Top 10 Things to do in Aust-Agder, Southern Norway

On the southern part of the island of Tromoy, only 10 minutes from Arendal town by car, bus or boat, there is a beautiful area called Hove. This recreation area is part of a protected moraine that lies along the southern coast. The whole area has been adapted for walks with resting places along the shore. There is a beach and kiosk at Hove camping during the summer season, and several kilometres of smooth rocks. Sundays between September and May, there is a lunch buffet at Hovestua in Hove camp from 12 to 18.  The paths are many and stretches from Hove to Alve, along Spornes beach, consisting of boulders and rocks, and sand when the sea permits. The area is used for hiking both summer and winter, and is suitable for everyone, children and adults. The trip from Hove camping to Alve and back is about 12 kms, and the network of paths allows both short and long trails. Maps for sale at Arendal tourist office, Hove camp, and Bjellandstrand Gard. Parking for instance at Hove camping and Hove camp. Bus no 3 to Tromoy ost leaves Arendal every hour during the day, Monday-Saturday.

Homborsund Lighthouse is located on a small island by the Homborsund inlet off the coast of Grimstad. During the summer season, lighthouse hosts are on hand to welcome visitors. Please visit homepage for more information.

Grimstad Taxibåt welcome you onboard for sightseeing, ordinary trips and fishingtrips. Please visit HomePage for prices and more information

Henrik Ibsen came to Grimstad in 1843/44 to start his apprenticeship with apothecary Reimann. He stayed for 6 years, and when he left in spring 1850 it was as the author of the play "Catilina". The museum focus on the period before he achieved success and world fame. Topics such as how Ibsen made a living when his apprenticeship ended, his dire financial situation, the people who inspired him, the love stories and the son born out of wedlock all form part of the exhibition. The very pharmacy in which Ibsen worked is still intact. A museum shop is available.

The summer of 95 the Minister for the Environment, Thorbjorn Berntsen, opened the Kassen canal in Hovag. A beautiful canal providing a new gateway to a pleasant little trip just beside Blindleia. The passage is 200 metres. The canal, which was previously an old sea route, has opened the way for boat traffic in to Kirkekilen from Blindleia by the Kvanneid fjord.

Art exhibitions, sale of handicrafts and production of Tovdal jewellery - in Hillestad in amli. Refreshments are sold in the café. Many of Norway’s most famous artists have had sole exhibitions at Hillestad Gallery. Here you can enjoy and buy beautiful art and handmade Hillestad jewellery, in typical Norwegian surroundings. There is a wide selection of modern handcraft for sale, and the gift shop offers for instance textiles from Eklund and gift items from Broste. Free admission. There is a play tower for children outdoors, in addition to other playground facilities. There's a path from the gallery up the mountain to Lindeknuten, one of the 13 summits of amli.

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The Rjukanfossen, or the Rjukan Falls (the name means The Smoking Falls). Not to be confused with Telemark's Rjukanfoss which has been diverted into pipes - this giant from Tovdal remains unspoiled. The waterfall has a free fall of 45 metres, and is a beautiful sight in the woods of Tovdal. The trail is about 3 kilometres long, and the round trip will take about 2,5 hours. Take road no 41 to Dolemo, follow the signpost to Tovdal. Continue until the end of the road, to Dale. Park on the side of the road by the roundabout. Start at the information board, and cross the bridges. Follow the red marks alongside the river up to ardalen Nature Reserve. Remember to close any gates you pass. The marks disappear at the top of the plateau, when you have a view of the waterfall. This is where you find the post box with the puncher. Rjukan waterfall with its 45 metres is the tallest waterfall in the region of Aust-Agder. Part of Top 13 trails in amli.