Furulunden

There are 7 beaches in Furulunden. Sjøsanden is the best known and longest beach in the area.

Furulunden is an extensive parkland of 160 hectares just west of Mandal town centre. The area contains many wonderful beaches and lovely, smooth slabs of granite. The vegetation consists of pine trees and a mixed broadleaf forest, with some areas of spruce.

Sjøsanden is the best known and longest beach in the area. If you begin at Piren (the pier by the river mouth), you can walk along the entire 807 metre length of the beach. When you come to the end, at Hobdeheia Hill, walk through Sjøsanden Holiday Park and turn left at the intersection with Bankeveien Road. You will find yourself in the grounds of Risøbank.

Risøbank is an elegant house that was built as a summer residence by the Scottish Lord Salvesen (his parents emigrated from Mandal) in 1901. The property is now heritage listed. It is owned by the state and managed by Mandal municipality.

The house is used for art exhibitions throughout the year and a café in summer. It can also be hired as a venue for private functions. The park surrounding the house is a magnificent sight in spring when the rhododendrons bloom!

If you continue your explorations from "Lordens", the beach below the house, you will discover that it is only one of many idyllic sandy beaches, large and small – with rocky outcrops and smooth slabs of granite.

Within the grounds is an extensive network of paths and tracks that are equally delightful for either strolling or jogging. The area is reasonably flat but there are a few small hills, amongst them Hobdeheia, where there is a fine view out over the town, the archipelago and the ocean beyond.