Charming white wooden houses in idyllic towns that lie like pearls on a string, an archipelago with thousands of islands, inland adventures, and urban life. Can you resist Southern Norway?
Southern Norway is the somewhat hidden secret of Norway. The mild climate and summery vibes call for activities like kayaking, island hopping, lighthouse stays, and beach life as well as charming small town experiences.
But Southern Norway is also about big city vibes in Kristiansand, the world’s largest underwater restaurant Under at Lindesnes, and hundreds of festivals throughout the year.
Add comfy treetop cabins, activity parks, Norway’s most frequently visited attraction Kristiansand zoo and amusement park, and fascinating museums. It’s just a matter of time before this vibrant part of Norway is a “secret” that soon will be out.
Get in-depth travel information on Southern Norway’s official website.
Explore all the options below, or go directly to:
Top things to do
Don't miss these highlights.
Book nowKristiansand SKristiansand kanonmuseum Cannon Museum
HornnesMineralparken - Mineral park
Book nowKristiansand SAquarama Waterpark
RysstadSetesdalsmuseet at Rysstad
Nes VerkNæs Ironworks Museum
Kristiansand SKristiansand Kunsthall - Art Gallery
TingvatnTingvatn fornminnepark
ByglandsfjordD/S Bjoren
Book nowKristiansand SKristiansand museum
Book nowKristiansand SKilden Theater and Concert Hall
Book nowLindesnesLindesnes Lighthouse
Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
Book nowMandalTregde Ferie
LyngdalRosfjord Strandhotell
Book nowKardemomme ByAbra Havn Pirate village
Book nowKristiansand SKristiansand Feriesenter
Kardemomme ByDyreparken Safaricamp
Book nowKardemomme ByDyreparken Safari Hotel
Book nowKristiansand SScandic Sørlandet
Book nowKristiansand SScandic Kristiansand Bystranda
Book nowLindesnesLindesnes Havhotell
Food and drink
Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.
ArendalBlom Restaurant
ArendalTyholmen Restaurant
Kristiansand SBakgården Bar and Restaurant
GrimstadApotekergaarden
MandalKastellet
Kristiansand STilstede mat og mer
ArendalMadam Reiersen Gastropub
Kristiansand SBønder i Byen
Kristiansand SSjøhuset Restaurant
Events in Southern Norway
From festivals and concerts to shows and exhibitions. See what’s on!
Getting here and around
Get in-depth travel information on Southern Norway’s official website.
Plan your trip to Southern Norway with Entur.
By plane
The closest airports to Southern Norway are Kristiansand Airport and Torp Sandefjord Airport, which have regular flights from many domestic and international destinations.
You can also fly to Oslo Airport or Stavanger Airport and continue your journey to Southern Norway by bus or a combination of train and bus.
Ad: Norwegian – cheap and direct flights in Norway and over 70 European destinations
By car
If you’re driving to Southern Norway, follow the E18 from Oslo or the E39 from Stavanger. If you have time, you may want to follow the scenic old coastal roads.
To Setesdal, driving is the most convenient option. Rv9 between Bergen and Kristiansand is often called the Setesdal Road and crosses the valley from Evje in the south to Hovden in the north.
Plan your route, check traffic alerts, ferry information and more at the Norwegian Roads Administration website.
By boat
You can travel by ferry to Kristiansand from Hirtshals in Denmark or to Sandefjord from Strömstad in Sweden. Both places have bus connections to the other destinations in Southern Norway.
From April 2022, you can also sail between Kristansand and Eemshaven in the Netherlands with Holland Norway Lines.
By bus
Several daily buses from Stavanger and Oslo stop in Southern Norway. Most of the bus routes follow the coastline.
Setesdal is covered by express buses with connections from Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand, and other Norwegian towns.
Ad: Vy ekspress - travel comfortably by bus throughout Norway
By train
The Sørland Line between Oslo and Stavanger stops at several stations in Southern Norway. You can choose between several daily services. From some stations, you need to take a local bus, train, or taxi to get to the coast.
Destinations in Southern Norway
More travel ideas
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See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
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