Like Denmark, Norway was occupied by the Germans during World War Two, and as we know from the Danish coastlines, large and small military installations were built to defend the occupied territories against the Allies. One of these sites is Møvik Fort, which is now converted into the Kristiansand Cannon Museum.

The pearl of the museum's exhibition is the large 38 cm gun, which was built by the German army in 1942 and served as a "sister gun" to the gun exhibition in Bunkermuseum Hastholm on the Danish west coast. The two guns were strategically placed on both sides of the Skagerrak, so that the German army had full control over ship traffic in and out of the water.

The cannon is the world's second largest land–based cannon, and in addition to the cannon itself – which is the only one still complete and stands exactly where it was mounted in 1942 – you can experience an exciting exhibition about the war and the subsequent Norwegian coastal artillery on the site, which used the cannon until 1952.

In addition to the giant cannon and the museum's exhibition, you can explore a number of cannon bunkers and other cannon exhibits in the beautiful Møvik area, which is also a great place for a pleasant walk with beautiful views.

Read more and see opening hours on the museum's website.

Kristiansand Cannon Museum - the cannon bunker

Cannon II at Møvik and the cannon bunker

Cannon II at Møvik with forest and sea in the background

Cannon II at Møvik, still in its original position.

Sørlandet

Kristiansand Cannon Museum – The world's second largest cannon

Dream back to train journeys of the past through unknown lands – or imagine you're on your way to Hogwarts. The beautiful vintage railway sparks your imagination from the moment you see the steam start to rise from the big chimney and hear the locomotive horn and the distinctive rhythmic sound of the wheels over the rails.

The line was originally opened in 1896 and ran between Kristiansand and Byglandsfjord. After its closure in 1962, it took just two years for the eight km section of Setesdal Railway to be opened as Norway's first veteran railway.

The tour goes from Grovane station to Røyknes station, both preserved in historical style. Along the way you can enjoy the sight of the scenic countryside gliding past the windows as you recline in the soft seats and sip a cup of coffee brought along.

You can choose to go round–trip or just one way, and it's also possible to bring a bike so you can take the train one way and cycle back to your hotel.

Read more and buy tickets on Setesdalsbanens website.

Back of person out of window of old train

Trains running in beautiful natural surroundings

Little boy looks out of window on a train near a train station

Candies from the old days are on a wooden table

Setesdalsbanen – Kristiansand veteran railway

Kristiansand Zoo, located just twelve kilometres from Kristiansand, has understood the importance of offering its guests a complete package. Started as an animal park in 1966, the unique park has been continuously expanded with more theme parks, so that it now offers everything a family could wish for on holiday.

Here it is possible to put together a tailor–made programme for the family with overnight stays in unique surroundings, action–packed experiences in the water park and amusement park, educational and fascinating journeys of discovery in the many areas of the animal park and fun and entertaining hours in Thorbjørn Egner's beloved universes in Kardemomme By and Hakkebakkeskoven. All against a backdrop of the most beautiful Norwegian mountain scenery.

We bring you some of the highlights from the park:

The core of the park – the many themed attractions – is worth a visit in itself: Kristiansand Zoo is Norway's largest zoo, with 7–800 animals of 148 different species. The focus of the park's work is to provide the animals with as natural an environment as possible – for example in the Nordic Wilderness, where the animals roam freely and visitors walk along fenced footpaths and bridges high above the hills where the animals roam.

The park staff hold daily animal presentations where the animals' characteristics are demonstrated during feeding and the public gets up close to each fascinating species.

One of the main attractions in Kristiansand Zoo is undoubtedly Kardemomme By, which is a popular destination for many Danish families with children. The city is built as a faithful copy of Thorbjørn Egner's beloved children's book universe, and the characters from the book – including Aunt Sofie, Police Chief Bastian and robbers Kasper, Jesper and Jonathan – can be seen in the city streets.

In 2015, the park also opened another unique attraction based on Egner's universe: the Tribunetogetthrough Hakkebakkeskoven, where scenes and songs from Klatremus and the other animals in Hakkebakkeskoven are performed right next to the rails on the journey around. The train is said to be the only one of its kind in the world, and a total of 35 actors help bring the stories to life for 300,000 train passengers a year.

Spending the night among pirates or lions

That Kristiansand Zoo has understood the full meaning of the word 'experience economy' is also clear when you look at some of the park's accommodation offerings: the pirate hotel Abra Havn, which consists of 171 apartments decorated in a pirate theme, and the Safaricamp Zoo, which consists of 42 safari lodges. Here, guests become part of the experience when breakfast is served on board Captain Sabeltand's ship, where rat soup and skull waffles are served, or on KuToppen, where the breakfast feast is followed by the morning feeding of the animals.

Speed and excitement in the amusement park

No family holiday is complete without a day or two of fun and action in an amusement park. Kristiansand Zoo understands this too, and has built in several areas with rides for the whole family. Here you can try carousels of all sizes, ride the JungleBob track at a top speed of 45 km/h or challenge yourself on the Jungle Trail.

Right next to the zoo is the Badeland, which covers an entire island. There are both indoor and outdoor pools and water slides – also for the little ones. Badelandet has its own entrance, but it is possible to buy tickets valid for both the bathing area and the zoo.

Read more and see opening times on the zoo's website.

Kristiansand Zoo – Adventurous experiences in the world of animals and books

The Posebyen district is more than 300 years old and is Northern Europe's longest continuous wooden housing development. The houses luckily survived a fire in 1892 and the district is now considered unique for its size, uniqueness and variety of buildings.

Just as we know it from Fredericia, the district is based on blocks making it easy to explore the winding streets on a pleasant walk, taking your time to admire the many fine houses. Residents take great pride in looking after their homes, so there are always well–maintained decorations, beautiful flowers in window boxes and lots of smiles when you meet the locals.

One of the places you should visit on your walk through the cosy district is Kafé Blåstua. The café is kept in historic style and known far and wide for its homemade cakes and waffles. Like many of the other houses in Posebyen, it has its own fascinating history, which is told on one of the blue signs you see on your way.

You can get suggestions for a guided walk on your own in the "Kristiansand Guide", which is available at the tourist office in Rådhusgata 18 just south of Posebyen.

Read more on Posebyen Association's website.

Posebyen – Visit Kristiansand's charming old town

Imagine a sunny day, strolling with your loved ones among centuries–old trees, listening to the chirping of birds and the rippling of fountains. The tour crosses a romantic bridge, where the surrounding rock walls are reflected in the lake's shining waters along with a multitude of colourful flowers, shrubs and trees. On the other side of the lake, a historic wooden house is visible and the waterline is broken by a mother duck with her ducklings crossing the lake on their way to shelter next to their white swan babies.

Sounds like a perfect, relaxing holiday? Then set course for Ravnedalen Nature Park. Young and old alike can look forward to a pleasant day in the park's beautiful natural setting, which is unique and contains many rare plants, some of which date back to the park's opening.

When hunger strikes, you can enjoy a packed lunch on a bench surrounded by flowering shrubs or on a blanket on one of the park's large green lawns. You can also choose to visit the atmospheric Café Generalen – named after the park's founder, General Joseph Frantz Oscar Wergeland – which is said to offer one of Norway's best homemade burgers (and a host of other delicious dishes). Here you can enjoy your meal in the atmospheric red wooden house or on the outdoor terrace on the banks of one of the park's many lakes.

After your meal, stay in the café for a cosy evening concert or head to the park's outdoor stage for a special musical experience among the park's tall trees and rock walls.

Read more about the park on Visit Sørlandet's website.

People are sitting on benches around a fountain

A lady stands and looks out over a body of water

Waiter standing in front of a red building with food on plates

Statue with green surroundings and a pathway in the background

Ravnedalen Nature Park – Kristiansand's beautiful natural pearl

The climbing park is located just three km from Kristiansand city centre, and the park's challenges are built into the treetops by the beautiful Grotjønn Lake.

The park has a total of 122 elements distributed over nine slopes divided into four levels of difficulty with corresponding height requirements (from orange slope for climbing monkeys of at least 80 cm to red/blue for climbing monkeys at least 140 cm tall). The slopes are made up of different elements that challenge motor skills, balance and courage – and are guaranteed to bring smiles, happy squeals and belly laughs!

The bravest members of the family can jump into the Fjellvåken aerial tramway, which is 500 metres long, has a 65–metre height difference and a top speed of 80 km/h! The trip goes over Grotjønn, so remember to enjoy the view along the way – if you can.

If you need a break from climbing, the climbing park is adjacent to a large area of walking trails and there is also a nice play area next to the main building.

Read more and see the opening hours of the climbing park website.

Høyt & Lavt Climbing Park – Fun and action for the whole family

The tour starts in Lillesand, around 30 minutes north of Kristiansand. Here you board the small, charming cruise ship M/B Øya, which is your host on the three–hour journey to Kristiansand. (You can choose to sail roundtrip or take public transport to Lillesand and get off the boat when it arrives in Kristiansand).

Once you're on board, just enjoy the ride, which takes you through the beautiful southern Norwegian archipelago with plenty of idyllic islets, isolated farms, beautiful islets and rugged skerries. There is seating for all passengers on deck and cold/hot drinks can be purchased on the trip, so you can look forward to a pleasant and enjoyable cruise.

Along the way, the boat stops at some of the archipelago's small settlements – called "outports" – where you can get a taste of life in these small, isolated communities where the regular boat used to be the only link to the mainland. In one of these ports, Brekkestø, you can reportedly buy Norway's largest ice cream, made from ice from local producer Henning–Olsen ice cream.

Read more and see timetables and prices on the M/B Øya website.

Pleasant boat trip through Blindleia

It's not without reason that the elk is called the "king of the forest" – with a shoulder height of up to 2.3 metres and a length of up to 3.2 metres, the impressive animal is always a stunning sight.

Normally you can visit elk in Nature Norway's large activity centre Elgtun in Setesdal, but as the centre currently is closed due to the Covid pandemic, their four tame elk have been moved to Viltgården.

Fortunately, you still have the option to book a visit where you can get up close to the impressive animals and learn about their lives and role in Norwegian nature.

A visit here is a fun day out for all the family, and children and adults love the chance to see the beautiful animals up close.

Read more and book your visit on the Viltgården's website.

Boy standing with two moose and petting one of them

Meet the king of the forest up close

Norway

Just over two hours by boat from Denmark lies the southern Norwegian gem of Kristiansand. Whether you're a family with children craving action and entertainment or travelling as a couple or group of friends, the city has something for everyone. We bring you a selection of the city's many offers.

Go on a journey through time and visit one of Kristiansand's exciting museums. Just outside Kristiansand, you can ride the Setesdals Railway, more than 100 years old and powered by steam locomotives, and at the nearby open–air museum you can experience life in Norway as far back as 1580.

The area's more recent – and dramatic – history can be experienced at the former naval base on Odderøya or at the Kristiansand Cannon Museum from World War Two, home to one of the world's largest cannons.

Immerse yourself in Kristiansand's cultural life

Kristiansand is home to a number of cultural centres and art exhibitions. Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall is one of Norway's most exciting environments for professional performing arts and music and houses the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Kilden Theatre as well as Kilden Opera and Kilden Culture.

In summer, Ravnedalen Nature Park hosts outdoor concerts, and the city is also home to plenty of art, both outdoors in the form of a string of impressive street art pieces and indoors at Kristiansand Kunsthall, which has regular exhibitions of local, national and international artists.

If you want a real Norwegian nature experience on your holiday in Kristiansand, a boat trip through the archipelago is a must. One of the area's tourist favourites is the sightseeing tour through the archipelago between Kristiansand and the pretty little village of Lillesand, where you can wander through the narrow, historic streets and feel Norwegian coastal culture up close.

By land, the area offers a wealth of beautiful natural areas such as Odderøya, Baneheia, Jegersberg and Ravnedalen Nature Park, and if you fancy a dip, visit the city beach in Kristiansand or one of the many other local beaches, many of which have blue flags.

If you have children on holiday, Dyrehaven Kristiansand and Hakkebakkeskoven are often high on their wish list, but the area also offers Sørland's largest climbing park Høyt & Lavt Kristiansand, excellent areas for diving and action–packed sea or river rafting.

If you also want to treat your parents to some culinary delights, end the day at the Fiskebrygga fish market or one of the many first–class restaurants and cafés in Kristiansand city centre.

Stayingat one of the beautiful Thon hotels

In Kristiansand, you can look forward to staying at one of the Thon chain's lovely hotels, Thon Hotel Parken or Thon Hotel Norge, both centrally located in the city. This means you have many of Kristiansand's sights, experiences and eateries within a short walk.

The hotels are also within easy walking distance of the ferry terminal, so you can easily get there on foot if you choose to travel to Norway without a car.

Your guide to a great holiday in Kristiansand

Below you can read more about things to do, see and do in Kristiansand and find inspiration for your holiday in our travel articles about the area.

Hirtshals

Kristiansand

Kristiansand offers a wealth of experiences for holidaymakers of all ages, whether it's nature, art, rides, museums, gourmet experiences or shopping.

Kristiansand – the exciting capital of southern Norway 

Both hotels are centrally located in Kristiansand and are perfect for a holiday focused on enjoying Kristiansand's many sights and experiences.

At Thon Hotel Norge you can choose between a double room and a family room, and at Thon Hotel Parken you can choose between a single room, a double room and a family room, so you can always get a number of rooms that suits you, no matter how many of you are travelling together.
 

If you are holidaying in Kristiansand, you can stay at one of the lovely Thon hotels, Thon Hotel Norge or Thon Hotel Parken. 

Staying in Kristiansand

The capital of southern Norway offers a wealth of fantastic experiences for the whole family – from Kristiansand Zoo and the Høyt & Lavt climbing park to cosy experiences at Viltgården and Setesdalsbanen and relaxation in Ravnedalen Nature Park or Posebyen.

Here are some tips for your holiday in Kristiansand, whether you're into theme parks, history, nature, shopping or relaxing boat trips.