Do you know about Kristiansand Norway?
It is a major tourist destination, the fifth-largest city in Norway, and a cruise port. During our seven-day Norway cruise on the Nieuw Statendam, Justin and I had the chance to tour the Kristiansand cruise terminal. On that journey, we visited the charming towns of Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flam as well as the breathtaking Norwegian fjord scenery.
Even if you just have a short period of time, Kristiansand offers a wide variety of activities. The majority of these choices are also the top free activities in Kristiansand. Having many free and affordable options is always an advantage considering how pricey it is to travel to Norway.
You’ve come to the correct place if you’re looking for the top things to do in Kristiansand. I’ll detail how we spent our day in this charming Norwegian town in detail. We had only around eight hours to saunter and explore after our stop in the port of Kristiansand.
One day in Kristiansand is sufficient to go sightseeing and explore the city’s attractions. Spending more than a single day in Kristiansand is not required, in my opinion. To fully understand what it’s like to live there, more time is, nevertheless, always preferable. Here are some of the things we recommend doing in Kristiansand, Norway.
Best Things to Do in Kristiansand: Explore Posebyen
Posebyen exploration is the activity I recommend most highly on this list of things to do in Kristiansand, Describe Posebyen. The Old Town of Kristiansand is not what one would generally associate with a “old town” in Europe. The customary cobblestone streets and historic structures are absent. Posebyen is a charming community of connected white houses. It’s one of the oldest groups of old wooden houses in northern Europe.
Posebyen was the only region still standing after a devastating fire destroyed Kristiansand in 1892. Posebyen has 14 city blocks, so you may easily lose hours just exploring these streets. Viewers can see the immaculate front steps of these picture-perfect white homes, whose owners take pride in having such lovely homes.
Old churches and chapels, a post office that dates back to 1695, and 18th-century homes that have been conserved are also there. Since the area used to be commercial, numerous businesses have been transformed into living dwellings throughout time.
The assortment of attractive white cottages in Posebyen should not be overlooked by anyone looking for things to do in Kristiansand. I think it’s the best attraction in all of Kristiansand, especially for people who enjoy exploring new places. The town’s charm is further enhanced by the white houses, vibrant front doors, and strategically placed flower boxes.
What to Do in Kristiansand: Discover Street Art
Kristiansand in Norway is a relatively tiny city with a lot of intriguing outdoor murals and street art to explore. Finding the best street art is one of my favorite things to do in Kristiansand (or any city, for that matter). I adore public art exhibits that are open to the public all day long.
Thankfully, you could come across these vibrant murals when you visit Kristiansand. These serve to enliven the city, particularly on a soggy day. Some pieces of art can include strong statements meant to spark discussion.
As soon as you step off the cruise ship in Kristiansand, you will immediately see street art. There are stacked shipping containers that are decorated with paintings of mooses and demonic women, respectively.
Because it is painted on a circular part of a building on a street corner, this piece of street art in Kristiansand is completely unique. Despite being painted blue with dreamy figures all over it, it almost appears to be a portion of a castle. This one can be found at the intersection of Kongens Gate and Holbergs Gate.
These two murals can be found on Kristian IV’s gate, one directly across from the other (near Vestre Strandgate). One shows a girl and an elephant tethered to a blindfolded woman who is holding a piece of paper that says “Apartheid.” The second mural shows a female (or mermaid? ) swimming in the ocean.
Right next to Kristiansand’s dock sits one of the city’s most intriguing pieces of public art. This one is right before you get to the Fish Market section of town. It’s on a sidewalk that runs underneath a bridge and is marked “Slow Bridge.” It is a piece of location-related art created by Anna Berthelsen and a group of 5300 young people, ages 0 to 16. The children’s aspirations are written on thousands of tiny, mirrored tiles that make up the Slow Bridge artwork.
Fiskebrygga at the Kristiansand Cruise Port
The first part of town to explore after stepping off your cruise ship in Kristiansand is Fiskebrygga (or the Fish Market). Despite the fact that I don’t like fish, I enjoyed exploring this part of town for its atmosphere. There are numerous boardwalks and bridges to walk on at this peaceful pier.
Bright yellow and red paints are used to decorate a lot of the buildings. Despite the fact that cruise ship visitors may make it a livelier part of town, it’s still a quiet area to explore. One of the greatest things to do in Kristiansand is to visit Fiskebrygga, especially if you’re dining at one of the city’s many seafood-focused restaurants or just passing by.
Kristiansand Shopping
Go straight to Markens gate if you’re looking to shop in Kristiansand for apparel or trinkets. This busy downtown street is lined with a ton of stores. There are several shops, eateries, and cafes on this pedestrian-only retail area.
The best Norwegian gifts for your loved ones back home may be found here, making it one among Kristiansand’s most popular tourist destinations. My list of the best things to do in Kristiansand includes a stroll through Markens gate, even if you’re not a shopaholic.
Discover Norway Coffee Culture
lovers of coffee, rejoice! Along with the rest of Norway, Kristiansand has a fantastic coffee culture. Although Kristiansand has a large selection of coffee shops, I chose Camillo Bastrup near the end of Markens gate.
Small in size and with an interesting layout, the coffee shop. I placed a take-out order for an oat milk latte at the counter. Camillo Bastrup offers a selection of smoothies, espresso drinks, and several plant-based milks. Coffee drinking deserves a spot on my list of the finest things to do in Kristiansand. Personally, I enjoy trying out coffee wherever I travel. Do you also prefer coffee as a beverage?
See the Kristiansand Cathedral
A Neo-Gothic cathedral built in 1885, the Kristiansand Cathedral. It is one of the biggest churches in Norway and the third cathedral to be built on this particular site over the years. A free self-guided tour of the cathedral is available, and throughout the summer there are also free guided tours and organ performances (and when the cruise ships are in port). Both inside and out, the building is stunning. Since it’s one of the most fascinating things to do in Kristiansand, you should definitely pay a visit.
Take a Stroll Around Odderoya
Take a stroll around the island of Odderoya when you visit Kristiansand if you have the time. Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity to visit Odderoya because we had an early morning excursion to Lillesand. With strolling routes and ocean vistas, this tiny island is a terrific place to relax.
Odderoya in Kristiansand, which was was a military outpost, is today regarded by both tourists and locals as one of the best things to do there. The remains of its former military presence, including historic ramparts, will be visible. The harbor can now be seen from the little beaches, and you can even go swimming there. Due to its proximity to the ship’s dock, Odderoya is a great destination for cruise ship passengers.
Ravnedalen Valley Nature Park
We plan to visit Kristiansand’s Ravnedalen Valley Nature Park the following time we are there. It looks like such a beautiful region to explore, however we were unable to do so on our trip due to scheduling constraints. In Kristiansand, there is a sizable park featuring gardens, ponds, and even summer festival performances. The roads and gardens that wind around little lakes and ponds allow for hours of leisurely wandering. The cruise port may be reached on foot in about 30 minutes.
Kristiansand Boardwalk
Continue your journey to the Kristiansand boardwalk after leaving the cruise ship and passing through the Fish Market. Because there are so many intriguing views and it’s completely free, it’s one of the top Kristiansand attractions. For instance, the beachfront in Kristiansand has a ton of intriguing statues and sculptures, particularly sand sculptures.
Additionally, Otterdalsparken (Otterdal Park) features a massive fountain created by artist Kjell Nupen. It is Norway’s second-largest fountain after the one at the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The Christiansholm Fortress and Bystranda, a public beach, are two more Kristiansand attractions close to the promenade.
Kristiansand Shore Excursions: Lillesand
There are a variety of tours and excursions available to you if you’re sailing to Kristiansand on a cruise ship. Booking cruise ship tours has numerous benefits, including ease of booking (you only need to show up!) and the assurance that, if you’re on a cruise ship-organized excursion, the ship won’t depart without you. The cruise will continue without you if you are on your own and don’t return to the ship in time.
“Lillesand: The Jewel of Sorlandet” was the name of the tour we took in Kristiansand for the first half of the day. A bus travel to the nearby town of Lillesand is required for the four-hour excursion, which is followed by a boat ride down the coast to return to Kristiansand.
Visiting Lillesand, Norway
The highlight of the journey is a stop in the quaint town of Lillesand. Because the village is not very large, you can easily see it in an hour. You should bring a waterproof jacket and hiking boots when you travel to Norway.
You can take a bus to Lillesand if you want to go there without taking an excursion. Bus service between Lillesand and Kristiansand is frequent. I would either take the ship excursion or schedule your bus ride to Lillesand for very early in the day if you are taking a cruise ship to Kristiansand. The possibility that a bus delay will cause you to miss the remainder of your cruise is not worth the risk. The easiest method to guarantee that the cruise ship doesn’t depart without you is to pre-book your Kristiansand shore excursions.
Cruise along the Coastline to Kristiansand
Nevertheless, I’m positive that a sunny or cloudy day would make our Kristiansand shore visit that much more enjoyable. Throughout the entirety of our journey, it was pouring rain, which resulted in everything being saturated with water. We got on an 82-foot-long schooner called the SS Christiansand.
Unfortunately, the weather was too chilly and gloomy to make our trip around the fjords’ little islands enjoyable. Even with a waterproof rain jacket, I tried my best to enjoy the sailing, but there was just a little bit too much rain for me. On a wet day, the schooner affords some protection from the weather, but occasionally rain and water still splash onto the boat.
I would consider going on a walking tour of a neighborhood or a popular Kristiansand destination if the weather forecast calls for rain. Holland America Line provided excursions to the southernmost lighthouse in Norway during our voyage. Excursions to Kristansand’s shoreline could be employed as indoor activities.
Where to Stay in Kristiansand
Whether you’re arranging a structured tour or are just exploring on your own, Kristiansand is a great place to spend the day. In Kristiansand, there are plenty of enjoyable activities and sightseeing possibilities to spend a full day. You can save $50 on your reservation if you haven’t signed up for Airbnb yet.
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