What to do in Sørlandet

Active in the great outdoors

Your journey from the coast to the inland will take you by lakes, through villages, past farms and up to high alpine terrain. There are marked trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. The entire region is ideal for cycling trips with many exciting cycle paths.

There are several golf courses in Sørlandet, and three of them have 18 holes. You will find golf courses by the sea, smaller ones near rivers and woods, and scenic high mountain golf courses in Hovden and Sirdal.

The coastal waters and the inland rivers and lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities. Sørlandet has a number of salmon rivers, with the Mandal River being one of Norway’s best salmon rivers.  
 
Various companies offer rafting and kayaking in white-water rivers. Anyone can raft, and although going down a river in an inflatable rafting float may sound scary, remember there are different levels of difficulty. Sørlandet also has numerous rivers and lakes suited for canoeing.

Family fun

For children, a visit to Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park is a must. Located 12 kilometres east of Kristiansand, Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park offers things to see and do for the entire family. See tigers, monkeys and lions, or enjoy fun rides, shows and water activities.

Badelandet is a complete waterworld next to the zoo, open from spring to autumn. Other activities for the family include the Mineral Park, Climbing Forest, rafting centre and go-kart centre in Evje. Family-friendly attractions are open all over Southern Norway throughout the year, and both nature and towns are considered very safe and accessible. The beaches are popular during the high season, and part of the reason why Southern Norway is also called the Norwegian Riviera.

Music festivals

Summer is the season for numerous festivals in Southern Norway. The most famous are the Risør Festival of Chamber Music and the Hove Festival which features a mix of rock, pop, indie, metal or hip-hop.