The Viking Era

The Vikings lived in the area around the Oslofjord about 1000 years ago. In Sandefjord, their presence can be clearly seen in the artefacts and monuments they left behind. You can also find clear traces of activity of other inhabitants from even -earlier periods of history. Special places of interest: The Gokstad Mound
and The Rock Carvings and Standing Stones.

Whaling

Sandefjord’s history is inextricably linked to whaling. It reached its apogee in 1954.

The Whaling Museum: Europe's only museum dedicated to whaling and its history.
The Whaling Monument: Sandefjord’s most famous sculpture is a memorial to whaling, created by Knut Steen at the end of the 1950s.

The Whale Catcher "Southern Actor" is the only whaleboat found in its original condition from the modern whaling era. The boat is open for the public in summer.

Midtåsen

The beautiful former home of shipping magnate and philanthropist Anders Jahre is now public property. The estate has a unique park containing a number of sculptures as well as a fantastic view over the Sandefjord fjord. The park is open to the general public.

Midtåsen Sculpture Park

Midtåsen offers a dedicated pavilion and sculpture park where 16 works by the artist Knut Steen have been collected together. Knut Steen's sculptures in interplay with the panorama of Nature, glass and concrete creates a unique art experience.

Dakota Norway

Sandefjord Airport is home to Dakota, a historically valuable and stylish veteran passenger aircraft. The Dakota Norway foundation owns and operates the Dakota – an American Douglas DC3 aircraft built in 1943 – which flies routes around Vestfold during the summer season.