About the Port
Sandnes sits along the Gandsfjord just south of Stavanger, on Norway's southwestern coast. Once known for its ceramics, textiles, and bicycle manufacturing, the town today serves as a quiet counterpart to its larger neighbor, with a walkable center, waterfront paths, and easy rail or road access into the wider Stavanger region.
The area's real draw lies beyond the town itself: the fjord landscapes that made this coastline famous. Lysefjord's sheer granite walls and the towering plateau of Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, are within reach for those seeking dramatic scenery, while Stavanger's old town of Gamle Stavanger offers cobbled lanes lined with white wooden houses. Travelers who prefer a slower pace can explore Sandnes on foot from the pier before venturing farther into the fjords.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Sandnes.
Hike to Preikestolen
The iconic cliff plateau rewards a steep 2.5-hour ascent with sheer 600-meter drops over Lysefjord. Reach the trailhead by shuttle bus and ferry combo from Stavanger; allow at least 5 hours round trip.
Cruise the Lysefjord
See Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten's granite walls from the water on a scenic boat tour departing Stavanger's harbor, a easier alternative for those short on time or mobility.
Wander Gamle Stavanger
Norway's best-preserved wooden town center, with 18th-century white houses and cobbled lanes, sits a short train or taxi ride from the Sandnes pier and rewards an unhurried stroll.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Sandnes
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2026 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 7 | $1,509 | |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 15 | $107,440 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 23 | $23,630 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 16 | $16,660 | |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Explora Journeys | Explora III | 8 | $5,405 | |
| Apr 17, 2027 | Holland America | Zuiderdam | 21 | $2,009 | |
| Apr 23, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Vela | 7 | $5,299 | |
| Apr 23, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Vela | 21 | $15,198 | |
| May 1, 2027 | Holland America | Zuiderdam | 7 | $1,159 | |
| May 1, 2027 | Holland America | Zuiderdam | 14 | $2,034 | |
| May 14, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Vela | 21 | $16,398 | |
| May 23, 2027 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 14 | $2,649 | |
| May 23, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Mira | 28 | $20,998 | |
| May 28, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Vela | 7 | $6,599 | |
| May 28, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Vela | 14 | $6,299 | |
| May 30, 2027 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 7 | $1,369 | |
| May 30, 2027 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 14 | $2,734 | |
| Jun 6, 2027 | Viking Ocean Cruises | Viking Mira | 14 | $10,499 | |
| Jun 20, 2027 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 14 | $2,834 | |
| Jun 27, 2027 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 14 | $2,819 |
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