Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car
Local costs

Kristiansand travel guide

Kristiansand Tourism | Kristiansand Guide

You're Going to Love Kristiansand

Kristiansand is Norway's fifth largest city and is the capital of Vest-Agder County. Situated on the south coast of Norway, it is a favorite summer vacation spot for Norwegians, who love the watersports. It's a modern, cosmopolitan city, often called 'The Coolest Riviera'.

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Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kristiansand

1. The Skjærgården archipelago

This group of islands makes for an amazing setting for sailing, fishing and exploring.

2. Swimming

Kristiansand has lots of fresh and saltwater pools, indoor and outdoor. The Town Beach and Hamresanden are also great for a swim.

3. Fishing

Kristiansand is an angler's dream. In addition to sea fishing, there are many rivers and lakes where you can catch salmon and sea trout.

4. Forests

The city is surrounded by beautiful forests with excellent hiking. Try Baneheia or Odderoyal for some fantastic trails.

5. Culture

Kristiansand has some great galleries and museums, such as the Vest-Agder Museum, with its collection of buildings brought from around Norway.

1. The Skjærgården archipelago

This group of islands makes for an amazing setting for sailing, fishing and exploring.

2. Swimming

Kristiansand has lots of fresh and saltwater pools, indoor and outdoor. The Town Beach and Hamresanden are also great for a swim.

3. Fishing

Kristiansand is an angler's dream. In addition to sea fishing, there are many rivers and lakes where you can catch salmon and sea trout.

4. Forests

The city is surrounded by beautiful forests with excellent hiking. Try Baneheia or Odderoyal for some fantastic trails.

5. Culture

Kristiansand has some great galleries and museums, such as the Vest-Agder Museum, with its collection of buildings brought from around Norway.

Where to Eat in Kristiansand

Slakter Sorensen on Radhusgata is known as the best steakhouse in town, with mains from around kr300. Sjøhuset on Østre strandgate is an excellent seafood restaurant, with mains from kr335.

When to visit Kristiansand

Kristiansand in January
Estimated hotel price
£83
1 night at 3-star hotel
Kristiansand in January
Estimated hotel price
£83
1 night at 3-star hotel

Kristiansand can get bitingly cold in the winter, so either wrap up warm or visit during the warm summer months, when you can more easily enjoy the outdoors.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Kristiansand

Plane

Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik is just 7 miles to the northeast of the city. It has scheduled flights from destinations across Norway as well as regular services to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. You can take the number 35 or 36 bus into the city for kr37. A taxi costs from kr280.

Train

Kristiansand is on the Southern Railway Line and has regular services from Oslo and Stavanger. A single from Oslo costs from kr750.

Car

The city is on the main E18 highway (connecting it to Oslo) and the E39 (connecting it to Stavanger.)

Bus

There is an excellent bus service to Oslo, with single fares from kr300. There are also services from Stavanger, Larvik, Tønsberg and Sandefjord.

Plane

Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik is just 7 miles to the northeast of the city. It has scheduled flights from destinations across Norway as well as regular services to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. You can take the number 35 or 36 bus into the city for kr37. A taxi costs from kr280.

Train

Kristiansand is on the Southern Railway Line and has regular services from Oslo and Stavanger. A single from Oslo costs from kr750.

Car

The city is on the main E18 highway (connecting it to Oslo) and the E39 (connecting it to Stavanger.)

Bus

There is an excellent bus service to Oslo, with single fares from kr300. There are also services from Stavanger, Larvik, Tønsberg and Sandefjord.

Airports near Kristiansand

SVGStavanger Sola
KRSKristiansand Kjevik

Airlines serving Kristiansand

Lufthansa
Good (7,203 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,366 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,972 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,471 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,657 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,413 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,300 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,224 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,911 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,319 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (998 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (264 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (540 reviews)
Norwegian
Good (230 reviews)
airBaltic
Good (177 reviews)
GOL
Good (1,081 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (266 reviews)
Wizz Air
Good (1,061 reviews)
Loganair
Excellent (18 reviews)
Wideroe
Excellent (49 reviews)
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Where to stay in Kristiansand

Fiskebrygga - used to play host to the old fish market; it is now a great area for seafood restaurants and enjoying the beautiful yachts in the marina.

Popular Neighborhoods in Kristiansand

The Boardwalk - is the seafront area, which has lovely fountains, parks, the Town Beach and the Christiansholm Fortress.

Posebyen - is the Old Town, with traditional white timber buildings and small atmospheric streets.

The Boardwalk - is the seafront area, which has lovely fountains, parks, the Town Beach and the Christiansholm Fortress.
Posebyen - is the Old Town, with traditional white timber buildings and small atmospheric streets.

Where to stay in popular areas of Kristiansand

Most booked hotels in Kristiansand

See all
Radisson Blu Caledonien Hotel, Kristiansand
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£116+
View
Thon Partner Hotel Parken
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£101+
View
Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£110+
View
Comfort Hotel Kristiansand
3 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£77+
View
Clarion Hotel Ernst
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£113+
View

How to Get Around Kristiansand

Public Transportation

Kristiansand has a good bus service, with blue city buses running every 5 minutes or so, and fares from kr40.

Taxi

The starting fare for a taxi in Kristiansand is kr63 and you will then be charged around kr25 per mile.

Car

Kristiansand has mostly single lane roads, with tolls on all roads entering the city. Car rental costs around kr750 per day.

Public Transportation

Kristiansand has a good bus service, with blue city buses running every 5 minutes or so, and fares from kr40.

Taxi

The starting fare for a taxi in Kristiansand is kr63 and you will then be charged around kr25 per mile.

Car

Kristiansand has mostly single lane roads, with tolls on all roads entering the city. Car rental costs around kr750 per day.

Find car hire in Kristiansand

The Cost of Living in Kristiansand

Shopping Streets

Kristiansand's main shopping street is Markens Gate, with a variety of chain stores and independent shops selling fashion, jewelry, household goods and electronics.

Groceries and Other

A quart of milk in Kristiansand is priced at kr15 and a dozen eggs cost kr37.

Cheap meal
£21.55
A pair of jeans
£81.00
Single public transport ticket
£3.45
Cappuccino
£3.32

Everything you need to know for your stay in Kristiansand

Kristiansand Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Kristiansand city guide for the best Kristiansand travel tips. To help you organise your Kristiansand trip ideas, this Kristiansand visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.