Kristiansand – a brief profile

Norway’s number one holiday destination – that is what the people of Kristiansand proudly call their city. Not only is Kristiansand popular for its charming location on the Skagerrak, the beautiful archipelago and the attractive hinterland, but the city also has the highest number of hours of sunshine in Norway per year. It is, thus, not surprising that the port city offers accommodation for every budget. Experiencing nature is especially important to most travellers visiting Norway. The Kristiansand area is perfect for this, nature lovers can enjoy swimming or fishing in summer and skiing in winter. The “Storheia” and “Tveit” slopes are among the most popular ski resorts in the area. Being this close to nature does not conflict with Kristiansand’s image as a modern, cosmopolitan city, to which not least the universities of applied sciences and their students make a large contribution. Furthermore, Kristiansand is a city of culture, especially music. Visitors’ attention will be particularly attracted by one of the most modern concert halls in Norway.

When strolling through the city centre, one will notice the strict, schematic street pattern. The streets look like a chessboard, somewhat reminiscent of large American cities, albeit on a much smaller scale. Indeed, Kristiansand was the first to come up with this idea. The reason for this striking pattern is the planned construction of the city. When the city was founded in the Middle Ages, this construction method was the ideal for urban planning. Old, beautifully restored wooden houses, now listed buildings, remind us of Kristiansand’s past. The market square in the city centre, surrounded by the cathedral, city hall, town hall and Wergelandspark form the heart of the city. Buildings such as the Handelenshus, the Tinghus or the Caledonien Hotel represent the modern architecture of the city.

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