The secret’s out…
For decades Norwegians have flocked to the country’s ultimate summer destination – Sørlandet, or Southern Norway. Sørlandet is often referred to as the Norwegian riviera, mainly because of it’s warm and sunny weather, beautiful beaches and charming towns and villages. Sørlandet is the southernmost part of Norway, and stretches from the coastal areas with its many rocky islands and skerries, via an inland belt with forests, lakes and rivers, many of them excellent salmon rivers, to the mountains of Setesdal valley, the southernmost of the Hardangervidda plateau, popular for hiking and skiing.
Here is list of must see and do in Southern Norway.
Simply do nothing
Southern Norway is simply about enjoying the moment. You can stroll through narrow streets between white, wooden houses. Go people watching in one of the many charming coastal towns like Risør, Grimstad, Mandal or Lillesand. Enjoy the sun and relax at one of the beautiful beaches or town squares.
The towns of Southern Norway – like pearls on a string
Explore by boat or go sailing
The whole coastline of Southern Norway is full of skerries, islands and secluded coves, and you can sail for days. From Risør in the east to Flekkefjord in the west you can find guest harbors with all amenities in more than 10 towns and villages. Or you can also seek out your very own private hideaway.
Find your very own adventure
The region offers all kinds of activities for the more adventurous visitors. Inland in Evje, just an hour from Kristiansand you can get kicks out of rafting, river surfing, biking, rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing and biking with Troll Aktiv Activities, and most of the activities are suitable for children. They even have their own high ropes park. Along the whole coast you can go SUPing, surfing, diving, swimming, fishing and biking.
Festivities galore
Like the rest of Norway, Sørlandet offers their own festivals unique to the region. Since the region is so connected to water and the ocean, every summer you will find local festivals with roots in boating and of course seafood. There are several wooden boat festivals, the best known being Risør Wooden Boat Festival, and food festivals such as the Shellfish Festival in Mandal,Seaweed Festival in Kristiansand. In addition there are also great music festivals such as Risør International Chamber Music Festival, Canal Street in Mandal, Palmesus and Måkeskrik in Kristiansand. Lillesand even has its own SUP & Stup (Diving) festival.
Festivals in Southern Norway
Culinary delights
Taste local food, fruit, seafood, berries and vegetables. Many restaurants and cafes serve locally produced food and beverages, and why not try out some locally produced beer from Nøgne Ø or Lindesnes Brygghus. Visit the local fishmonger to buy fresh shrimps and other delicacies from the sea and eat them from a paper bag – the Norwegian way. But Sørlandet is not just about seafood, look for the sign “SpisSørlandet” (EatSørlandet), where you can buy local sausages, ham, jam and “lefse”. And don’t forget that you find Europe’s first and only underwater restaurant “Under” at Lindesnes.
Culture and history
Every town and village in Southern Norway offer a multitude of museums, art galleries, concert venues, historic sites, even Viking sites. And for history buffs there are old train lines still in operation and several World War II history centres. Just to mention a few; The Ibsen Museum in Grimstad, Kristiansand Cannon Museum, Tingvatn viking center, Bomuldsfabrikken Art Collection in Arendal, Kristiansand Museum (open air museum) and in 2022 a new Nordic art museum, Kunstsilo, will open in Kristiansand.
Family fun
Happy children equals happy parents, and Southern Norway offers a wide range of family friendly activities and attractions.
One of Norway’s most popular family attractions is Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, a complex offering friendly animals, fun rides, a large waterworld and overnights either in Abra Harbor Pirate Village or in the Zoo
Safari Camp.
Families can find several climbing centres such as the Adventure Park in Evje and Sørlandet Climbing Center in Kristiansand, and rafting in both Evje and Mandal. Elgtun in Landskogen offers close encounters with moose, and Flekkefjord Railway tempts with rail biking.
Unique accommodations
All along the coast you will find cabins for rent, and in addition to all kinds of hotels, Southern Norway also offers visitors some pretty amazing and fun experiences for those seeking that little extra. A new trend in Norway is to seek shelter in trees, and at Sørlandet you can find several treetop houses and cabins, such as the Trehyttene in Gjerstad. In addition you can find several glamping camps, yurts, historic lighthouses and charming hotels with atmosphere and history, such as Boen Manor outside Kristiansand.
Visit Norway is Norway’s official tourism board.
Norway is the place to experience the magical northern lights and the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle or world-famous fjords surrounded by spectacular mountains and glaciers. In the midst of stunning scenery, travellers can enjoy local food and culture in vibrant cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger and Tromsø.
