Kristiansand, Norway: cruise port guide

Planning a shore excursion to the Norwegian port of Kristiansand? Follow Andrew Stone’s pick of the best things to see and do, days out and restaurant tips.

All the transport – boats, buses and trains terminate at the port. The main shopping and dining drag is pedestrianised Markensgate. Regular trains run to Stavanger, Bergen and Oslo.

There’s no single compelling museum or gallery in town but simply strolling around the historic centre (Posebyen) is hugely rewarding, as is a stroll along leafy Festningsgata, Gyldenløves gate and the town square.

Christiansholm Festning

Cannons bristle from the walls of this modest 17th-century fortress, which offers commanding views along the coast and over the moorings.
Address: Christiansholm Fortress, Strandpromenaden.
Admission: Free.
Opening hours: 9am-9pm mid-May- mid-September.

Kristiansand Domkirke

This large, late 19th-century, neo-Gothic church on the town square is no beauty but its tower does offer good views across town. There are guided tours twice daily in summer Mondays to Saturdays.
Address: Kirkegata.
Contact: 381 07 75 0.
Admission: Free, tower entry 20kr.
Opening hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Fri; 10am-2pm Sat mid- June–mid-August.

Day trips

The woodland parks Baneheia and Ravendalen, situated  northwest of the city centre, are threaded with hiking trails that lace around some small lakes. An enchanting lakeside spot for refreshment here is Generalen Cafe in Ravendalen, offering food and refreshment and lively summer blues and folk concerts.
Address: Generalen Cafe, Ravendalen.
Contact: 380 90 791; ravnedalen.no.
Prices: main courses around 160kr.
Opening hours: May-August.

Shopping

Skippergada is where you’ll find many of Kristiansand’s better little independent clothes and gift boutiques, as well as some good cafes and bakeries. The bustling Kvadraturen area is also home to the central market, ideal for sampling local produce.

Where to eat & drink

Restaurant Luihn

Luihn’s rather cramped interior is not as appealing or lively as the outdoor restaurants in the town square but the food more than makes up for it. The menu changes with the seasons and the available produce and the kitchen makes an effort to transcend the standard tourist fare so common elsewhere in town.
Address: Raadhus Gaten 15.
Contact: 3810 6650; restaurant-luihn.no.
Prices: Mains 150-250kr.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6-11pm.

Sjøhuset

A great harbour setting and a menu that makes the most of the local seafood with traditional as well as Japanese flavours (including shellfish bisque and super fresh salmon sushi) makes this one of the two or three best restaurants in town.
Address: Østre Strandgate 12A.
Contact: 380 26 260.

Båksgarden

New, spacious and spotlessly clean, every chair and every booth in this pub comes well-padded for a very comfortable drinking session. There is also a heated outdoor smoking area, a pub menu, and darts.
Address: Tollbodgaten 5.
Contact: 380 45 969.