Escape everyday life and discover our collection of countryside holidays at a farmstay. Farmstay guides you to the perfect getaway in the Southern Norway countryside.
Find yourself a friendly oasis in the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle. Inspire yourself, escape the everyday and explore our collection of countryside holidays, from romantic hideaways to family friendly adventures and large group celebrations. This region is rich in cultural and historical landmarks, with opportunities for long walks in the vast countryside and mountains, learning new crafts or culinary skills, or simply relaxing in a cosy Norwegian environment.
Whether you are staying in the heart of a farm, retreating to the peaceful seclusion of nearby villages or visiting the award winning Michelin key farm Boen Gård just outside Kristiansand, you will be welcomed into a modern Norwegian farmstay, a place to eat, drink, sleep and unwind under the stars. Set in the heart of Southern Norway, our farmstays offer locally sourced, seasonal food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, giving you a taste of authentic countryside living.
Boen gård
Boen gård is the only award winning Michelin key farm in Southern Norway and is located just outside Kristiansand. The gastronomy and service harmonise with the unique surroundings by the river Tovdalselva.
The main building features a new restaurant kitchen, while the interior has been restored in line with its original style, complete with period furniture and art. This is a place where modern elements meet historic character, and rustic charm blends with comfort.
Heddan gard
At Heddan Gjestegard, each room has its own character, offering an atmospheric step back in time. You can stay with breakfast, choose full board or rent a cabin.
A 3-hour experience is also available, which includes stories about food and history, a locally sourced meal served in the “Barn,” a walk through the cultural landscape and a visit to the farm museum.
Hillestad galleri
Hillestad Holiday Center and Gallery showcase paintings, graphics and handicrafts, with exhibitions that change regularly. An old barn has been turned into a café and shop where you can buy artwork, jewellery, ceramics, glassware, home decor and gifts. There is also an art trail with installations set in the natural landscape around the gallery.
Many visitors come especially to taste the homemade kringle in the café. You can also enjoy bread rolls, soup, coffee and tea, as well as other simple dishes.
For those who enjoy fishing, permits are available for the river, allowing you to catch your own meal. The area also offers several hiking trails. Accommodation is provided in traditional Norwegian cabins by the river, and all cabins include access to an indoor swimming pool.
Camp Flakksvann
At Camp Flakksvann you sleep in a 33 square metre lavvu, where a comfortable made up double bed and bathrobes are ready for your stay. You wake up to birdsong and the sound of the nearby waterfall Flakkefossen. On cooler mornings or evenings, you can enjoy the warmth of the fireplace from the cosy seating area.
Camp Flakksvann focuses on relaxation by the riverbank while maintaining a high standard of comfort. In the evening, you can unwind in the wood fired hot tub and enjoy the scenic view of lake Flakksvann.
Beisland gjestegård
Book your dream wedding or any type of event at Beisland Gjestegård, in the newly renovated event facilities in the barn. In addition to courses, conferences and rental of banquet venues, a farm shop is being planned that will offer the farm’s own lamb products such as cured meats, sausages and fresh whole or half lambs cut according to the customer’s wishes.
Sheepskins from the farm’s own animals, other sheepskin products and additional farm goods will also be available for purchase.
Tjamsland gård
Tjamsland Gård, with roots dating back to the 13th century, is both a reflection of Southern Norway’s rich heritage and a modern example of sustainable development and organic farming.
With its authentic charm and peaceful setting, the farm welcomes visitors to a café where you can enjoy the farm’s own organic produce and artisanal cheese.
Skråstad gård
Skråstad Farm is located just a few minutes drive from Kristiansand city centre. At this charming farm, apples, plums, berries, redcurrants, rhubarb, and blackcurrants are grown. In addition, the farm produces high-quality juice, cider, jam, and jelly. You can buy these directly from the farm shop, which is usually open every Friday.
The farm offers rustic and cozy venues for weddings, conferences, and meetings. It is also possible to get a guided tour of the farm. Here, you can enjoy fresh, local produce with the authentic taste of Southern Norway.
Bjellandstrand gård
Bjellandstrand Farm has the sea as its closest neighbour, offering an authentic sense of Southern Norway’s coastal atmosphere. It is located on the outer side of Tromøy, just outside Arendal in Agder, in the heart of Raet National Park.
The farm features a carefully cultivated garden designed as a sensory space. Indoors, the event venues can be booked for anniversaries, weddings, meetings, seminars or team-building activities. Throughout the year, the farm also hosts concerts, revues and exhibition.
Setesdal and UNESCO
The folk music of Setesdal, a living world heritage, was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. This is a unique oral tradition that has been passed down through generations, possibly dating back to the Middle Ages.
The Hardanger fiddle and the jaw harp are central instruments used in the traditional folk tunes known as “slåttespel” and in the rhythmic “gangardans,” the traditional walking dance.
Sølvgarden
Sølvgarden resembles a small Norwegian fairytale castle, combining local culture and tradition with modern amenities.It is located in the heart of Setesdal, near the Otra River and the mountains in Rysstad, and is a great base for exploring the area.
The restaurant serves food that is deeply rooted in Norwegian and particularly Setesdal culinary traditions.
The hotel also offers Setesdal Sauna, a unique sauna experience surrounded by spectacular nature in the middle of Setesdal, with panoramic views of the mighty Andenapen and the Otra River. When you settle down on the bench, you will feel how the silence, the view and the warmth blend into something truly special.
Syrtveit gard
At Syrtveit Farm, you can join a guided farmyard tour where Setesdal’s cultural heritage is presented through film, exhibitions, 3D mapping, holograms and live performances. You will hear stories, see old photographs and explore documentation of Setesdal’s cultural and farming history, sometimes shown through modern technology.
The farm combines the presentation of local culture with concerts, folk music such as the Hardanger fiddle and the jaw harp, and traditional dance and singing from Setesdal, which are part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Visitors can also taste traditional food from Setesdal, made with local ingredients, often sourced directly from the farm.
Flakk gård
Flakk Farm is situated beside the Tovdal River, offering an apartment stay with hiking and cycling routes right on your doorstep. The farm is actively operated, and during much of the summer sheep and cows graze in the surrounding fields. For those who enjoy fishing, there are excellent spots within walking distance or a short drive away.
The farm is set in peaceful rural surroundings, and there are also inviting swimming areas nearby.
Røyland gård
If you are seeking peace and quiet, and a place where children can move freely, the farm offers a large cabin for up to 12 people and a smaller cabin for three. Hiking trails begin at the doorstep, and the nearest fishing lake is only one kilometre away. Borrow a canoe and enjoy calm waters surrounded by nature. The farm animals love meeting guests, and the hosts keep dogs, cats, sheep, horses, chickens and ducks.
The hosts also produce local food specialities, available for purchase in the farm shop.
Eikerapen gjestegard
Eikerapen Gjestegard is best described as a peaceful mountain setting with easy access to outdoor activities. In summer you can swim in the lake, walk in the surrounding mountains or try trout fishing. In winter, the ski slopes start right outside the door.
Eikerapen also specialises in Norway’s national horse, the Fjord horse. These strong and calm horses are used for riding and for wagon trips in the mountain landscape.
Brokkestøylen
Brokkestøylen is located in the heart of Setesdal, where the Norwegian summer pasture culture, known as seterkulturen, is listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Here you can combine comfortable glamping with genuine traditions, folk music and craftsmanship that have been preserved for generations.
They serve wild game and fish such as mountain trout, cheese from the neighbouring farm made with fresh goat’s milk and cured Mangalica loin. All greens are foraged from the forest or grown organically in Brokkestøylen’s own kitchen garden. The farm also produces its own gin and various oils.
You can experience quiet luxury by staying in insulated nature pods of 30 square metres, offering a spacious atmosphere and a large window facing the river and forest.
Southern Norway, an emerging wine region
Southern Norway is not traditionally known for wine production in the same way as established regions such as France, Italy or Spain. The climate is generally cool and challenging for viticulture, and the Norwegian wine industry is still in an early stage of development. At the same time, Southern Norway is considered the region in Norway experiencing the strongest growth and showing some of the greatest potential for wine production adapted to a cool climate.
In recent years, this development has become increasingly visible. A growing number of small-scale producers and wine enthusiasts are experimenting with grape growing and local wine production, particularly using cold hardy grape varieties such as Solaris and Rondo.
Skudeneset wineyard
Skudeneset Gaard is a place not only to taste wine, but to experience local traditions, countryside living and a sustainable way of thinking. At Stallen Vinbar you can taste their wines, enjoy locally sourced dishes and occasionally try their own craft beer or mead. The atmosphere is rustic and relaxed, blending the countryside charm of Southern Norway with thoughtful craftsmanship.
The farm offers vineyard tours, wine tastings and organised events, including lunches or dinners paired with wines, multi-course menus made with local ingredients and dedicated evenings for groups or wine clubs.
Voie Winery
At Voie Vin in Kristiansand, wine production is combined with local food and farm based tourism. The winery is located on a small farm at the inner end of the Kristiansand fjord and has been in the same family since the 16th century.
Voie Vin produces wine from estate grown grapes, with all work carried out manually. The vineyard has around 2000 vines across several grape varieties, including cold hardy Piwi varieties such as Solaris and Rondo, as well as more traditional grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The production includes red, white and sparkling wines, in addition to a fortified wine made using the Port wine method.
Visitors can take part in guided tours of the vineyard and wine tastings featuring wines produced on the estate. Voie Vin is located approximately ten minutes from Kristiansand city centre.