Kristiansand is on the New York Times list of 52 travel destinations in 2025

On the 7th of January, The New York Times published its list of travel destinations in 2025. Every year the American newspaper publish a list of 52 recommended travel destinations. This year our hometown, Kristiansand is on the list. I went «wow»! Our city is on the list. When I read the New York Times, I see that the focus is very much on the Kunstsilo – an art gallery built in an old grain silo. It opened in May 2024 and has allready become seen thousand of visiters. In November I did a post about the Kunstsilo. I have left the link for further reading. Besides the Kunstsilo, I will show you some other places of interest. I was passing Kunstsilo, Kilden and Fiskebrygga on my way home from work yesterday. I took some photos, but the rest of the photos were taken during spring and summer. Because of snow and icy conditions right now, it is not so easy to walk around town.

The square with the town hall and the cathedral (May)

Kristiansand is located in southern Norway, by the coast. I think the population counts more than 100.000 now. The city was founded in 1641 and named after the (at that time) king Christian IV of Denmark-Norway. Long before 1641 people have lived in the area. Archaeological excavations let to the discovery of a skeleton from around 6500 BC.

KUNSTSILO

This amazing architectural wonder is probably the main reason for Kristiansand being on the New York Time's list. The building used to be a grain silo, built in 1935 to store grain as part of being prepared for famine. The highligt is both the architecture, but also the 5000 pieces of Nordic art, that used to belong to a private person. Shortly after the opening it became known outside our borders. Several foreign newspapers wrote about the building and the art collections. The building has also been nominated for several architectural prices.

KILDEN

Next to the Kunstsilo, we have another piece of interesting architecture. This is called Kilden Performing Arts Centre. This building is home to Norways largest house for performing art. It opened in 2012 and has since the opening made sure to entertain with ballet, theater, music etc. The architecture fits the location by the harbor. The roof is made of wood and shaped as waves. When you go inside, you will notice the roof continues through the glass front.

FISKEBRYGGA

Only a two minute walk from Kilden you will find "Fiskebrygga". Both the old fish market and the restaurants around the harbor are popular among locals and tourists. The fishmarket is located next to the harbor where the fishing boats come in. During the 1990s the area around the fish maket was renovatet. The whole place has a maritime character. During the summer the restaurants have outdoor seating and once in the week there are outdoor conserts as well. If you want a place you have to book in advance.

CHRISTIANSHOLM FORTRESS

The old fort, called Christiansholm Fortress was part of King Christian IV's plan when it came to defending Kristiansand. The fort was build right after the foundatian of the city. There were several other forts along the coast. Together they made up the defense system that was to protect the city. The fortress is open during the summer month.

POSEBYEN

Posebyen – the old part of town with many well preserved wooden houses. This part of town is the oldest part. Almost all the houses are one or two story wooden houses. The plan of the town that was made when King Christian IV founded the city, was made after a route pattern. The streets are equally wide and forms a quadrature that messures 1 kilomter x 1 kilometer. In the north western corner you will find Posebyen. It is the most charming part of town and one of the places visited by tourist. Posebyen is Norway's only consistenly kept Renaissance town.

LUNDSBROEN

Kristiansand is divided into by the river Otra that reaches the sea close to the city center. There are three bridges that connects the two parts. Lundsbroa is the oldest. The latest addition is the Christian Quartbroa, which was completed in December 2020. It is only for pedestrians and cyclists and thus eases traffic on the other two.

GIMLE GÅRD

There are a couple of places on this side of town that is worth a visit. Both are located close to each other. Gimle Gård is a fine mansion that dates back to the 1800s. The manor house was finished in 1807. At that time many wealthy inhabitants in Kristiansand built country residences in order to get a distance to the city. Part of the former farmhouses belonging to the mansion, houses a natural museum and also a botanical garden. The garden is absoulutely at its best during late spring and summer.

ODDERNES CHURCH

Oddernes Church dates back to aprox 1040, but excavations close by, shows that there were settlement before and after the building of the church. During the summer it is possible to join a guided tours of both the church and Gimle Gård.

Ravnedalen Park

Odderøya

Baneheia

NATURE AT OUR DOORSTEP

Nature and parks are close to the city. Ravnedalen is a park a few kilometers walk from the city centre. Usually on the list of places to visit. Next to it there is Baneheia which is natural surroundings with lots of walking trails. Odderøya is right behind Kunstsilo. It used to be a military zone, but now it is a recreation area very close to the city centre. There are still some old canons and bunkers from WWII telling their own story. Besides the mentions places, the city has museums worth a visit too and even a couple of wineries, beautiful old architecture and art galleries. Even shopping could be interesting for some.

2025 Travel Destinations: 52 Places to Go This Year - The New York Times

An old grain silo becomes an art gallery, Kristiansand, Norway — Hive