Destinations > Norway > Southern Norway

Southern Norway

This region is easily accesible and some travellers arrive on the ferries that sail between England and Stavanger, or those that sail between Denmark and Kristiansand.

The region's two main cities - Kristiansand and Stavanger - are nice places and popular with holidaying Norwegians, however they are of less interest to most foreign travellers.

Kristiansand

By Norwegian standards, Kristiansand has great weather and beaches and for this region it is a popular spot with Norwegian tourists.

The town's main attractions include Dyreparken with its excellent zoo and the open-air Vest-Agder Fylkesmuseum.

Practical Information

Kristiansand Tourist Information Centre

Corner Henrik Wegerlandsgate and Vestre Strandsgate, Kristiansand

Tel 38 12 13 14

Website www.sorlandet.com

Coming and Going

The bus, ferry and train stations are conveniently located near each other which is handy for travellers who come here to make transport connections.

Ferries operate between Kristiansand and Hirtshals in Denmark as well as to nearby islands and fjords.

Around five trains run between Kristiansand and Oslo every day.

Accommodation

Kristiansand Backpackers Hostel

Jernbanetomten - Vestre Strandgate N-4612

Tel 380 843 40

Tangen Youth Hostel

Skansen 8, 4610 Kristiansand, Vest-Agder

Tel 38028310

Sights

Christiansholm Fortress

Dating from 1674, this stone fortress offers scenic views of the coast and nearby islands.

Tel 38 07 51 50

Open 15 May-15 Sep 9am-9pm daily

Dyreparken

This 'living park' is home to a circus, amusement park and an excellent zoo.

Bus 1

Admission NOK 80-200

Open mid-May to mid-Sep 10am-7pm daily; mid-Sep to mid-May Mon-Fri 10am-3.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Kristiansand Kanonenmuseum

If you're a big fan of canons, you can see the world's largest at Kristiansand's canon museum.

Admission NOK50

Open May-Jun Thu-Sun 11am-6pm; Jun-Aug 11am-6pm daily; Sep Thu-Sun 11am-6pm

Vest-Agdar Fylkesmuseum

This open-air museum features a collection of restored 17th century farmhouses.

Vigeveien 22b, Kristiansand

Bus 2, 4, 6

Admission NOK 30

Open mid-Jun to mid-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm; mid-Aug to mid-Jun Sun noon-5pm

Stavanger

This industrial city is Norway's fourth largest and the major centre for the country's oil industry. Stavanger is a lot nicer than your average oil town and it boasts a charming old town by the harbour.

Practical Information

Stavanger Tourist Information Centre

Roskildetorget 1, Stavanger

Tel 51 85 92 00

Website www.visitstavanger.com

Maps

Printable PDF maps of Stavanger can be downloaded from www.stavanger-guide.no.

Coming and Going

Some travellers arrive in Stavanger via the ferry from Newcastle, England; however this is becomming a less popular option with budget travellers now that airfares have come down in price.

The ferry terminal is located on the western side of the harbour, a short walk from the city centre. There are three Fjordline (tel 81 53 35 00; website www.fjordline.com) ferries a week to Newcastle, England as well as Flaggruten (tel 51 86 87 80) ferries to Bergen.

Trains and buses use the station in the town centre. There are three trains a day to Oslo and eight to Kristiansand.

Accommodation

Preikestolen Vandrerhjem

Postboks 239, 4001 Stavanger, 4100 Jørpeland

Tel 97165551

Stavanger Vandrerhjem Mosvangen

Henrik Ibsengate 21, 4021 Stavanger

Tel 51872900

Sights

Domkirke

Stavanger's magnificent cathedral dates from the 12th century and is considered one of Norway's best churches from the Middle Ages.

Haakon VII gate, Stavanger

Admission free

Open 1 Jan-14 May Wed-Sat 10am-3pm; 15 May-30 Sep Mon-Tue 11am-6pm, Wed-Sun 1pm-6pm; 1 Oct-31 Dec Wed-Sun 10am-3pm

Norsk Oljemuseum

The Norwegian Petroleum Museum provides an interesting overview of Norway's oil industry.

Kjeringholmen, Stavanger

Tel 51 93 93 00

Admission NOK 75

Open Jan-May Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-6pm; Jun-Aug 10am-7pm daily; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-6pm

Norwegian Canning Museum

Sardine canning was Stavanger's biggest industry before oil took over in the 1960s. This living museum is housed in an old canning factory and sometimes has sardine smoking demonstations.

Øvre Strandgate 88A, Stavanger

Tel 51 84 27 00

Website www.stavanger.museum.no

Admission NOK 40, students NOK 30; ticket also allos admission to Maritime Museum and Stavanger Museum

Open Jan-May Sun 11am-4pm; 1-14 Jun Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; 15 Jun-15 Aug 11am-4pm daily; 16-31 Aug Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; Sep-Nov Sun 11am-4pm

Stavanger Maritime Museum

This museum has displays on the maritime history of the Rogoland region. The museum also owns and operates two historic sailing boats.

Nedre Strandgate 17-19, Stavanger

Tel 51 84 27 00

Website www.stavanger.museum.no

Admission NOK 40, students NOK 30; ticket also allos admission to Maritime Museum and Stavanger Museum

Open Jan-May Sun 11am-4pm; 1-14 Jun Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; 15 Jun-15 Aug 11am-4pm daily; 16-31 Aug Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; Sep-Nov Sun 11am-4pm

Stavanger Museum

This museum has exhibits on the history and culture of Stavanger and the Rogaland region as well as a zoology department resplendent with ants, beetles and butterflies.

Musègata 16, Stavanger

Tel 51 84 27 00

Website www.stavanger.museum.no

Admission NOK 40, students NOK 30; ticket also allos admission to Maritime Museum and Stavanger Museum
Open Jan-May Sun 11am-4pm; 1-14 Jun Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; 15 Jun-15 Aug 11am-4pm daily; 16-31 Aug Mon-Thu 11am-3pm; Sep-Nov Sun 11am-4pm