Kristiansand
Information about Kristiansand
Kristiansand is a city and municipality in Norway. It is the fifth largest city in Norway and the municipality is the sixth largest in Norway, with a population of 88 598 as of June 2016. In addition to the city itself, Statistics Norway counts 4 other densely populated areas in the municipality: Skålevik in Flekkerøy with a population of 3,526 in the Vågsbygd borough, Strai with a population of 1,636 in the Grim borough, Justvik with a population of 1,803 in the Lund borough, and Tveit with a population of 1,396 (as of January 2012) in the Oddernes borough. Kristiansand is divided into five boroughs: Grim, which is located northwest in Kristiansand with a population of 15,000; Kvadraturen, which is the centre and downtown Kristiansand with a population of 5,200; Lund, the second largest borough; Oddernes, a borough located in the west; and Vågsbygd, the largest borough with a population of 36,000, located in the southwest.
Kristiansand is connected with four main roads: European Route E18 from Oslo, Aust-Agder and covers the eastern part of Kristiansand; European route E39 from Stavanger, Flekkefjord and the coast towns and villages in Vest-Agder; Norwegian National Road 9 from Evje, Setesdal and Grim; and Norwegian National Road 41 from Telemark, northern Aust-Agder, Birkeland, Tveit and the airport Kristiansand Airport, Kjevik. Varodd Bridge is a large bridge and a part of E18, which stretches over Topdalsfjorden.
Tourism is important in Kristiansand, and the summer season is the most popular for tourists. Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement park is the largest zoo in Norway. It receives over 900,000 visitors every year. Markens Street is the main pedestrian street in downtown Kristiansand. Bystranda is a city beach located in Kvadraturen; in addition, Hamresanden beach is the longest beach in Kristiansand. Hamresanden Camping is a popular family camp during the summer season. The city hosts a free concert in downtown Kristiansand once every week in the summer. Outside the city is the industry park Sørlandsparken, which has Sørlandssenteret, the largest mall in Norway.
Bergen
Reaching the port of Bergen
A shuttle runs from the city centre and the airport every 15 minutes Monday to Friday (every 30 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays). Stops in the city centre: Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Bryggen, Radisson SAS Hotel Norge and the bus station (17). Departures also from Åsane and Fyllingsdalen. Travel time: about 40 minutes, which can increase at peak times.
Information about Bergen
Bergen is a city located on the southwest coast of Norway. It is surrounded by mountains and fjords, including the Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in the country. The Bryggen district, with its wooden houses built on the old pier, was once the center of the Hanseatic League's commercial empire. The Fløibanen funicular goes up to the Fløyen mountain, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view and where different excursions are possible. The Edvard Grieg House is the house where the famous Norwegian composer once lived.