Three days in the historic wooden house town of Egersund

Three days go by quickly. But they are more than enough to fall in love with Egersund. Here you can experience spectacular nature, great food experiences, cozy niche shops and a historic wooden town with charm in every street. Join Anne Marie and Lennart on a long weekend filled with small discoveries and big experiences.

About Egersund

Egersund: The colorful wooden town. One of Norway's best preserved wooden town, with narrow streets, unique shops, colorful houses, an active harbor and short walks just outside the city center.
How to get here: A beautiful drive along the National Tourist Route Jæren, one of 18 National Scenic Routes. Or follow the E39 between Kristiansand and Stavanger.

What's happening in Egersund? Your own activity calendar gives you an overview.
The landscape: An area with a unique geology, recognised by UNESCO. Nowhere on earth will you get closer to a true lunar landscape than in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark.

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The sun sparkles in the sea as Anne Marie and Lennart turn into the center of Egersund. The GPS leads them straight through a narrow alley where they find the parking lot of Grand Hotell Egersund.

“It was certainly well utilized here,” laughs Lennart as they lift the luggage out of the car.

A few minutes later they stand in front of the entrance to the hotel where they are greeted with a smile.

As they make their way through the corridors, they pass a preserved wooden facade from one of the original buildings, elegantly integrated into the hotel's newer architecture. Glass, steel and modern materials meet historic walls in a way that gives the hotel its own character.

The room continues the same feeling. The old wooden door to the bathroom has been allowed to live on as part of the interior, and reminds us of the history that is in the walls. All 100 rooms at Grand Hotell Egersund are different.

Before they set off on their exploration of Egersund, they ask the receptionist for a tip.

– Do you have a short trip we can take before dinner?

The answer comes quickly.

– Drive up to the parking lot at Varberg. From there it's only a few minutes' walk to the top. The first hill can be a bit steep if you walk all the way from the city center, but the view is well worth the trip, she promises with a smile.

The exceptional view from Varberg

The landmark that towers over the city, Varberg Tower, shows the way to the city mountain long before they arrive.

– This telecommunications mast there could easily be renamed Egersund's Eiffel Tower, smiles Lennart.

From the parking lot, they follow the short path up to the top. Information boards along the way tell of dramatic events during the last days of World War II.

During the summer months, free-range goats help keep the vegetation down. They stay at a distance while Lennart and Anne Marie explore the area.

At the top, the view opens up in all directions. With the binoculars that are permanently mounted, they get a closer look at the approach to Egersund, but when they turn 180 degrees, they see the boats moving through the strait and the historic wooden town spreading out below. It is easy to understand why so many recommend this particular trip to first-time visitors.

“We'll have to go there next time,” says Anne Marie when she spots the sign pointing to rock carvings from the Late Bronze Age, on the way back down.

Egersund city center and niche shops

Back in the city center, the couple strolls through the heart of the colorful wooden bus city with all its cozy niche shops. They are looking for a backpack for tomorrow's trip to Trollpikken.

But then Lennart stops outside Mocca Sko.

– John Deere shoes?

He laughs a little.

– I've never seen that before!

Even though the shoes are carefully studied, the couple finds a suitable backpack to take with them on their journey. Perfect for lunch, water bottles and an extra sweater when they go to Trollpikken the next day.

They stroll through the pedestrian street and do some shopping at several of the niche shops in the city center. Egersund is known as one of Norway's best-preserved wooden houses, and in recent years, homeowners have taken out their paintbrushes and brought out the colors that originally characterized the cityscape.

The city's niche stores are known for good personal service and many of them roll out the red carpet for customers in the city.

– I feel extra welcome, says Anne Marie with a smile when they stop by Dressmagasinet.

Lennart nods at Carsten, who is ready to help the couple fill their shopping bags.

– When I see him with the measuring tape over his shoulders, I understand that there is competence here, he smiles.

Part of what makes the center of Egersund so pleasant is the mix of small, independent shops and professionals who really know what they are doing. The niche shops are close together, and many of them offer both personal service, good advice and goods that you can't find anywhere else. Here it's not just about buying something, but about experiencing a center where quality, knowledge and genuine hospitality still stand strong.

Dinner at Fonn Brygge

After a few hours of exploring, hunger begins to set in.

The choice falls on Fonn Brygge, a restaurant and seafood market idyllically located by Egersund Church, right by the Egersund guest harbor. From the table, Anne Marie and Lennart have a view of both the boating on the lake and the people around the square. Small boats dock, people stroll along the pier, and the sun reflects in the water.

– What can we tempt with today?

Both go for the house fish soup.

It is served piping hot, filled with fresh fish and shellfish, and quickly becomes one of the highlights of the first day.

– This was exactly what we had hoped for, says Anne Marie as she enjoys the last spoonful of fish soup.

After the meal, they stay a while with a cup of coffee. They have nowhere to go and can enjoy life in Egersund.

On the way back to the hotel, they take a stroll along the new harbor promenade by the Feyer Brygge apartment building, which houses the Kanelsnurren cafe, a pharmacy, and a grocery store.

– This would have been a nice place to park a camper, says Lennart, looking around the corner at the designated parking lot.

Anne Marie nods.

– Then we could have spent even more days exploring Egersund.

Plan and book your trip

From the wooden house village to Trollpikken

After a good night's sleep, the day starts with breakfast in Eigra, the restaurant at Grand Hotell Egersund.

The buffet offers everything from fresh bread and local cold cuts to hot dishes, fruit and sweet temptations. A good start before the day's excursion.

After a hearty breakfast, Anne Marie and Lennart head towards Trollpikken, one of the most popular hikes in the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. Just a short drive from the city center, a landscape awaits that stands in stark contrast to the historic wooden village they left a few minutes earlier. The family-friendly hike follows both gravel roads and trails through a cultural landscape characterized by old stone walls, pastures and small lakes.

Trollpikken became world-famous in 2017, when the distinctive rock formation was sawn down by unknown perpetrators. The incident attracted international attention, and shortly afterwards it was rebuilt with the help of local forces and a large public commitment. Today it is once again one of the region's most visited tourist destinations.

Back in Egersund, a well-deserved break awaits at the hotel.

See more great tours in Egersund

Pac-Man or Hvalkjeften on Eigerøy

Vannbassengan

Hagavatn – A small lake in a lunar landscape

Eigerøy lighthouse

The Old Jæren Railway

Local food with finesse

Back at Grand Hotell Egersund, Anne Marie and Lennart take a short break on the hotel terrace before getting ready for the highlight of the evening. The hiking clothes have been replaced with nicer outfits, and in Eigra they are greeted by a warm atmosphere and a staff that combines warm smiles with solid professional knowledge.

The evening consists of several small servings, where local and seasonal ingredients take center stage. In the restaurant, the chef carves two types of cured ham which are served on wooden boards together with a selection of cheeses.

– Check out the sweet breads! Anne Marie exclaims as they are placed on the table.

The breads are still warm. The butter melts as soon as you put it on, and together with the tasty cheeses, it makes for a simple but memorable start to the meal.

Plan and book your trip

The glasses are filled with a refreshing rhubarb soda from Berentsens Brygghus, Rogaland's oldest brewery. The brewery has supplied mineral water to the region for generations, and is now known for its wide range of artisanal beverages. It's a tasty reminder that the drink is also part of the local dining experience.

The meal opens with freshly sliced cured ham and pork neck. The ham is sliced on the beautiful red slicer from the Dutch Berkel, which is the very symbol of cured meats in thin slices. The six dishes arrive at the table one by one, each with its own expression and its own flavors. It is enjoyed at the table. But when a tartar of hangar steak is placed in front of Lennart, there is a moment of silence. He takes a bite, looks over at Anne Marie and smiles.

– This is some of the best I've ever tasted.

Anne Marie nods in agreement. The flavors are clean and balanced, the presentation is accomplished, and each serving offers something new to talk about.

A little later she asks the waiter:

– What have you done with the potatoes? They were disgusting!

“It's not potatoes, it's Jerusalem artichokes,” explains a proud chef with a smile.

Eigra Kitchen & Bar focuses on locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Their goal is to highlight local quality producers of seafood, meat and vegetables. You can choose between a 3-course, 6-course or a rich á la carte menu.

The evening is rounded off with a small, sweet finale to a meal they will never forget. Eigra's own pastry chef is behind what ends up being another tasty highlight for Lennart.

Book a table at Eigra

The city that was shaped by faience

After two eventful days, there's no rush to pack the car.

Anne Marie and Lennart enjoy a last breakfast at Grand Hotell Egersund before strolling the short way to the Egersund Fayance Museum.

The museum is located in Fabrikkgaten, on the site where the Egersund Fayancefabrik once stood. In addition to the museum, the factory building houses the city's shopping mall ALTI Eikunda. From 1847 to 1979, the factory was a cornerstone of the city and grew to become Norway's largest producer of stoneware. Today, history lives on through the museum, where everything from beautiful tableware to everyday objects tells the story of the people, crafts and industry that put Egersund on the map.

The new exhibition opens this summer «"Dressed for the occasion"», which explores 200 years of clothing history. Here you can see, among other things, Sorenskriver Feyer's riding coat and church singer Dancke's snibel, along with many other clothes from different periods - from the earliest to the latest.

From the museum it is only a few minutes' walk back to the city centre. Anne Marie and Lennart follow the footbridge over the Lundeåna River, where the flower boxes are in full summer bloom. The river sparkles in the sun, and the contrast is striking.

A dining experience at the market square in Egersund

Anne Marie and Lennart take their time, stopping at shop windows they didn't get to visit the first few days and enjoying the quiet Sunday atmosphere in the historic wooden town.

Before heading home, one last dining experience awaits right at the square in Egersund.

At Kings & Queens they find a table on the outdoor terrace with a view of the square. Anne Marie orders the shrimp sandwich, while Lennart goes for the creamy pasta. With a cup of coffee after the meal, they stay a little longer and watch life around them.

In the middle of the square, children run through the popular fountain. The water is tested regularly throughout the summer, so on hot days it is actually possible to cool off with a swim in the middle of the city center. Laughter fills the square, and it is easy to see why both residents and visitors enjoy it here.

Satisfied and full of impressions, they head for the car.

Three days have passed quickly. Yet it feels like they have only scratched the surface of everything Egersund has to offer. Maybe the next visit will be by motorhome, so they can stay a little longer. Or maybe it will just be another long weekend. Three days was enough to fall in love with Egersund. Not enough to experience everything.

At least they agree on one thing.

– We will be back.