Marine Nature and the Archipelago
Jomfruland National Park protects a coastal and marine area on Kragerø’s outer coast with distinctive geological features. The marine national park covers 117,000 mål and stretches for 27 kilometres. Its habitats include kelp forests, seagrass meadows, soft seabeds and shell sand. The diversity continues above the water: Kragerø has 495 islands, islets and skerries. Exploring the region means encountering not just a coastline, but also a protected marine area with diverse habitats.
In the national park and the archipelago, you can go boating, kayaking, hiking, cycling on designated roads, birdwatching, diving and fishing. Cycling is restricted to designated roads; seasonal restrictions apply in parts of the park. There are five Kystled cabins in the Kragerø archipelago. The guest harbour on Jomfruland offers water and electricity; check the current harbour facilities before you arrive.
Trails and Getting to the Islands
Ferries from Kragerø call at Jomfruland daily. As timetables can change, it is worth checking the connection before setting off. The Kyststien also offers a specific point of reference for planning hikes: the trail in Kragerø runs from Fossing to Ellingsvika and is 42 kilometres long in total. A section of the Kyststien between central Kragerø and Stabbestad is covered by ferry. The route and the ferry crossing are therefore distinct aspects of planning: one concerns the trail’s length, the other the connection across the water.
For a trip to Jomfruland National Park, Kragerø Taxibåt offers day trips with a local guide. Booking details may change; check them before planning your trip. Tårntjernet is the largest lake on Jomfruland. The paths there are accessible to wheelchair users. Another notable attraction is the pair of lighthouses: they represent engineering from two different eras and illustrate the development of Norwegian lighthouse architecture. The old brick tower has 89 steps to the top. If you are planning a visit, check current access arrangements in advance.
Coastal Culture and Edvard Munch
The Berg-Kragerø Museum brings together several aspects of local history: coastal culture, ice exports during the age of sailing ships, and Edvard Munch’s artistic life in Kragerø. The museum offers nature trails, a park area, a café, a museum shop, a bathing beach and a boat landing. Seasonal operating conditions may vary, so it is advisable to check before your visit. A museum visit can thus offer a look at different aspects of this coastal town without any one theme overshadowing the others.
Munch’s motifs can also be found in public spaces. The signposted “In Edvard Munch’s Footsteps” trail features reproductions of his Kragerø motifs. Several galleries and exhibition venues add to the cultural offering. Historical street-name signs, installed in 2016 to mark the town’s 350th anniversary, offer another glimpse into the town’s history. The two lighthouses on Jomfruland add a technical perspective to its cultural history: their construction dates represent different eras of engineering.
Geopark and Events
Kragerø is part of the Gea Norvegica Geopark, and Jomfruland is a developed visitor site within the geopark. This links the national park’s geological perspective with another way to explore the region. The events calendar also features a variety of highlights throughout the year: Norway’s På Kanten Philosophy Festival opens the festival year in Kragerø in early June. The Kragerø Havnefestival takes place in August, and the Barnegospelfestivalen at Kragerøhallen brings the festival year to a close. Annual dates may change; check the dates if you want to plan your trip around an event.
Discover more destinations: Nordbø, Kragerø, Sannidal, Stabbestad, Hjartdal, Bø, Porsgrunn, Vinje.
Return to the main travel overview: Telemark.
