Things To Do in Kristiansand S

Although Kristiansand S has plenty of museums, churches, and other activities, many visitors come here for outdoorsy activities in summer. Our favorite sport is biking. In the area are 70km (43 miles) of bike trails. You can pick up maps of the area at the tourist office . Many head toward the hills with their bikes, but we always prefer to take the coastal route. Bikes can be rented at Kristiansand Sykkelsenter, Grim Torv 3 (tel. 38-02-68-35).

If you're a fisherman, you can obtain a permit at the tourist office, which will allow you to fish at Vestre Grievann. This is a lake north of the city that is known for its excellent catches in perch, trout, and eel.

For watersports, head for Kulholmen Marina at Roligheden Camping (tel. 38-09-67-22), which rents everything from water skis to small boats and water scooters.

Another pleasurable experience is to go horseback riding at Islandshestsenteret at Søgna (tel. 38-16-98-82). Stables here hold the rare Icelandic horse, which is smaller than most breeds of horses.

Heading for the Fish Market -- On a lovely summer evening, stroll down to the Fish Market at Grovane where you can purchase fresh shrimp from one of the vendors and enjoy them on the pier as you people-watch and breathe the fresh air of Norway's all-too-fleeting summer. Small bridges lead to wooden maritime-inspired structures painted in red and yellow, housing a series of restaurants and shops by the canal. There's no better way to spend an evening in Kristiansand than to spend it here.

Walking the Streets of the Old Town -- The best-preserved district of the city is Posebyen, along the river in the northeastern part of town. It survived a disastrous fire in 1892 that swept over Kristiansand. The streets are filled with the original one- and two-story houses that accommodated workers in the 19th century. You'll see small-paned windows, iron fences, benches, and flower boxes. The kitchens and bedrooms were built in the rear, with separate doorways leading to little gardens. The most interesting parts of the area lie between Festningsgaten and Elvegata and between Rådhusgaten and Tordenskiolds. The best time to visit is on a Saturday mid-June to August when a market is held with street stalls and all kinds of produce for sale.

Nearby Attractions

The Setesdalsbanen in Grovane (tel. 38-15-64-82) runs a steam train along 4.8km (3 miles) of narrow-gauge track. The locomotive, built in 1894, starts its run at Grovane, 20km (12 miles) from Kristiansand. It travels for 78km (48 miles) between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord, providing a vital link between Setesdalen (the Setesdal Valley) and the southern coast. At one time it transported nickel from the mines along with other exports such as timber. In July, departures from Grovane are at 6pm Tuesday to Friday. From June 17 to June 30 and from August 1 to 27, the train also operates on Sunday at 11:30am, and 1:15 and 3:10pm. A round-trip fare is NOK100 ($20/£10) for adults and NOK50 ($10/£5) for children.

The countryside around Kristiansand is rich with rolling meadows, birch-clad hills, deep valleys, and mountain moors. You'll see panoramic scenery along the E18 going east or west. Our favorite spot for a hike is in the Baneheia Skog, or Baneheia Forest. The trail begins only a 15-minute walk north of the city center. Trails are cut through the forest, which is studded with evergreens and graced with small lakes. You can make this walk easy or lazy, or a challenge if you head up some of the steeper hills. It's best to pick up the makings of a picnic before heading here.

Another favorite place for hikers is Ravnedalen, or Raven Valley, which is signposted just northwest of Kristiansand. This is a lush park that bursts into wildflower bloom in spring. You can wander its narrow, winding trails for hours. The climax comes when you climb 200 steps to a 93m (305-ft.) lookout point. You're rewarded with one of the most panoramic vistas along the southern coast.

You can also drive along the E18 to Mandal, 42km (26 miles) southwest of Kristiansand, Norway's southernmost town. Here you can walk the streets of its historic center, with its old wooden houses, and stroll its long sandy beach, Sjøsanden.

At the southernmost point in Norway is Lindesnes Fyr (tel. 38-25-77-35), Norway's first lighthouse, dating from 1656. Inside is an exhibition of lighthouse artifacts. Admission is NOK50 ($10/£5) for adults and free for children under 12. It's open July and August daily 9am to 9pm, June and September daily 10am to 7pm, and May daily 10am to 6pm.

In summer, boat trips are offered to visit the archipelago of offshore skerries (isolated rock islands). Visits are possible to Lillesand to the east and to the island of Brogøy, which lies right off the coast of Kristiansand and offers many scenic strolls and places for sunbathing. You can sail aboard the M/S Maarten from Kristiansand daily in the summer at 10am and 2pm. The trip costs NOK230 ($46/£23) for adults or NOK115 ($23/£12) for children. Departures are from the fish quay. This is the best bet for passengers who'd like to absorb some of the scenery of the rugged southern coast of Norway.