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Old wooden boats in Risør Old wooden boats in Risør
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Old wooden boats in Risør.
Photo: Adam Read @ Visit Sørlandet

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Get the riviera feeling in Risør

Picturesque, idyllic, charming; it is possible to use all the guide books clichees when discribing Risør -  and get away with it. This coastal town is a heritage preserved wooden town that offers cultural festivals, a large archipelago and a long history of wooden boat building. 
Sailboat passing Stangholmen lighthouse
Trebåtfestivalen
Adam Read, Visit Sørlandet
Kayaking outside Risør
Kayaking outside Risør
Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS - Visitnorway.com
Family sitting on the edge of giant pothole
Giant potholes at Sild
Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet
Girls bathing in lake
Urheia
Peder Austrud, Visit Sørlandet
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Explore Risør

Find out what Risør has to offer for you a visitor. Check out where to stay and all the great activities available, what is going on and all the attractions to visit in and around Risør. 

"My journey also ended in Risør, but I fell in love with it. It’s the most beautiful place, an enchanting seaside town – with uninhabited rocky islands, little white painted wooden houses, glittery blue sea, fishing boats, endless pine trees … I found it exquisite."  

                                                                                                                   - Bee Rowlatt, The Guardian

Wooden boat culture

Risør has a long and proud tradition of building wooden boats and is one of Norway's seafaring towns for sailing ships. Boating is a big part of life in Risør and its very own Trebåtfestivalen - The Wooden Boat Festival - celebrates the long and proud history of ship building in the region.

  • Risør harbour filled with wooden boats

    Wooden boat culture

    Boating is a big part of life in Risør and its very own Wooden Boat Festival celebrates the long and proud history of ship building in the region.

  • Three kayaks at sea by sunset

    Explore the Risør archipelago

    Bathe on beautiful beaches or potholes in the Risør archipelago. Enjoy food and music on Stangholmen lighthouse and take a boat trip and explore.

Events in Risør

De fire årstider in Risør

Jul 22 - Jul 22, 2017
Tickets
De fire årstider in Risør
Risør Church, Risør

FyrJam music festival at Stangholmen lighthouse in Risør

Jul 28 - Jul 29, 2017
FyrJam music festival at Stangholmen lighthouse in Risør
FyrJam, Risør

Risør wooden boat festival 2017

Aug 3 - Aug 5, 2017
Risør wooden boat festival 2017
Risør Trebåtfestival, Risør

Risør Festuke in Risør

Sep 29 - Oct 8, 2017
Risør Festuke in Risør
Risør Festuke, Risør

Christmas in The White Town

Dec 2 - Dec 31, 2017
Christmas in The White Town
Risør By, Risør

Find your way

Featured
Activities and attractions
Risør Aquarium
Risør Aquarium
A visit to Risør Akvarium is a fun experience for the whole family. There is fish feeding at 14.00 which is great entertainment for the children and… Read more
Risør Aquarium
Stangholmen island
Stangholmen island
Here you'll find Stangholmen lighthouse with restaurant and bar, outdoor stage and lots of bathing areas. The outdoor stage is used for concerts and… Read more
Stangholmen island
Potholes at Sild
Potholes at Sild
Approximately 10,000 years ago, potholes were formed after the ice age at a place called Sild outside Risør. They are Northern Europe's largest… Read more
Potholes at Sild
Risørflekken sea beacon
Risørflekken sea beacon
Risørflekken is Risørs most famous landmark as it was used by sailors to navigate their way to the harbour. It can be seen 12 nautical miles from… Read more
Risørflekken sea beacon
Gallery Branntårnet in Risør
Gallery Branntårnet in Risør
The fire tower from 1880 today functions as a summer gallery for the local artist Ola Steen. Great views of the town and surroundings from the top… Read more
Gallery Branntårnet in Risør
Risør guest harbour
Risør guest harbour
The guest harbour is in the centre of Risør and there is a blue flag to confirm its location. The Risør Sailing Association hosts the harbour which… Read more
Risør guest harbour
Risør Seilskuteklubb
Risør Seilskuteklubb
The exhibition is located in the Risør City Hall. Booking can be made by contacting the Risør Tourist office; telephone. +47 37152270 Read more
Risør Seilskuteklubb
Risør Undervannsklubb
Risør Undervannsklubb
Explore the archipelago under water. Risør Undervannsklubb have several dedicated and trained divers. Every summer they have organiced dives several… Read more
Risør Undervannsklubb
Risør Tourist Information
Risør Tourist Information
There are maps available and a computer with free internet. Read more
Risør Tourist Information
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
In Den Lille Dyrehage "The Little Zoo" you will find over sixty different animal species including monkeys, meerkats, reptiles and other animals. The… Read more
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
Accommodation
Det Lille Hotel Maritime Suites
Det Lille Hotel Maritime Suites
There are 10 suites in the centre of the town, and four situated a short walk from the centre, in a beautiful restored building from the 1700s with… Read more
Det Lille Hotel Maritime Suites
Risør Hotel
Risør Hotel
Some sections of the building were built in the typical Empire style. In front of the hotel are views over the famous archipelago. The hotel has… Read more
Risør Hotel
Røed Camping
Røed Camping
Røed Camping is located by the Sørfjorden shoreline, just off the motorway E18 on your way to Risør. The site is within walking distance of the… Read more
Røed Camping
Risør guesthouse
Risør guesthouse
Visitors can also rent boats with up to 20 horse powered outboard motors and canoes. Guests can use small rowboats as pasrt of their stay. There are… Read more
Risør guesthouse
Risør Pensjonat B&B
Risør Pensjonat B&B
The guest house offers single, double and family rooms with breakfast. The guest house is located a Frydendal which is a twelve minute walk from Risør… Read more
Risør Pensjonat B&B
Sørlandet Feriesenter Camping
Sørlandet Feriesenter Camping
The centre offers a diverse selection of rentals including large and small cabins, apartments and rooms. Familiy activities like fishing and boat… Read more
Sørlandet Feriesenter Camping
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Visitors stay in the traditional but modernized buildings of the farm with all comforts like a swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi. The restaurant serves… Read more
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Jegertunet has two apartments, two hotel rooms and two suites with living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom facilities. There is also a small… Read more
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Risør Resort Moen Camping
Risør Resort Moen Camping
Risør Resort Moen Camping is a family campsite with lots of activities located right by the Sørfjorden, 10 kilometres from Risør centre. There are… Read more
Risør Resort Moen Camping
Vegårshei
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Visitors stay in the traditional but modernized buildings of the farm with all comforts like a swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi. The restaurant serves… Read more
Færsnes Gjestegård guesthouse
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Jegertunet has two apartments, two hotel rooms and two suites with living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom facilities. There is also a small… Read more
Jegertunet Feriesenter
Vegårshei Village Museum
Vegårshei Village Museum
Between Vegårshei and Risør, about 800 meters from the road 416, is the Vegårshei museum. The museum was founded by Julius Grasåsen (1897-1986).… Read more
Vegårshei Village Museum
Fishing in Vegårshei
Fishing in Vegårshei
Vegårshei has a variety of great fishing spots which require a fishing licence. Here are details on where this fishing licence can be purchased. All… Read more
Fishing in Vegårshei
Vegårshei church
Vegårshei church
Vegårshei church is a cruciform church from 1808 and consecrated in 1810, in Vegårshei Municipality, Aust-Agder county. It is made of wood and has 350… Read more
Vegårshei church
The Vegårshei wolf
The Vegårshei wolf
There is a famous wolf that once lived in Vegårshei. It was the only wolf in modern times that was legally hunted and shot. This is quite a rarity… Read more
The Vegårshei wolf
Vegårtun
Vegårtun
It is located next to a large lake where you can swim, go fishing and rent a boat. There are a total of 150 beds and guests can either have full board… Read more
Vegårtun
Family activities
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
In Den Lille Dyrehage "The Little Zoo" you will find over sixty different animal species including monkeys, meerkats, reptiles and other animals. The… Read more
Den lille Dyrehage (zoo)
Risørflekken sea beacon
Risørflekken sea beacon
Risørflekken is Risørs most famous landmark as it was used by sailors to navigate their way to the harbour. It can be seen 12 nautical miles from… Read more
Risørflekken sea beacon
Risør Aquarium
Risør Aquarium
A visit to Risør Akvarium is a fun experience for the whole family. There is fish feeding at 14.00 which is great entertainment for the children and… Read more
Risør Aquarium
Risør Tourist Information
Risør Tourist Information
There are maps available and a computer with free internet. Read more
Risør Tourist Information
Risør guest harbour
Risør guest harbour
The guest harbour is in the centre of Risør and there is a blue flag to confirm its location. The Risør Sailing Association hosts the harbour which… Read more
Risør guest harbour
Potholes at Sild
Potholes at Sild
Approximately 10,000 years ago, potholes were formed after the ice age at a place called Sild outside Risør. They are Northern Europe's largest… Read more
Potholes at Sild
Fishing holiday - Sørlandet Feriesenter
Fishing holiday - Sørlandet Feriesenter
There is good fishing conditions for cod, pollock, mackerel and sea-trout in areas outside Sørlandet Feriesenter in Risør, Southern Norway. For larger… Read more
Fishing holiday - Sørlandet Feriesenter
Havpadlern - Kayak in Risør
Havpadlern - Kayak in Risør
"Havpadlern" offers paddling courses an workshops, organizes team building, group tours and guided family tours with kayak. The store is located in… Read more
Havpadlern - Kayak in Risør
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    Getting here and around

    By air: Risør is located midway between Kristiansand airport Kjevik and Sandefjord airport Torp.

    By road: Risør is located approximately three hours drive from Oslo and 1,5 hours drive from Kristiansand along the E18. 

    By bus: There are several daily departures between Oslo, Kristiansand and Stavanger with bus. The buses stops by E 18 at Vinterkjær bus stop. From there either corresponding local bus or taxi to Risør (10 minutes).

    By train: The nearest railway station to Risør is Gjerstad stasjon.

    Find yourself some local treasures in Risør's niche stores

    Shopping in Risør is cozy and intimate. The many unique niche stores in Risør are located in small streets with old wooden houses, a characteristic of the Norwegian coastline. In these shops you will find many exclusive and trendy items which cannot be found in large chain stores. The few chain stores in town have developed their own uniqueness.

    More to see and do in Risør and Vegårshei

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