Welcome to Kristiansand! With its 112,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city in the southernmost part of Norway and the capital of Agder.
Agder is Norway’s southernmost county.
The city was founded on July 15, 1641, by the Danish King Christian IV.
The shipping industry flourished in the 19th century. Later, the city became a world leader in developing equipment for the oil and gas industry. Today, we are known for being the country’s renewable region, with major investments in sustainable industry. Tourism is also a large and important part of local economic development. Kristiansand is often referred to as the best summer destination in Norway!
Living and Experiencing
We encourage all residents of Kristiansand to check out the website of Kristiansand Municipality.
Here you can read more about Kristiansand as a tourist destination.
Secrets of Agder is a meeting place for newly established workers and their spouses in the region. It is held six times a year. Each time, different speakers are invited to talk about the region. Afterwards, we mingle and get to know new people in similar situations. You can read about the next event here. You are most welcome!
We encourage all residents of Kristiansand to check out the website of Kristiansand Municipality.
Her kan du lese mer om Kristiansand som turistdestinasjon.
Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park
Norway’s beautiful zoo and amusement park is located in Kristiansand. Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement park
Kilden Performing Arts Centre
Kilden is a theatre and concert house in Kristiansand, and is one of the most exciting environments for professional performing arts and music in the Nordic countries. The arts center houses Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, Kilden Theatre, Kilden Opera, Kilden Culture, and innovative programs addressing the social aspects of its mission through Kilden Dialog and Digital.
Together, they represent a cultural operations concept like no other, in a single organisation that is also one of the country’s largest venues for performing arts and music. Almost 200,000 visitors experience around 850 concerts, performances, and events each year, presented by a diverse team representing approximately 260 full-time positions and 25 nationalities.
Aquarama
The largest water park in Southern Norway with attractions for everyone. Sports pools, water park, and wellness area all in one facility. Lots of fun for children and adults. Spa for adults. Aquarama is centrally located in Kristiansand. Something for the whole family.
Waste Sorting in Kristiansand
Recycling is a well-established routine among Norwegians. Homes in Kristiansand have four trash bins. To learn more about waste sorting, please read more here: Recycling guide.
Collection times for private households depend on your address. Get familiar with the collection schedule here. This page is unfortunately only available in Norwegian, but please contact customer service if needed. Phone: +47 381 77 070 or e-mail: post@avfallsor.no.
Storage needs
You can e-mail these companies for a quote on storage space:
post@ok-minilager.no
post@abclagerhotell.no
Education
Children in Norway start school the year they turn six. Children are automatically enrolled at their local school based on their home address, but parents can also apply for schools inside or outside the municipality, as well as private schools.
Anyone moving to Kristiansand can choose whether to enroll their children in a school with Norwegian or English instruction. Here is a small selection of options often chosen by internationals:
- Kristiansand International School – a public school offering free primary education.
- IB at Kristiansand Cathedral School Gimle – offers upper secondary school with almost all instruction in English (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme).
- University of Agder (UiA) – has its largest campus in Kristiansand and another in Grimstad. UiA has over 14,000 students and 1,500 staff (2022).
- Noroff – provides practical, applicable, industry-oriented education with close collaboration with businesses.
Kristiansand also offers Norwegian language training for adults both during the day and in the evenings:
Transport
When traveling to or from our region, you can do so by plane, train, bus, or ferry to Denmark or Germany.
From Kristiansand Harbor in the city center, you can travel by ferry to Denmark or Germany. Ferries are operated by Color Line and Fjord Line with several daily departures to Denmark. Holland Norway Lines sails several times a week to Germany. Kristiansand Harbor is also a very popular cruise port.
For local buses, please check AKT.no/english. Tickets are purchased via their app, but the website can help you plan your journey.
Taxis can be booked through Agdertaxi by calling 07000 or Taxi Sør at 380 28 000.
Contact Information for Public Services
Emergency Numbers
- Ambulance: 113
- Police: 112
- Fire: 110
The largest public hospital in the county is in Kristiansand: Sørlandet Hospital. To get a referral to a specialist at the hospital, you must first contact your general practitioner.
Next to the hospital is one of the municipality’s two emergency clinics; the other is in Søgne. The clinics are open 24 hours a day.
Emergency Clinic – Kristiansand
Address: Egsveien 102, 4615 Kristiansand
Phone: 906 10 600
Søgne Emergency Clinic
Address: Tangveien 8 F, 4640 Søgne
Common phone number: 116 117
https://www.kristiansand.kommune.no/legevakt
Police
Kristiansand Police Station, Vestre Strandgate 55, 4612 Kristiansand
Monday – Friday: 08:30-15:00
Tax Office – Kristiansand (Skatteetaten)
Skatt Sør, Kjøita 42, 4630 Kristiansand
Monday – Friday: 09:00-15:00
NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration)
NAV Kristiansand, Gyldenløves gate 23, 4611 Kristiansand S
Monday – Friday: 10:00-14:00
