1. Korshamn: The port that pulses all year round

Whether you like nice walks in the archipelago nature, like to explore the sea below the surface, are fond of boating, like fishing - or simply want to swim and sunbathe, then the old port of Korshamn is worth experiencing.

Several small islands are part of this port. However, pay particular attention to Sutnøy (where you will find a bright sandy beach in the heart of a sheltered bay) and Sælør (where you can swim from the jetty or from the rocks). At Vervågen you can camp, and from Sælør it is easy to paddle on to Kjøpsøy, which has a great recreation area with simple accommodation options.

The port was established as early as the 17th century. But unlike many of the other, old ports in Southern Norway, Korshamn has both permanent residents (around 100 people), a convenience store that is open all year round and several active professional fishermen. The first settlements can actually be traced all the way back to the Stone Age (east of Kjøpsøya).

- We have a fantastic place here that is suitable for several age groups, both families with children and couples. There are lovely hiking opportunities. You can also rent a boat, play sea golf, and there are countless great places to dive. Much of the terrain is hilly, so it is still necessary to be able to walk on your own machine, says Jarle Osen, who is caretaker for Korshamn Rorbuer.

The cabins are really like apartments, and these 8 have a shower, toilet, separate kitchen, bedroom, living room and terrace. It only takes 20 minutes to drive into the center of Lyngdal. In the summer of 2023, a new pub opened, which has been given the status of Norway's southernmost pub.

- All the paths in Korshamn are completely car-free, and you can walk along the southern houses towards the sea gap - right past people's doors. When the weather is nice here, it becomes magical, with bustling boating, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Many fishermen from Norway, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands come to Korshamn to hire one of our 14 fishing boats, says Jarle.

2. Want to play golf in the sea gap?

In 2023, Norway's third sea golf facility opened, precisely in Korshamn. This facility is Southern Norway's first, and the country's southernmost place for this type of activity. Here, the golf balls are made from degradable and environmentally friendly fish feed, which is easily dissolved in water. Korshamn Rorbuer hires out all the necessary equipment such as golf clubs and special pegs, as well as selling golf balls (which the fish can enjoy).

3. The dream garden: A different garden center with a view of Øydnevannet

The garden center is run by entrepreneur Silje Løland, who previously had a flower shop in the center of Byremo. But Silje had bigger dreams that she wanted to realize. In 2012, she therefore started the very personal garden centre, which is located directly behind her home. From Drømmehagen you can look out over the upper Øydnevannet, because the garden center is located at a great vantage point on Byremo. In Byremoparken and Byremosanden, which are on the way up to the garden centre, you will also find several swimming areas and a frisbee golf course.

- I have always had a very strong interest in gardening. That was a lot of the reason why I started Drømmehagen. My wish is that those who come here have a good experience, and perhaps some inspiration for their own garden. Too much of what I sell is in its natural environment outdoors. Or that they just get a nice trip in the countryside, says Silje.

The plant center has a large selection of many different things, everything from fruit and berry trees, to flowers and green plants – apples, pears and plums. The cafe adjacent to Drømmehagen is open at weekends and in the middle of summer.

- The children usually enjoy themselves very well here with us. In the area, we have a discovery tunnel that was recently built and lit, and a sandbox for the little ones, she says.

All Silje's plants have been outside before being sold, and are therefore more hardy. She buys most of it from suppliers who sell plants straight from greenhouses.

- But I take care to acclimatise them before they are sold on, she says.

Over 300 different types of perennials, and over 1,000 different varieties of plants can be found in Drømmehagen.

4. Stroller-friendly trip to Sandvika day trip cabin at Byremo

Southern Norway is perhaps best known for its coastal strip, but the inland in the south also has a fantastic number of beautiful places that you can explore. Along several of the beautiful inland waters, you can have wonderful nature experiences for much of the year.

Such as at upper Øydnevann at Byremo, which is attractive for canoeing and kayaking and swimming, as well as trout and eel fishing. You are welcome to spend the night in a tent right down by the water's edge here. A nice place to take the trip to enjoy exactly this inland water and the surrounding nature is to go to the brand new day trip cabin in Sandvika on Byremo. Then you go to the city centre, and on to the car park at Refsnes. From here you continue your journey on foot, bicycle or with a pram: On the 1.7 kilometer long, fine dirt road to the Sandvika day tour cabin. Here there is a barbecue and opportunities to borrow kayaks and life jackets.

- The wish was to achieve a very good standard at the day trip cabin, and at the same time establish a great slate slab paving and stone jetty. Øvre Øydnevann is approximately 1 mile long, with bays and coves, an island in the middle, and lies 112 meters above sea level. The surrounding area is well organized for trips, says landowner Per Egil Flottorp.

Per Egil says that mountains and the sea are often prioritized by tourists, but that there is so much else worth experiencing in Southern Norway, of beautiful waterways and inland waters - all surrounded by varied nature: both deep fir forests and deciduous forests, cultivated land and cultural landscapes .

- Along the water here there are many small, naturally laid out sandy beaches. On these you can often find peace and quiet, all to yourself, while others crowd the beaches by the sea. In addition, it is always calmer along Øydnevannet. Admittedly, there are no amusement parks here, but there is something about discovering new places in nature, which is a pleasure in itself. It becomes absolutely magical in the summer with the sunsets, when the water is still, adds Per Egil Flottorp.

5. Ørnemyrfjell: Have you been to Lyngdal's roof?

Take the trip up to Ørnemyrfjell in Byremo, where a new and modern gap hut was completed in September 2022. Ørnemyrfjell (578 meters above sea level), is the highest peak in Lyngdal municipality. You can experience a lot on the way up to the top. But also when you arrive at your summit destination, a well-known local hiker says:

- You start in beautiful forest terrain, and end up closest to Snaufjellet with a fantastic view. The road up into the nice hiking terrain on Ørnemyrfjellet is great in all seasons. Even in winter, when there is a lot of snow, the fittest go on snowshoes to the top. The beautiful, new gapahuk at the top of the mountain is designed so that you can sit sheltered from the wind. In fact, no matter what direction it comes from. In addition, there are barbecue areas right by the gaphuken, says Anne Ågedal from Byremo.

Anne explains that the view is great towards Storskorhei and Tindefjellet in Hægebostad. You can look out towards Åseral, and you will spot Sjåvassknuten, Kittelstad and Eikerapen.

- To the south you can see the Greipstad transmitter in Greipstad. You can do the trip as a circular route, on well-marked paths. Among other things, you will pass the remains of the molybdenum mines at Flottorp. You can also take the trip around Ramstavarden, says Anne.

6. Bringsjordneset and Skrelia: The choice for hikers all year round

Here are two nice trip suggestions, whether you take a cozy and close to the center walk (of 3.1 kilometers) around Bringsjordneset. The trip is suitable for both children and adults, wheelchairs, pushchairs or bicycles. Or if you want more hilly terrain; to Lyngdal's most famous and popular hiking area, Skrelia, with bare rocks and a great view.

7. One of Southern Norway's best frisbee golf courses can be found at Konsmo

Located right in the center of Konsmo, this Frisbeegolf course (run by Konsmoparken Frisbeegolfklubb) is an 18-hole Frisbeegolf course that is popular, even for people who live a bit further away - and for tourists who visit. The course was opened with 12 holes in 2018, but was already expanded the following year.

- It's the best track in the local area, that's it. The course is very fun to play on, very nice to walk here and varied, says Stian Sundnes (27), who often plays frisbee golf here with his friend Morten Ødegård (27).

The club is active for large parts of the year, and is actually considered one of Southern Norway's most beautiful and fun frisbee golf courses, according to UDisc (with a rating of 4.3). If you are unfamiliar with frisbee golf and are looking for some extra motivation and inspiration to get started, the club actually has 3 good reasons to start with frisbee golf: Fun, social and cheap.

- It's fun to test and also satisfying to master. Virtually most people who try frisbee golf find it fun. You can play together with both family and friends, and it's perfectly fine for professionals and amateurs to play together, says member of the Konsmoparken Frisbee golf club, Hallgeir Fiddan.

The shirt with frisbee golf does not cost either. The equipment has a total price of around NOK 500, for a pack of different types of disks. While the app (UDisc) to record your results is free - in addition to the fact that access to most frisbee golf courses throughout Norway (such as this one at Konsmo) is also free. The club puts in a lot of volunteer work to keep the frisbee golf park in top condition, and also organizes training sessions (weekly golf every Wednesday from April) and tournaments.

8. Have you tried salmon fishing in the rivers Lygna and Audna?

Both Lygna and Audna are popular and great rivers for salmon fishing. Lygna is 82.2 kilometers long, and after a new salmon ladder was built in 2014, the salmon can get over Kvåsfossen and up towards Hægebostad. Just above Kvellandsfossen, there is also a fishing spot adapted for people with reduced mobility. The river Audna has varied fishing opportunities from the lake; the 35 kilometers it takes to get to Ytre Øydnavann, where the salmon's journey stops. In 1985, the Audna was the first of the Sørland rivers to be fully limed, so that the salmon population was established again.