Strand municipality has around 13,300 inhabitants spread over 215 square kilometres. Most people live in Jørpeland, the biggest town in Ryfylke, and in the town Tau.
The coastal municipality has many beautiful mountain areas. Preikestolen is one of Norway's biggest tourist attractions. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to experience the magical view over Lysefjorden. The famous mountain plateau has been named one of the world's most spectacular viewpoints by both CNN and Lonely Planet. You can either go alone or hike with a guide. The municipality also has many other wonderful hiking areas with well-marked trails.
Jørpeland
Jørpeland has a lovely town centre with various shops, an off-licence and several places to eat.
Jørpelandsholmen island is centrally located and is a popular recreation area with frisbee golf, a place to climb and play, and barbecue areas. From the trail you can admire Solspeilet – the Norwegian Stonehenge – an art installation shaped like an Egyptian pyramid.
There are many places to hike within walking distance of the town centre. You can explore the archipelago by kayak, go on a fishing trip, cycle the network of trails or play golf.
Strandadagene festival is held here each June, with concerts and various activities.
Tau
There’s a shopping centre in Tau, as well as cafes and a restaurant.
You can visit Mølleparken park, home to the esteemed Tou Villa, an English-inspired park from 1850, or enjoy the view from one of the mountain peaks close to the centre.
Rock carvings and exotic flowers
You can stop at the rock carving site at Solbakk, on the road between Jørpeland and Tau. The site is easily accessible from the road and the carved figures are painted red.
The botanical garden Flor & Fjære on the island of Sør-Hidle is a hidden gem, with palm trees, exotic flowers and carp fish. There is a restaurant at Flor & Fjære and a boat connection to Stavanger.
Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation options, ranging from camping to hotels. Jørpeland and Tau both have great guest harbours for those arriving by boat or motorhome.
There is a restaurant and several places where you can stay the night in the area around Preikestolen.
How to get to Strand?
Solbakk is around a twenty-minute drive from the centre of Stavanger, through the world's longest subsea car tunnel. If you are travelling from the north, you can take the Hjelmeland-Nesvik ferry service, and drive through Hjelmeland and Årdal.
