"Helgeroa - a gem of a place" Helgeroa by wyagi6

Most people visiting Norway head for the western coastline with its spectacular fjord scenery. For many people, a visit to Norway will also be a one-off experience, partly because of it being an expensive country. However for people returning to Norway or looking for something different, the southern coastline from Kristiandsand eastwards is worth considering. The scenery may not be as spectacular as that of the fjords but it is still very beautiful. There are many small towns and communities dotted along the coast with many opportunities for camping or caravanning for those who enjoy that kind of holiday.

Helgeroa is a small community by the sea close to Larvik. It is a gem of a place with a charm reminiscent of a Cornish fishing village. The central point of Helgeroa is the small harbour / marina area. We rented a small holiday apartment about 50 metres from the marina and enjoyed a wonderful view out to sea and the coastline and islands beyond. There's a tiny shop by the marina, open until late at night. The shop sells a variety of things including basic provisions such as milk, bread, cheese etc. For more substantial shopping, there is a large supermarket (Meny) less than 2 km away on the road to Stavern. There's an area at the entrance to the marina that could be loosely described as a square with a tiny roundabout in the middle. Two restaurants face each other across this focus to the village. Close to Helgeroa, there are two caravan / camping parks. The only one we saw at close hand was the one just south of Helgeroa and this seemed a well-kept and maintained site. Helgeroa is untainted by commercialism. Unlike (for example) a British seaside resort, you won't find amusement arcades or trinket shops selling tat. This is as pure and untouched as you can get.

• Pros:Peaceful, unspoilt
• Cons:Lack of activities for children if the weather is bad