Alpinia Travel

Welcome to this new blog post! It is time for another road trip through the breathtaking landscapes of Norway. This time we are heading south. In this blog post I will show you some inspiration and recommended sights in the southern area of Norway, along the east coast.

Norway won’t let you go

You can simply return to this country again and again. After my trip to the Norwegian west coast in the summer of 2023, I moved to Norway for a year from 2024 to 2025. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I experience numerous adventures in the country’s most spectacular places and travel through Norway, but I also became much closer to Norwegian culture. But now let us focus on the road trip.

Southern Norway

I can especially recommend this road trip in fall, as the leaves on the trees turn colorful and, in combination with the rocky coastal landscape, it seems like something out of a fairytale book. I did this road trip in five days in October. Our journey begins in Oslo and continues to the southernmost point of Norway.

To the World’s End – Verdens ende

Have you ever considered traveling to the end of the world? Yes, this place really exists – just a two-hour drive south of Oslo, the capital of Norway. Arriving at that place, you truly feel like you have arrived at the end of the world. A rocky coastal landscape greets you.

A stone lighthouse stands on one of those rocks. There are other rocky islands all around, some connected by bridges, allowing you to walk from one to the other. In the immediate vicinity of the lighthouse there is a restaurant with panoramic views.

Especially on cloudy days – which is not uncommon in the coastal area – the place looks even more mystical. Incidentally, the place was named „Verdens ende“ by summer guests from the region at the beginning of the 20th century, which translated from Norwegian means „end of the world“.

Kragerø

Kragerø is a good stopover for the night. It is about a two-hour drive from Verdens ende. The city center consists of narrow, winding streets, small shops and cafes.

From the harbor area you have a good view of the island of Øya, which is connected to the city by a bridge. Especially with the fall colors, the houses lined up on the hill look great on photos.

Risør

With renewed energy, the next day we continue to Risør, less than an hour’s drive from Kragerø. Most of the houses in this city are white and especially in the harbor area it looks impressive how the white houses and colorful trees are reflected in the water.

You can find parking lots in the surrounding area of the „Rema 1000“ supermarket, and from there you can walk to the city center and the harbor. Somewhat hidden among the houses, a set of stairs leads up to a view point near a tower. It is located near the „Galleri Branntårnet“ and you have a good view over the harbor area and the rooftops.

The large „Frydendal Church“ is also worth a quick stop. You pass it directly on the way to Risør. Generally speaking, it is advisable to keep your eyes open while driving as there are many spectacular views and landscapes.

Kristiansand and its surroundings

Kristiansand on the southern tip of Norway is a good place for your next overnight stop. There are numerous accommodation options, both in hotels and Airbnbs. Besides that, you can find many restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and shops. Everything you need is in the city. Incidentally, some supermarkets are also open on Sundays.

Kristiansand also has several attractions, including museums. But the area surrounding the city is especially breathtaking. With a bit of luck, you can sometimes even see the Northern Lights in the evening, as it was the case in October 2024.

By the way, there are countless small islands along the south coast, which can also be seen from Kristiansand.

Mandal

Mandal is the southernmost town in Norway. The town is quite a bit smaller than Kristiansand, but it is still worth a visit if you are in the area. South of Mandal, there are beaches like „Kanelstranda“ and „Sjøsanden“, which quickly make you forget you are still in Norway. The azure waters and golden sands are more reminiscent of the Caribbean.

To get to the beach, you first have to walk from the parking lot through a beautiful little pine forest. Eventually, the forest thins out and you reach the stunning beach. Especially the sand at „Kanelstranda“ shimmers golden when the sun shines on it.

At the end of the beach „Sjøsanden“ is a small wooden lighthouse. Although it is usually too cold for swimming in the fall season, a visit to the beach is a must. The contrasting colors and beautiful surroundings are definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!

Tjuvhola

Just over an hour’s drive north of Kristiansand, a special place is hidden. On the way there, you can already spot it between the trees on the mountain: a cave.

A parking lot is located at the foot of the mountain. From there, the climb is relatively steep. The path can be slippery at some parts, so the hike is not recommended in bad weather. You should also be free from vertigo and wear good hiking boots. The trail is not particularly long, but due to the steepness, it takes over an hour to reach the top. Also in the cave is a steep slope. Additionally, the sand is slippery, so you should be careful.

Nevertheless, the strenuous climb is worth it, as you will have a wonderful view of the road, framed by colorful trees. It is an absolute highlight!

Helleren and Flekkefjord

Further west, two and a half hours from Tjuvhola, lies another special attraction: Helleren, two old wooden houses located directly under a rock face. At the parking lot nearby is also a more modern building which is a museum about the place.

The red house is closed to the public due to its condition, but the blue house is open to enter. There, you can see some furniture and objects from the time when those houses were still inhabited. The two houses date from the 18th century. However, a third house stood there in the mid-1800s as well. Remains of additional dwellings were also found in the 15th-century caves.

On the way back to Kristiansand, you pass breathtaking rocky landscapes and finally Flekkefjord. This town is situated in beautiful surroundings and offers several good photo spots offering great views of the area.

Lindesnes fyr

Finally, we arrive at the Lindesnes Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Norway. Norway’s first lighthouse was lit in 1655. It marks also the southernmost point of the country.

Several buildings with exhibits can be visited from the inside to learn more about the history. Of course, you can also enter the lighthouse and climb up for a magnificent view of the wild, rocky coastal landscape all around.

Remember to dress warmly as the weather along the coast is very changeable. Regular rain showers and strong winds are not uncommon.

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Thank you for reading this blog post! I wish you a nice day and see you soon!

Zsofia