KRAGERØ

Drone: AOS 3.5 (sub 250)

Basic Info & Demographics
• Kragerø is a town and the administrative centre of Kragerø Municipality in Telemark county (now part of Vestfold og Telemark region) in Norway. 
• The town area is about 3.32 km², and as of 2022 its population was 5,366 (so its density is ~1,617 people per km²) .
• The municipality (which includes the town and many islands, rural areas etc.) covers ~305 km² and has about 10,413 people (2023) .
• Over the last decade, the municipality’s population has decreased (~ –2.7 %) .
• During summer, the population swells due to tourism — many visitors and seasonal residents come to enjoy the coast. 

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Location & Geography
• The town lies by the Kilsfjord, between Kilsfjorden and Hellefjorden, and is sheltered by islands and peninsulas. 
• The island of Kragerø (Øya) sits just off the mainland (about 70 m) and is connected by a bridge; it’s part of the city center. 
• The municipality includes 495 islands, islets, and skerries along the coast, and 190 freshwater lakes. 
• A large portion of the area is coastline, rocky outcrops, forested hills, and archipelagos. 
• Jomfruland and Stråholmen are among islands included in the Jomfruland National Park, established to protect the coastal nature. 

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History & Economy
• The town was given “kjøpstad” (market town) status in 1666, officially granting it certain trading and municipal rights. 
• The name “Kragerø” comes from “krage” (crow) + “ø” (island). The Danish spelling “Kragerø” was historically used and is retained. 
• Timber export was the basis of Kragerø’s development: large forests inland, and shipping routes to England, Netherlands, etc. 
• In the 19th century, it became one of Norway’s larger shipping towns. 
• The town expanded via municipal mergers — for example, in 1960 Kragerø merged with Skåtøy and Sannidal municipalities, creating the current municipality. 
• Over time, the economic base diversified beyond timber and shipping, with more emphasis on tourism, services, and coastal recreation.

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Culture & Notable Figures
• Kragerø has long been an artist’s town — it inspired Edvard Munch, who called Kragerø “The pearl among the coastal towns.” 
• Another famous artist, Theodor Kittelsen, was born here. 
• In 2016, the town marked its 350th anniversary of its founding as a town, and 33 information signs were placed around historical sites to help with walking tours. 
• The urban core has narrow alleys, old wooden houses, artistic galleries, and historical architecture to explore. 

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Attractions & Things to Do

Here are some highlights if you visit:
• Jomfruland: A very popular day trip. Natural scenery, beaches, forest areas, walking and cycling paths. 
• City hiking & historical walking tours: The walking paths through the town bring you past key historical buildings and through charming streets. 
• Steinmann viewpoint: Offers panoramic views over the town and its archipelago. 
• Old mines (“Dypedalsgruva”): There are old mines in the area; one is accessible to visitors. 
• Enjoy boating, kayaking, swimming or island hopping among the many islets. 
• Museums & cultural sites: The town has galleries and local museums connected to the art heritage. 

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Infrastructure & Transport
• There is no direct train connection to Kragerø. The old branch line (Kragerøbanen) to Neslandsvatn operated from 1927 to 1988, but was then closed. Some of its path is now repurposed as roads or cycling paths. 
• Road access is by regional roads connecting it to surrounding municipalities and to larger highway networks. 
• The harbor is central to town life, with boats and ferries connecting to the islands and coastal communities. The harbor is especially lively in summer. 

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Current Issues & Developments
• A recent and somewhat controversial development: the municipal council has approved building a new cabin / holiday housing community in a disused quarry on Litangen, including 220 cabins, 160 boat moorings, a new ferry quay, and infrastructure. 
• There is opposition from environmental groups concerned about impact on coastal nature. 
• The local population is small (~10,400), and the municipality already has a large number of fritidshus / holiday homes (~3,490) and many tourists each summer (~50,000 visitors) 


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