Things to do in Kristiansand

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the stunning archipelago of Kristiansand with our one-hour RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour that departs from the waterfront in Kristiansand. Get set up with your life jacket and a floatation suit (in cold weather) and set off on an adventure exploring the breathtaking beauty of the Norwegian coastline. Feel the rush of adrenaline that comes through flying over the water on a high-quality RIB speedboat that packs both power and exceptional maneuverability. Expereince the wind in your hair and sea spray on your face as you move between three speed settings. Between action-packed moments, slow down to ensure that you have ample opportunities to soak up the picturesque surroundings. With your camera in hand, immortalize scenic views of verdant landscapes, pine forest, historic sites, and the charming traditional Norwegian architecture that dots the coastline. Travel in good hands with guides that are eager to share interesting facts and stories about the area that they call home. Delight thrill-seekers, nature-lovers, and history buffs alike with this unique experience. Return to your meeting point with unforgettable memories of your time in Kristiansand.

Make the most of your time in Kristiansand, by joining this city highlights tour, visiting all the most important sights in and around the city. The first stop will be at the largest open-air museum in Norway, Kristiansand Museum. Approximately 30 houses have been re-erected here and the area divided into 4 sections, giving you an impression of the various districts. From the museum you will drive out to the suburb of the city and the village of Søgne. Drive by the old church Søgne Gamle Kirke before driving to Høllen, where you will stroll through one of the old streets lined with picturesque wooden houses on each side. Return to Kristiansand by the coastal road, passing idyllic summer cottages along the way. Back in Kristiansand you will stop at the Cathedral “Kristiansand Domkirke” for a guided visit. Walk through the fruit and vegetable market “Torvet”, bustling with local farmers selling everything from flowers and plants to home-made jams and honey. Continue down the shopping street “Markens” until arriving by the seaside and the Christiansholm Fortress. Enter for a look at the canons and enjoy the spectacular view over the marina and the ocean. Stop at the local fish market to see the wide variety of fish and seafood that are on display. The last visit will be to the new concert house “Kilden”, an amazing display in modern times architecture, design and technology.

Join us for a beautiful and peaceful kayak tour on the Otra River. This is an easy and calm adventure that anyone can enjoy, even if you have never paddled before. Your guide will meet you at the Nature Norway office in Kristiansand (Odderøyveien 5, 4610 Kristiansand). (If you arrive by car, you can park it here.) We will take you for a 10 minute drive by car to a place called Mosby, where the kayak tour starts. At the river, we will help you into the kayak, show you how to paddle, and make sure you feel safe. As soon as you start paddling, you will feel the river guiding you forward through clear water and peaceful surroundings. Along the way, you will see tall forests, hear birds singing, and maybe spot a deer or other wildlife near the water. The trip is slow and relaxing with no rush, and as you get closer to Kristiansand, the river widens and the city appears in front of you — a beautiful mix of landscapes. This experience is safe, easy, and perfect for someone looking for a unique nature adventure. If the water level allows, you can even paddle inside a hidden cave only accessible by kayak. We keep the groups small so you get personal follow-up, and we help you all the way. The whole tour from start to finish takes about three hours, and the kayaking itself takes about two hours. We provide transport, kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. The tour ends right by the city centre at this address (Kjoita 10, 4630 Kristiansand). From here, a 15 minute walk through the city centre will take you to the starting point of the tour. Spaces are limited, and this tour is very popular, so book now to secure your spot. This is a unique experience you will remember for a long time, and we look forward to meeting you!

Our guests are given suitable equipment / clothing before reviewing safety and tour descriptions. Once we are well in place in the kayak, the guide will demonstrate paddling techniques and give you time to practice before we paddle off. The kayak trip explores around historic Odderøya, the direction of the trip will depend on the weather conditions. On the route, the guide will explain the history of the island and point out various sights. We will and pass beautiful sandy bays, dramatic sea cliffs and, not least, the island's lighthouse. Furthermore, we paddle past the much talked about art silos and the concert hall, Kilden – Kristiansand's answer to the better-known Sydney Opera House. The last part of the tour goes through Fiskebrygga with the famous fish market and its excellent restaurants. Before returning to the Guest Harbor, we paddle past Kongebrygga, which is reserved for the King of Norway. This is a beautiful and historic journey that takes you to some of the highlights of the Kristiansand archipelago and the Port of Kristiansand, which is the country's largest port.

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on this guided bus tour from Kristiansand to Viltgården, a unique moose park nestled in the scenic Norwegian countryside. Perfect for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this tour offers an up-close encounter with one of Norway’s most iconic animals, the majestic moose. Your journey begins in Kristiansand with a comfortable bus ride through picturesque landscapes of forests, rolling hills, and lakes. As you travel, your knowledgeable guide will share fascinating insights about Norway’s wildlife, ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the moose, also known as the "king of the forest." As you arrive at Viltgården, the adventure truly begins. Stroll through the serene surroundings, where you can observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Watch as the moose are fed, a sight that showcases their gentle nature and incredible size. And if you're lucky, you'll have the unforgettable chance to pet one of these majestic animals—an experience few ever get to enjoy! Every step brings you closer to the wildlife magic of Norway, making this an extraordinary day you’ll cherish forever.

Discover Kristiansand on a guided Segway tour. Choose from a variety of routes and explore the city's landmarks, hidden gems, and scenic beauty. Meet your guide at the cruise pier and set off on a journey through Kristiansand. Pass by the Fish Market, Hartmann's pier, Sjøhuset, Otterdal Park, the guest harbor, Kristiansand fortress, the City Beach / Aquarama, Tangen, riverside Otra, the Old Town, Wergeland Park, and the Cathedral. Learn about the city's history and culture from your guide as you ride your Segway. Choose from a variety of routes and create your own adventure.

Kristiansand has since its founding by the Danish King Christian IV in 1641 been a thriving point of trade and commerce in the area, as well as an important point of fortification. As time has passed the town has changed and grown but the grid structure it was designed with at its heart remains the same. This makes Kristiansand a comfortable city to explore on a walking tour, and during the guided tour you will walk around and see the majority of our beautiful city center. Meet your guide and head towards Fiskebrygga, the local fish market, before exploring and walking along the coastline towards Christians Holm Festning. Here we will be walking along the beautiful promenade paths along the oceanfront and the marina, past the city beach and up alongside the river Otra. Leaving the beach we walk towards the older part of town, where you will soon start to see a difference in building styles and materials. We are going to “Posebyen” or “Bagtown” directly translated. This area of town contains one of Northern Europe’s largest collection of traditional low built wooden houses and I am sure your tour guide will explain to you all the theories of what gave that area of town its name. After some time exploring and walking in this beautiful and cozy part of town, where small boutiques and cafes are popping up bringing new life into old buildings, you will head towards the city square where the Cathedral is located. Once the guided tour is over you can choose between accompanying your tour guide back to the starting point or continue exploring the city on your own. Please ask your guide for recommendations!

Climb to new heights at Sørlandet Klatresenter, a climbing center in Kristiansand. Try out climbing for the first time, or improve your skills on the bouldering walls and climbing routes. Everyone can climb at Sørlandet Klatresenter. We welcome new people for their first climbing experience all the time. Just show up and tell the staff it's your first time and they will get you climbing in no time. Try out climbing with an autobelay. There are 29 automatic belay devices making it possible for beginners to get started on walls ranging from 9 to 15 meters straight away. To use the autobelays, do a quick training with one of the staff members. The training takes less than 10 minutes and can be done at any time. Bouldering is climbing on lower walls with mats as protection and does not require any specific training. All you need is a ticket and some climbing shoes. To belay others with a rope, you need a national certificate for rope climbing (either for toprope or lead (Brattkort). Climbing is a perfect activity for kids and families. At Sørlandet Klatresenter, you will find walls and routes suitable for all ages. There is no lower age limit, but kids below 13 years need to be with an adult at all times. Youth from 13 to 18 can climb alone if one of their parents has read and signed the declaration of responsibility in their name.

Learn about the wild salmon's life cycle on a guided day trip from Kristiansand. Visit the National Wild Salmon Center and see the fish ladder, a tunnel stretching 220 meters. Start the tour in Kristiansand and on the way to the Salmon Center, listen to exciting stories and insights about the region’s nature and culture. Upon arrival at the Salmon Center, first take a guided tour to visit the waterfall. Then, be guided through the center and into the mountain facility, which houses the fish ladder. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the wild salmon, from hatching and growing up in the river, to its journey into the vast North Atlantic, and finally, its return to the river to spawn and continue the species. Visit Norway’s second longest fish ladder in a tunnel, stretching a full 220 meters. You might get the opportunity to see how the salmon navigate their way up the river through this impressive construction – a unique experience that showcases the power of nature and human innovation. Most visitors to the center will see and experience the salmon, but we cannot give a 100% guarantee that there will be fish present in the fish ladder, as nature decides that for itself. The center also offers interactive exhibits and informative films. Learn about the conservation efforts made to protect wild salmon, and understand its importance to both the ecosystem and Norwegian culture. After an enriching visit, have some time to explore the center’s café and gift shop, where you will get a Norwegian waffle and cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa. You can also purchase unique souvenirs and local products. Then head back to Kristiansand, filled with new impressions and knowledge.

Make the most of your time in Kristiansand, by joining this city highlights tour, visiting all the most important sights in and around the city. The first stop will be at the largest open-air museum in Norway, Kristiansand Museum. Approximately 30 houses have been re-erected here and the area divided into 4 sections, giving you an impression of the various districts. From the museum you will drive out to the suburb of the city and the village of Søgne. Drive by the old church Søgne Gamle Kirke before driving to Høllen, where you will stroll through one of the old streets lined with picturesque wooden houses on each side. Return to Kristiansand by the coastal road, passing idyllic summer cottages along the way. Back in Kristiansand you will stop at the Cathedral “Kristiansand Domkirke” for a guided visit. Walk through the fruit and vegetable market “Torvet”, bustling with local farmers selling everything from flowers and plants to home-made jams and honey. Continue down the shopping street “Markens” until arriving by the seaside and the Christiansholm Fortress. Enter for a look at the canons and enjoy the spectacular view over the marina and the ocean. Stop at the local fish market to see the wide variety of fish and seafood that are on display. The last visit will be to the new concert house “Kilden”, an amazing display in modern times architecture, design and technology.