Southern Norway is especially beautiful in late summer. The pace has slowed down, most tourists have left, and you can enjoy some places almost entirely to yourself. Here, you can find the peace and quiet you need to recharge and give yourself the break you deserve. Summer lasts a little longer in Southern Norway.
Here are five reasons to spend your late-summer holiday in Southern Norway:
Photo:
Frida Neverdal // Visit Sørlandet
1) Mild and light evenings
As summer draws to a close and the days become a little cooler, Southern Norway settles into a new, more peaceful rhythm. In late summer – from mid-August into September – temperatures are still mild, with surprisingly bright evenings.
In Southern Norway, you can choose between charming coastal towns with excellent restaurants, art, culture and long evenings by the waterfront, or explore the beautiful archipelago when it is at its most peaceful.
Prefer mountains and fresh air? Then Setesdal awaits, with quiet forest trails, mountain lakes and authentic mountain farm experiences. Here, you can hike through beautiful landscapes, enjoy local food and experience rich cultural traditions.
Late summer offers the best of the towns, coast and mountains – with plenty of time and space to simply enjoy being together.
Photo:
Gjermund Glesnes
2) Have the archipelago all to yourself
From mid-August onwards, the archipelago in Southern Norway becomes noticeably quieter. Most recreational boats have been taken out of the water, and many holidaymakers have returned home. This means it’s easier to find available accommodation, secluded swimming spots and small islands all to yourself.
For those who enjoy kayaking, fishing or simply going ashore on an island and enjoying a packed lunch in peace, this is an ideal time to visit the coast. Temperatures often remain mild, and the sea can still be warm after a long summer.
Photo:
Iselinn Andersen
3) Local and seasonal food
In late summer and early autumn, Southern Norway is rich in culinary experiences. Along the coast, you’ll find fresh seafood such as shrimp, mussels, crab and fish, with seasonal menus at many restaurants.
At Under in Lindesnes, you can enjoy a unique dining experience featuring ingredients from the sea and the surrounding region, carefully selected according to the season and what nature has to offer. The menu changes regularly and follows the rhythm of nature.
In Setesdal, autumn is celebrated with traditional dishes made from local ingredients, including cured meats, lamb, moose, venison and trout from rivers and mountain lakes.
Southern Norway is also home to numerous farms selling their own produce. Check out Sørlandets Bakhage to discover some of the most delicious souvenirs.
Southern Norway tastes even better in late summer.
Photo:
Visit Sørlandet
4) Check in, breathe out
Whether you want to stay in the heart of a town, by the sea or close to the mountains, late summer offers a wide range of accommodation options – with plenty of space to enjoy them.
Most of the towns and villages along the coast have a great selection of hotels, from modern chain hotels to smaller, family-run establishments. Many are located by the sea, within easy reach of restaurants, cultural experiences, activities and the archipelago.
For those looking for something a little different, there are several unique accommodation options. Along the coast, you can stay in historic lighthouses, find peace and quiet in treetop cabins, or stay at elegant historic properties.
In Setesdal, you can stay and dine at traditional places such as Sølvgarden in Rysstad, which combines hotel comfort with local traditions and craftsmanship, or Brokkestøylen, a traditional mountain farm offering accommodation and locally sourced food.
Photo:
Frida Neverdal // Visit Sørlandet
5) Great experiences
Even though the busiest part of summer is over, there is still plenty to see and do in Southern Norway in late summer and early autumn. The pace is slower, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy – and they are often more accessible.
In Kristiansand, you can visit Kunstsilo, a new and modern art museum home to the largest collection of Nordic modernism in the Nordic region. Just nearby, you’ll find Kilden Performing Arts Centre, offering performances and concerts throughout the year. Kristiansand also has a vibrant and diverse music scene, with concerts throughout the year.
The weather is still mild, making it perfect for hiking and cycling – both along coastal trails and in the countryside. The archipelago is just as beautiful in late summer, too.
You can also explore museums and historic sites, historic coastal ports and old lighthouses. Here you’ll find an overview of attractions in Southern Norway.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
By car:
Most people travelling by car to Southern Norway arrive via one of the three main roads: RV 9 from the north, E18 from the east or E39 from the west.
If you want to get a little more out of your trip to Southern Norway, there are alternative routes packed with exciting experiences, activities and attractions. For example, take the coastal roads and visit the charming white-painted coastal towns, lined up like pearls along the coast, and enjoy beautiful harbours, great food and friendly people. From Risør in the east to Flekkefjord in the west, it is just over 200 kilometres, making Southern Norway perfect for a road trip with plenty of stops along the way.
Modern and comfortable express buses make travelling to and from Southern Norway easy and convenient. FlixBus, NOR-WAY and Vy operate routes to several destinations in Southern Norway. Go-Ahead operates several daily train services between Kristiansand, Oslo and Stavanger.
By air:
Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik is located approximately 10 kilometres outside Kristiansand. From here, it is a short journey to both the coastal towns and destinations further inland. Widerøe, Norwegian and SAS operate several daily flights between Kjevik and Norway’s largest cities.
August og september er milde og fine måneder for å oppleve Sørlandet – både langs kysten og i fjellet. Langs kysten ligger temperaturene ofte mellom 12 °C og 20 °C. Det er fortsatt behagelig temperatur for utendørsaktiviteter, selv om det kan komme litt regn – så pakk med en paraply og gode sko.
I fjellområdene, som på Hovden, er lufta frisk og klar, med temperaturer fra 2 °C til 18 °C. Her er gjerne natten og tidlig morgen kaldere enn langs kysten, så husk å pakk med deg varme lag også.
It is easy to get around Southern Norway by public transport. Local buses are operated by Agder Kollektivtrafikk (akt.no) and serve both cities and smaller communities, as well as destinations north towards Hovden. Tickets can be purchased through the AKT Billett app, and journeys can be planned using the AKT Reise app.
Go-Ahead operates trains from Kristiansand to several destinations in Southern Norway. The public transport network makes it easy to combine city life, the coast and the mountains – without needing your own car.
There are also scheduled boat services that take you to many of the islands along the coast.
Absolutely! Late summer offers plenty of wonderful experiences in Southern Norway outside the peak season. You can still enjoy the coastal towns with quieter streets and cosy cafés, go hiking surrounded by autumn colours, or visit museums, galleries and local events. The temperatures are still mild, and both nature and cultural life offer plenty of enjoyable experiences, whether you’re travelling with family, as a couple or on your own. Wondering what’s happening? Check out our event calendar.
