Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Kristiansand, Norway

Kristiansand, the capital of Southern Norway, is a popular summer destination featuring family-friendly attractions and pristine natural landscapes both on land and at sea. The city boasts a charming historical district, a picturesque seaside promenade, and delightful wooden wharves that harken back to the days when fishermen sold their catch along the waterfront.

The east and west harbors are sheltered from the Skagerrak currents by an archipelago composed of granite islands and skerries. Nestled between these harbors is the rugged Odderøya island, which is adorned with coniferous forests and historical remnants of a naval base and fortress dating back to the 17th century. Additionally, the renowned Dyrepark zoo and theme park stands as Norway’s most frequented attraction.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Kristiansand:

1. Dyrepark (Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park)

Norway’s premier attraction is located 10 kilometers east of Kristiansand.

The zoo is home to over 100 species, including tigers, wolves, zebras, cheetahs, lions, and lynxes.

The animals are housed in well-designed enclosures that prioritize their well-being and allow for plenty of mobility.

Experience the Africa exhibition, which features a raised walkway through a rainforest where small monkeys frolic freely in the branches above.

For over 20 years, the venue has also housed a theme park inspired by the popular Norwegian Captain Sabertooth books and television series, creatively designed to resemble a pirate village.

Popular attractions here include a haunted house, daily stunt performances, and memorabilia from the television series and films.

Badelandet, a newly opened waterpark, and KuToppen, a favored spot for younger children, featuring farm animals such as cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and horses that can be fed and petted, are also present.

2. Ravnedalen

City parks do not come more picturesque than Ravnedalen, located just north of Kristiansand’s city center.

This park was designed with military labor from 1874 to 1878 under the direction of future Major General Joseph Frantz Oscar Wergeland. It embodies Romantic landscaping, complete with lush lawns, mature trees, and an outdoor amphitheater designed for 5,000 spectators, all set against imposing granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

The cliffs provide excellent climbing opportunities, featuring approximately 70 climbing routes, many of which are bolted or partially bolted.

The park boasts a pond and exotic plants such as magnolia and rhododendron, while the spruce trees planted in the 1870s have grown to be among the largest in Norway.

A charming café near the pond is located within the former gardener’s house.

3. Posebyen

Located one block from the right bank of the Otra River, Posebyen is a picturesque neighborhood characterized by one and two-story wooden houses with tiled roofs.

Just a short walk from the bustling shopping streets of Kristiansand, Posebyen offers a peaceful residential atmosphere where whitewashed homes feature small gardens at their entrances, and vibrant accent colors adorn doors and window frames.

Many of these buildings endured the great city fire of 1892, providing shelter for domestic animals while doubling as workshops for local artisans.

The riverside houses along Elvegata likely accommodated workers from Kristiansand’s shipyards.

4. Kristiansand Cannon Museum

Møvik Fort, known after the war, was a German coastal defense installation featuring four massive gun positions, a casemate, and a narrow-gauge railway for ammunition transport.

This fortification was constructed to safeguard the shipping lanes of the Skagerrak Strait, though it was never completed, resulting in only one gun position being armed.

This particular position boasts the 38 cm Krupp artillery gun, recognized as the second largest land-mounted artillery piece globally.

The gun’s barrel weighs 110 tons and measures nearly 20 meters in length.

The recently restored ammunition train operates along its 1.8-kilometer track, allowing visitors to explore two bunkers and hike trails to scenic overlooks, providing views over the Skagerrak and Flekkerøy island.

5. Kristiansand Museum

Located at Kongsgård on the eastern outskirts of Kristiansand, this institution represents the largest historical museum in Southern Norway.

Established in 1903, Kristiansand Museum features 40 historical buildings set in an outdoor environment and comprises three main areas: Setesdaltunet, Vest-Agdertunet, and Bygaden.

Each area is named for the original locations of its buildings, showcasing structures from the 16th to the 19th centuries, including homes, a sauna, barns, workshops, a schoolhouse, and a general store.

Among the various exhibits, the Refugees Cabin stands out with its poignant history, having served as a hiding place for Resistance members evading the Gestapo during World War II. Additionally, Miniby presents a detailed scale model of what Kristiansand would have looked like in the 1890s.

During summer, children can participate in workshops, play traditional games, and hear stories as part of the “Fun at the Museum” initiative.

6. Strandpromenaden (Kristiansand Boardwalk)

Stroll along Kristiansand’s waterfront to embark on a scenic and leisurely walk, taking in the beautiful views of the marina and nearby islands such as Odderøya to the south.

The Strandpromenaden was honored with the Nordic Green Space Award in 2013, meandering through several waterside parks, ensuring that greenery is always within reach during your walk.

One notable park, Otterdalsparken, features the second largest fountain in Norway, while the Tresse maintains the historical Christiansholm Fortress, which dates back to the 17th century.

Additionally, Bystranda, a Blue Flag beach measuring 270 meters long, boasts calm waters protected by a breakwater and a peninsula on its eastern side.

You may continue your stroll around this peninsula, which is adorned with elegant new apartment buildings, winding up along the right bank of the Otra River.

7. Odderøya

From the Strandpromenaden, a bridge leads to opportunities for hiking or biking on Odderøya.

This rugged, forested island is largely undeveloped, having served as Northern Europe’s largest quarantine station throughout the 19th century.

A cemetery from this period remains visible at Kjerregårdsbukta.

Historically, Odderøya was also home to a fort and naval base from 1667 until 1999, with remnants such as ramparts, gun mounts positioned on scenic vistas, a hospital, and a gunpowder magazine still present.

Venture to the island’s southern tip, where a former garrison engineer’s house now hosts a café that opens on Sundays, providing delightful views of the Oksøy and Grøningen lighthouses.

8. Fiskebrygga

Positioned on the canal between the east and west harbors are the revitalized wooden wharves where the daily catch was once unloaded.

The area underwent rejuvenation in the 1990s, with wharfside houses restored to their original architectural style and adorned in ochre and red colors.

As of the 21st century, Fiskebrygga has transformed into a pedestrian-friendly zone, hosting a variety of boutiques, cafés, seafood restaurants, and outdoor concerts every Thursday evening throughout the summer.

Relax on the wooden steps and observe the bustling water traffic while indulging in ice cream.

Despite the gentrification, Fiskebrygga retains a fish market where live shellfish, including oysters, shrimp, mussels, and scallops, can still be purchased.

9. Kilden Performing Arts Centre

Located at the northern tip of Odderøya, this distinguished concert hall and theatre opened its doors in 2012. The impressive structure, which faces the west harbor, features a flowing oak facade that mirrors the ripples of the water.

This venue attracts over 200,000 attendees annually, with its 708-seat theater, opera hall, and a concert hall capable of seating 1,185 individuals, serving as the home of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.

The building’s orientation captures stunning light a few hours prior to sunset, creating opportunities for remarkable photography.

Be sure to check the programming if you seek live performances, whether it be a production of an Ibsen play, opera, symphony, or an international musical, such as the Book of Mormon, which debuted in April 2018.

10. Kristiansand Cathedral

The Neo-Gothic cathedral stands as the fourth church constructed in the city square (Torvet) since the 17th century.

Two earlier versions succumbed to fire, the most recent in 1880, leading to the consecration of this brick monument in 1885. A noteworthy aspect of the cathedral is its altar, which faces west rather than east, an unusual design choice made to incorporate existing walls from the previous structure.

Guided tours of this 70-meter-high edifice, which accommodates 1,500 worshippers and comprises 700,000 bricks, are available from May to August.

The organ situated in the eastern gallery was updated in 2013, and it is advisable to check for any free concerts during your visit.

11. Agder Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden

As the only natural history museum in Southern Norway, this attraction boasts a rich history, established in 1828. Since 1990, it has resided at the former Gimle estate, with exhibitions hosted in the farmhouse and botanical garden located in the estate’s park.

Exhibits cover a range of topics, including minerals and rocks, the evolution of life in “From the Ice Age to the Present,” and various ecosystems represented in “From the Sea to the Mountains.” The botanical garden features both outdoor and indoor sections, housing Norway’s largest collection of succulents indoors, while the outdoor area includes rhododendrons, a rose garden, a herb garden, a nectar garden, an arboretum, as well as a pond and rock garden.

12. Gimle Gård

Situated on the same estate, the Gimle Gård manor house is a captivating property dating back to the early 19th century.

Distinguished by its long porch with slender columns, this manor house remained within the same family from its construction until 1982, when the last owner, Othilie Louise Arenfeldt Omdal, passed away. Subsequently, it was transformed into a museum in 1985. Having been in the same family for five generations, the residence serves as a testament to evolving tastes and customs, featuring a ballroom, wood-burning oven, and even a 20th-century refrigerator and television. Visitors can explore the family’s collection of period furniture, ceramics, and artwork.

13. Baneheia Outdoor Area

Ravnedalen seamlessly connects to the more extensive Baneheia, a cherished recreational area gifted to the residents of Kristiansand by Christian IV of Denmark upon the founding of the city in 1641. For over 200 years, Baneheia served both as grazing land and a source of timber, until Joseph Frantz Oscar Wergeland reforested the area and devised stairways and walking trails through the woodland.

This network of trails leads to breathtaking lookout points and has been expanded to include illuminated pathways, nature trails, running tracks, and specially designed routes for individuals with disabilities.

Enveloped by forest yet easily accessible from the city, the area features Stampe, a lake with a sandy beach and pleasantly warm waters during summer.

14. Aquarama Bad Waterpark

Directly behind Bystranda beach, a sports and leisure venue is designed to accommodate all visitors.

Aquarama encompasses six distinct bathing areas, each offering a variety of water temperatures, catering to everyone from families with young children to serious swimmers in the Olympic-sized pool.

For a unique experience, test your skills on the Flowrider Surfing wave, with professional instructors available to assist.

On warm days, relax by the outdoor pool, mere meters from the beachfront.

Aquarama also features a state-of-the-art fitness center spanning 1,300 square meters, and for those seeking relaxation, the spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments inspired by the sea.

15. Kristiansand Skjærgården (Archipelago)

From the West Harbour, embark on a delightful summer cruise around the granite archipelago that lines the coast of Kristiansand.

Discover historic outports and hidden coves nestled among granite cliffs.

The company M/S Maarten offers round trips to Lillesand, showcasing hundreds of small skerries and beautiful harbor towns, including Ulvøysund and Brekkestø.

The town of Lillesand, located to the east, is equally charming, characterized by the iconic whitewashed wooden houses typical of Southern Norway.

You may also choose to closely observe the Oksøy and Grøningen lighthouses, or venture further west to explore the coastal fort built into the granite cliffs of Ny-Hellesund during World War II.