Tonstad in the Sirdal destination

Tonstad offers different points of interest for a stay: public swimming facilities, a walking route through the old centre, historic sites and a bakery with a long tradition. The attractions range from pools and saunas to traces of local history. When planning your trip to Sirdal, you can consider which aspects of the town interest you most.

Swimming and exercise in Tonstad

Tonstadbadet has three pools open to the public. The wellness pools have a water temperature of 33 °C; the facility also includes a paddling pool and a learner pool. The therapy pool features a counter-current, massage and a water cannon. There is also a dedicated seating area with a whirlpool and massage function. A sauna and steam room round out the swimming facilities.

The sports pool differs from the wellness pools in temperature and dimensions: it is 28 °C, 12.5 metres long and 3.5 metres deep. Facilities include a diving tower and a diving board. The two temperature figures provide a clear point of reference when choosing between the pools: 33 °C for the wellness pools and 28 °C for the sports pool.

There are opportunities to get active in Tonstad outside the swimming facility, too. The town has a beach with swimming facilities, sun loungers and a volleyball court. There is also a skate and pump track park by the football pitch. Skaters of all ages can meet there to learn new tricks or show off their skills. The beach and park therefore offer different options for planning your day than the pools at Tonstadbadet.

Old centre and historic traces

A walking route runs from the town centre along the old street to the former landing area. The historic buildings along the route are well preserved. The route links different parts of the old centre and ends at the former landing area. If you are interested in local history, the street layout and the preserved buildings are the main points of interest here.

Today’s Tonstad kyrkje is also connected to the town’s earlier history. It stands on the site of a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is said to have existed there as early as the 14th century. Two bells from the former church were recast in 1776 and have been used in Tonstad kyrkje ever since. The church’s present location and the history of the bells can thus be considered as two distinct historical aspects.

South of the centre lies Storhaugane, a burial mound probably dating from the Migration Period or the early Viking Age. It is considered evidence that Tonstad has been inhabited since at least around 400 AD. Both the dating and the resulting estimate of when the settlement began are expressed with appropriate caution.

Water and a local bakery

Sirdalsvannet stretches for 27 kilometres from Tonstad to Osen and covers an area of 19 km². The length describes its extent between the two places, while the area figure indicates its size. Tonstad’s beach and swimming facilities are also among the local attractions; the beach has sun loungers and a volleyball court.

Tonstad Bakeri has been in Tonstad since 1936. The bakery makes traditional yeast-raised and shortcrust pastries using recipes from the early 20th century, and prepares most of its products by hand. It has a shop and café in the centre of Tonstad. As the shop and café’s opening arrangements may change, check the latest information before planning a visit.

Sirdal as a wider travel destination

Beyond Tonstad, Sirdal is the wider travel destination. Sirdal has several ski resorts and around 200 kilometres of groomed, marked cross-country ski trails. Sirdal’s Seven Summits also comprises seven peaks of varying difficulty. These attractions are part of the Sirdal destination and complement Tonstad’s local offerings with winter sports and hiking.

Sirdal’s tourist information office is located in the information building at the Sirdal Fjellmuseum in Kvæven. There you can find information about current offers and activities, as well as brochures, maps, books and other items. Sirdalsdagane is also part of the wider regional offering: the annual local festival has grown from a small event into an occasion attended by several thousand visitors, and also features local food.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lunde, Sinnes, Tjørhom, Tonstad.

Go to the main travel overview: Sirdal.