The Agder Region
A warm and welcoming place to live in
Arendal is an ideal place for cultural, sporting and recreational activities. Our portfolio of offers ranges from top notch conferences to skiing in the woods.
Sports and recreation
Arendal offers a host of outdoor and indoor sporting and recreational activities for all ages and walks of life. Take your pick from white water rafting, golf, tennis, ice-skating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and much more.
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SØR Amfi
With over 700 clubs and associations related to sports and other leisure activities to choose form, there is certainly no reason not to stay fit and active. In addition, sports facilities such as SØR Amfi offers both outdoor courts and indoor halls for year-round tennis, volleyball and handball and also an ice-skating rink.
Tungvekteren
Arendal is also home to one of Norway’s most unique mountain bike trails, the Tungvekteren which when loosely translated means heavyweight. But don’t let the name deter you from trying out almost 22kms of trails. With both long and short trails on offer, Tungvekteren is a must for any cycling enthusiast.
Tromøy
On the nearby island of Tromøy, sits a popular recreational area with walking and hiking trails and also resting places along the shore. Camping is also possible in the summer months.
TrollPark Hove
TrollPark Hove is an outdoor park offering climbing activities with varying degrees of difficulty, ziplining, laser tagging and an escape room. In addition to being the perfect location for team-building events, it also offers a fun and exciting day out for family and friends.
Vitensentret
Vitensentret or the Science Centre offers activities, experiments and exhibitions that encourage learning through exploration, fun and play that both adults and children can get involved in together. Some of the interactive exhibitions revolve around themes such as body and health, maritime technology, energy and the environment.
The Science Centre also offers a selection of activities specifically during the school holidays and weekends such as a trip from Earth to the other planets in the solar system experienced in 3-D.
TEDxArendal
Arendal hosts a top tier TEDx event annually with speakers from all over the world. The event is put together with the help of volunteers and support from the Arendal municipality.
Read more about TEDxArendal
TEDxArendal began in 2013 and and it has since grown to become one of the most popular and well received events in Arendal and the region. It’s line-up of speakers have included Nicolai Tangen, the CEO of Norway’s oil fund, Eirik Eide Pettersen, a nuclear engineer and environmentalist, and journalsit and filmaker Rick Kirkham, best known for his documentary, Tiger King.
TEDxArendal takes place on a Friday in week 44 every year. A majority of the events were held at the Arendal Kulturhus.
Arendalsuka
Arendalsuka is an annual national event where Norwegian politicians and leaders in the business community come together in Arendal for one week to participate in conversations regarding democracy and the future of the country.
Read more about Arendalsuka
Arendalsuka is an annual national event where Norwegian politicians and leaders in the business community come together in Arendal for one week to participate in conversations regarding democracy and the future of the country.
Some of the more popular issues discussed over the years include those pertaining to education, health, infrastructure, gender equality and the climate. Arendalsuka’s program is made up of the activities that are arranged by the event’s participants to highlight the issues that they would like to discuss.
Arendalsuka was held for the first time in 2012, with 50 events and 30 stands. It has grown tremendously since then and this year, more than 1000 events are expected to be arranged in the city centre of Arendal. We can also expect to see 200 stands by various organisations and voluntary associations throughout the city centre.
Arendalsuka 2022 will take place from 15 – 19 August. The event is free and open to everyone.
For more info on Arendalsuka visit arendalsuka.no
Residential areas
Arendal offers a range of accomodation options from houses and apartments by the sea to housing estates nestled in nature and closeby to amenities.
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There are several new residential projects that were recently completed and others that are underway that offer not only amazing views but are also close to the Eyde Material Park. Bryggebyen, Pusnes, Marisberg and His Terrasse are such residences, to name a few.
Entertainment
Arendal offers everything from music festivals, museums, the theatre and much more. One thing is for sure, you will be spoilt for choice!
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Canal Street
Canal Street was first held in 1996 and it is one of Norway’s most popular music festivals in the summer. The festival has its roots in both jazz and blues music and is known for spreading out its concerts in venues all around the town centre in Arendal and on nearby islands.
Over the years, concerts have been held at little Torungen lighthouse, Merdø harbor, Kolbjørnsvik and even at Heftingsdalen, a waste disposal facility!
Canal Street has always delivered a stellar line-up of both local and international artists and this year is expected to be no different.
Spornes Festival
If large crowds are not your cup of tea then opt for a smaller and more intimate alternative with the Spornes Festival.
Held on Tromøya, just by the Raet National Park, this yearly festival is a local favourite which offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the location’s idyllic setting while enjoying the concerts on offer.
Kuben
With a history dating back to 1832, Kuben is one of Norway’s oldest museums and is a treasure trove of artefacts and archives. Today, the museum’s modern and eye-catching façade is hard to miss!
In addition to offering a variety of permanent and new exhibitions, Kuben also has its own library and conference rooms.
So if you’re keen to find out about the bank crash that sent shockwaves throughout Arendal in 1886 or what part Arendal played in the slave trade in the 1700s then you simply must visit Kuben.
Arendal Kulturhus
The Arendal Kulturhus is located in the center of Arendal town and houses two theatres with a combined seating capacity of around 870.
It offers a broad range of concerts, plays and other performances by local, national and international artists throughout the year.
