Plan your trip to Kristiansund

From festivals, operas and delicious bacalao to the old fishing village of Grip and the spectacular Atlantic Road. Incredible experiences await in the Atlantic Ocean City – Kristiansund.

Kristiansund is spread across four idyllic islands by the edge of the open sea in northwestern Norway. The charming Sundbåten ferry takes you between the islands in no time.

The city is also widely known for its cultural life. Visit Norway’s oldest opera, meet star photographers at the Nordic Light Festival of Photography, or join the small Tahiti rock and pop music festival, named after its location in a neighbourhood nicknamed Tahiti.

The area around Kristiansund is great for hiking, and even better for sea fishing.

In summer, you should make sure to visit the old fishing village on Grip island. And don't leave Kristiansund without tasting the city’s speciality: Bacalao, a traditional clipfish stew made with tomatoes. In Norway’s clipfish capital, the dish is on the menu in most restaurants.

If you want to really feel connected to the ocean without actually being in it, The Atlantic Road is as close as you’ll get. It's an iconic coastal drive that has been named “the world’s best road trip” and “the Norwegian engineering feat of the century”. It's well worth experiencing.

Get in-depth travel information on Kristiansund’s official website.

visitnorthwest.no/kristiansund

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Where to stay

From comfy hotels to cosy cabins. Find your home away from home in Kristiansund.

Food and drink

From local food gems to fine dining restaurants. Get a taste of what Kristiansund offers.

Getting to Kristiansund

Get in-depth travel information on Kristiansund’s official website.
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Top attractions in Kristiansund

Norwegian Scenic Routes - The Atlantic road

A unique stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean's edge. In 2005, the road was voted Norway's «Engineering Feat of the Century», and is… Read more

Norwegian Scenic Routes - The Atlantic road

The Opera in Kristiansund

In Kristiansund, you’ll find Norways oldest Opera! That opera has been played here on these islands at the far end of the oceans gap in Northwestern… Read more

The Opera in Kristiansund

Kvalvik Fort - coastal fort from World War 2

Kvalvik Fort is situated on Kvalvik, Frei. It is one of Norway's best preserved coastal fortifications from the Second World War. There was also a… Read more

Kvalvik Fort - coastal fort from World War 2

Sundbåten - The harbour ferry

Sundbåten - The world's oldest public transport service in continuous use. Part of Kristiansund's cultural heritage and a great way to experience… Read more

Sundbåten - The harbour ferry

Mellemværftet - Historic Shipyard museum

Norway's only «living» shipbuilding museum – founded in 1856. Mellemværftet – literally «the middle shipyard» - is situated in the heart… Read more

Mellemværftet - Historic Shipyard museum

Kringsjå/Vanndammene - hiking

Idyllic park area with beautiful surroundings. It is a unique botanic coastal garden, with an exceptionally rich and varied vegetation. It makes an… Read more

Kringsjå/Vanndammene - hiking

Nordic Light Photo house

The Nordic Light Art Gallery is centrally located in Kristiansund, just a few hundred meters walk from the pier. The gallery has various exhibitions… Read more

Nordic Light Photo house

Norwegian Clipfish Museum

The Norwegian Clipfish Museum is situated on the island of Gomalandet in Kristiansund in a large and well preserved wharf dating back to 1749. Read more

Norwegian Clipfish Museum

Destinations in Fjord Norway

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Kristiansund

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Kristiansund

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Ryfylke

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Røldal

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Suldal

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Sunnfjord

Five people kayaking close to the Folgefonna glacier in Kvinnherad

Sunnhordland

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Sunnhordland

The Fjord Coast

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The Fjord Coast

View over Geirangerfjord and the Seven Sisters waterfall

The Geirangerfjord

The deep blue UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord is surrounded by majestic, snow- covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation. Read more

The Geirangerfjord

People standing on Preikestolen mountain in Lysefjorden in Fjord Norway

The Lysefjord

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The Lysefjord

The Sognefjord area

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A person running by the wharf with Stavanger as a backdrop in Fjord Norway

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The city Ålesund, Fjord Norway, seen from viewpoint Aksla

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Åndalsnes

Discover amazing Åndalsnes, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and the Rauma Line, Europe’s most beautiful train journey. Read more

Åndalsnes

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By bus

Express buses take you to Kristiansund from Trondheim, Molde, and Ålesund daily. You can also reach the main attractions in the area, like the Atlantic Road, by bus.

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By car

To drive to Kristiansund, follow the E39 and RV70 motorways from Bergen or Trondheim. You can reach the city via the Norwegian Scenic Route Atlanterhavsveien – The Atlantic Road.

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By boat

Daily express boats connect Kristiansund with Trondheim.

The Norwegian coastal express Hurtigruten calls at Kristiansund daily on its way to both Bergen in the south and Kirkenes in the north. Havila Voyages also calls there on some routes.

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By plane

Kristiansund Airport is just 10 minutes by car from Kristiansund city centre. The airport has connections from Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Ålesund.

Molde Airport is an hour from Kristiansund, or 1.5 hours if you choose to take the Atlantic Road. The airport has connections to Oslo and Bergen.

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Local transport

The small Sundbåten ferry connects the city’s main islands: Kirkelandet, Innlandet, Nordlandet, and Gomalandet.

The region also has a well-developed bus network, which makes it easy to get around.