page_title: Sandefjord
section_title: Recreation
hierarchical_section_title: Sandefjord / Recreation
caption_attribution_description: Norsk bokmål: Inngangsportalen til Knattholmen leirsted, Natholmen, Sandefjord, Vestfold, Norge
context_page_description: Sandefjord is a Norwegian city and the most populous municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The administrative center of the municipality is the city of Sandefjord. The municipality of Sandefjord was established on 1 January 1838. The municipality of Sandar was merged into Sandefjord on 1 January 1969. On 1 January 2017, rural municipalities of Andebu and Stokke were merged into Sandefjord as part of a nationwide municipal reform.
  The city is known for its rich Viking history and the prosperous whaling industry, which made Sandefjord the richest city in Norway. Today, it has built up the third-largest merchant fleet in Norway. It is home to Europe's only museum dedicated to whaling, and is home to Gokstad Mound where the 9th century Gokstad Ship was discovered.
  Sandefjord has numerous nicknames, including the Viking- or Whaling "capital" of Norway. The city is also known as the "whaling capital of the world." It has also been dubbed the "Bathing City", due to its many beaches and former resort spas. It is still considered a resort town, due to high numbers of visitors during summer months.
context_section_description: Sandefjord has some of Eastern Norway's largest preserved coastal recreation areas. There are 20 km (12.4 mi) of coastal hiking trails on Østerøya peninsula, including to its southern tip where Tønsberg Barrel is located. Tønsberg Barrel is an old beacon mentioned in Sverris saga. The 20 km coastal path at Østerøya (East Island) is an extension of the 25 km (15.5 mi) coastal path on Vesterøya (West Island). These 45 kilometers (28 mi.) of hiking trails are part of the international North Sea Trail. Additional hiking trails are found at Preståsen, Hjertnes Forest, Fjellvikåsen, Mokollen, Midtås, as well as the Culture Walk. 100 km of hiking trails are attached to trailheads by Heisetra in rural Andebu. Sandefjord is home to ten cross-country skiing trails (loipes).
  Goksjø is a 3.47 km² (2.15 mi²) lake on the border between Sandefjord, Larvik, and Andebu. It is the third-largest lake in Vestfold County. Goksjø is popular for swimming, kayaking and fishing; some of the fish species found here are Northern pike, European perch, Ide, Common dace, European eel, Salmon and Brown trout. Freshwater fishing is also common by rivers such as Svartåa in Andebu and the Hagenes River in Kodal. Numedalslågen, which is considered one of Norway's best salmon fishing rivers, is located in neighboring town of Larvik.
  Sandefjord is home to numerous campgrounds, all which are located along the seaside. Campgrounds include Asnes, Granholmen islet, Langeby, Vøra, and others. Langeby is considered Sandefjord's best beach by Frommer's and Fodor's Travel Guides, and is home to Langeby Camping which offers boat- and kayak rentals. Tent camping is permitted on numerous nearby islands, including the 11-acre (4.5 ha) Hellesøya and 12-acre (5 ha) Buerøya. Langeby lies adjacent to Vøra, a neighboring beach and campground. Vøra tends to get crowded during warm summer days due to tourism. It attracts summer vacationers from throughout Norway during warm summer months.
  Tent camping is permitted in forests, minimum 150 meters (492 ft.) from nearest settlement.
caption: Entry to Knattholmen Campground
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