Arendal

Explore Arendal through its science attractions, urban history, art and coastal paths. The wider Arendal destination also offers shipyard history and paths along the coast.

Science, aquarium and children’s exhibition

Vitensenteret Arendal is a visitor centre for Raet National Park. In its aquarium, you can observe fish up close; the interactive exhibition invites you to explore and try out various activities. The exhibition areas include the human body, technology, mathematics and marine life. The aquarium and hands-on activities offer different experiences: here, you can both observe and try things out for yourself.

Exhibitions at KUBEN explore the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. Its dedicated children’s exhibition, called “Barndom”, is designed primarily for children and includes several activities for them. If you’re interested in the region’s history, you’ll find a different focus here than at Vitensenteret; each venue, however, is devoted to a clearly defined subject.

Urban history and architecture

Trefoldighetskirken was completed in 1888. It is about 83 metres tall and has 700 seats. Arendal’s old town hall tells a different story of how a building was used: Morten Michael Kallevig had it built as a private residence, and it was inaugurated in 1815. From 1844 to 2004, the building served as the town hall. The two buildings therefore stand out for different historical details: the church’s completion and the former private residence’s long service as a town hall.

Kløckers Hus is Arendal’s town museum. The digital cultural heritage trail offers another way to explore the town’s history. It was established in 2009, during the Year of Cultural Heritage, for the town centre. You can follow it online or on foot. It complements the focus on individual buildings with a route devoted to the town centre.

Art and mining history

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall focuses on contemporary art and is housed in a former cotton mill. The 400-year-old iron ore mines at Torbjørnsbu are structurally connected to the art centre; a 120-metre-long footbridge crosses the mines. The art centre and mine site bring two distinct subjects together in one place. Guided tours of Gruvene are available for groups, school classes and individuals; enquiries should be made by email. If you’re planning a tour, check the current arrangements with the provider.

Other places in the wider Arendal destination

The wider Arendal destination spans everything from coastal paths to industrial and maritime history. Hove and Spornes have several kilometres of coastal paths; Hovekilen is a bathing spot there. During the summer holidays, the ferry to Merdø departs from the quay at Pollen several times a day. As timetables are seasonal, it’s a good idea to check the latest schedule before travelling. Raet National Park stretches off the coast from Merdø, in Arendal municipality.

Bratteklev Skipsverft also offers a glimpse of the past. The shipyard has been preserved almost completely as it was during the age of sail; visitors can explore the sawmill, forge, workshops and boathouses. Fourteen ships were built there between 1868 and 1924: eight sailing ships, five steamships—two of them made of steel—and one diesel-powered schooner. These figures offer a concrete insight into the different types of vessels built at the shipyard.

The Eydehavn Museum presents the industrial and working-class history of Eydehavn. The first floor covers Arendal Smelteverk, Nitriden and the community that developed around these industries. The exhibitions also include a 1920s workers’ home and “Marens minner” about the work of coastal women in the past. At Langsæ, the interiors display furnishings from the 19th century from the museum collections; one part of KUBEN’s old bird collection is on display in former classrooms of the domestic science school.

Practical information

Vitensenteret Arendal is on the waterfront promenade, on the ground floor of Eurekabygget; the large Pollen p-hus car park is right in front. Pollen itself is Arendal’s harbour basin. Glassheisen has space for wheelchairs and bicycles. If you arrive in your own boat, you can moor in Arendal’s guest harbour. Facilities include internet, washing machines, tumble dryers, showers and changing rooms; check these details before your trip, as harbour facilities and their amenities may change.

Discover more destinations: His, Færvik, Kilsund, Kolbjørnsvik, Eydehavn, Saltrød, Bjorbekk, Staubø

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Arendal.