Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VISITOR INFORMATION
For help, go to
Destinasjon Sørlandet,
Vestre
Strandgate 2 (
&
38-12-13-14;
www.virtualkristiansand.com), which also dis-
tributes bus, train, and ferry schedules. Open June 18 to August 19 Monday to
Friday 8:30am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday noon to 6pm. Oth-
erwise, hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm.
GETTING AROUND
Municipal buses go through the center taking you
from point to point at a ticket cost of 15NOK ($2.15) per ride. Contact the
tourist office (see above) for information.
SIGHTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Although Kristiansand S has plenty of museums, churches, and other activities,
many visitors come here for outdoorsy activities in summer. Our favorite sport
is biking. In the area are 70km (42 miles) of bike trails. You can pick up maps
of the area at the tourist office (see above). Many head toward the hills with their
bikes, but we always prefer to take the coastal route. Bikes can be rented at
Kris-
tiansand Sykkelsenter,
Grim Torv (
&
38-02-68-35
).
If you're a fisherman, you can obtain a permit at the tourist office, which will
allow you to fish at
Vestre Grievann.
This is a lake north of the city that is
known for its excellent catches in perch, trout, and eel.
For watersports, head for
Kulholmen Marina
at Roligheden Camping
(
&
38-09-67-22
), which rents everything from water skis to small boats and
water scooters.
Another pleasurable experience is to go horseback riding at
Islandshestsen-
teret
at Søgna (
&
38-16-98-82
). Stables here hold the rare Icelandic horse,
which is smaller than most breeds of horses.
Agder naturmuseum og botaniske hage (Agder Museum of Natural
History and Botanical Garden)
The present exhibitions, which opened in
1990, show part of the natural history of southern Norway. Colorful minerals
are on display, and the museum includes a botanical garden with Norway's
largest collection of cacti. As part of the package, you can visit the neighboring
Gimle Estate, a 19th-century manor house filled with elegant, antique-heavy
interiors, with a historic rose garden planted in 1850. From the center of town,
motorists can take the E18 east, crossing a bridge. After the bridge, turn right
and follow the signs. Bus no. 22 also runs there.
Gimleveien 23.
&
38-09-23-88.
Admission to museum 40NOK ($5.70) adults, 15NOK ($2.15) children;
admission to house and garden 55NOK ($7.80) adults, 15NOK ($2.15) children. June 20-Aug 20 Tues-Fri
10am-6pm, Sat-Mon noon-6pm; Aug 21-June 19 Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm. Closed Sun in Dec;
closed Dec 20-Jan 2.
Christiansholm Festning (Christiansholm Fortress)
A landmark along
the Strandepromenaden, this fortress dates from 1674. The installation was
ordered by King Christian IV of Denmark. The job of the defenders was to pro-
tect the Skagerrak Straits from invasion, not only from pirates but also from the
roving Swedes. The threat of invasion never came, except once during the
Napoleonic Wars of 1807. The walls are 5m (16 ft.) thick, and the fortress was
created both by the labor of the local citizenry as well as heavy taxes. The Nazis
took over the fortress during their occupation during World War II.
Festningsgata.
&
38-07-51-50.
Free admission. May 15-Sept 15 daily 9am-9pm.
Kristiansand Domkirke
The cathedral of Kristiansand is the largest church
in Norway, with seating for 1,800 worshippers. It was constructed in the
