Staubø: Labakken and the Kulturløypa

Labakken and the Tverdalsøya–Staubø hiking trail offer two concrete starting points for planning a trip to Staubø: the history of an old trading post and a marked route. Buses run from Arendal and Tvedestrand to Staubø. Check the timetable before setting off.

Labakken and the Cultural Centre

Labakken was an old trading post with a bakery, pastry shop, grocery store and clothing shop. Today, the building is a private home and cultural centre run by Eldrup A. Hansen. The former place of business and its present-day cultural use represent different chapters in the area's history: trade and supplies in the past, and art and events at the cultural centre.

Staubø Cultural Centre offers visual and applied art for sale, as well as concerts. There is also a café and ice cream by the waterfront; the café operates seasonally. If you are planning to attend a concert or visit the café, check the programme and visiting options beforehand.

The marked Kulturløypa

The Tverdalsøya–Staubø hiking trail is also known as the Kulturløypa, or cultural trail, from Staubø Cultural Centre. White markings and signs indicate the route. There are two options for continuing your walk: you can return through the forest to Bota, or follow the road to Staubø. This lets you tailor the route to whether Bota or Staubø is your destination.

Cultural attractions in Arendal

In the Arendal destination, KUBEN's exhibitions explore the history of Aust-Agder and Arendal. A separate children's exhibition is called “Barndom” (“Childhood”). At Langsæ gård, the interiors feature furnishings from the 19th century from the museum collections. Some of KUBEN's old bird collection is also on display in the former classrooms of the home economics school.

Bratteklev Skipsverft, a nearly completely preserved shipyard from the age of sailing ships, is located on Tromøya, outside the city of Arendal. 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. The history can be read both in the preserved parts of the shipyard and in the variety of ship types built there at the time.

The Eydehavn Museum presents Eydehavn's industrial and working-class history. The first floor focuses on Arendal Smelteverk, Nitriden and the community that developed around these industries. A worker's home from the 1920s and the exhibition “Marens minner” (“Maren's Memories”), about the work of coastal women in earlier times, add to this perspective.

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall focuses on contemporary art and is housed in a former cotton mill; individual programme details may change. In the Gruvene sculpture park, a path leads from the third floor of Bomuldsfabriken through the mining area. It was completed for public use, but the condition of the path and access may change; check both before visiting. Guided tours at Gruvene are offered for groups, school classes and individuals. To arrange one, contact them by email.

Coastal paths and getting around Arendal

Hove and Spornes have several kilometres of coastal paths; Hovekilen is a bathing spot there. Those interested in science and nature can visit Vitensenteret Arendal, which has exhibition areas on the human body, technology, mathematics and marine life. The centre also serves as a visitor centre for Raet National Park. It is on the waterfront promenade on the ground floor of the Eurekabygget; the Pollen p-hus car park is directly in front.

During the summer holidays, the ferry to Merdø departs from the pier in Pollen several times a day. As the timetable is seasonal, check it before travelling. You can consider the cultural, nature and transport options mentioned separately and plan around the themes that matter to your stay in Staubø and the Arendal destination.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Arendal.