11 reasons to visit
the beach paradise of Jæren

Are you looking for some of Norway's longest white beaches, tasty food from both fjord and field, and fun outdoor activities?

Then the Jæren area in the Stavanger region is definitely the place to visit. The landscape is unique with its large flatland areas and dramatic coast, and there are plenty of historic sites to explore.

Check out its unmissable attractions.

Top experiences at Jæren .
Photo: NLE-film / FotoKnoff, www.fotoknoff.no

Top experience at Jæren .
Photo: NLE-film / FotoKnoff, www.fotoknoff.no

#1

Dreamy beaches

Plan for a fun day at one of the many Jæren beaches!

Jæren is home to 25 kilometres of long, sandy beaches, which means you have plenty of space for family fun or a romantic day out.

By the way, the beaches are also an excellent place to go birdwatching!

You can read more about the beaches below.

The Jæren beaches .
Photo: NLE Film / Visitregionstavanger

Jæren beaches .
Photo: Region Stavanger

#2

Thrilling kitesurfing

We can't mention the beaches without letting you know that this is also one of Norway's best areas for kitesurfing.

The Sola beach is particularly popular for water sports. Here, you can go straight from Stavanger airport and hit the waves!

Kiting at Jæren .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

#3

Catch a wave

Waves and wind = perfect surfing. Here, you'll find both sheltered beaches for beginners, and more demanding spots for more advanced surfers.

Regardless of your skill level, Jæren is an ideal place to surf! The area even hosted the European Surf Championships in both 2017 and 2018.

Brand new in the game? You can also take surfing courses at Jæren!

Surfing by the Solstranden beach, Stavanger .
Photo: Martin Håndlykken / Visitnorway.com

#4

Stay by the beach

Combine fun beach activities with luxury accommodation! The Sola Strand Hotel is located by the dunes beside Sola beach, and is home to both a first-class restaurant and a relaxing spa.

If you want to wake up to a panoramic view of the North Sea, this is the ideal place.

The hotel not only has a unique location by the beach, it's also very easy to get to – only two kilometres from the airport.

Lunch at Sola Strand Hotel, Solastranden .
Photo: CH - visitnorway.com

#5

Idyllic cycling routes

Let's go from one adventure to the next!

The 140 kilometre Jærruta bicycle route provides an incredible ride through the beautiful landscape of Jæren with its large fields, characteristic stone walls, and ocean views – in other words, it's packed with treats!

Check out Discover Norway for bike rentals and tour options in the area.

Travelling with the whole family?

You'll also find bike tours with shorter stages, which can be combined with other activities along the route.

It's also possible to rent electric bikes that you can collect at several hotels in the area.

Cycling at Jæren .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

#6

Drive the Scenic Route

Travelling by car? Drive the 41-kilometre-long Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren, from Bore to Ogna, through the flat and well-kept cultural landscape!

This Scenic Route is unique, as the coastal landscape is unlike anything you'll find in other parts of the country.

If you want to explore even more of the area, you should drive some of the country roads, and, of course, make some stops along the way.

Check out these roundtrip options in the region.

Jæren in the Stavanger region .
Photo: Sven Erik Knoff

#7

Hike the King's Road

Do you want to walk on the same trails that people before you took thousands of years ago? Then you should definitely hike the historic King's Road.

Grødalandstunet in Jæren .
Photo: Ingeborg Skrudland / Jærmuseet

You can start and finish your hike at different locations, and you'll find plenty of attractions along the way.

Popular routes include:

Hå Gamle Prestegard - Obrestad harbour

Obrestad harbour - Grødalandstunet

Grødalandstunet - Varhaug cemetery

If you start walking from Hå Gamle Prestegard, remember to plan for a visit there first!

The Obrestad lighthouse seen from Hå old vicarage .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

#8

Get artsy

The art and culture centre Hå Gamle Prestegard, a former vicarage, is a must-visit while at Jæren.

The centre is housed in traditional, listed buildings and showcases contemporary art by national and international artists, all exhibited by the stunning coastline.

Hå Gamle Prestegard and Obrestad lighthouse .
Photo: Asle Haukland

While here, you should also visit the café with local treats on the menu.

Hå Gamle Prestegard serves some fantastic lapper, traditional Norwegian pancakes. Try the recipe at home!

Lapper from Hå old vicarage .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

#9

Stay in a lighthouse

About 1 kilometre from the art centre at Hå, you'll find Obrestad fyr – one of Norway's many lighthouses.

What's really cool about this one is that you can actually spend the night there! If you visit on windy days, you can really get a dramatic close-up of the forces of nature.

Obrestad lighthouse at the Jæren coast .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visit Norway

#10

Tasty local food

The food in the Jæren region is known for serving up the best from the sea and the field. The mild coastal climate makes it possible to harvest and create a wide range of incredible flavours.

Award-winning cheeses, some of Norway's sweetest tomatoes, and fresh seafood. What do you want to taste first?

Food from restaurant Tango in Stavanger .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

In addition to the restaurant at Sola Strand Hotel and the café at Hå Gamle Prestegard, you should definitely plan to dine at Strandhuset at Ølberg.

Here, you can enjoy an amazing buffet each Sunday! Its location by Ølbergstranden beach is, of course, fantastic too.

Explore more places to eat in the region, with tips from a local expert.

Seafood from Strandhuset at Ølberg .
Photo: Stavanger-regionen

#11

Get there with a view

Make your journey a part of the adventure! With the Jæren Railway you can easily travel from Stavanger, the largest city in the area, down the coast to Egersund in Jæren.

The ride lasts about an hour and takes you along the rugged coastline, through wide horizons and open skies – a short, but sweet train journey!

If you travel from the capital Oslo, you can take the Sørlandet Line all the way from Eastern Norway to Fjord Norway, an eight-hour-trip through a varied and idyllic landscape.

It's one of the world's most beautiful train journeys, and passes many family-friendly destinations on the way.

The Sørland Line .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

Explore the Jæren beaches

Large and lively or small and private? You will have no problem finding the perfect beach at Jæren.

Ognastranden: Easily accessible by car or train. If you take the Jæren Railway, the train station is about 15 minutes from the beach. If you are travelling by car, the North Sea Road goes right through Ogna. At the beach, you'll find you'll find both a campsite with a kiosk, accessible walking paths, and several wonderful hiking trails.

Brusandstranden: This beach is connected to Ogna beach and has its own campsite with space for both motorhomes and caravans. This is a fine spot for both swimming, surfing, and fishing. You'll also find Hitlertennene ('Hitler's teeth'), a series of Nazi stone block fortifications dating from the Second World War.

Nærlandstranden and Refsnesstranden beaches are close to the Obrestad lighthouse and the Scenic Route Jæren. Refsnesstranden beach is very accessible, with paths from the carpark down to the beach, and you'll also find showers nearby.

Orrestranden is another stop along the Scenic Route, located at Klepp. Here, you'll find good parking and toilet facilities, and it's also possible to buy food and drinks at the information centre at Orre Friluftshus. This beach has also been awarded prestigious Blue Flag certification.

Overlooking the Jæren beaches, Stavanger and Ryfylke, Fjord Norway

The Jæren beaches.
Photo: Christine Baglo

Borestranden is a popular spot for surfers and is located along the Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren. Here you can learn to surf, take a beginner's class in kitesurfing and spend the night near the beach. In summer, you can also rent surfing equipment and buy refreshments at the kiosk. You'll find showers and toilets near the carpark.

Hellestøstranden is a universally accessible recreational area at Sola and is the perfect place for sun-seeking people during summer. It's also the site of an annual kite festival and a popular surfing spot.

Ølbergstranden is a little sandy beach offering pleasant swimming and sunbathing during summer. It's also a great place to hike year round. Some also claim you get the very best soft serve ice cream in the area right here, at Ølbergkiosken. The beach is located southwest of Stavanger airport and near Ølberg harbour.

Vigdelstranden is a smaller beach a short distance from Ølberg. There is a path leading to the beach and toilets in the area.

Solastranden beach is shallow and therefore popular with kiters and surfers. At the north end of the beach, you'll find the Sola Strand Hotel and a golf course. The beach is also close to Stavanger airport.

Regestranden is the neighbouring beach to Solastranden. There is a large carpark and you can also spot street art in the area.

Protected areas in Jæren

Jærstrendene is the name of the area that stretches from Tungenes in the north to Sirevåg in the south, a total length of 70 km.

The beaches of Jæren were protected as early as 1977. Since 2009, they have been included in the Jærstrendene landscape conservation area. Some parts of the beaches are also plant and bird protection areas, and some areas are part of Jæren's wetland system, protected as a wetland area of international importance.

All forms of surfing and kiting are prohibited in the protected bird areas from 1 October to 31 March. Horseback riding, biking, camping, and tenting in the sand dunes are all prohibited.

The Jæren coast is also an international Hope Spot, acknowledged by the organisation Mission Blue, which means it's a place that is critical to the health of the oceans.

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Do you want even more?
The Stavanger region offers plenty to explore.

Stavanger in 10,000 steps .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

The Colorful Street, in Stavanger .
Photo: Per Christian Lind / Visit Norway

Find your next adventure

Top activities and amazing beaches in Jæren.

Featured

Top things to do in Jæren

Obrestad lighthouse

Obrestad lighthouse was established in 1873 and is one of several lighthouses along the weather-beaten Jær coast and the first lighthouse to be built… Read more

Obrestad lighthouse

Surfing with Bore Surf Senter

Bore Surf Senter makes surfing easy! Their goal is for you to be able to stand on the board. They even give you a free course if you can't make it on… Read more

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Kitesurfing for beginners - Bore Surf Senter

Learn the basic skills to start kitesurfing on your own. Read more

Kitesurfing for beginners - Bore Surf Senter

Surfing with Boretunet

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Surfing with Boretunet

Obrestad harbour

Obrestad havn, communal marina, water, electricity. The harbour is preservation area. The building of Obrestad harbour was started in 1874 and it was… Read more

Obrestad harbour

Varhaug old Cemetery

The ancient cemetery at Varhaug is often describes as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country. It has a unique location close to the sea. Read more

Varhaug old Cemetery

The Jæren beaches

Sola beach

Solastranden beach was once named one of the most beautiful beaches by the Sunday Times! Read more

Sola beach

Borestranden beach

Borestranden is one of the nicest beaches in Norway and is three kilometres long. The beach is located along the FV507, the Norwegian Scenic Route… Read more

Borestranden beach

The Jæren beaches - protected landscape area & Hope Spot

Jærstrendene (the beaches of Jæren) stretches from Tungenes in the north to Sirevåg in the south with a total length of 70 kilometres. You'll find a… Read more

The Jæren beaches - protected landscape area & Hope Spot

Refsnes beach

The two beaches Nærlandstranden and Refsnesstranden are located along the Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren. The beaches are pebbled and sandy. Read more

Refsnes beach

Brusand beach

A long-stretched beach with sheltered dunes. Brusand beach has good opportunities for swimming, surfing and fishing. There are also camping… Read more

Brusand beach

Ogna beach

Ogna beach is a sandy beach with a rocky shoreline, polished rocks and a river mouth. Read more

Ogna beach

Vigdel beach

Vigdelstranden beach is ideal for families with small children as it's a shallow beach. Photographers also like to visit the area, as it is varied in… Read more

Vigdel beach

Ølbergstranden beach

Ølberstranden is a great little sandy beach where it is nice to swim and sunbathe in the summer and great to hike the rest of the year. Some claim… Read more

Ølbergstranden beach

Orre beach

Take a walk on the beach on a wet autumn day with the sea in turmoil, or experience a summer evening with a blazing sunset; a calm, blue sea, and a… Read more

Orre beach

Vigdel - Bore

Jæren beaches from Vigdel to Bore beach. The beaches are a fantastic place to walk and take in the wide horizons and endless sea. Most of the beaches… Read more

Vigdel - Bore

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11 reasons to visit
the beach paradise of Jæren

#1

Dreamy beaches

#2

Thrilling kitesurfing

#3

Catch a wave

#4

Stay by the beach

#5

Idyllic cycling routes

#6

Drive the Scenic Route

#7

Hike the King's Road

#8

Get artsy

#9

Stay in a lighthouse

#10

Tasty local food

#11

Get there with a view

Explore the Jæren beaches

Find your next adventure

Where to stay in Jæren

Getting around

Get inspired

Accommodation

Sightseeing

Getting Here & Around

Tours & Round trips

Offers

11 reasons to visit the beach paradise of Jæren

#1

Dreamy beaches

#2

Thrilling kitesurfing

#3

Catch a wave

#4

Stay by the beach

#5

Idyllic cycling routes

#6

Drive the Scenic Route

#7

Hike the King's Road

#8

Get artsy

#9

Stay in a lighthouse

#10

Tasty local food

#11

Get there with a view

Explore the Jæren beaches

Find your next adventure

Where to stay in Jæren

Getting around

Get inspired

The best food experiences in the Stavanger region

The festival director's top cultural tips in Stavanger

Plan your trip to Stavanger

The Stavanger region

Fjord Norway

11 reasons to visit
the beach paradise of Jæren