Lindesnes

Introducing Lindesnes

As the southernmost point in Norway (latitude 57° 58’ 95” N), Lindesnes (literally ‘arching land peninsula’) provides an occasional glimpse of the power nature can unleash between the Skagerrak and the North Sea. Even better, as the brochures point out, ‘the camera angles are better than at Nordkapp’ (2518km away).

Rising above the cape is the evocative Lindesnes Fyr (38 25 77 35; www.lindesnesfyr.no; adult/child Nkr50/free; 11am-5pm May–mid-Oct, shorter hrs rest-of-year), a classic lighthouse. In two of the buildings you’ll pass as you climb to the cape there are exhibitions on the history of the lighthouse, while the visitors centre next to the gate has more plus an informative video about the site. The first lighthouse on the site (and the first in Norway) was fired up in 1655 using coal and tallow candles to warn ships off the rocks. The current electrical version, built in 1915, is visible up to 19½ nautical miles out to sea. Be wary of strong winds: one Lonely Planet author lost his sunglasses in a sudden gust.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009