Kristiansund


 * Not to be confused with Kristiansand in Southern Norway, the difference is one letter, spelled with an a instead of u. 

Kristiansund is a city and municipality on the mid-western coast of Norway, in Møre og Romsdal county. It has among the most special and interesting architecture of Norway, which originates from the aftermath of World War II, when nearly 80% of the city was demolished by bombs. It sits on five islands slightly off the shore of mainland Norway. The natural harbour formed by the islands is considered to be unique and particularly beautiful, protecting the city centre from winds and weather outside in the Atlantic Ocean. The city is sometimes called Kristiansund N, where N stands for North, to distinguish it from Kristiansand in southern Norway, a name introduced by the postal service.

By plane

 * City bus routes 801 and 802 serve the airport. The trip takes about 20 minutes and costs kr 37. Tickets can be bought from the driver on the bus using cash or credit card. If you do not have luggage, it is easily possible to walk from the airport to the city. The distance is about 7.5 km along good quality footpaths through residential suburbs and docklands. At a brisk pace it can be done in 1-1½ hours. It is also possible to cycle the same route. Alternatively you can walk 4.5 km from the airport to the Nordlandet Sundbåtkai ferry stop, and then ride the Sundbåt into the city centre.

By car
European Route E39 connects Kristiansund with main-land Norway through the KRIFAST-bridge and tunnel system. Route 70 which is the connection from southeast Norway, leads all the way into the city centre. Atlanterhavstunnelen (The Atlantic Ocean Tunnel) is an underwater tunnel that links the city of Kristiansund to the island of Averøy, and the popular tourist attraction of Atlanterhavsveien.

By bus
TimEkspressen has departures for Molde and Ålesund every hour, while NorWay Bus Express has schedules to Oslo, Oppdal and Trondheim numerous times a day.

By train and bus
You can travel with the train from Oslo to Oppdal, and continue with the bus operated by Fram, the local public transport organisation. entur.no is a general search engine with ticket sales for public transport in Norway, including for this connection.

By boat
Kristiansund is a scheduled port for Hurtigruten, between Molde (4 hours) and Trondheim (6½ hours) on the coastal cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes. There is also a twice a day catamaran passenger boat-service to Trondheim, with a few stops along the coast.

Get around
Nettbuss Møre's blue, local buses have frequent departures from Kristiansund Trafikkterminal to the different parts and suburbs of the city. The price for a one-way ticket lies between kr 15 and kr 30, depending on your destination.

The four main island of which the city of Kristiansund is built on is also connected by a passenger ferry-system, the "Sundbåt", that carries passengers between all the four islands with departures every 20 minutes. This is also the world's oldest public transport line in continuous operation.

Do

 * Football: Kristiansund BK play soccer in Eliteserien, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Kristiansund Stadion, capacity 4400, north side of town.
 * Football: Kristiansund BK play soccer in Eliteserien, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Kristiansund Stadion, capacity 4400, north side of town.
 * Football: Kristiansund BK play soccer in Eliteserien, the country's top tier. Their home ground is Kristiansund Stadion, capacity 4400, north side of town.

Eat
In the heart of the city, try the "fishan" - which is really an old version of the English "fish and chips"-treat. The name "fishan" is a very local abbreviation of the English name.

Drink
There is a large variety of bars, night clubs and such in Kristiansund. Night clubs are usually open between 23:00 and 03:00, while the opening hours for bars varies. Some bars are open even in daytime. Most places require that you are 20 years or older, but since the legal drinking age in Norway is 18, it varies from place to place. Do note that many night clubs practise ID-validation, meaning that you will have to carry an ID to be permitted access. Valid forms of ID include Norwegian bank cards, European standardized driving licences or ID cards and passports.

Go next

 * The Atlantic Road A unique stretch of road which takes you right out to the ocean’s edge. In 2005, the road was voted Norway’s "Engineering Feat of the Century", and is also known to be the world's most beautiful drive. It connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges over 8274 m. The road was opened in 1989 and is toll-free.

The Atlantic Road has National Tourist Route status and the entire stretch between Bud and Kristiansund is one continuous experience packed with coastal scenery, culture and history. The contrasts between a trip on a sun-soaked and tranquil summer day and a foam-sprayed journey in a storm from the northwest are amazing. Take your time and open all of your senses. The Atlantic Road experience will give you memories for life. Park your car at designated stopping places, climb a hillock and enjoy the salty air and the magnificent view. Whether the ocean is flat calm or a storm is brewing; there are great nature experiences in store.


 * Aure is a typical coastal municipality of Møre og Romsdal with many beautiful small islands. Most people live near the shore. Aure merged with Tustna in 2006 and the new municipality is called Aure. Population 3 600.

Aure’s coastline is almost 300 km long. Unique possibilities for angling from the shore and from the many bridges and sounds. Fishing from boats for herring, mackerel, saithe, cod and pollock. Great hunting for red deer in the large forest and mountain areas. Excellent fishing for freshwater trout and sea trout. The scenery on Tustna is dominated by the coastal mountains. These over 900-metre-tall mountains, which rise straight up from the shore, form a chain in a north-south direction. Great walking, with several paths ascending to the summits, which offer fantastic views of the ocean and the fjords.


 * Grip is an archipelago southwest of Kristiansund, and was until 1964 the smallest municipality of Norway. Today it is a deserted fishing village, but is a popular tourist attraction for the special architecture and unique location. Norway's smallest stave church, which was constructed in the end of the 15th century is also located at Grip. In the summer season there is a scheduled boat service from next to the bus terminal of Kristiansund.