Kristiansund (Norway)

Kristiansund is a port city located on Norway's western coast (Nordmore District) with population around 25,000 (Nordmore's only town). Nearby settlements are the villages Nedre Frei, Kvalvag, Rensvik. Port Kristiansund is very often mistaken with Kristiansand (Norway's 5th largest city, located on the country's southern coast).

As cruise port, Kristiansund can accommodate mainly small- and medium-sized ships with max LOA length 300 m (984 ft). There are two cruise quays - both are in downtown and within close proximity to tourist attractions and activities. Storkaia Pier has length 300 m (984 ft), Devoldholmen Pier is 205 m (673 ft) and there can dock boats up to 220 m (723 ft).

For small ships (including cruiseferries) and expedition vessels, Smola Island (to the north) is a good destination. Ships with max LOA length 195 m (640 ft) can anchor close to the island's tender pier and offload the tourists for shore activities like safaris, hiking, tours to old fishing villages.

Since 1876 is operated the Sundbat ("Sound Boat") shuttle-boat service for traveling between the islands. The small-capacity ferry crosses the harbor to Innlandet from Kirkelandet, then continues to Nordlandet, Gomalandet, and back to Kirkelandet. The roundtrip crossing is repeated in 0,5-hour intervals on weekdays. The Sundbat ferryboat is the world's oldest motorized, regularly scheduled public transportation system in continuous service.

The city is probably best known for housing Norway's oldest opera, established in 1928 by Edvard Braein. There is an annual opera festival (in February) named "The Opera Weeks" (Operafestukene). Also popular is the Nordic Light festival - Northern Europe's largest photo festival.

Grip is located northwest of Kristiansund. This is a deserted fishing village and a popular tourist attraction for its unique architecture. In Grip is also Norway's smallest stave church (medieval wooden church building/late-15th-century).

Vagen's old town structure is a center for the historical fishing settlement in Kristiansund. Also here is Mellemvaerftet - an old shipbuilding facility for sail ships. Norwegian Clipfish Museum is another attraction not to be missed.

For season 2018, the port had scheduled a total of 20 cruise ship calls with over 20,000 passengers. The port schedule featured the maiden visit of the Cunard ship Queen Victoria.

In 2019, the Port handled 18 cruise calls (~13000 tourists), including 1x to Smola Island. In 2020 were handled 25 ship calls (16500 passengers), including 2x to Smola. Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2022 the Port handled 38 cruise ship calls and ~29000 tourists.

In 2022 was completed a new hiking trail (starting at 15-min drive from the cruise pier) that offers panoramic views of the town.

Kristiansund cruise terminal