In the 1700s herring exports made Flekkefjord Norway’s leading harbor, and during the Napoleonic Wars the town became a secret weapon. Thanks to unusual tidal conditions, ships could slip past British patrols at any hour, allowing smugglers to send timber to the Netherlands right under the nose of the Royal Navy.

Today Flekkefjord balances its deep heritage with modern creativity. Since 2015 its walls have turned into canvases for street art, while fjords, lakes and the island of Hidra offer world class nature. The coat of arms, a red sailing boat riding golden waves, is a bold tribute to Flekkefjord’s maritime spirit and centuries of trade and travel.