Sandnes in Norway is situated centrally in the Jæren region, at the innermost point of Gandsfjord. It has an area of 304.5 km2 of which 296,0 km2 is dry land and 6.0 km2 are islands and sea. Sandnes municipality has approximately 68.000 inhabitants. Sandnes is known as Norway´s bicycle city, mainly due to the fact that the bicycle manufacturer Øglænd DBS was situated here for decades. The city offers a variety of routes for everyday riders and tourists. Since 1996 a public bicycle rental programme has been in operation in the city. Sandnes´s districts are Austrått, Figgjo, Ganddal, Hana (includes Aspervika and Dale), Høle, Lura, Malmheim, Riska, Sandved, Soma, Stangeland, Sviland, and Trones.
Safe bicycle paths will take you to the Rogaland Arboretum the country´s largest covering 60 hectares. So far, 13.000 trees and bushes of 1.300 different species have been planted. An idyllic oasis of roads and paths with a rich animal and bird-life. For art enthusiasts, Sandnes Art Association (Sandnes Kunstforening) has an indoor and outdoor summer exhibition in the park at Skeianetunet. It is situated on the outskirts of Sandveparken, a gem for ramblers and cyclists. Under the green countryside lies clay, a raw material which has created traditions in Sandnes.
Visit the Pottery and Brick Works Museum, Havanna Badeland, a swimming pool and leisure centre, on the eastern side of Gandsfjorden is a favourite among children and young people. Old and young alike can enjoy tropical water temperatures all year round. Water slides, a wave pool, canals and waterfalls are just a few of the things on offer.
The city has a vibrant industrial base, mainly in the Ganddal area in the south and the Lura and Forus area in the north towards the Stavanger boundary. There is significant activity related to oil exploration in the North Sea and also some IT related companies. Sandnes was formerly known as the pottery town of Norway – due to the important ceramics industry based on the extensive occurrence of clay in the surroundings.
In this suburban region between Sandnes and Stavanger, malls and department stores have also been established. Norway´s largest shopping centre, Kvadrat, is also situated in Sandnes. Ten minutes south along the E18 is Kongeparken with its figure of Gulliver measuring 85 metres in length. Did you know that Kongeparken has Norway´s longest summer bobsleigh run? The landscape of the Sandnes and Stavanger region is quite flat. On the long west coast there are several beaches and further inland the land is raised to form low plains with some small peaks rising up to 400 to 500 metres above sea level. From Stavanger and Sandnes it is approximately one hour by car to alpine and skiing resorts. In Sandnes there are some easily accessible small mountain peaks, such as Dalsnuten and Lifjell, with a view over the Sandnes and Stavanger area. The renowned Lysefjord is also easily accessible by car or boat.
The city of Sandnes is located about 15 kilometres south of Stavanger, and these two cities have expanded so as to form a conurbation. The municipality of Sola is located to the west, Klepp and Time to the south, and Gjesdal and Forsand to the east. The Gandsfjorden is situated north-south and ends in the centre of Sandnes. The international airport of Stavanger is situated in Sola.
THE BICYCLE TOWN
In 1892, two brothers, Jakob and Lars Øglænd, decided to produce the new means of transport of the day: the Velocipede. Many bicycles have been produced over the years, and if you would like to study development over the past 100 years, you can visit Jonas Øglænd Bedriftsmuseum. Or, for a reasonable price, you can rent a bicycle and go exploring on your own. Few towns are as bicycle friendly as Sandnes.
SANDNES CULTURE CENTER
Sandnes Culture Center with different scenes great acoustiks, dance, music and theatre make for thrilling cultural events and a restaurant. At the seafront Sandnes guestharbour. Watch for events announced in the media or on the Internet. Monthly schedules are available from Sandnes Cultural and Tourist Information.
HAVANNA WATER PARK and PLAY LAND
Scandinavia´s largest indoor swimming facility. Our 7,000 square metres of pools hold a total of 1 mlllion litres of water. There are plenty of adventures and challenges waiting for you. A splashing great time can be had by all. “Moffevigå” for the little ones, speed and excitement for the more daring, and the Turkish Bath for adults looking for some tranquillity. Play land wlth activities for children from O to 14.
HOVE FUGLEPARK
Hove bird sanctuary is located only a few minutes from downtown Sandnes. Here birds and animals of all sizes lead a very content life. Small pleasant ponds between gravel paths and grassy meadows, colourful parakeets and peacocks make the bird sanctuary a colourful experience. The bird sanctuary is located right behind Hove nursery, making it possible for the family to satisfy several wishes at once.
ROGALAND ARBORETUM
Rogaland Arboretum is a lush park area with more than 1400 different trees and bushes from a number of countries. The Arboretum is an excellent area for walks – in any weathar and during all seasons – for people of all ages, in particular for those that take a special interest in plants. With its 150 acres, this is Norway’s largest arboretum. Open year rourd. Signposted.
SOMA FARM
Visit a Norwegian farm. Halp feed the animals or ride the tractor around the farm. Soma Gård has most Norwegian farm animals, and the barn has plenty of soft hay for tumbling. Open Sundays from May to September. Opening hours: 10:00-17:30. Admission fee.
KROSSENS HAVREMØLLE MUSEUM
Oats are part of the North Sea cultural heritage! The museum is a national, industrial cultural monument and showcase oat processing and the signifificance of the oat mill to the region and nation. The mill is an industrial museum on facinating premises. The museum is located in downtown Sandnes and has its own cafe.
SANDNESMUSEET
Brickworks and potteries have left their mark on Sandnes for more than 200 years. The pottery and brickworks museum showcases the clay´s path from the ground to finished producted. In addition, you get an introduction to the significance of Sandnes´industrial development with woodworking trades, prefabricated houses and furniture.
ØGLANDMUSEET
The significance of the Øgland Family for more than 125 years is showcased by the company museum’s trade, ready-made clothing and bicycle exhibition. Øglaendmuseet is unique in Norway because of its collection of bicycles and motorcycles produced in Norway during the past 90 years.
FIGGJOMUSEET
The Figgjo Faience Factory’s company museum demonstrates techniques and the development and manufacture of ceramics, faience and porcelain. Here you can find familiar and beloved patterns from the past. The factory outlet and museum are located in Figgjo.
JÆREN
Jæren is the largest flat lowland area in Norway, stretching from the municipality of Randaberg in the north to Hå in the south. The coast is flat compared to the rest of the Norwegian coast, and has sandy beaches along most of the coastline. The largest city of Jæren are Stavanger and Sandnes.
The petroleum industry around Stavanger is an important part of economy of Jæren, with the headquarters of the country´s largest oil company Statoil being located on Jæren, as well regional offices of international companies like ExxonMobil, Eni, Shell, ConocoPhilips, BP, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes and several others.
Jæren is also one of the most important agricultural areas of Norway, with a long crop period and a varied and well-developed livestock production. Industry here is also strongly connected to the farming industry, with one of the largest producers of agricultural machines in the world, Kverneland Group, located in Time and Klepp.
Author and poet Arne Garborg grew up in the traditional lowland landscape of Jæren, and in several of his works he describes the landscape and its inhabitants around the turn of the 19th century.
MELSHEI
Perhaps the best location in Sandnes for outdoor life. Plenty of opportunities for training and skiing on the lighted trail. Well suited for baby carriages and wheelchairs. There is elso an extensive network of smaller trails.
BRÅSTEINSVATNET LAKE
Excellent swimming by the HV cabin in Bråstein. The area is equipped with benches and toilets. Ample parking. Swimming dock and raft.
EDLANDSVATNET LAKE
Sandy beach, dock, large grassy area for sunbathing. Not far from downtown Ålgard.
EIKENESET by OLTEDALSVATNET LAKE
Area off Oltedalsvatnet lake surrounded by an oak forest. Good picnic and swimming area with parking and toilets.
HOGSTADVIKA
Hogstadvika is suited for disabled persons. Toilet and parking. Camping area for caravan members. Several lakes with good swimming areas. Route 13 at Lutsivannet lake.
HOLMAVIKA
Nice sandy beach at the Gandsfjord off Route 317 to Dale. Benches and tables. Toilet facilities and large parking area.
THE BEACHES of JÆREN
Solastranden, Ølberg, Vigdel, Hellestø, Borestranda, Orre, Brusand and Revtangen beaches. As exotic as the Riviera, although usually a bit colder, but marvellous during calm or stormy weather. Sunbathing, swimming, wind surfing, wave surfing and miles and miles of white sandy beaches.
FISHING
Ask the locals for advice and you will get a good fish tale thrown in for good meesure. Excellent fishing lakes/rivers: We have the lakes Stokkelandsvatnet, Bråsteinsvatnet and Lutsivatnet, as well as the river Figgjoriver to mention but a few.
You do not need a fishing license to fish in the sea, and you do not need to go far in Sandnes to find a spot where you cen use a fishing rod. Fishing is excellent along the entire Gandsfjord. Ask the locals for advice and you will get a good fish tale thrown in for good meesure.
Anyone older than 16 fishing for salmon, sea trout or freshwater fish, must purchase a fishing license each year. You are allowed to fish in the verious lakes and rivers either by buying a fishing license or by making agreements directly with the property owners. It is not always easy to determine whom to contact, but inquire at the Sandnes Tourist Board and we will assist you to the best of our ability.
GOLF
Golfclubs in Rogaland.