Vest-Agder County Museum
Vest-Agder County Museum (38090228) is a collection of farmsteads and small settlements from the Setesdalen region, where national costumes are also exhibited, handicrafts and toys. The open-air museum is situated 4 km east of the city, by the E18 highway. From 20 VI to 20 August is open daily from 10.00 do 18.00 (on Sundays from 12.00), and in the remaining months only on Sundays. Admission costs 20 nkr.
Setesdalsbanen
Counting 78 km a narrow-gauge railway line from Kristiansand to Byglandsfjord was opened in 1896 r., to connect Setesdalen to the coast. It was used to transport nickel from the Evje mine as well as wood and staves for barrels used to store salted herring. Although competition from the normal state railway forced the closure of the line in 1962 r., Setesdalsbanen steam locomotives (38156482) still hauling the wagons on the last 20 km z Grovane do Kristiansand. In VII, trains from Kristiansand depart from Tuesday to Friday for Fr. 18.00, while from 14 do 30 VI and from 1 do 31 VIII run only on Sundays at 11.30 i 14.00. A return ticket costs money 50 nkr.
Kristiansand Cannon Museum
Kristiansand Cannon Museum (Museum Department; 38085090) w Møvik, 8 km south of the city, is the site of the German Vara battery, which during the Second World War, together with a similar site in Hanstholm in Denmark, gave Germany control of the strategically important Skagerrak. There were four 337-ton barrel-section guns on each edge 38 cm and the range of fire 55 km (the projectile covered this distance in thrust 2 min), thus, there was movement along both sides of the strait under German control, and the water strip in the middle was heavily mined. In the fall 1941 r. was stationed here over 1400 German soldiers.
After the war, the place was called Møvik Festning (fort Møvik), and the Norwegian troops guarded the border, so that the history of the Second World War would not repeat itself. Tourists visiting the museum can see huge cannons and bunkers, barracks, ammunition warehouses (including the dreaded 800 kg scales), power generator and various devices to improve military operations. The museum is open from 11 VI to 31 VIII every day in the hours 11.00- 18.00, and from 1 V do 10 VI and from 1 do 30 IX only from Thursday to Sunday. Admission costs 40 nkr.
Islands
In summer the islets near Kristiansand are visited by numerous Norwegian holidaymakers who are hungry for sun and sea.
Foreigners, who spend much less time here, usually they are satisfied with boat trips around the islands organized by the tourist office or the 2.5-hour Blindleia canal to Lillesand. The most visited island – Bragdøy -located from the mainland, a stone's throw away. There is a museum on it, a cultural center and workshops for the maintenance of wooden boats, plus some nice walking routes and places to swim. At a distance, you can see the beautiful classical lighthouse Grønningen Fyr – to which the lighthouse keeper still arrives. During school holidays you can stay overnight in the lantern too 100 nkr. Information is available from Beryl Simonsen.
From 22 VI to 16 VIII M / S Maarten departs daily from Kristiansand Fr. 11.00, a z Lillesand o 14.30. From 29 VI to 2 VIII, on Fridays and Saturdays, M / S Silius sails on the same route (O 17.00 towards the east, O 20.30 west). A ticket for both ships costs 100 nkr one way, a 150 nkr both. During the same period, M / S Silius holds Fr. 11.30 i 13.30 two-hour cruises around Randesund, via Bragdøy and several beaches, on which you can bathe (90 nkr). This cruise can also be used as a convenient transport to Bragdøy (a return ticket costs money 40 nkr, the last return from the island by Fr. 15.15). There is an evening cruise to Ny Hellesund on Tuesdays and Sundays (120 nkr) – one of 400 coastal fortifications constructed by the German army occupying Norway during the Second World War. The cruise is combined with visiting the facility. Information is available from Destinasjon Sørlandet.
Active recreation
Kristiansand has one of the most popular beaches in Norway, and if you are not deterred by the water temperature (15°C), can join the vacationers on the sandy Bystrand (city beach). If the water in the sea is too cold, you can go to the nearby Kristiansand Svømmehall (pool), where you have to pay for the entrance 35 nkr per person. The swimming pool is open every day except on Sundays during summer.
Kristiansand also cares for those interested in diving. Maritime Safans (90764139), Skuteveien 8G, provides all information regarding divers' expeditions, diver's certificate and local ecology and biology. The tour desk has addresses for other touring companies and equipment rentals.