South Coast

The South Land

While Risør is not Marseilles, France nor La Spezia, Italy it is in fact a vacation mecca for Norwegians and tourists alike in summer time. The south coast of Norway (referred to as Sørlandet, meaning the regional south land) in the months of June through August is as pleasantly warm and active as any summer vacation destination could be. The seaside southern coast town of Risør is a dry and subtropical climate during summer in Norway. Rain is virtually non-existant during those months and temperatures invite water based activities such as powerboating, sailing, jet skiing, wooden boat festivals along with art and music festivals. In mid-July the only bluegrass music festival in Norway is hosted here. During these summer months the population swells to 20,000 from the year round population of 6,800. The main harbor at Risør is so busy with tourists that boats are forced to anchor offshore or find alternate mooring locations. The town is the fourth largest shipbuilding harbor in Norway including wooden boats, sailboats and commercial vessels of all tonnage. This photo looks down (from a viewpoint above the harbor) on a row of non-powered sailboats moored to the east of the main harbor.