Kristiansund

Here, right between the city center and the nearby islands and suburbs, you can open your senses, breathe in the fresh sea air, and let your gaze wander. Can you hear music? It wouldn’t be a surprise—Kristiansund is known as Norway’s opera city and is home to the country’s oldest opera company. Along the harbor, you’ll see a mix of modern buildings and old warehouses. These used to be filled with clipfish—salted, dried cod—exported to Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean. For over 200 years, this trade was the backbone of the city’s economy. Today, you'll find cultural venues, hotels, and restaurants where the air once smelled of fish and seaweed. A bit further in, you might spot Kirkelandet Church, often called the Atlantic Cathedral. It’s considered Norway’s first truly modern church building. Kristiansund is a vibrant, modern city with festivals, markets, and a strong boating culture year-round. It’s a place where the past and present blend seamlessly. As you stand here overlooking this beautiful coastal town, you’re witnessing a city that has reinvented itself—while always remembering where it came from.