Brevik – Coastal Town on the Eidangerfjord

Brevik is a well-preserved coastal town on the Eidangerfjord. Narrow lanes between old wooden houses and the almost intact ensemble of skipper’s houses and other wooden houses on Sylterøya, also known as Øya, define the town. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay in Brevik, its maritime history, art and walking trails may help you choose your destination.

Wooden Houses, Harbor and Town History

The Brevik Town Museum is located on Øya in the former town hall, which is also known as Sylterøya. The old town hall is a legally protected historic courtyard complex. From there, unobstructed views extend west and north across Brevik Harbor. Three rooms in the historic building have been restored to their original style, with authentic period interiors.

The town’s church history can also be traced through time: Brevik’s first church was built in 1670 as a wooden cruciform church on Øya. The present church is the third on this site and was consecrated in 1963. The museum also has a dedicated exhibition about the naval hero Cort Adeler. A monument to him stands on Grubbehaugen near Fisketorget.

Art and Maritime Motifs

Krystallhuset is made entirely of glass and modeled on a lighthouse. Its shape symbolizes Brevik’s maritime connections. Another viewpoint is Batteriet on Øya: from there, you can look out over the fjord; the landscaped park has places to sit.

Gallery Gruppe 9 hosts exhibitions of visual art and crafts. Seven to eight exhibitions are held each year; the program may change. If you would like to discover Brevik on a guided tour, you can contact Brevik Historielag, which offers tours for groups and interested visitors. Check with them in advance about arrangements. The gallery, museum and tours each have a different focus: the gallery centers on art and crafts, while the museum covers local history and Cort Adeler, among other topics.

Hiking and Trails on the Eidangerfjord

The marked and signposted Kyststien Skjelsvik–Brevik coastal trail is seven kilometers long. It runs from Skjelsvik boat harbor to the center of Brevik. There are places to swim along the Eidangerfjord route. Dammane offers a different hiking area, with trails through varied, hilly terrain. From there, marked trails continue to the excursion destination Prekestolen; another trail leads to the historic Ole Høiland’s Cave.

Dammane and the surrounding area have the status of an important protected landscape area. Several information boards explain the protected landscape area and nature reserve and provide maps. Parts of Dammane have been adapted for people with disabilities; however, there is an uphill slope from the parking lot. Take this into account when planning and check current conditions before your visit.

Getting to the Hiking Trails and Trips from Brevik

To reach the hiking trail at Dammane, take bus M1 to the Furulund stop; the trail is about 240 meters from there. To reach Kyststien, take the M1 to Heistad, where the stop is just under 300 meters from the trail. Buses back are available from Brevik or from Skjelsvik/Mule. Bus services may change, so check the information before travelling.

Brevik Fergeselskap operates services from Brevik to Sandøya, Bjørkøya and Siktesøya. A one-hour round trip by boat goes via these islands and returns to Brevik; services run seasonally. You can go ashore on the islands to fish or swim and return later the same day. As timetables are seasonal and subject to change, it is worth checking departure times in advance.

Discover more destinations: Porsgrunn, Nystrand, Langangen.

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