Top attractions in Southern Norway

What to see in Southern Norway

Visit Norway’s southernmost point, ride a vintage train and meet lions and other wild animals at Kristiansand's popular zoo.

A national park, underwater restaurant, salmon centre and Henrik Ibsen

Under is the world’s largest underwater restaurant

Are you ready for a wUNDERful 18-course gourmet marathon – five meters below sea level? Check out the first underwater restaurant in Northern Europe.
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.
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.
Kvåsfossen salmon centre in Lyngdal

Watch wriggling salmon up close. Nasjonalt Villakssenter - Kvåsfossen salmon centre in Lyngdal is home to Norway's largest salmon staircase inside a tunnel.
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.
Explore the archipelago in Southern Norway

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.

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Lindesnes Lighthouse

Lindesnes Lighthouse is situated at the southernmost point in Norway, 2,518 kilometres from the North Cape, and is a "must-visit" in all kinds of weather. Norway's oldest lighthouse was first lit in 1655. Lindesnes Lighthouse is still in use, and today houses a museum where you can get a glimpse into the area's long maritime history. There is also a café on site, selling local specialities cooked or baked with sea water, and a gift shop.

Railway biking in Flekkefjord

Explore the Flekkefjord railway line. Stunning nature scenes offer visitors a great day out. Suitable for the whole family, young children included. Daily tours arranged during the summer months. This tour combines a fantastic nature experience together with a fascinating architectural insight into the making of this seventeen kilometre long rail track.

Kilden Performing Arts Centre

The most important cultural centre for music, theatre and opera in Southern Norway is Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand. It houses a symphony orchestra, a theatre, opera and a cultural organisation devoted to popular music. Kilden’s architecture has been met with international recognition. The architectural style is unique with the harbor setting and varying shapes of the auditorium’s covered by a large curved wooden wall built after old boat building techniques.

Setesdalsbanen – vintage railway

Setesdalsbanen is a narrow-gauge railway more than 100 years old and still in use. The line operates during the summer season running steam trains with old wooden coaches. The eight-kilometre track runs through beautiful scenery next to the River Otra. Setesdalsbanen is part of the Vest-Agder Museum union of cultural heritage museums.

War history in Southern Norway

See WW2 museums and attractions in Southern Norway.

Lyngør.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / Visitnorway.com

Brufjell.
Photo: Peder Austrud@Visit Sørlandet

Risør.
Photo: Adam Read, Visit Sørlandet

Kilden.
Photo: Kilden / Olav Breen

Top attractions