While I saw prove for my prejudices regarding the temperatures in rainy Bergen and the Western fjords, I thought Scandinavia in general was doomed to the cold. But then the Nordic Riviera appeared out of nothing.
Well, not exactly out of nothing. We actually had to come here as our ferry back to Denmark started from Kristiansand. Nevertheless I was surprised as it suddenly became something like warm and the sun came out for the whole day. Mind you we had the first week of July.
The south of Norway is indeed called the Nordic Riviera and of course, for a reason.
Scandinavian idyll at its best
Many people in Norway spend their weekends or their holidays in the south of the country. There are many holiday apartments and it’s quite and safe here. The large number of children don’t come out of nothing. That’s at least how we perceived it.
The houses and boat houses are made of wood and look totally cute. This is the way how I imagine Southern Norway. Perfect for roadtrips, perfect for relaxing.
The friendliest people
As we hadn’t mentioned it in the other posts: Despite the mentioned ladies from the fishmarket in Bergen, the people in Norway are so incredibly friendly, it scared me a little bit.
Not really. It wasn’t that bad. But not everywhere you’ll make such good experiences. A country having such amazing people is definitely worth mentioning. Though Norwegians aren’t so much into Germans (at least that’s the cliché). This doesn’t go without saying.
Archipelago at the Skagerrak
There’s not much to say here. The landscape is amazing. You can’t do more than just enjoy the view. Sounds lame, huh? (Irony off)
Maybe bathing if the temperatures are right or making a picnic like we did.
Manda – Norway’s most southern city
It suddenly became really warm in Mandal and people were wearing summer cloths; he first time in our entire Norway trip.
There’s actually nothing so special here but it’s pretty. We didn’t expect much on the 15.000 residents city.
The promenade at the harbour is pretty. The city also had a view point but somehow we couldn’t find it and gave up very quick.
Mandal may be the home to one of the friendliest bakeries at the Nordic Riviera with really tasty scampi sandwiches: Edgar’s Bakeri & Konditori!
Kristiansand – Pearl of the Nordic Riviera
We really loved this city. Sunny day, great atmosphere, University city, cafés, restaurants, and everyone is happy here. Being there at a Friday afternoon might have also been the reason as people are relaxed due to the coming weekend.
Kristiansand with its 90.000 Residents is Norway’s fifth largest city and capital of the Sørlandet (Southern lands).
The city center with its brick stone and wooden houses in the rectangular streets and alleys are pretty but not special.
What really impressed us was the region around the harbour. On the one side boats, a beautiful park and calmness. On the other side it was like the Colmar of the North with restaurants and pretty colourful houses; with bridges and many people who adore this part of the city as much as we do.
All kinds of ages were here aiming to overindulge in one of the fish restaurants. Very likeable people. I really didn’t want to leave this place and we will definitely come back here.
Kristiansand was the surprise of this trip and who knows why, so unknown.
Unfortunately unfortunately we couldn’t see everything in Southern Norway and so we unfortunately unfortunately have to go back. If you have any tips to Southern Norway we’re looking forward to any kind of recommendations.
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