This is why we love this place

The Best Local Hikes

Skipsmannsheia: Walk through beautiful cultural landscapes up to the old coastal signal station with views over the entire Lindesnes peninsula. The station has been renovated and is open for day visits—light a fire in the fireplace and enjoy your packed lunch inside while looking out through large windows at the panoramic view. This hike is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs if you take the gravel road up and down. (Up for another hike? Try Mønestadsteinen, which is on the way back to the hotel.)
Nyresnes: A short hike just outside the hotel with great views of the sea. There’s an old World War II station with bunkers at the very tip of the headland. This is not a circular hike.
Viking Trail: A scenic loop from the hotel, passing several beaches rich in Viking history (did you know the Legend of Kråga comes from Spangereid?). Then join the Lysløypa trail at Trones. This route can be done with a stroller or by bike. On the return, you can take a detour via Gare and the old church road to see a bit of Spangereid. The walk finishes along the canal (which the Vikings originally began digging in their time).

Find more tips and maps at Telttur.no

The Best Summit Hikes

Duefjell: One of our favorite hikes for a great view. Start from the hotel and follow the beach toward Vikingland. You can choose between a long circular route or a shorter up-and-down hike. Either way, the view from the top is stunning! The short hike is 3 km, and the full loop is 6.2 km.
Grasdalsheia: Located near Lindesnes Lighthouse, where you can choose between a short or long trail, both leading to a fantastic viewpoint. Well-marked paths.
Vardehei: Drive to Snig and park by the prayer house. From the top, there’s a beautiful view of Skagerrak, the Mandal region, and Spangereid.

Remember to Swim!

At Havhotellet, we LOVE swimming. Immersing yourself in the blue waters is wonderful year-round. Out here, ocean currents keep the water a little warm all year ... at least, we think so! We often dive in from the swimming pier outside the hotel. If we have time, we grab a SUP board and paddle a bit before taking a dip. If we have more time, we stroll over to Krågeviga, just 400 meters from the hotel—a lovely, sheltered little sandy beach.

What We Do on a Rainy Day

If there’s a real storm, it’s always fun to head out to the lighthouse. Try leaning into the wind and see if it holds you up!

We often find that the fish bite even better when the weather is a bit grey. Maybe today is the perfect day to test your luck with fishing? If you’re interested, you can join the boat that catches langoustine for Under on a fishing trip. Just ask at reception, and we’ll be happy to help arrange it for you.

The Southernmost Part of Norway from the Bicycle Seat

Skipmannsheia is a great cycling trip—refer to the walking routes section—you can bike all the way up. You might want to take the path along the beach between the hotel and Vikingland. Or, you can cycle from the hotel out to Lindesnes Lighthouse, following the road. The secret, however, is to take all the small detours along the way. There are quaint little communities like Våge, Holmen, and Fjellskår to explore.

Pack a lunch and go on a discovery adventure. You can also cycle up to Skipsmannsheia along the road. If you bike all the way down to the pier at Holmen, you’ll find a charming path leading to a secluded stone beach, perfect for some quiet reflection.

Where to Enjoy the Best Sunset

Lindesnes Lighthouse offers stunning sunsets year-round. On clear days, it’s simply magical to sit inside the old coal lighthouse and watch the sun disappear as the lighthouse beam takes over. We highly recommend staying for a while to experience the lighthouse at work, with its beams stretching across the horizon under the stars. It’s an extraordinary experience you don’t want to miss while you're here!

In summer, we love enjoying the sunset from the sea. Borrow a kayak or SUP from reception and paddle out to one of the small islands for an evening swim, perhaps followed by a light evening meal in the sunset.

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For the Family

Watch the fishing boats unload their catch: The boats often come in early on Thursdays. It’s fascinating to see how much they’ve caught, especially for the little ones!
Mysterious tunnels at the lighthouse: Explore the many passageways at Lindesnes Lighthouse that connect the various bunkers. It's thrilling and spooky fun for both kids and adults. When it’s time for a break, we recommend grabbing a cinnamon bun from the lighthouse’s own bakery.
Crab fishing: Borrow crab fishing gear from reception. We’re happy to help you with bait and tips on the best places to fish. This activity can keep kids entertained for hours!
SUP paddling: Borrow a SUP board and enjoy a paddle around the hotel’s outdoor area.
Boat rental: Rent a boat from our neighbor, Lindesnes Hytteservice, and head out into the archipelago. Check here to find the best spots to dock and take breaks.

Do You Love Lighthouses as Much as We Do?

Lighthouses have a special charm, and we’re completely hooked! We strongly recommend visiting Lindesnes Lighthouse while staying with us—you can get a free ticket from reception. When you stand at Lindesnes Lighthouse in the dark, you can see the lights from two neighboring lighthouses: Lista and Ryvingen. Both are worth visiting, and you can even stay overnight! Waking up at Ryvingen Lighthouse, located on a small island, is a truly unique experience. Extend your stay with an extra night at one of these lighthouses—you won’t regret it!

Beautiful Beaches Within Walking Distance

Krågeviga: Just 400 meters from the hotel, this beach gets sun all day, from morning until evening.
Viking Beach: A short, idyllic walk away. This beach is sheltered from the cold winds, making it a great spot in any weather.
Njervestranden: If you walk a little past Krågeviga, you’ll find Njervestranden—a long beach with fine white sand.

Artistic Inspiration

Every Easter, we host art exhibitions here at Havhotellet, curated by our very own Merethe. She encourages you to experience a bit of the artistic life here at the Southernmost part of Norway. You can join Trond and Hanne, the creators of the ceramics at Under, to make your own pottery when visiting their stunning workshop. Or, take a stroll along the beaches near the hotel and visit the studio of Dag Telhaug. Dag’s artwork is displayed in our reception, and he’s always happy to welcome visitors.

Day Trips from Havhotellet

We’ve crafted two perfect day trips from the hotel. We KNOW you’ll enjoy them!

Lista Area – Coastal Charm and Long White Beaches
A scenic drive from Havhotellet brings you to Listalandet, known for its expansive beaches. If you're up for some shopping, we recommend stopping in Lyngdal before continuing to Farsund, where you can stroll through the charming white-painted town. For those who love swimming, we highly recommend Farsund Badehus (https://farsundbadehus.no/), where you can relax in a sauna with views of the sea.

At Lista, you MUST check out the Coastal Path (https://listerfriluft.no/friluftsaktiviteter/farsund/fotturer/kyststien/). Walking the entire path is an incredible experience, but it takes about 8 hours, so feel free to do it in sections. Make sure to visit Havika to experience the Listastrendene (Lista Beaches).

On your way, stop in Vanse town center to discover traces of the strong American cultural influence here. Treat yourself to a blueberry pancake with syrup at Larsen's Bakery on 8th Avenue. Then, head to Lista Lighthouse and join in on bird ringing. As the sun begins to set, take the hike from Lista Lighthouse to Snekkestø and Vondestien. Finish your day with a jump off the pier at Jøllestø as the sun dips behind the horizon. A truly beautiful day!

Flekkefjord
Start your day by taking the whole family on a rail bike ride on the Flekkefjordbanen, a completely unique experience. Afterward, take a stroll through the picturesque Dutch-inspired town, famous for its street art. For lunch, stop by Tollboden and order a delicious pizza.

Next, drive towards Åna Sira and hike out to the Brufjell Caves—this will be the photo that makes it to your holiday cards! Don’t forget your swimsuit, as there’s a beautiful lagoon with a pebble beach nearby. If you have time, take the ferry to Hidra and enjoy dinner before watching the sunset from Hagåsen.

End the day by making a TikTok video from the ferry back to Flekkefjord, and send it to your friends who are stuck in ferry queues in Western or Northern Norway. Tired? Yes. But it’s a day you won’t forget!