The Sørlandet coast gets more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Norway, and the result is a string of swimmable beaches around Kristiansand. The Bystranda right next to the city centre is the easy option; for sand and pine woods and a bit of distance from town, head out to Hamresanden, Bertesbukta on Flekkerøy, or any of a dozen rock-and-sand coves on the islands of the archipelago.