Michael On The Move: Exploring Norway

Hello all, welcome back to my column. Last time we explored Japan, and I even received a lovely thank you message from my friend for the shoutout. This week, however, I wanted to focus on a more festive destination, so I’ve decided to explore Norway. I could have easily focused on some of the country’s well-known highlights, like the Norwegian Fjords, the Northern Lights or the country’s capital Oslo. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on something a little more niche: the lovely coastal city of Kristiansand, in Southern Norway. Having briefly visited this destination a few summers ago, I was enchanted by its beauty and perhaps after reading this, you’ll feel inspired to visit too. 

Its old town, Posebyen, is lined with traditional white wooden houses, making it the largest collection of wooden buildings anywhere in Northern Europe

The city itself is remarkably picturesque. Its old town, Posebyen, is lined with traditional white wooden houses, making it the largest collection of wooden buildings anywhere in Northern Europe. Just a short walk away stands the Kristiansand Cathedral, built in 1880 in a neo-gothic style. Its distinctive green steeple rises 70 metres into the air, making the cathedral visible from nearly anywhere in the old town. One of the city’s highlights for me is the Fiskebrygga: this part of the city is perfect for when you’re craving a snack. The vibrant dockside area features a fish market surrounded by restaurants which offer a wide range of seafood: from salmon sandwiches to fresh crab claws, it’s a must-visit spot for food lovers.

One thing I would definitely recommend doing in Kristiansand, though I didn’t get the chance myself, is visiting the Kristiansand Kanonmuseum. Despite its name, it is not a museum about canons, but a fortress built by the Germans during the Second World War. The museum houses a range of WWI weaponry, including the only remaining 380mm Krupp gun in the world. It’s an absolute must-visit for history enthusiasts, and I’m still upset that I didn’t manage to see it during my trip.

You can expect to see a charming Christmas market, beautiful decorations and even an ice rink in the main square

Just because Kristiansand is located in the South of Norway, it doesn’t mean it lacks Christmas spirit. In fact, you can expect to see a charming Christmas market, beautiful decorations and even an ice rink in the main square. There is also a free 3D light show projected onto the cathedral, a real highlight for visitors. 

Meanwhile, the Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall host a variety of Christmas concerts and performances throughout Advent, which means that even on holiday, you can experience a Christmas theatre performance much like a Christmas panto at home. Unfortunately for snow lovers, Kristiansand does not offer much snowfall during the winter months, compared to some of the other Norwegian cities further North.

Even if you don’t see the Northern Lights, there is still plenty to do in Tromsø, from reindeer sledding, to snowmobiling, dogsledding and many more snow-based activities

If a snowy landscape is what you’re after, I would recommend visiting Tromsø, nicknamed the ‘snowy city’. Tromsø has been inhabited for around 10,000 years, first by the indigenous Sami people and later by Norse settlers. Over time, the city served as a base for polar expeditions and became known as the Gateway to the Arctic. Today, if you spend at least five days in Tromsø, between late August and early April, and you venture away from the city’s light pollution, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights are remarkably high. I’m heading on a Norwegian Fjord cruise over Easter, so I am hoping I’ll finally get to witness this natural wonder for myself. 

Even if you don’t see the Northern Lights, there is still plenty to do in Tromsø, from reindeer sledding, to snowmobiling, dogsledding and many more snow-based activities. The city also offers a range of museums, including one that features an actual Ichthyosaurus fossil! There is even a Troll Museum, the only one in Norway dedicated to trolls and fairytales. Of course, no visit to Tromsø is complete without a visit to its cathedral in Norway, built entirely of wood. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if, like me, you enjoy visiting churches while travelling. 

I hope I’ve shown you that there’s more to Norway than the Northern Lights, snowy adventures and visiting the capital. Perhaps when you begin planning your visit, you might decide to visit Kristiansand, it’s definitely worth it! But of course, I know that some of you, me included, would be disappointed to travel all the way to Norway and miss the Northern Lights. For that, I would absolutely recommend visiting Tromsø. Here, your chances of witnessing this natural wonder are a lot higher! Wherever you choose to go in Norway, I hope you give this city a go, especially now as it starts to feel wonderfully festive!