Kristiansand is a city and municipality, in the county of Vest-Agder in south Norway. Founded by and named after King Christian IV, Kristiansand is the closest thing to a seaside resort there is in Norway - a bright, energetic place which thrives on its ferry connections with Denmark and its popular beaches. There is also a reminder of its seventeenth-century origins: the quadrant street plan that Christian IV applied to the centre. It has major shipbuilding and repair facilities that support Norway's North Sea oil industry. Nearby there is the static inverter plant of the HVDC Cross-Skagerak. Kristiansand and Sørlandet usually have a lot of summer sunshine compared to most of Norway. There may be heavy snowfall in winter, but the snow rarely stays long at the coast. Music plays a key role on the city’s cultural stage, with the Quart Festival and the International Church Music Festival as the most prominent annual events.

	Country:	Norway
	Location:	South
	Country Code:	+47
	Population:	76,066
	Language:	Norwegian
	Currency:	Norwegian Krone (NOK)
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Train Station:	Kristiansand Station
	Tourism:	Kristiansand Tourism

By Car If travelling from the east take the E18 and then follow the signs to Kristiansand. If travelling from the west or north take the E39 and then follow the signs to Kristiansand.

By Train Approximately five trains run between Kristiansand and Oslo every day, providing convenient transport to the capital.

By Ferry Because of short ferry crossings and frequent sailings to neighbouring countries, Kristiansand ferry port is frequently referred to as Norway's "Gateway to Europe”. With weekly sailings by DFDS Seaways between Kristiansand, Gothenburg and the UK and weekly crossings to Denmark with Color Line, Kristiansand ferry port is an ideal destination or departure point.

• Christiansholm Fortress
• Gimle Mansion
• The Fish Market
• Kristiansand Cannon Museum
• Sørlandets Art Museum

Christiansholm Fortress is situated at the guest harbor and the beach promenade. In the 17th Century Denmark-Norway controlled the Skagerak and the approach to the Baltic. To keep this position and to protect the city and Southern Norway from pirates, Christiansholm Fortress was built and finished in 1672. Gimle Mansion is a manor house from around 1800, with interiors marked by its owners through five generations. It is beautifully located in the botanical garden. The Fish Market is situated in an arean that has sprung up the last few years. Small bridges and new wooden maritime inspired buildings painted in red and yellow house restaurants, shops and offices that create a very special and cozy atmosphere by the canal. Kristiansand Cannon Museum is a historical defense museum that features a German coastal defense battery from 1940-45. Shortly after the German invasion of Norway was completed in the spring of 1940, the Wehrmacht started construction of a large number of artillery installations placed along the coast. The Sørlandets Art Museum has both permanent and changing exhibitions.