Family activities in Risør | Visit Southern Norway

Family activities in Risør and Vegårshei

The coastal city of Risør offers activities for families with children including an aquarium, a small zoo, beaches for swimming, fishing and other water related activities such as kayaking and sailing. Vegårshei offers hiking, swimming, fishing and snow skiing activities.

Girls sitting next to potholes by the sea

Giant potholes at Sild.
Photo: Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet

Children playing at the beach at Moen Resort

Moen Resort.
Photo: Adam Read, Visit Sørlandet

Risør Akvarium.
Photo: Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet

Kayaking outside Risør.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS - Visitnorway.com

Family attractions and activities

People enjoying a sunny day at the beach

Beachlife at Randvik beach in Risør.
Photo: Risør Turistkontor

Randvik beach

Have fun at the beach

Being a coastal town, there are a number of great, family friendly beaches in Risør, several of them being accesible for wheelchairs and strollers. There are both salt water and freshwater swimming areas and one of the most popular is Sagjordet beach.

Sagjordet beach is a public salt water swimming area which is located a fifteen minute walk from the town centre. Here you will find a sandy beach, lawn, diving board, swimming jetty and a barbecue area. The place has toilet facilities, shower and parking.

Other swimming areas in Risør are Randvik, Kastellet, Mindalen, Lille Danmark, Perleporten, Røed and Stangholmen (all in seawater) and Urheia (freshwater). A map to these beaches is available from the tourist office.

Family sitting on the edge of giant pothole

Giant potholes outside Risør.
Photo: Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet

Potholes at Sild

Hike to the giant potholes at Sild

A short drive from Risør will take you to Sild which is famous for its large potholes next to the coastline. These are the largest potholes in Northern Europe and during the summer, they are very popular to take a swim in.

These potholes were created 10,000 years ago after the ice melted from the "ice age" with some of them up to five metres deep with six metres in diamater. There are trails clearly marked with signs so they are easy to find.

Trebåtfestival Risør Norway.
Photo: Adam Read @ Visit Sørlandet

Family boat trip

The wooden boat festival

Risør is famous for its long history with wooden boats. For hundreds of years, there were several boat makers in this region and to celebrate this, Risør hosts a Wooden boat festival called "Trebåtfestivalen" which takes place in August over two days. Children have their own designated area with activities including the chance to make their own wooden boat souvenirs. There are a variety of shows and music from various stages as well as street parades and regattas.

Woman photographing children at Risørflekken viewpoint in Risør

Photoshoot at Risørflekken.
Photo: Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet

Hike to Risørflekken

Hiking

There are many walking paths in Risør with clearly marked trails. Here are three ideal for families:

A city tour with the city watchman - this city tour occurs during the summer every Wednesday at 8.00pm with a local watchman wearing a traditional costume.

Risørflekken - "The White Spot" is an old seamark with nice views. It starts from the market place and takes approximately 15 minutes.

Vakthusheia - "Watchmans hill" is a one hour walk from Barmen through hilly terrain to the top with panoramic views.

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