Explore the hidden gem of Norway
Visit Southern Norway and experience Norwegian culture with hiking, skiing, fishing, museums and events. The southernmost part of Norway is also known for the amazing coastline with boating and bathing opportunities.
Things to do in Southern Norway
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Under: Michelin star restaurant in southernmost Norway
Southernmost Norway received it's first Michelin star when Under underwater restaurant in Lindesnes was awarded one star in the 2020 edition of the prestigious Michelin guide.
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Highlights of Southern Norway
Special recommendations and highlights for your visit to Southern Norway.
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Top attractions in Southern Norway
Top attractions in Southern Norway. Visit Norway’s southernmost point, ride a vintage train, visit the underwater restaurant and explore the nature in Raet national park.
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Top activities in Southern Norway
Go skiing, climbing or rafting. Enjoy festivals and other cultural events or visit one of the many museums.
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Raet National Park
Raet is Southern Norway’s national park. Raet National Park extends from Grimstad, through Arendal and on to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. The park was created in 2016 to protect this special natural area.
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Sustainable destinations in Southern Norway
Southernmost Norway have two regions labelled as sustainable destinations; Lindesnes and Setesdal. Sustainable Destination is the Nordic region’s only national labelling scheme for travel destinations.
Winter activities in Southern Norway
You will find a number of alpine resorts in Southern Norway. A lot of slopes for cross-country skiing are also available. There are four major skiing destinations in Southern Norway, and they are closer than you might think. From Kristiansand you spend from one to three hours to get to the destinations. The season normally starts in late November and lasts until Easter/late April.
Things to do in Southern Norway - Find your activity
Hike or bike along coastal trails. Go skiing, climbing, fishing or rafting. Enjoy festivals and other cultural events.
Hiking
One of the most accessible activities in Southern Norway is hiking. The seaside trails are beautiful and easy to do, while the mountain summits in Sirdal and Hovden provide a variety of marked hiking trails.
Cycling
The North Sea Cycle Route (National cycle route number 1) follows the coastline. National cycle route no. 3 takes you from the sea to the high mountains between Kristiansand and Hovden in Setesdal. Read more about cycling in Southern Norway.
Fishing
Angling is a way of life for many people, and the southern coastline of Norway offers deep-sea fishing and fishing in rivers and lakes. Anglers stays at the fishing resorts along the coast, or at quiet cabins in the inland area.
Skiing
The skiing season starts in December, and ends in April. Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding are all available, and the lit up trails along the coast are popular in winter.
Rafting
Rafting in the rivers of Southern Norway are perfect for safe and fun water sport for the entire family. TrollAktiv in Evje and Adventure Norway in Marnadal offer both family and regular rafting activities.
Climbing
The rock climbing area around Valle in Setesdal is known among climbers all over the world. Try out the longest Via Ferrata route in Northern Europe or visit one of the many climbing parks.
Explore Southern Norway
Get rested and ready for a new (holi)day
Stay in a lighthouse by the sea, sleep in a cabin in the mountains, or choose a hotel in town to be near all the action.
Apartments and cabins in Southern Norway
The southernmost part has been Norway's summer holiday paradise for a long time. Lots of cabins and holiday houses are rented out, some privately, but most through larger companies.
Camping in Southern Norway
Camping and caravanning in the South of Norway. This is an overview of the best campgrounds in Southern Norway.
Lighthouse holiday in Southern Norway
Why not spend the night in a lighthouse while on holiday? There are several lighthouses offering accommodation along the southern coast of Norway.
Hotels in Southern Norway
You will find a vast selection of hotels, hostels and guest houses offering bed & breakfast in pleasant surroundings in Southern Norway.
Festivals and events
Kristiansand International Childrens Film Festival
Lydløs - silent electric boat festival in Arendal
Seaweed Festival 2021
The Norwegian Short Film Festival 2021
Cancelled: Heimover festival in Åmli
Sommerbris festival 2021 | Kristiansand
Risør Kammermusikkfest - Chamber music festival
American Festival Lista
Palmesus 2021 Scandinavias biggest beach party
Cancelled: Skjærgårds Music and Mission Festival 2020
Skral Festival
Norway Rock Festival 2021
Villvin art and handcraft marked in Risør
Måkeskrik Festival 2021
Spornesfestivalen
Sørlandets matfestival - Food festival in Kristiansand
Paradis Live 2020 Farsund
Ravnedalen Live 2021
Coastal culture week in Tvedestrand
Heilt Propell
Sydli 2021
Sup & Stup in Lillesand
The Ibsen & Hamsuns Days
Risør Trebåtfestival - Wooden boat festival - Cancelled
Recharge Yoga Festival 2020
Shellfishfestival in Mandal
Staysman & Lazz - Skalldyrfestivalen 2021
CANCELLED: Arendalsuka - where politics meets the man in the streets
Taste the culinary treats of Southern Norway
Taste local food, fruit , sea food, berries and vegetables. Many restaurants in Southern Norway are proud of the traditions and love to tell you about it.
Sightseeing boat trips in Southern Norway
M/B Øya is one of the few remaining ferry boats which are still in a regular route during the summer. The trip…
Go to: Boat sightseeing with M/B Øya Lillesand - Kristiansand - LillesandBoat sightseeing with M/B Øya Lillesand - Kristiansand - Lillesand
LillesandM/B Øya is one of the few remaining ferry boats which are still in a regular route during the summer. The trip…
An idyllic boat trip in the river Nidelva around the island Hisøy. In the skerries the boat passes Torungene…
Go to: Daily sightseeing tours onboard the MS NidelvDaily sightseeing tours onboard the MS Nidelv
ArendalAn idyllic boat trip in the river Nidelva around the island Hisøy. In the skerries the boat passes Torungene…
Join the MS Bragdøya on an island hopping excursion to the Kristiansand archipelago. The boat stops at several…
Go to: Boat trips on the MS Bragdøya - Summer excursionsBoat trips on the MS Bragdøya - Summer excursions
KristiansandJoin the MS Bragdøya on an island hopping excursion to the Kristiansand archipelago. The boat stops at several…
Embark on a voyage with the old wood-fired steamship Bjoren from 1866. Every Sunday in June, July and August…
Go to: D/S BjorenD/S Bjoren
ByglandEmbark on a voyage with the old wood-fired steamship Bjoren from 1866. Every Sunday in June, July and August…
M/F Øisang is Norway's oldest wooden ferry. It was built in Moen in Risør in 1950 and has been in operation…
Go to: Øisang wooden car ferry M/F ØisangØisang wooden car ferry M/F Øisang
RisørM/F Øisang is Norway's oldest wooden ferry. It was built in Moen in Risør in 1950 and has been in operation…
Ferry to Lyngør
TvedestrandFerry between Gjeving and Lyngør, a beautiful island in Southern Norway.
See when the ferry runs to and from the lovely island of Merdø outside of Arendal.
Go to: Ferry to MerdøFerry to Merdø
ArendalSee when the ferry runs to and from the lovely island of Merdø outside of Arendal.
See our amazing archipelago from a boat. We offer charter tours, taxi boats and ferry routes in Arendal and…
Go to: Charter- and ferry boats MS Nidelv, MF Merdø and MF TromøyCharter- and ferry boats MS Nidelv, MF Merdø and MF Tromøy
ArendalSee our amazing archipelago from a boat. We offer charter tours, taxi boats and ferry routes in Arendal and…