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municipality in Agder, Norway
Europe > Nordic countries > Norway > Agder > Arendal

The Pollen harbor pool
Arendal is also a neighborhood in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Arendal is the biggest city in Aust-Agder, Norway, with a population of 40,000.

It is a pleasant tourist destination, where its main attractions are its picturesque old town, and, in the summer months, its popular harbourside restaurants, bars and music festivals.

Understand

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Tourist office

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Get in

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By plane

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Kristiansand airport (KRS IATA) is around 45 minutes away by car, and also has frequent bus service to Arendal. Frequent flights with Widerøe from Copenhagen, Bergen, Stavanger and London-Southend, with SAS and Norwegian from Oslo, KLM from Amsterdam.

Sandefjord-Torp (TRF IATA) is around 2 hours away by car.

By bus

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The bus from Oslo takes around 4 hours for the 260 km journey.

By train

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A sideline takes you from Nelaug Station by the Sørlandet Line (Sørlandsbanen), where it is necessary to change the train to the local train bound for Arendal Station. The railway Sørlandet Line follows an inland route from the larger cities Oslo (to the east), Kristiansand and Stavanger (to the west).

Get around

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On foot

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The city center is quite compact, which means that everything is within walking distance.

By bus

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  • 2 Arendal Bus Terminal

Setesdals Bilruter operates the white city buses.

By car

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Parking might be difficult in the city centre, try the parking houses.

By motorcycle

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In the city and especially in the outskirts of the city, motorcycle often is the best mode of transport. There are many winding but picturesque country roads to explore. Remember to be aware and follow the speed limits.

By taxi

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Please note that using a taxi in Norway is not cheap.

  • 1 Pollen (along the harbor pool.). The center of this town consists of the waterfront street along a wharf. 
  • 2 KUBEN (Aust-Agder museum og arkiv), Parkveien 16 (By bus, taxi , car or walk from the towncenter.), ☏ +47 37 01 79 00. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 3 Arendal Town Museum (Kløckers hus), Nedre Tyholmsvei 14. The city's local museum 
  • 4 Arendal Old Townhall (Arendals gamle rådhus - Norway's tallest wooden house), Rådhusgaten 10 (Tyholmen). The house is a national heirloom and subject to strict regulations today. The beautiful second floor is used for weddings, concerts, balls, receptions and meetings. 
Trefoldighetskirken
  • 5 Trefoldighetskirken (Church of Holy Trinity), Friergangen 2 (in the center of town). An interesting church. It is probably also one of the few churches in the world with a 7-Eleven in its basement. Trinity Church (Q7842656) on Wikidata Trinity Church (Arendal) on Wikipedia 
  • 6 Tromøy kirke (church on the island of Tromøya). worth a visit. It dates back to 1150, with significant restoration work done in the 1700s. Some of the interior still dates back to medieval times. Tromøy Church (Q12007560) on Wikidata Tromøy Church on Wikipedia 
  • 1 Merdø (ferry from Pollen harbour pool, several daily departures during summer). Hike along typical wooden houses and narrow paths, walk on sandy beaches and see the view towards the city and the lighthouses. Merdø (Q1777721) on Wikidata Merdø on Wikipedia 
  • 2 Arendal Cultural Centre (Arendal rådhus og kulturhus) (the town hall). Concerts and theatre performances. Arendal Town hall (Q4788967) on Wikidata Arendal Town Hall on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Nes Verk Golfpark (Arendal & Omegn GC), Jacob Aalls vei 53, 4934 Nes Verk (22 km northeast of the city center), ☏ +47 37 19 90 30. An eighteen hole golf course, it is one of the largest and best golf courses in Norway. 

Hove Festival

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The Hove Festival is one of Norway's biggest music festivals featuring big international acts in every music genre. It is at an island called Tromoya, just outside the city centre. The festival mixes large international acts with Norwegian bands in the unique setting of an island outside Arendal city. Besides music, there is art, cinema and food to enjoy. Children under 12 are admitted free.

In 2010 the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph named Hove Festival as the best festival in Europe. The festival is easy to reach from Arendal. There will be buses and ferries every 15 minutes from the city centre.

Shopping malls

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  • The city centre
  • 1 Harebakken senter, Langsæveien 5 (5 minutes drive north of the city center by the E18 highway). Shopping center. 

Mid range

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Splurge

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Drink

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  • 1 No1 Sportsbar, Langbryggen 3, ☏ +47 940 06 024. 
  • 2 Lille Andevinge, Nedre Tyholms vei 10. 
  • 3 Barrique øl og Vinstue, Teaterplassen 1, ☏ +47 37 02 25 22. 

Sleep

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Camping

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Hotels

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Connect

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There are many Wi-Fi hotspots scattered around town, including many eateries, cafes and various hotels.

Go next

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  • Grimstad is a city west of Arendal, known as the residence of the famous Norwegian authors such as Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun, its picturesque wooden houses and for good swimming spots for families with children.
  • Evje is a village northwest of Arendal towards Setesdal. Here you can go rafting in small rivers and for those who are interested in geology, a visit to the Mineral Park in Evje should be mandatory.
Routes through Arendal
Newcastle (no connection) ← Kristiansand ←  W  E  → Risør → Oslo


This city travel guide to Arendal is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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