Tucked into the idyllic inlet of Høllen, just west of Kristiansand, the Old Høllen Pier (Gamle Høllebrygga) is a small but evocative slice of Southern Norway’s coastal heritage. This wooden pier and its surrounding quays once formed a local lifeline for fishing, trade, and ferry traffic connecting tiny island communities and the mainland. Today, it’s a peaceful place to stroll, breathe the salt air, and watch the day-to-day rhythms of a Norwegian seaside neighborhood, while still being within easy reach of the city.
Historically, the Old Høllen Pier served as a hub for local fishermen and coastal traders who relied on small boats to move goods and people along the skerries. Before modern roads tied Søgne more closely to Kristiansand, this was where barrels of fish, timber, and provisions met the quay. The area’s maritime past is still palpable: weathered boathouses, narrow quays, and anchored dinghies tell a story of resilient coastal life, shaped by tides and seasons. You may also notice how the pier sits perfectly positioned at the mouth of the river and the sea, a reminder of how cleverly older communities leveraged natural harbors.
For visitors, the pier’s charm lies in its unhurried atmosphere and easy access to coastline adventures. On calm days, kayakers glide between skerries, and locals dip into sheltered waters for a bracing swim. Summer weekends see a gentle bustle, with recreational boats tying up and families grabbing ice cream from nearby kiosks. From here, you can explore the Søgne Archipelago (Søgne-skjærgården), a scatter of polished granite islets that epitomize Southern Norway’s sunlit summer ideal. The area pairs well with a visit to The Fish Market (Fiskebrygga) in downtown Kristiansand; together they provide two complementary faces of the region’s maritime culture—one urban and lively, the other intimate and local.
Getting there is straightforward. By car, follow the E39 west from Kristiansand and take the local turnoffs toward Høllen; there’s usually parking within a short walk of the waterfront, especially outside peak summer weekends. Local buses from Kristiansand also serve Høllen, making this a viable half-day trip without a car. Facilities are modest—a few benches, seasonal kiosks, public restrooms nearby—but that’s part of the appeal. Come prepared with a windbreaker, as the sea breeze can be brisk even on sunny days.
One of the most rewarding ways to experience the Old Høllen Pier is to time your visit for golden hour. The late-afternoon sun burnishes the wooden planks and throws long reflections across the bay, while seabirds skim the surface in search of an evening meal. Photographers will find great angles from the pier back toward the old boathouses, or outward to the open skerries that frame the horizon. If you enjoy picnics, stock up in Kristiansand and find a quiet spot along the quay to linger.
What makes this pier relevant today is how it encapsulates a broader Southern Norwegian story—small communities shaped by the sea, pragmatic design, and a gentle pace of life. It’s not a headline attraction, and that’s precisely why it’s memorable. When you add it to an itinerary that might include The Old Town (Posebyen) and The Cathedral (Kristiansand domkirke), the Old Høllen Pier rounds out a picture of the region that goes beyond museums and shopping streets. It invites you to slow down, listen to gulls and halyards, and feel how the coast has sustained generations here.
Whether you come for a stroll, a swim, or a taste of maritime nostalgia, the Old Høllen Pier rewards curiosity. Give it an hour or two, and you’ll walk away with the soft creak of planks underfoot, the scent of brine and pine in the air, and a better sense of why Kristiansand’s identity is inseparable from the sea.