🌊 Kristiansand and the South Coast: seaside rhythm and family-friendly atmosphere

The south is a combination of the sea, sandy beaches and quiet city life. During the day, you can make calls and write emails, and in the evening, you can take a walk along the Odderøya, visit heated swimming pools or make a quick trip to a family park. Below are three practical answers: where to sit with your laptop by the water and not get ‘drowned’ in noise, what activities are convenient after 6 p.m., and what children's spaces are available in local coworking spaces.

💼 Where can you work by the sea without being bothered by noise?

The most reliable option is the city library: quiet reading areas, meeting rooms and stable Wi-Fi, plus extended meråpent (self-service) hours until late in the evening. It's 5–7 minutes from the square to the waterfront and Kvadraturen. Check the hours on the website: the main venue has ‘windows’ outside of regular hours when you can get in with a library card.

Want a view of the water? Head to the foyer of Kilden (theatre and concert hall on Odderøya): on weekdays before evening performances, it is quieter here, and in the southern part of the foyer there is a restaurant called Frihavn, which is convenient for laptops and short meetings. It is easy to get there on foot from Fiskebrygga. Keep an eye on the programme: on days when there are major events, it is quieter during the day and noisier in the evening.

A little ‘lighter’ is a café with Wi-Fi in the centre (for example, Spiren). For summer days, a ‘mix’ is good: an hour and a half of work in the library → a short walk to Bystranda (the city beach on the waterfront) → another half hour to finish your letters in a café.

🎠 What family activities are there after work?

• Aquarama by the beach: the largest water park in the south — swimming pools, wave pool, surf wave, saunas and heated outdoor pools all year round. In summer, the water park is open until late (usually until 8 p.m., some days from 6 a.m.). It's perfect when you want to ‘unwind’ with the whole family.
• Dyreparken (zoo + amusement park): open 365 days a year, hours vary by season and day of the week — check the calendar before you go. In the ‘high’ season, evening slots are more frequent, in the off-season — shorter.
• Odderøya: a circle by the sea with views and marked trails; the Odderøya rundt loop takes about an hour — just right for after six. On the way, you can stop by Fiskebrygga.
• Ravnendal: a green amphitheatre, ponds and easy trails — a peaceful place for an evening stroll with children.

Seasonal tip: in summer, the city comes alive — long days and warm evenings, but more people on the beach and in the parks; in the shoulder months, it's quieter, but some places have reduced opening hours (check the venue pages).

🧸 Are there children's rooms in coworking spaces?

There are almost no special ‘kids' rooms’ in coworking spaces. The central CoWorx is a classic format (hot desks, rooms, meetings), with no children's areas listed. If a ‘family’ atmosphere is important to you, there are alternatives:

• Library — large children's section: adults work nearby while children browse books or play in a quiet area (please note the rules and opening hours).
• Leo's Play Centre — energy after school under adult supervision; convenient as a ‘reward’ after a short work session.
• Nannies/babysitters — local services help cover a couple of hours on weekdays. Read reviews and make arrangements in writing.
• Coworking itself: ask the administrators about guest day passes and quiet rooms for phone calls — CoWorx has meeting rooms and a drop-in format.

The southern format is simple: the library serves as a quiet base, with a ‘view of the water’ at Kilden or Odderøya, and family evenings are rounded off with Aquarama, the zoo or an hour's walk along the waterfront. In summer, there are long evenings and more options (but more people), while the rest of the year is quieter and shorter.

Save the guide, share your favourite cafés for working by the sea and ‘after 6 p.m.’ scenarios for children in the comments — we'll put together a handy map of locations for working by the water.