SCandinavian Cruises - 2026
Wednesday 27 May'26 - Kristiansand (Norway)
Another beautiful sunny day, with a max of 20'c. We have been blessed with the weather. A small group walking tour around the city was on the agenda and we were lucky, as we were the only 2 people undertaking the tour. Kristiansand is a city of just on 125,000 people , founded in 1641 by King Christian IV of Denmark and the original town was basically 1km wide by 1km long. Obviously it is now a little bigger but that has meant building across the river (where the university is) and along the shoreline to the west. On the way out of the security area from the ship, a display of the country's beloved moose was on display... It also allowed a great photo of the aft of the ship. The glassed area you can see is a 3 level bar/food area called Eden. Apart from providing "normal bar/barista services" as well as a cafe menu, it provides specialised vegan & vegetarian food options.
Anyway, just after leaving the cruise terminal we walked around a corner to be in Fiskebrygga (Fish Market) and although it has a number of restaurants, and other touristing places, it still has an fully operational fish market. I swear that when I walked past the lobster tank, I could hear them all saying "pick the other one!". Just across the canal, on an island that was a quarantine station in the 17th century is the Kilden Teater og Konserthus (Opera House) and Kunstsilo (an art gallery created from old grain silo's).
We then proceeded to walk along the canal, passing under a bridge, the Slow Bridge. It was only after we got to the other side, our guide explained the significance. As the photo of the sign on the bridge explains, it is an art installation where the kids of the area created works that expressed their dreams for the future that were then stencilled onto mirrors and placed on the bridge. Without knowing that , it just looks like the bridges has hundreds of little mirrors on it... By now, you might be starting to get a feeling that Kristiansand has a vibrant arts community and you'd be right. After walking on from the bridge, we passed a lady undertaking some sand sculptures, then another art installation before walking along the shoreline to a nice little park. We then were shown bird boxes that are in the trees within the area. The town council makes them but local artists paint them (with signature), then the council "installs" them. Next stop was the Napoleonic War's fort that over looks the harbour as it was in time gone by
A little bit more walking and we were in the burbs, before heading to the bridge that links the old town with the new (1st photo to the mountains, 2nd to the sea). We then had a hike up to a viewpoint, Brannposten I Baneheia, overlooking the city. A "mountain goat track" climb but great view. Then back into town, passing the oldest house in the town, built in 1631. We then headed off towards town, passing Kristiansand Domkirke (Kristiandsand Cathedral) on the way.
Eventually arriving at Rådhuskvartalet (Town Hall Square). The area is filled with shops and restaurants and given spring had sprung and a cruise ship was in, the place was bustling. It was here we had to say goodbye to our guide Edzi. She was bright and bubbly and nothing was too much trouble. Some lunch at a local cafe, followed by retail therapy and then after 15,000+ steps, back onboard just in time to watch a replay of State of Origin #1 on Kayo before heading off to a show, then dinner. Pleasing result and happy the 2 Raiders lads contributed to the win.
The show was Caravan, based on the german cabaret genre. Well done in such a small space and I enjoyed it immensley. Then dinner in the Cosmopolitan and off to bed...