Being an easy day trip option out of my base in Kristiansand, I spent a few hours one morning in Mandal exploring the quiet and narrow streets and found friendly folks, no crowds, and a few surprises.
Let's start with Uranienborg, a small mountain that rises to 62m above sea level above the town. It's an easy and short hike from the pedestrian shopping street up, and the views are well worth it.
The Gågada is the country's southernmost pedestrian zone.
Neighbourhood streets also have no shortage of white wooden houses.
Consecrated in 1821, Mandal Church is the largest wooden church in the Norway with a capacity of up to 1300 worshippers.
The riverside promenade is quite nice and there is a new white bridge that opened in 2013 connecting to the Buen kulturhus, an arts and entertainment venue.
