Rogaland district, Rogaland, Norway

Places to visit near Sandnes

Sandnes is a town in Rogaland district, Rogaland, Norway, home to about 63,032 people. Within 50 km by road there are 218 places to visit — 47 hill stations & viewpoints, 31 rivers, islands & mangroves, 28 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 31 churches. The must-see places are Rogaland Arboret (8 km), Flyhistorisk Museum Sola (10 km) and Hafrsfjord (12 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Sandnes on the map

Sandnes, Rogaland
Sandnes, Rogaland district, Rogaland, Norway. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Sandnes at a glance

Location
Rogaland district, Rogaland, Norway
Population
about 63,032
Coordinates
58.8524° N, 5.7352° E
Places within 50 km
218 (57 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Sandnes

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Sandnes: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Sandnes

  • Edlandsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~16 km · Must-see
  • Store Stokkavatn · lake · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Limavatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Feistein · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Grasholmen · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Sølyst · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Garborgsenteret · museum · Rogaland · ~18 km · Must-see
  • Engøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~18 km · Must-see
  • Orrevatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~19 km · Must-see
  • Kalvøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~19 km · Must-see
  • Hellesøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see
  • Lindøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see

Things to see near Sandnes, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Sandnes

51 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Håholen (3 km); the best-known is Ullandhaugtårnet (12 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Rogaland →

Rivers, islands & mangroves near Sandnes

48 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Sømsøya (11 km); the best-known is Feistein (17 km). Best time: september to february.

  • Feistein · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Grasholmen · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Sølyst · river spot · Rogaland · ~17 km · Must-see
  • Engøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~18 km · Must-see
  • Kalvøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~19 km · Must-see
  • Hellesøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Rogaland →

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Sandnes

47 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Stokkalandsvatnet (4 km); the best-known is Frøylandsvatnet (12 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Rogaland →

Churches near Sandnes

31 churches within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Sandnes Kirke (1 km). Best time: year-round.

All churches in Rogaland →

Forts & heritage near Sandnes

21 forts & heritage within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Telefon (1 km); the best-known is Sverd I Fjell (13 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Rogaland →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Sandnes

19 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Sandnes. The closest is Grunningen Naturreservat (4 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Rogaland →

A one-day trip from Sandnes

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 53 km on the road.

  1. Start in Sandnes
  2. 8 km Rogaland Arboret · park, Rogaland
  3. 15 km Frøylandsvatnet · lake, Rogaland
  4. 12 km Ullandhaugtårnet · viewpoint, Rogaland
  5. 4 km Hafrsfjord · beach, Rogaland
  6. 4 km Flyhistorisk Museum Sola · museum, Rogaland
  7. 10 km Back to Sandnes

Plan a longer trip from Sandnes — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Sandnes

No traveller has reported from around Sandnes yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

Post an update from the map →

How to reach Sandnes

    All places near Sandnes by distance

    Within 15 km of Sandnes

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    • Hundvåg · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see
    • Bjørnøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see
    • Vassøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~20 km · Must-see
    • Svarthola/Vistehålå · cave · Rogaland · ~21 km · Must-see
    • Oltedalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~21 km · Must-see
    • Idse · river spot · Rogaland · ~23 km · Must-see
    • Idsal · river spot · Rogaland · ~25 km · Must-see
    • Heng · river spot · Rogaland · ~26 km · Must-see
    • Åmøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~26 km · Must-see
    • Bru · river spot · Rogaland · ~27 km · Must-see
    • Hidle · river spot · Rogaland · ~27 km · Must-see
    • Sokn · river spot · Rogaland · ~28 km · Must-see
    • Obrestad Fyr · beach · Rogaland · ~30 km · Must-see
    • Mosterøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~32 km · Must-see
    • Fjøløy · river spot · Rogaland · ~35 km · Must-see
    • Rennesøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~35 km · Must-see
    • Birkelandsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~36 km · Must-see
    • Klosterøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~36 km · Must-see
    • Talgje · river spot · Rogaland · ~36 km · Must-see
    • Utstein · attraction · Rogaland · ~36 km · Must-see
    • Stavanger Museum · museum · Rogaland · ~16 km
    • The Norwegian Childrens Museum · museum · Rogaland · ~16 km
    • Museumsparken · museum · Rogaland · ~16 km
    • Borestranden · beach · Rogaland · ~16 km
    • Kvitsøy · beach · Rogaland · ~38 km · Must-see
    • Troppevatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~38 km · Must-see
    • Vostervatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~39 km · Must-see
    • Hofreistæ · lake · Rogaland · ~40 km · Must-see
    • Fogn · river spot · Rogaland · ~41 km · Must-see
    • Tysdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~43 km · Must-see
    • Kvassheim Lighthouse · attraction · Rogaland · ~43 km · Must-see
    • Finnøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~45 km · Must-see
    • Austrumdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~45 km · Must-see
    • U-974 · fort · Rogaland · ~46 km · Must-see
    • Månafossen · waterfall · Rogaland · ~47 km · Must-see
    • Ørsdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~47 km · Must-see
    • Halsnøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~50 km · Must-see

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    • Operation Freshman · fort · Rogaland · ~51 km · Must-see
    • Geitungen Lighthouse · attraction · Rogaland · ~52 km · Must-see
    • Vestre Bokn · river spot · Rogaland · ~54 km · Must-see
    • Randøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~54 km · Must-see
    • Austre Bokn · river spot · Rogaland · ~56 km · Must-see
    • Aubø · river spot · Rogaland · ~56 km · Must-see
    • Kyrkjøyna · river spot · Rogaland · ~56 km · Must-see
    • Teksevatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~57 km · Must-see
    • Bjergøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~58 km · Must-see
    • Troll Dick · sanctuary · Rogaland · ~59 km · Must-see
    • Eigerøya · river spot · Rogaland · ~59 km · Must-see
    • Eigerøy · beach · Rogaland · ~59 km · Must-see
    • Nodlandsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~60 km · Must-see
    • Ognøya · river spot · Rogaland · ~60 km · Must-see
    • Ombo · river spot · Rogaland · ~60 km · Must-see
    • Stoplesteinan · attraction · Rogaland · ~61 km · Must-see
    • Øvre Tysdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~61 km · Must-see
    • Vibberodden · river spot · Rogaland · ~63 km · Must-see
    • Grøsfjellvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~65 km · Must-see
    • Kulivatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~66 km · Must-see
    • Kjerag · waterfall · Rogaland · ~66 km · Must-see
    • Kjeragbolten · viewpoint · Rogaland · ~66 km · Must-see
    • Karmøy · river spot · Rogaland · ~68 km · Must-see
    • Eiavatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~69 km · Must-see
    • Borgøyna · river spot · Rogaland · ~70 km · Must-see
    • Hovsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~72 km · Must-see
    • Gravatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~73 km · Must-see
    • Lammanuten · viewpoint · Rogaland · ~74 km · Must-see
    • Sirdalen · viewpoint · Rogaland · ~75 km · Must-see
    • Nilsebuvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~79 km · Must-see
    • Valevatn · lake · Rogaland · ~79 km · Must-see
    • Aksdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~81 km · Must-see
    • Lille Presteskjær Lighthouse · attraction · Rogaland · ~83 km · Must-see
    • Risøya · river spot · Rogaland · ~84 km · Must-see
    • Føyno · river spot · Rogaland · ~85 km · Must-see
    • Haugesund Billedgalleri · museum · Rogaland · ~86 km · Must-see
    • Hasseløya · river spot · Rogaland · ~86 km · Must-see
    • Sirdalsvatnet · lake · Rogaland · ~87 km · Must-see
    • Utsira · river spot · Rogaland · ~88 km · Must-see
    • Utsira Fyr · beach · Rogaland · ~88 km · Must-see

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Sandnes by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints4751Håholen (3 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves3148Sømsøya (11 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs2847Stokkalandsvatnet (4 km)
    Churches3131Sandnes Kirke (1 km)
    Forts & heritage2021Telefon (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1819Grunningen Naturreservat (4 km)
    Beaches & coast1416Forusstraen (5 km)
    Museums1415Vitenfabrikken (1 km)
    Other attractions25Utstein (36 km)
    Parks44Sandvedparken (4 km)
    Treks44Bogafjell (6 km)
    Waterfalls34Svilandsfossen (8 km)
    Caves11Svarthola/Vistehålå (21 km)
    Buddhist sites11Wat Luang Phor Sodh - Samfunnet I Norge (14 km)

    Sandnes: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Sandnes?

    Rogaland Arboret (park, about 8 km), Flyhistorisk Museum Sola (museum, about 10 km), Hafrsfjord (beach, about 12 km), Ullandhaugtårnet (viewpoint, about 12 km), Frøylandsvatnet (lake, about 12 km), Jernaldergarden På Ullandhaug (museum, about 13 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Sandnes?

    218 places on Spotwander: 47 hill stations & viewpoints, 31 rivers, islands & mangroves, 28 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 31 churches, 20 forts & heritage.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Sandnes?

    Håholen, about 3 km by road; Stortofjellet (5 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Sandnes?

    Sømsøya, about 11 km by road; Prestøy (11 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Sandnes?

    Stokkalandsvatnet, about 4 km by road; Kubbetjørn (5 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Sandnes?

    Start in Sandnes, visit Rogaland Arboret, then Frøylandsvatnet, then Ullandhaugtårnet, then Hafrsfjord, then Flyhistorisk Museum Sola, and drive back — about 53 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Sandnes?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Sandnes

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Sandnes’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Sandnes on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.