Sandvika between Fjord, Culture and Coastal Path

Sandvika combines a setting between the fjord and the surrounding heights with stories spanning several centuries and excursions by the water. A coastal path runs through the town and continues to Kadettangen and Kalvøya; in summer, ferries take swimmers to the islands of the Bærum archipelago. There are also historic sites, a cultural centre and paths along rivers. Depending on whether you want to focus on culture, activity or a day at the beach, you can shape your stay in Sandvika in different ways.

Getting to and finding your way around Sandvika

Sandvika station is on the Drammen and Asker railway lines. Flytoget, local trains and some regional trains stop there. There is also a bus terminal with regional bus routes in the station area.

The historic centre is topographically situated between the surrounding heights and the fjord. The selected cultural heritage sites are located at elevations of 0 to 15 metres, with a few exceptions. Marked routes mostly follow roads, tracks, pavements and paths; for the most part, they are easily accessible with a pushchair or wheelchair. If you pay attention to the route when planning your trip, this general guidance is useful, though it does not establish that every individual route is accessible.

Bridges, historic houses and culture

Løkke Bridge is Norway’s first cast-iron bridge. It was completed on 19 December 1829 and replaced an older wooden bridge over the Sandvikselva. The bridge is also a feature of Løkkehaven: it is located there and was painted by Claude Monet. The park lies beside the Sandvikselva in the middle of an old protected cultural heritage area. Three old houses that once stood at Løkketangen were rebuilt here.

A path through Løkkehaven leads south to Løkketangen river park and west across the Sandvikselva to Kjørbotangen park. If you enjoy walking, you can link the park with a walk through its surroundings. Another historic destination is the listed Malmskrivergården. The building dates from around 1640 and is considered Sandvika’s oldest building.

Engervannet is also connected to Norwegian history. King Sverre observed a peasant army there that had held a council on the ice near Hovedøya on the night before a bloody battle. The battle took place on 6 March 1200. For a cultural programme in town, Bærum Kulturhus offers music, dance and theatre.

Coastal path, Kadettangen and excursions by the water

The coastal path runs through Sandvika and continues to Kadettangen and Kalvøya. Kadettangen has a beach, a park and a recreation area. During the summer months, the Rigmor and Rigfar ferries run from the western pier at Kadettangen to the islands of the Bærum archipelago and back. Rigmorbryggen is designed to be accessible, so everyone can take the trip. This gives you a range of ideas for spending time by the water in Sandvika: a day at the beach, time in the park or a ferry trip to the islands.

If you would rather follow a river landscape, you can hike from Sandvika along the Øverlandselva far into the surrounding countryside. When choosing a holiday apartment or house, it may therefore be important to consider which experiences you would like to prioritise: historic sites and culture in town, walking routes or a summer excursion on the water. The options described offer different focuses, without any one of them replacing the character of the others.

More local guides

If you would also like to visit other local guides, you can find them here: Høvik, Snarøya, Haslum, Stabekk, Fornebu and Lysaker.

For the main travel overview: Bærum.