A new museum…read more The Grimstad Maritime Museum is a cool, new museum that just opened in 2015. It's in a lovely location right on the water and shares a building with a restaurant. A nice place to spend some time even if there wasn't a museum here. The museum is small but filled with fascinating artifacts, photos and information about maritime Norway. When we were there they had two main exhibits, one was on the history of sailing in Norway and the other was on the development of pleasure boating. After walking around the exhibits and looking at all the cool stuff it was nice to be able to go over to the restaurant and then sit outside by the water. The Maritime Museum in Grimstad is a wonderful place to learn about nautical Norway, eat a meal or just spend some time by the water.

Excellent view and location! The most southern point of Norway is not short of spectacular and a…read moremust goto location! Bring a wind jacket and good shoes and enjoy the area walking around.

The Lindesnes Fyr (or Lindesnes Lighthouse) is the southernmost and oldest light house standing in…read moreNorway. Operation began in 1656 using candles; the current structure, using halogen bulbs, was erected in 1915 and is still in use today. For a nominal fee you are free to wander the trails surrounding the lighthouse, including the barracks put in during the German occupation of Norway during WWII, enter and explore the top of the 1915 lighthouse, tour the museum carved into the rock underneath the lighthouse (so cool, and a little damp, it was a photo exhibit of all the historic lighthouses in Norway when we last visited in 2010). The visitors center houses a cinema showing the history of the lighthouse and area (including war info for you WWII buffs) and a nice cafe. I've been visiting Lindesnes since I was a child, as part of my family still lives in nearby Mandal. Probably been the the lighthouse half a dozen times. I've always been fascinated with the pristine beauty of the geography coupled with the easy-to-take history lesson. Norway does a great job preserving the integrity of their landscape and history, and this is no exception. I've never felt overwhelmed by tourists, and love how they offer the films, and placards noting important buildings or describing exhibits, in at least 3-4 languages (Norwegian, English, German and French typically). If you ever have the opportunity to visit the 'riviera' of Norway (aka: the southern coast) - do yourself a favor and come. Look out across the North Sea and notice Denmark in the distance (and how flat it is compared to Norway). Enjoy a coffee (they won't expect you to want cream or sugar - FYI) and open faced sandwich at the kafe ("cafe" - yes my Norwegian is so good, isn't it?). It will be sublimely relaxing and enjoyable - even if the weather is a little rough (this is the coast of Norway after all - so dress the part). PS- I've never stayed there, but they do have a hotel on site.