Few attractions in southern Norway blend coastal charm with year-round activity quite like Aquarama (Aquarama). Set on the edge of the city’s sandy urban beach, The City Beach (Bystranda), this modern complex is both a premier aquatic center and a social hub for locals and visitors. With its glass-fronted architecture and sea views, it’s a place where you can swim laps, ride water slides, relax in a spa, or simply watch the waves roll in—even on brisk winter days.
Opened in 2013 as part of Kristiansand’s waterfront revitalization, Aquarama was designed to bring together sport, wellness, and community. The facilities include a competitive 50-meter pool with spectator seating, multiple play and training pools, diving towers, and a popular leisure area known as Aquarama Bad (Aquarama Bad) featuring slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Above the pools, Aquarama Spa (Aquarama Spa) offers saunas, steam rooms, and quiet zones, pairing Nordic wellness traditions with seaside tranquility.
One of the complex’s unique features is its direct connection to the beach and promenade. In summer, families often split their day between the warm indoor pools and the salty splash of The City Beach, where sheltered waters make it safe for children. In winter, hardy travelers can try a cold plunge in the sea and warm up afterward in a sauna—a quintessential Sørlandet wellness ritual. The location also places you steps from the lively waterfront dining at The Fish Market (Fiskebrygga) and an easy stroll to the city center.
For practicalities, Aquarama is open year-round with extended hours on weekends and holidays in peak season. Tickets are sold for swimming, spa, or combined access; family and day passes are available, and it’s wise to book online during school holidays. Lockers and showers are included, and you can rent towels or bring your own. There’s a café for light meals and snacks, and the entire complex is designed with accessibility in mind, including lifts and adapted changing rooms. Parking garages sit beneath and near the building, while local buses stop close by; from Kristiansand Station it’s about a 15-minute walk.
Sports enthusiasts will appreciate that Aquarama hosts swim meets and water polo events, and offers fitness classes such as aqua aerobics and lifeguard courses. Travelers interested in wellness can book spa treatments—think salt scrubs and massages—timed between sightseeing. Families love the dedicated toddler pools, interactive water features, and lifeguard presence, making it a stress-free outing even on rainy days. If you’re touring the region, it’s a perfect weather-proof complement to nearby attractions like Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park (Dyreparken).
Ultimately, Aquarama captures what makes Kristiansand appealing: a relaxed coastal atmosphere with high-quality facilities and a warm, family-friendly spirit. Whether you want to work out, unwind, or entertain kids, it’s a reliable anchor in your itinerary. Come for the slides and saunas, stay for the sea views—and leave with a deeper appreciation for Norway’s love of water in all its forms.