Hvalfangstmuseet
The Whaling Museum in Sandefjord tells the story of whaling, especially the Antarctic large-scale whaling of the 20th century, and displays a life-size blue whale.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1917 by the whaling magnate Lars Christensen as Kommandør Chr. Christensens Hvalfangstmuseum, named after his father. He gave it as a gift to Sandefjord municipality. The original building was designed by Nils Winge Grimnæs, and a life-size blue whale model hangs in a gallery supported by twelve columns.
In 1981 the museum was extended with an exhibition hall, offices and a library. This wing was rebuilt and extended from 2018. The oldest part has its own value as a museum building and shows the animal life of the Arctic and Antarctic as an introduction to the history of whaling.
The main focus is the Antarctic large-scale whaling of the 20th century. The collections cover natural and cultural history and include, among others, the Hvalfangstsamlingen, Sandefjord Bymuseum, Sandefjord Sjøfartsmuseum and Sandar Bygdesamling. The museum also has a large photo and film collection and an extensive library on whales, whaling and the polar regions.
Highlights
- Life-size blue whale in the roof
- Zoological exhibition from 1917 with polar animals
- The exhibition “Vi var ute etter hval” (“We Were Out After Whales”)
- Sound and film installations
- The whaling ship “Southern Actor” (summer)
Permanent exhibitions
- Vi var ute etter hval – Exhibition in the second part of the museum on the history of whaling.
- Zoologisk utstilling – Exhibition in the original museum building from 1917, with stuffed animals from the polar regions.
- En blåhval i taket – Life-size model of a blue whale hanging beneath the roof.
- Founded
- 1917
- Operated by
- Vestfoldmuseene IKS
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 70Children aged 7–17, seniors (honnør) and students |
| Children & teens | NOK 70free up to age 6 · Children aged 7–17 |
| Seniors | NOK 70Senior (honnør) |
| Visitors with disabilities | –Companion cards are accepted. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 70 |
| Groups (10+ people) | NOK 70 per personAdults in groups (at least 10 people), low season. High season NOK 100 per person. |
| Families | NOK 2702 adults and children aged 0–17. High season NOK 400. |
| Southern Actor (adults, students, seniors (honnør) and children aged 7–17) | NOK 50Children aged 0–6 free. Open only in summer. |
Low season 1 September–31 May; high season 1 June–31 August has higher prices (adults NOK 150, children aged 7–17, seniors (honnør) and students NOK 100). Annual passes can be bought on the website. Payment by bank card or Vipps (mobile payment).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Entrance from the car park with automatic doors. Lift to all floors. All stairs have handrails on both sides, except the stairs to the gallery in the old part. Toilets on three floors, one of which is accessible for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs, stools and hearing protection can be borrowed at reception. The exhibition on the 1st floor is rather dark; staff can adjust lighting and sound if needed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 270 · 2 adults and children aged 0–17. High season NOK 400. |
- Baby changing facilities
Changing table in the toilet by the museum shop. Hearing protectors for children and adults can be borrowed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Several bus routes stop at the museum; journey planner at vkt.no. Sandefjord station is a short walk away (about 1 hour 34 minutes by train from Oslo, see vy.no).
By car
Parking available
The Torvgangen car park is just across the street.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Café on the top floor with simple refreshments. Museum shop. Wooden lockers in the corridor to the right of reception; the key is borrowed at reception. Visitors may eat their own food on the terrace, and in the lecture hall or teaching room when they are free.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups (maximum 30 people) in Norwegian or English must be booked in advance. 45–60 minutes costs from NOK 1,500, 90 minutes costs NOK 2,300, in addition to the admission ticket. Outside opening hours and at weekends the price is higher. A film on the top floor shows hunting and processing in colour, and some scenes can be intense. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibitions. |
