Arendal: Museums, Coastal Trails and Maritime History

A trip to Arendal can bring together a range of experiences: regional history at KUBEN, the industrial and working-class history of Eydehavn, contemporary art, and coastal trails at Hove and Spornes. Merdø can also be part of your itinerary. When choosing a hotel, consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay—a museum visit, time outdoors or a trip on the seasonal ferry.

Museums exploring regional history and everyday life

The exhibitions at KUBEN explore the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. The museum also has a dedicated children’s exhibition, “Barndom.” At Langsæ gård, the interiors feature furnishings from the 19th century drawn from the museum collections. Part of KUBEN’s old bird collection is displayed in the former classrooms of the home economics school. A visit lets you explore a variety of subjects and spaces: regional history, childhood, historic interiors and a natural history collection.

The Eydehavn Museum is dedicated to the town’s industrial and working-class history. The first floor focuses on the Arendal Smelteverk and Nitriden factories, as well as the society that developed around these industries. The exhibitions also include a workers’ apartment from the 1920s and “Marens minner,” an exhibition about the work of coastal women in earlier times. Together, these topics offer insight into industry, working life and everyday life, rather than focusing solely on the development of individual factories.

Shipbuilding, art and a trail through a mining area

On Tromøya, outside Arendal, is Bratteklev Skipsverft, an almost fully preserved shipyard from the sailing-ship era. Between 1868 and 1924, fourteen ships were built there: eight sailing ships, five steamships—including two made of steel—and one schooner with a diesel engine. Visitors can explore the sawmill, forge, workshops and boathouses at the shipyard. The historical figures show how the types of ships built were distributed over this period; the surviving buildings and work areas bring that history to life on site.

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall is located in a former cotton mill and focuses on contemporary art. A trail leads from the art hall’s third floor through the mining area of the Gruvene sculpture park. As maintenance and access conditions may change, check the details before your visit. Gruvene offers guided tours for groups, school classes and individuals; inquiries can be made by email. Confirm the date and arrangements, as booking procedures may change.

Coastal trails, a bathing spot and Merdø

Hove and Spornes have several kilometres of coastal trails. Hovekilen is a bathing spot in the area. This offers two distinct ways to enjoy the area: spend time on the trails or by the water. Raet National Park stretches off the outer coast of Merdø in the municipality of Arendal. During the summer holidays, the ferry to Merdø departs several times a day from the pier in Pollen. As the timetable is seasonal, check it before your trip.

More ideas for your stay

Vitensenteret Arendal combines several exhibition areas covering the human body, technology, mathematics and marine life with its role as a visitor centre for Raet National Park. It is located on Arendal’s waterfront on the ground floor of the Eurekabygget; the large Pollen p-hus car park is right outside. The range of exhibition topics offers another focus alongside the historical museums and outdoor experiences.

A stay centred on KUBEN, Langsæ gård or the Eydehavn Museum offers a different focus from a trip built around coastal trails, the bathing spot at Hovekilen or Merdø.

Discover more destinations: Arendal, Færvik, Kilsund, Rykene, Kongshavn, Staubø, Saltrød, Eydehavn, Kolbjørnsvik, Bjorbekk, His.

View the main travel overview: Aust-Agder.