Bragdøya coast culture center

Bragdøya, located just outside the city centre of Kristiansand, is a public outdoor recreation area covering approximately 925 hectares. The historic cultural landscape is crisscrossed by old, charming roads and paths, making it easy to discover idyllic swimming spots along the southern side of the island.

Bragdøya Kystlag has established a coastal heritage centre on the northern side of the island, featuring historic boathouses, piers, and a boat building workshop. In the Saltebua, visitors can experience an exhibition about mackerel fishing, recreating the atmosphere of traditional fisheries along the Southern Norway coast. The Saltebua can also be rented for events with up to 200 guests.

Further inland stands Thaulow’s House, the city’s first summer residence, built around 1770 by town clerk H. A. Thaulow. This was where the Wergeland children spent their first summers, and the staircase inside the house is home to Kristiansand’s first theatre stage. Today, the house is used for smaller cultural events, and guided tours are offered on selected open days on Bragdøya. Nearby is Gerrards Villa, a Swiss style villa that served as the Gerrard family’s summer home from around 1920.

During a few weeks in summer, Bragdøya Kystlag also offers traditional open rowing boats in various sizes for loan, suitable for one to four people.

Boat departures operate from Pier 6 in Kristiansand during the summer season via the Badebåten, and year round from Lumber Brygge in Vågsbygd.

Accommodation

Bragdøya Kystlag manages several different accommodation options, including Grønningen Lighthouse and a number of properties on Dvergsøya.