Kristiansund

The city in the middle of the sea

A scenic drive on the Atlantic Ocean Road brings you to Kristiansund, a bustling harbour town that spans 4 small islands in the North Atlantic, known for a specific type of dried and salted cod (“klippfisk”).

On the island of Innlandet it's just a short walk to Sjursvika, an area full of restored old buildings and warehouses that have been combined into a coastal cultural centre. Nearby, the Nordmøre Museum displays fascinating archaeological finds from the ancient Fosna settlement, as well as an exhibition detailing the history of their famous “klippfisk”.

A small ferry links the islands of this unique city. On the island of Grip you will find a little red church from the 15th century that locals traditionally used as a storm shelter. This church, which lies just a few metres above sea level, has remained intact even as hundreds of other buildings have been washed away in violent storms over the years.

For those interested in local culture or bird watching, Smøla, along with the other small islands in the vicinity, is a great place to observe the traditional life of Norwegian fishermen or catch a glimpse of the majestic sea eagle.