Kragerø: Coastal Trail, Art and Historic Streets

Kragerø offers a range of options to consider when planning your trip: its maritime history and the Kyststien coastal trail, Munch walks and the Munch trail, as well as Kittelsenhuset, Theodor Kittelsen’s birthplace and childhood home. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kragerø, you can choose the focus of your stay based on whether you’d like to get to know the town, its cultural offerings or the coastal trail more closely.

Townscape, waterfront promenade and art

The centre of Kragerø still largely retains the character it had during its heyday as a seafaring town in the 19th century. Dense clusters of wooden houses, narrow streets and small lanes define the townscape. Kragerø Municipality’s millennium anniversary area includes the waterfront promenade around Blindtarmen, extending to the area by Victoria Hotell. Kragerø Kunstforening is located at P. A. Heuchs gate 6, 3770 Kragerø, and is one of the town’s galleries and exhibition venues. This address makes it easy to include an art visit in your travel plans.

Kittelsenhuset and Munch’s legacy

Kittelsenhuset in central Kragerø is the birthplace and childhood home of the artist Theodor Kittelsen. At the museum, visitors can learn more about his life and work; it is open during the summer season. If you plan to visit the house, arrange your visit for this season.

Edvard Munch is also represented in the town through several offerings. Munch walks are regularly held in Kragerø in collaboration with Kultur-kameratene. The Munch trail passes through the town’s streets and takes you to places where Munch found inspiration for his art. Signs along the trail feature text and images. When planning, you can therefore choose to follow either the walks or the trail’s stops and information.

The Kyststien: sections and wayfinding

The Kyststien runs from Fossing to Ellingsvika, is 42 kilometres long in total and is divided into three sections. Most of it runs along the shore; in some places, the trail heads into the forest because of development. The route is marked with the official blue coastal trail markers. Signs along the trail point out viewpoints and rest areas.

If you’re planning the section between central Kragerø and Stabbestad, a ferry ride is part of the journey. Check the timetable before your trip so you can include this section in your plans. Information about the trail’s length, route, markings and wayfinding can help you decide whether to make the Kyststien a separate focus of your trip alongside the offerings in the town centre.

An event in early June

The Norwegian philosophy festival På Kanten is held in Kragerø and begins in early June. If you’d like to combine your trip with the festival, check the dates for the relevant year: the annual programme may change. Alongside the galleries and Munch offerings, the festival adds to the cultural side of your travel plans, while the Kyststien offers another way to spend time outdoors.

In the wider Kragerø destination

The wider Kragerø destination includes Jomfruland National Park on the outer coast. The marine national park covers 117,000 mål and is 27 kilometres long. Protected habitats include kelp forests, seagrass meadows, soft seabed and shell sand. Boating, kayaking, hiking, cycling on designated roads, birdwatching, diving and fishing are possible in the national park and archipelago. Seasonal restrictions apply in parts of the park; cycling is permitted on designated roads.

Ferries from Kragerø call at Jomfruland daily; timetables may change. At Tårntjernet, the largest lake on Jomfruland, the paths are accessible to wheelchair users.

Discover more destinations: Stabbestad, Sannidal, Nordbø.

Go to the main travel overview: Kragerø.