh largest in Norway and has a strong industrial history with the production of bicycles, pottery and oatmeal. Today, Sandnes is known for its long pedestrian streets and large shopping centres, not to mention its spectacular nature. 

Here we provide useful information for visitors to Sandnes:

Sandnes Cinema

When it's time for a break, you can watch both new and old film classics at Kinokino. In addition to the latest films, art films are also shown regularly and there's a special children’s film showing every other Saturday. And every other Wednesday, the Sandnes film club shows a film. The cinema is part of the Sandnes cultural centre, but is located in what was originally built as a city hall and cinema in 1941.

Sandnes Art and Culture House and Library

The Sandnes Art and Culture House consists of the Sandnes Culture House and Kinokino art and film centre. Cultural activities of all kinds are organised here, whether you're interested in concerts, revues, theatre or ballet. Kinokino also hosts five to seven art exhibitions throughout the year, including a summer exhibition. The library is also located here.

Vitenfabrikken

Vitenfabrikken is located in the heart of Sandnes. Here you can learn about the history of the city of Sandnes and extensive bicycle and pottery industry that was the lifeblood of the city. Sandnes used to be home to Norway’s largest bicycle factory, Jonas Øglænd, perhaps best known for DBS bikes, as well as Tempo motorcycles.

Vitenfabrikken consists of several floors with interactive exhibitions and activities. Here you can learn about astronomy and space travel, learn first aid using VR glasses, build with Lego bricks, do exciting math experiments in the magical Abelloft or try to figure out what the three little piggies smell. Vitenfabrikken is part of the Jærmuseet, consisting of a total of 12 museums across Jæren.

Sandnes Yarn

Love to knit? Make sure to stop by Sandnes Garn. The wool factory has existed since 1888 and produces knitting yarn that is sold in Norway, the Nordic region and various other countries. You may be familiar with such yarn brands like Sisu, Peer Gynt and Smart. The factory produces around 650 tonnes of yarn every year, from raw sheep wool to ready-dyed knitting yarn. You can buy yarn directly from the factory in the factory outlet. Here, you'll also find yarn with discontinued colours and defective yarn at a lower price yet still of good quality.

Kongeparken

Just outside of Sandnes is the Kongeparken amusement park, a favourite family destination both summer and winter. Here you can spend the day enjoy the 60 rides and attractions, including a Gråtass tractor, obstacle course, roller coaster, children’s fire station and log ride.

Sandnes swimming spots

Sandnes is perfect for those who like to swim! There are all kinds of different swimming options, with something for everyone. There are great swimming spots in both fresh and salt water and many of the swimming areas have barbecue areas, a pier, swim rafts and picnic tables. You can choose between sandy, rocky and pebble beaches, and some also have playgrounds. Alsvik is a popular beach among locals. 

Outdoor activities: Hanatrappene, Lutivassdraget, Preikestolen, etc.

With the fjord as the closest neighbour and forests and mountains of all sizes nearby, there are plenty of choices for those who like to be active outdoors. There are numerous hiking trails and the Sandnes trekking association has marked 14 local hikes in the various districts of Sandnes.

The Hanatrappene stairs are very popular with city residents for both fitness and recreation. A total of 306 stairs take you up to a beautiful viewpoint over the city. From here, you can continue to De 7 ulvungane, a hiking trail with the seven most spectacular viewpoints over Sandnes and Gandsfjord.

If you are interested in botany, a trip to Rogaland Arboretum is sure to be an exciting experience. Here you'll find one of the country’s largest collections of bushes and trees, only a 13-minute drive from the city. The arboretum has around 1,400 different plant species and covers an area of 70 hectares.

Lutsivassdraget is a favourite destination for those who enjoy kayaking and canoeing. Take the entire family canoeing and go ashore on one of the many islands or enjoy fun and fast kayaking. There are also lots of nice areas to light a bonfire and put up a tent.

Sandnes municipality is home to Lysefjord, considered one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords. A wide variety of sights and attractions await. At Preikestolen, you can experience one of Norway’s most famous viewpoints. This incredible mountain plateau is located 604 metres above Lysefjord and not for those with a fear of heights! Even more adventurous visitors can step onto Kjeragbolten, the iconic rock wedged between two mountain faces and no fewer than 984 metres above the fjord, or take the 4,444 steps up Flørlitrappa, the world’s longest wooden staircase. Take a well-deserved break on top while enjoying the panoramic views.

Shopping in Sandnes

The city has plenty of shopping options. Langgata is the city’s main street and one of Norway’s longest shopping streets, with plenty of shops to discover. Sandnes also has several shopping centres, such as the Kvadrat shopping centre and Bystationen.

In Sandnes, you don't have to go far to find great dining spots and there’s something for every taste. On Langgata, you'll find Delikatessen, which serves dishes with a focus on high-quality, healthy and local ingredients from Rogaland. On the same street is Ti Spiseri & Bar, where you can enjoy delicious Danish open-faced sandwiches, pizza, fish or grilled meat dishes. Hekkan Burger or Hereford and friends are perfrect for those in the mood for a mouth-watering burger or juicy steak. Sabi Sushi Sandnes serves Japanese cuisine, while the chefs at Noi have thrown out their cookbooks and surprise guests with food from around the world.

When it's time for a coffee break, Coffeeberry has lots of delicious hot and cold drinks to enjoy and if your group has lots of different food preferences, you’re sure to find something for everyone at the food stalls in Mathallen at Vågen.

Thon Partner Hotel Sandnes is beautifully located with views of the fjord in Lura between Sandnes and Forus. The hotel serves a delicious breakfast buffet and has both a sauna and small gym. It’s a great place to stay whether you’re on holiday, a business trip or at a conference. It takes only a few minutes to drive to the centre of Sandnes or you can easily walk there in 30 minutes. And the Kongeparken amusement park is only a 15-minute drive away.