Sørlandet
White Wooden Towns, Archipelago, Beaches, Lindesnes Lighthouse, Boating, Kristiansand, Seafood, Summer Holidays
Sørlandet, the south coast of Norway, is the country's favourite summer holiday region. Its coastline is fringed with thousands of small islands and smooth granite skerries, sheltered bays and sandy beaches, and it enjoys some of the sunniest summers in Norway.
Along the coast lie charming towns of white-painted wooden houses, among them Lillesand, Grimstad, Arendal, Risør and Mandal, with harbours full of boats in summer. Kristiansand, the region's largest city, is home to the Kunstsilo art museum in a converted grain silo and to a popular zoo and amusement park.
At Lindesnes, the southernmost point of mainland Norway, a historic lighthouse watches over the sea, and nearby the underwater restaurant Under sits beneath the waves. Inland, the Setesdal valley leads to forests, lakes and mountains with strong craft and folk music traditions.
Top Reasons to Visit Sørlandet
1. White Wooden Towns
Stroll the harbours and lanes of Lillesand, Grimstad, Arendal and Risør, lined with white wooden houses.
2. The Archipelago
Explore the skerries by boat or kayak, swimming from smooth rocks and island beaches.
3. Lindesnes Lighthouse
Visit Norway's oldest lighthouse site at the southernmost tip of the mainland.
4. Kristiansand
Enjoy the city's beach, fish market and the Kunstsilo museum, and take the family to Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park.
5. Setesdal
Head inland to the Setesdal valley for hiking, lakes and traditional silver and folk culture.
