Southern Norway in a week
The itinerary of this round trip takes you to Oslo, the Southern coast of Norway, Stavanger, a hike to the pulpit rock, Preikestolen, and a glimpse of the mountainous Telemark.
Your itinerary
Day 1: Oslo
Day 2: Oslo to Risør (234 km, 4 hours)
Day 3: Risør to Kristiansand (116 km, 2 hours)
Day 4: Kristiansand to Stavanger (255 km, 4 hours)
Day 5: Stavanger
Day 6: Lysefjord and Preikestolen. Drive to Dalen (120 km, 2 hours)
Day 7: Telemark and back to Oslo (231 km, 4 hours)
Day 1: Oslo
Spend the day in Oslo, and make the most of the many museums, galleries, shops and restaurants the Norwegian capital has to offer. Recommended attractions include the Akershus Fortress, guarding the entrance to the harbour; Vigeland's Park and its 212 sculptures, and City Hall's richly decorated interiors. Among many others. Want to treat yourself to something special? Why not take a cruise on the Oslofjord, or book a show at the new opera house on the waterfront? See more info on Oslo, and suggestions on what to see and do.
Day 2: Oslo to Risør
A string of summer towns line the southern coast on this stretch of road, while the islands and skerries of the Skagerrak are a haven for sailboats. Stop to see Edvard Munch's summer home at Åsgårdstrand; visit Tønsberg, Norway's oldest town, and the nearby island of Tjøme; make a gourmet stop in Sandefjord, the old whaling capital where the 2009 Bocuse d'Or winner Geir Skeie opened his first restaurant recently; visit the colourful village of Kragerø, the birthplace of illustrator Theodor Kittelsen (his childhood home is now a museum); before ending the day in Risør, famed for its white wooden buildings and its wooden boat festival (every year in early August).
Day 3: Risør to Kristiansand
Take the short boat crossing to Lyngør – cars are not allowed on the picturesque island, which is one of the best preserved village communities of its kind in Europe; or stop and explore Tvedestrand, another typical summer town idyll, known for its second-hand bookshops, and Arendal – its old town hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in Norway. If you are travelling with children a stop at Kristiansand Zoo is a must – it is one of Norway's most popular attractions. Or visit Kristiansand itself. Highlights in the centre include Posebyen and the Christiansholm Fortress, while just outside of town the unusual Canon Museum and Gimle Gård, a manor house dating from the 19th century, are also worth a visit.
Day 4: Kristiansand to Stavanger
After a short detour to see Lindesnes Lighthouse, Norway's southernmost point, today you will follow Rv44 from Flekkefjord, once a thriving harbour, all the way to Stavanger. This scenic drive, part of the North Sea Road (Nordsjøvegen), makes an excellent alternative to the E39 a few kilometres to the east. Suggested stops along the way include under underwater restaurant, the old cotter’s house at Helleren, sheltered under a 100-metre long and 15-metre deep rocky outcrop; the picturesque village of Sogndalstrand (you can catch salmon in the river there); and Orrestranda, Norway's longest sand beach, on Jæren – the perfect place to watch the sun set over the North Sea.
Day 5: Stavanger
Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway, has much to offer visitors. This dynamic, cosmopolitan town has a number of interesting museums - you will not be able to see them all in a day, but do make sure you visit the fascinating Norwegian Petroleum Museum by the harbour, and the Cannery Museum in the pretty Old Town. If you like art the Rogaland Art Museum is worth a visit too. Stavanger also boasts one of the best restaurant scenes in Norway, and exciting shopping is available in both Stavanger and nearby Sandnes.
Day 6: Lysefjord and Preikestolen/Dalen
Try and get up early to take the hike to Preikestolen, one of Norway's most popular walks (allow 2.5 hours to get to the top, and 1.5 hours to come back), then get on the ferry to Lysebotn at the very end of the beautiful, rugged Lysefjord. From here a little road climbs its way up the mountain via several hairpin bends to Sirdal. Note that the road is only open in summer, and the boat trip along Lysefjord requires advance booking. It is then a two-hour drive to Dalen, where you can stay overnight at the elegant Dalen Hotel, one of Norway's historic wooden hotels.
Day 7: Telemark and back to Oslo
Spend your last day exploring the county of Telemark on your way back to Oslo. The most obvious route is to follow the E134, and recommended stops along the way include Morgedal, the birthplace of modern skiing as a sport, and home to the Norwegian Ski Museum; Seljordsvannet Lake and Seljordsormen, Norway’s answer to the Loch Ness monster; and Heddal Stave Church, the country’s largest stave church, which is also one of its best preserved. If you like music, note the Country Festival in Seljord in late July, and the famous Notodden Blues Festival in August. From Heddal, side excursions on the Telemark Canal (Norway's longest man-made waterway) and to Rjukan, where one of the most heroic acts of resistance again Nazi occupation took place in World War II, are other possibilities. The drive back to Oslo takes you through Kongsberg and Drammen.
More about Southern Norway
With your back towards the sea
Grimstad offers more then rocky shores, boats and beach life. The inlands offer several hiking trips with beautiful views, and fresh water lakes with the possibility of fishing, kayaking and swimming.
Experience Henrik Ibsen in Southern Norway
As a young man, world-famous author Henrik Ibsen worked as an apprentice pharmacist in Grimstad. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience Norway’s most important author in Grimstad, Southern Norway.
Cross-country
Hovden boasts 170 kilometres of cross-country trails which are daily groomed during the season. From sheltered trails in the forest to the open country, you are guaranteed to find your favourite! We have trails for young children and beginners, and for those of you who want to experience the wide mountain expanses. The trails are groomed for classic as well as skate skiing.
Alpine
The chairlift to the summit Nos has been in operation since 1968. Today, the Hovden Alpine Centre is a modern and well-adapted facility for the whole family. The children's area "Tusseland" has become an eldorado for our youngest guests; and the terrain park is more spectacular than ever.
Hovden terrain park
The 1250-metre terrain park at Hovden is considered one of the largest and best snowboard and freeski parks in Norway. It contains more than 30 creative and exciting elements. The smallest children have their own park in the “Tusseland” section.
Beaches in Setesdal
The river Otra starts flowing in the mountains around Hovden. With no pollution sources, neither from industry nor farming, it offers good water quality all the way to its outlet in Kristiansand. On warm summer days the water temperatures are quite pleasant, even at a high elevation. And there are absolutely no stinging jellyfish!
Folk music in Setesdal
The Setesdal valley has raised a number of nationally renowned artists within traditional music and dance. As a visitor you may get the opportunity to enjoy concerts and performances by local musicians and dancers. The folk music from Setesdal is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Whats on in Risør
Events, festivals, concerts and things to do in Risør.
What's on in Southern Norway
What's on in Southern Norway. Concerts, festivals, exhibitions and events in Southern Norway.
Disney`s “Frozen” inspired by Trøndelag
Who doesn't love the movie Frozen? And who doesn't sing along to «let it go», when it tunes in on your radio? Did you know that several scenes in the film are inspired by people and attractions in Trøndelag?
Minerals in Setesdal
The Evje area has become internationally known for its large deposits of rare minerals. Most of the minerals are found in connection with quartz and feldspar veins. Years of mining resulted in hundreds of local mines and quarries. The mines are no longer in operation, but the minerals can be seen at exhibitions.
Family activities in Setesdal
If you are looking for some spectacular activities for the whole family, we recommend rafting, climbing, safaris and trekking. Exciting adventures and challenges for young and old alike.
Family fun in Arendal
Find fun activities for children of all ages in Arendal and the surrounding area.
Explore the skerries in Grimstad
In Grimstad, both locals and visitors enjoy access to an array of islands and islets with small, idyllic beaches and smooth, rocky shores ideal for sunbathing in summer.
Family activities in Grimstad
In Grimstad, children can fish for crabs in shallow waters, enjoy trips in the skerries with the schooner Solrik, or visit the nice animals at Gurebo Farm.