Explore Sørlandet - The Norwegian Riviera
Explore the coastline in Southern Norway by boat, car or bike. Visit the outports by a local ferry and explore the secluded beaches and archipelago. The Norwegian Riviera has been the number one summer holiday destination for Norwegians for decades, while remaining a hidden gem for many visitors.
Photo: Johan Wildhagen - Visitnorway.com
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS - Visitnorway.com
Photo: Tommy Egra (c) Visit Sørlandet AS
Photo: Jorunn, Jensen, Visit Sørlandet
Discover the picturesque white towns
Travel along the coast of Southern Norway and discover the southern charm of the white painted towns dotted along the coastline.
The towns like Risør, Tvedestrand, Arendal, Grimstad, Lillesand and Mandal are spread like a string of pearls along the coastline. These are former timber ports that grew when shipbuilding became an industry. With their narrow streets, the low-rise wooden houses centred around market squares and harbours, these towns are very popular with visitors.
Life by the coastline
The summer holiday can very well be spent in a boat, along the Norwegian Riviera, mooring on a secluded island to go swimming, or visiting historic locations like Lyngør or Merdø. Fishing is good along the entire coast, and the smooth rock slopes typical of the Southern Norwegian archipelago are perfect for sunbathing. There are also many good beaches to choose from.
Characteristic architecture
The clapboard houses, painted white, red, ochre or blue, often have a red-tiled roof, and often face the sea. Such houses and cabins are available for hire, as are boats and canoes.
Sea fishing in Southern Norway
Norway’s southern resorts and the Skagerrak Strait are blessed with a mild climate and plenty of sunshine. The coastline consists of numerous islands and fjords, not to mention numerous fish. The entire range of common saltwater species are represented here, and with a little bit of luck you can get a real heavyweight on the hook. Especially if you aim for pollack, ling and tusk.
A special bonus feature is sea bass, which is only really found in the southern parts of the country.
Get inspired

Sea fishing in Southern Norway

Kote Null Quirky doc
Tour suggestions in Southern Norway
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Raet National Park
Raet is Southern Norway’s national park. Raet National Park extends from Grimstad, through Arendal and on to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. The park was created in 2016 to protect this special natural area.
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Lighthouse holiday in Southern Norway
Why not spend the night in a lighthouse while on holiday? There are several lighthouses offering accommodation along the southern coast of Norway.
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8 good reasons to visit Hove in Arendal
Adventurers and nature lovers – here are 8 tips for what you can see and do on Tromøy and Hove in Raet national park, just outside of Arendal.
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Island paradise of Lyngør
In 2015, Lyngør was number one on the list "top ten 'lesser known' European islands to visit by British newspaper The Guardian.
Kayaking in Southern Norway
Get up close and personal with the coastline of Southern Norway.
Wannado is a tour-operator that arranges tours and activities mainly for small groups. They offer primarily…
Go to: Wannado: Kayak/canoe experiencesWannado: Kayak/canoe experiences
ArendalWannado is a tour-operator that arranges tours and activities mainly for small groups. They offer primarily…
Venture out in a kayak to Norway's southernmost tip at Lindesnes or through the Spangereid Canal.
Go to: Kayaking at Lindesnes HavhotellKayaking at Lindesnes Havhotell
LindesnesVenture out in a kayak to Norway's southernmost tip at Lindesnes or through the Spangereid Canal.

At Tregde Ferie you can rent kayaks and padle in wonderful nature.
Go to: Rent a kayak at Tregde FerieRent a kayak at Tregde Ferie
LindesnesAt Tregde Ferie you can rent kayaks and padle in wonderful nature.
Kayak Experiences Kristiansand offers kayak rentals, guided tours, courses and experiences.
Go to: Kayak Experiences KristiansandKayak Experiences Kristiansand
KristiansandKayak Experiences Kristiansand offers kayak rentals, guided tours, courses and experiences.
Would you like to experience the unique coast-line Blindleia by kayak?
Go to: Agder Event in LillesandAgder Event in Lillesand
LillesandWould you like to experience the unique coast-line Blindleia by kayak?
Boat trips in Southern Norway
There are many beautiful boat trips available for tourists in Southern Norway. Go island hopping or visit one of the outports of Southern Norway.
M/B Øya is one of the few remaining ferry boats which are still in a regular route during the summer. The trip…
Go to: Boat sightseeing with M/B Øya Lillesand - Kristiansand - LillesandBoat sightseeing with M/B Øya Lillesand - Kristiansand - Lillesand
LillesandM/B Øya is one of the few remaining ferry boats which are still in a regular route during the summer. The trip…
An idyllic boat trip in the river Nidelva around the island Hisøy. In the skerries the boat passes Torungene…
Go to: Daily sightseeing tours onboard the MS NidelvDaily sightseeing tours onboard the MS Nidelv
ArendalAn idyllic boat trip in the river Nidelva around the island Hisøy. In the skerries the boat passes Torungene…
Join the MS Bragdøya on an island hopping excursion to the Kristiansand archipelago. The boat stops at several…
Go to: Boat trips on the MS Bragdøya - Summer excursionsBoat trips on the MS Bragdøya - Summer excursions
KristiansandJoin the MS Bragdøya on an island hopping excursion to the Kristiansand archipelago. The boat stops at several…
Embark on a voyage with the old wood-fired steamship Bjoren from 1866. Every Sunday in June, July and August…
Go to: D/S BjorenD/S Bjoren
ByglandEmbark on a voyage with the old wood-fired steamship Bjoren from 1866. Every Sunday in June, July and August…
M/F Øisang is Norway's oldest wooden ferry. It was built in Moen in Risør in 1950 and has been in operation…
Go to: Øisang wooden car ferry M/F ØisangØisang wooden car ferry M/F Øisang
RisørM/F Øisang is Norway's oldest wooden ferry. It was built in Moen in Risør in 1950 and has been in operation…
Ferry to Lyngør
TvedestrandFerry between Gjeving and Lyngør, a beautiful island in Southern Norway.
See when the ferry runs to and from the lovely island of Merdø outside of Arendal.
Go to: Ferry to MerdøFerry to Merdø
ArendalSee when the ferry runs to and from the lovely island of Merdø outside of Arendal.
See our amazing archipelago from a boat. We offer charter tours, taxi boats and ferry routes in Arendal and…
Go to: Charter- and ferry boats MS Nidelv, MF Merdø and MF TromøyCharter- and ferry boats MS Nidelv, MF Merdø and MF Tromøy
ArendalSee our amazing archipelago from a boat. We offer charter tours, taxi boats and ferry routes in Arendal and…
Beaches in Southern Norway
Southern Norway is the summer holiday hotspot for Norwegians and the coastal “rivieria” has water temperature up to 20 degrees in summer.

Along the "Strandpromenaden" and near by the city center of Kristiansand is Bystranda.
Go to: Kristiansand City beachKristiansand City beach
KristiansandAlong the "Strandpromenaden" and near by the city center of Kristiansand is Bystranda.
At Tromøy outside of Arendal you find the beaches at Hove. These are fine, family-friendly beaches connected…
Go to: Hove beachesHove beaches
ArendalAt Tromøy outside of Arendal you find the beaches at Hove. These are fine, family-friendly beaches connected…
Sagjordet is a popular public bathing area at Krana in Risør, situated in 15 minutes walking distance from the…
Go to: Sagjordet BadestrandSagjordet Badestrand
RisørSagjordet is a popular public bathing area at Krana in Risør, situated in 15 minutes walking distance from the…

Farsund has 10 kilometres of long, beautiful and striking beaches to offer those who want to enjoy the…
Go to: The Lista beachesThe Lista beaches
FarsundFarsund has 10 kilometres of long, beautiful and striking beaches to offer those who want to enjoy the…
The secret is that you will always be able to find a beach that is sheltered from the weather and the wind,…
Go to: Sjøsanden beachSjøsanden beach
LindesnesThe secret is that you will always be able to find a beach that is sheltered from the weather and the wind,…
Historical outports in Southern Norway
Lyngør lighthouse in Tvedestrand is open for accommodation through Aust-Agder trekking association. The old…
Go to: Lighthouse holiday at LyngørLighthouse holiday at Lyngør
TvedestrandLyngør lighthouse in Tvedestrand is open for accommodation through Aust-Agder trekking association. The old…
Partially renovated German coastal fort from World War II in Søgne.
Go to: Coastal Fort at Ny-HellesundCoastal Fort at Ny-Hellesund
KristiansandPartially renovated German coastal fort from World War II in Søgne.
Hidra is a scenic island just outside of Flekkefjord. It is accessible via a car ferry.
Go to: The island HidraThe island Hidra
FlekkefjordHidra is a scenic island just outside of Flekkefjord. It is accessible via a car ferry.
Take a short hike along southern wooden houses and narrow paths, walk on sandy beaches and the pebbled beach,…
Go to: Visit on Merdø islandVisit on Merdø island
ArendalTake a short hike along southern wooden houses and narrow paths, walk on sandy beaches and the pebbled beach,…

Loshavn is a typical example of the outport communities along the southern coast which experienced huge…
Go to: Loshavn and EikvågLoshavn and Eikvåg
FarsundLoshavn is a typical example of the outport communities along the southern coast which experienced huge…
You will find excellent terrain here, both for walking and cycling.
Go to: Bike ride to the island of SkjernøyBike ride to the island of Skjernøy
LindesnesYou will find excellent terrain here, both for walking and cycling.
Brekkestø was originally a temporary anchorage, also for sailing ships laid up for the winter. The story goes…
Go to: BrekkestøBrekkestø
LillesandBrekkestø was originally a temporary anchorage, also for sailing ships laid up for the winter. The story goes…
A beautiful sailing area, from the centre of Lillesand to Gamle Hellesund, Ulvøysund. The led offers…
Go to: Blindleia archipelago in LillesandBlindleia archipelago in Lillesand
LillesandA beautiful sailing area, from the centre of Lillesand to Gamle Hellesund, Ulvøysund. The led offers…
It is considered one of the best preserved and most beautiful outports in southern Norway.
Go to: SvinørSvinør
LindesnesIt is considered one of the best preserved and most beautiful outports in southern Norway.
Guest harbour in the picturesque village of Kirkehamn on the island of Hidra outside Flekkefjord.
Go to: Kirkehamn guest harbourKirkehamn guest harbour
FlekkefjordGuest harbour in the picturesque village of Kirkehamn on the island of Hidra outside Flekkefjord.