Kilsund by the Fjord

Kilsund combines a distinctive waterfront setting with a specific history of local industry. The Kilsundfjord runs through the landscape, and traditional southern Norwegian buildings characterize the waterfront. At the same time, Kilsund is distinct from the additional cultural attractions in the wider destination of Arendal.

Waterfront Landscape and Townscape

Holmen lies in the Kilsundfjord, centrally within the town of Kilsund. The waterfront buildings include older wooden houses; along the coast towards Staubø and Bota, there are also small beach houses and jetties. Different types of waterfront buildings thus meet directly by the water in the townscape. Kilsund’s character cannot therefore be reduced to the fjord alone: the built-up waterfront also shapes the town. Visitors who are especially interested in traditional architecture and the connection to the water in coastal towns will find these themes reflected in the distinctive townscape here.

A Story at Holmen

Kilsund Dampsag was founded in 1860 on Holmen in Kilsund. This local history connects the central part of the town with its industrial past: the founding year places the sawmill in a specific location and time. Together with the older wooden houses, it offers a historical perspective on the waterfront, without equating every building with the sawmill’s history. For travelers interested in maritime townscapes, Kilsund offers more than a waterside setting; its local history is also a clearly defined theme.

Town Center and Summer at the Harbor

Kilsund’s center has a café, a local shop, and a gas station. Individual businesses may change, so check what is currently available before your trip. The marina is also part of the town’s seasonal character: it attracts visitors in summer. The center and the harbor are therefore two distinct points of reference for a stay—the facilities in the town center and the summer life by the water.

Getting Around on the Water and on Land

The Sørlandsleia is marked for recreational boats at critical points as far as Eydehavn, using the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s red and green navigation marks. This provides clear nautical guidance along the route; if you are planning to travel by boat, you can take the markers into account when planning your route. Væmt is a floating sauna along the Sørlandsleia in Kilsund. Check its operating status and booking options before your trip.

Marked hiking trails with map overviews are available on Tverrdalsøy and Flosterøy; check the trail markings before setting out. The nautical route and the hiking trails are different points of reference: the Sørlandsleia passes north of Tverrdalsøya on its way towards Kilsund, while the marked hiking trails are on the two islands. This helps distinguish the water route’s connection to the town from the location of the trails on the islands.

Cultural Attractions in the Wider Destination of Arendal

The wider destination of Arendal offers other cultural themes. The exhibitions at KUBEN explore the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal; the museum also has a children’s exhibition, “Barndom.” The Eydehavn Museum focuses on the industrial and working-class history of Eydehavn. Its first floor covers Arendal Smelteverk, Nitriden, and the society that developed around these industries. Exhibits also include a worker’s home from the 1920s and “Marens minner,” about the work of coastal women in earlier times. These themes are part of the wider destination of Arendal and should be distinguished from Kilsund’s townscape. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether Kilsund’s fjord and waterfront character or Arendal’s broader cultural themes are more important to you.

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

Back to the wider travel overview: Arendal.