Places to stay and things to do in Arendal

In the 1700s, Arendal was one of the largest seafaring cities in the Nordic region. This was where major shipping companies were based, which played a significant role in the city’s growth and prosperity. Arendal is a well-kept and beautiful southern Norwegian village, located halfway between Tvedestrand and Grimstad and spread out across the mainland and islands in the open sea.

Be inspired by the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene and travel back in time by ferry to Merdø, a car-free island with old small wooden houses and narrow paths. Or walk along the city’s quayside around Tyholmen, the city’s oldest and best preserved district, or stroll further on picturesque coastal paths. 

Here we provide useful information for visitors to Arendal:

Vitensenteret Sørlandet science museum

If you're visiting Arendal with children, you should definitely spend a few hours at Vitensenteret, a science centre full of activities in the heart of the city. Here you can do things like test your reflexes and generate power by running in a giant hamster wheel! On weekends and school holidays, the centre also organises a variety of different activities and experiments, so keep an eye on the website!

Arendal Week

Since it was first organised in 2012, Arendal Week has become an annual highlight for those interested in societal issues. The festival, described as a democratic meeting place, spans five days and consists of over a thousand events that take place around the Arendal city centre. All events are free and open to everyone, so if you find yourself in the neighbourhood in August, make sure to attend a debate or two.

Arendal Movie Theater

Housed in a stylish functionalist style building from 1938 located right next door to Thon Hotel Arendal is the Arendal Movie Theater. The cinema’s four theatres show everything from popular blockbusters to independent films. Before the movie starts, make sure to stop by the Arendal Art Society, located in a historic wooden building on the other end of the block. Regular exhibitions are organised here and art by local artists is for sale in the gallery. 

Arendal Cultural Centre

There are not many days between performances at the Arendal Cultural Centre. In fact, the centre is one of the largest in southern Norway and organises no fewer than 200 events each year. These include theatre performances, children’s performances, humour shows, revues and concerts. Browse through the programme and find something perfect for you and your family! 

Craving more cultural experiences? Check out KUBEN Arendal, where you can experience the area’s rich history through exciting exhibitions, and Kløckers hus – Arendal Town Museum. 

Maritime experiences

The fact that Arendal is an old seafaring town is easy to see in the city’s range of activities. The various organisers in town are ready to take you and your travelling companions out to sea for an adrenaline-filled RIB boat tour or a fishing trip on a traditional fishing boat. The charming Skilsøferga ferry takes you from Tyholmen to Hisøy or Tromøya outside the city centre, where there are plenty of trails to explore. If you want to experience the southern archipelago up close, you can rent a kayak from Wannado on Tromøya and paddle from lighthouse to lighthouse. 

Glass elevator

The Fløyheia hill in the centre of Arendal offers fantastic views of the city and archipelago. Fløyheia is now its own district and the glass elevator that elegantly connects the district with the city centre was opened in 2021. The elevator has been controversial because it was twice as expensive as originally estimated, but has become hugely successful, with several hundred thousand visitors a year.

Picturesque Tyholmen is home to numerous and varied restaurants and eateries. When staying at Thon Hotel Arendal, you don't need to go far to get a bite to eat. After all, the hotel is located right next door to the Egon restaurant. Stroll down the street and you'll find Tyholmen Kolonial, which sells local delicacies, and around the block, you can enjoy the urban street food concept Streetfood Arendal in an old bank building.

In the summer, there are plenty of outdoor dining options around the Pollen boat basin. Choose from various restaurants with outdoor seating that serve everything from local fish dishes to continental favourites. In the harbour, you'll also find Strand Café, famous for its legendary 'pancake puffs'. One thing you can be sure of no matter where you choose to sit is that you'll get to enjoy views of bustling boating activity. 

In the heart of Tyholmen, the oldest neighbourhood in Arendal, you'll find Thon Hotel Arendal. This modern and colourful hotel is situated between the Arendal cinema and Egon restaurant. It's the perfect location for experiencing Arendal’s cheerful atmosphere and close to the Pollen boat basin, as well as the city's nature and cultural activities. It's also only a three-minute walk to the Alti shopping centre, with over 70 shops and eateries in the Arendal city centre. In summertime, you can enjoy your delicious hotel breakfast overlooking the archipelago from the hotel’s rooftop terrace.