FOREST, MOUNTAINS AND TONS OF "KOS"

The art of "kos" is an important thing to southern Norwegians, and the best way to find it is in the forest and mountains.

Forests, lakes and mountains offer plenty of ways to spend a day outside without having to plan too much. Take a short hike to a day-trip cabin, light the fire, unpack your nistepakke (pre-packed lunch) and stay for a while. These simple cabins are open to everyone and are part of a very Norwegian outdoor tradition. The cabin at Hovdenuten, for example, sits above Hovden with views across the surrounding mountains.

In autumn, the forest becomes a place to slow down and look for berries. Picking blueberries, lingonberries or cloudberries is a simple way of experiencing the Norwegian outdoors, and an excuse to spend a little longer among the trees.

Further into the mountains, marked trails lead through forests, valleys and open mountain landscapes. In Setesdal, the trail network stretches from gentler terrain in the south to the high mountains around Hovden.

And sometimes, a day in the Norwegian outdoors doesn't need much more than a fire, something warm to eat and good company.

THE COAST OUTSIDE THE SUMMER SEASON

Outside summer, the Southern Norwegian coast becomes quieter without losing its character. See the white wooden towns of Southern Norway without the crowds.

In the historic coastal towns and small communities, everyday life continues throughout the year. Walk along the waterfront, explore narrow streets and visit the old harbours that were once important stopping points for ships travelling along the Skagerrak.

The uthavner, or historic outer harbours, are particularly suited to this kind of travel.

Places such as Hidra, Lyngør and Ny-Hellesund are still living communities, with people living among the old wooden houses, rocky shores and small piers.

EXPERIENCE THE WEATHER​

On the southern tip of Norway, the weather is part of the experience.

At Lindesnes Lighthouse, where the North Sea meets the coast, autumn and winter can bring strong winds, rain and waves crashing against the rocks. The lighthouse has stood here since 1656, exposed to the forces of the sea and weather.

Further west, Lista Lighthouse stands on an open stretch of coast where wind and sea have shaped both the landscape and the lives of the people who lived here. On stormy days, the coast can feel raw and powerful, a very different experience from a summer visit.

There is something special about experiencing this side of the coast.

Put on a warm jacket, walk out into the wind and watch the waves for a while. Then find somewhere warm, order something hot and let the weather stay outside.

It is a different kind of kos, and perhaps one of the most southern Norwegian ways to enjoy a winter by the sea.

TASTE THE SEASONS

The cooler months are a time for hearty dishes and food meant to warm you after a day outside. Traditional dishes such as rømmegrøt, a rich sour-cream porridge, are part of the region's food heritage.

At Sølvgarden in Setesdal, traditional food and local culture are closely connected. The hotel offers a chance to experience the valley's traditions through food, craft and hospitality.

Southern Norway is also home to a strong tradition of using local game and other ingredients from the surrounding landscape.

At Under near Lindesnes, the landscape becomes part of the meal. The restaurant is built into the coastline, with its dining room five metres below the surface and large windows looking into the sea.

The menu is rooted in local ingredients and the changing seasons, with seafood and produce from the surrounding region taking centre stage.

It is a very different way to experience Southern Norway, sitting quietly beneath the surface while the sea continues its rhythm outside.

CULTURE WITHOUT THE CROWDS

Outside the summer season, Southern Norway's museums and cultural attractions offer a quieter way to experience the region's history and creative life.

In Setesdal, Rygnestadtunet is one of the valley's most distinctive historic farmsteads. The buildings and surrounding landscape offer a glimpse into how people lived in the valley for centuries, with traditional architecture, craftsmanship and stories connected to the farm.

In Kristiansand, Kunstsilo offers a very different experience.

The former grain silo has been transformed into a major art museum, where Nordic modernism and contemporary art meet in one of Southern Norway's most distinctive buildings.

Further east, Ibsen-museet i Grimstad tells the story of Henrik Ibsen's years in Grimstad, while Hamsun-museet i Grimstad explores the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning author Knut Hamsun, who lived at Nørholm outside Grimstad for much of his later life.

Outside the busiest months, you can experience Southern Norway's cultural heritage at a slower pace with time to look, learn and stay a little longer.