Welcome to Kristiansand

Selfie foran McDonalds i Kristiansand. .
Photo: Nico Hagen

In Kristiansand you will find a bustling life all year round. Exciting niche shops, cozy restaurants and beautiful landmarks make the city so charming that you hardly want to leave here.

Markens.mp4 .
Photo:

With chalk-white sand and palm trees, Bystranda will give you exotic summer vibes! Especially when few Norwegian cities have as many hours of sunshine as Kristiansand.

Bystranda .
Photo:

Right next to the city beach you will find Aquarama, a water park with both indoor and outdoor facilities. Both young and old can have fun here!

Utebasseng på Aquarama .
Photo: Aquarama

The festival town

Kristiansand is also a festival town, and houses large international festivals each year. Sommerbris, Palmesus and Ravnedalen Live are among the biggest, and attracts thousands of happy participants to town.

Ravnedalen Live, Kristiansand .
Photo: Kari Anne Røysland

It's also about great musical experiences in Kilden which in a few years has become both the cultural powerhouse of Southern Norway and an architectural landmark. The source is located on the former military base Odderøya, which has been "resurrected" as open space with cozy cafes, galleries and hiking trails.

Kilden .
Photo:

Kristiansand is an eldorado for street art lovers, and everywhere in the city you will find both giant murals as well as more subtle street art treasures from the city's active street art community. So keep your eyes open!

Gatekunst Kristiansand Zedin Zunic .
Photo: Yaman Konuralp©Visit Sørlandet

At Fiskebrygga you will find a varied selection of restaurants as well as a fish market where you can buy the delicacies of the sea with you. In the summer, weekly free concerts are organized and the area overflows with happy people.

Fiskebrygga .
Photo:

Do not miss the fantastic view over the city from the city's only rooftop bar, Club 21 on top of the Caledonien Hotel.

Club21 .
Photo:

Another hot tip is the hidden gem Ravnedalen, which is a short walk from the city centre. The lush park with its mysterious feel is the perfect setting for consuming the juicy home-made burger at Cafe Generalen. The atmosphere is extra magical on summer evenings when Norwegian and international artists take the stage in the park.

Cafe Generalen i Ravnedalen, Kristiansand .
Photo: Camilla Høy / Visit Sørlandet

Families with children visiting Southern Norway must of course visit Dyreparken (the Animal Park). The park's superstars, Julius and Kaptein Sabeltann hardly need any further introduction, but did you know that new attractions are constantly being launched in Dyreparken?

Dyreparken .
Photo: Dyreparken

Another exciting attraction is the fortress complex Kristiansand cannon museum Møvik fort from World War II. Here is the second largest cannon ever mounted on land. The dramatic past feels both far and near at the same time as you chug around on the restored museum railway with views of the coastal idyll.

Kristiansand cannon museum Kanonmuseet .
Photo: Steinar Furu / Kristiansand Kanonmuseum

For Kristiansand is of course also synonymous with the archipelago. It is impossible to choose a favorite among thousands of islands, islets and reefs, but Bragdøya, just outside the city centre, is easily accessible by ferry. And with a coastal centre, cozy cafes and white sandy beaches, the island is a southern dream come true.

Bragdøya .
Photo: Adam Read, Visit Sørlandet

The beautiful pearl Søgne is located just outside Kristiansand. Here you will find Søgne Gamle Prestegård, a cultural center with events and concerts all year round. You can also explore the idyllic outport of Ny-Hellesund with M/B Høllen.

Søgne-Ny Hellesund .
Photo: Adam Read

Another gem outside Kristiansand is Vennesla. Here you can enjoy beautiful nature in the popular Tømmerrenna. The disused paper factory at Hunsfos has become a trendy place with shops and restaurants, and the village is also known for a cozy Christmas market.

Tømmerrenna .
Photo: Heidi Sørvig