Arendal's old quarter, Tyholmen, is one of the best-preserved collections of 17th-century wooden townhouses in Northern Europe. The lower part, where merchants and shipowners once lived close to the water, now houses hotels, cafes, and restaurants. The upper part, home to sailors and artisans, remains residential and quiet. The oldest section of Kløckers Hus, now the city museum, dates to the late 1500s.
Below Tyholmen lies Pollen, the intimate inner harbour that serves as the town's living room in summer. Boats bob at the quay, a fish market operates in season, and waterfront restaurants line the basin. From Pollen you can catch the ferry to Merdø and the islands of Raet nasjonalpark. Arendal is arguably the most architecturally interesting of the Sørland towns and repays a longer stop.
Every August since 2012, the town transforms into something quite different. Arendalsuka, Norway's annual democracy festival, takes over the town for five days and temporarily triples the population to around 150,000. The concept was inspired by Sweden's Almedalsveckan and was originally planned for 2011 but postponed after the 22 July attacks. Politicians, business leaders, organizations, and ordinary citizens meet in open, free-of-charge debates and events across nearly 200 venues. Over 2,000 sessions are held during the week, covering everything from climate policy to local democracy. For one week a year, this small Sørland town becomes the political centre of Norway.
Below Tyholmen lies Pollen, the intimate inner harbour that serves as the town's living room in summer. Boats bob at the quay, a fish market operates in season, and waterfront restaurants line the basin. From Pollen you can catch the ferry to Merdø and the islands of Raet nasjonalpark. Arendal is arguably the most architecturally interesting of the Sørland towns and repays a longer stop.
Every August since 2012, the town transforms into something quite different. Arendalsuka, Norway's annual democracy festival, takes over the town for five days and temporarily triples the population to around 150,000. The concept was inspired by Sweden's Almedalsveckan and was originally planned for 2011 but postponed after the 22 July attacks. Politicians, business leaders, organizations, and ordinary citizens meet in open, free-of-charge debates and events across nearly 200 venues. Over 2,000 sessions are held during the week, covering everything from climate policy to local democracy. For one week a year, this small Sørland town becomes the political centre of Norway.