What to do and see in Aust-Agder, Southern Norway: The Best Free Things to do

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.

A lovely and modern cafe boutique selling locally produced food, soaps, cosmetics and household items that are plastic-free! Local craftsman items of high quality. Beautiful and stylish products that are sustainable, goods for you and good for the environment! Southern Norway’s first zero-waste shop. It is possible to grind your own flour, buy healthy snacks, or fill up on an array of different spices! Lots to see!

In June 2019 the day to day management of the cafe, wedding and event venues at Bjellandstrand Gard was overtaken by the Smag & Behag, a populær and highly recommended restaurant and caterer from the neighbouring town Grimstad. The new hosts Kenneth Haugeland and Francisca Witsø with their comprehensive experience have many exiting plans for the further development of the beautiful place at Tromøy. The farm is located in beautiful surroundings, close to the sea in the new Raet National Park and with a beautiful rose garden and galleri on the premises. You can sense, experience, and fantasize. A taste of summer all year long. The farm Bjellandstrand gard (farm) and the area around has a long and exciting history, dating back to the very first years when people inhabited Tromøy

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.

The trinity church is the third church on this site. The first church, a Y-shaped wooden structure, was erected in 1670. A desire to assert the town's status over Kristiansand was probably the motive behind its construction. In the 1830s, the town's shipping industry flourished, the population grew and the church became too small and was therefore demolished in 1832. In 1833, Crown Prince Oscar (Oscar I) laid the foundation stone for an octagonal church. Over the next 50 years, the population of Arendal doubled. According to church law, a church had to have seating which corresponded to the population of the parish, so a new church again had to be built. In 1888, the third church was completed, in spite of the financial collapse of the banks in 1886. It towers above the Arendal skyline with its 87-metre-high tower. The church was ravaged by fire in 1902, but the damage was fortunately not extensive. The large chandelier which now hangs in the church vestibule originates from the town's first church. Copperplate engravings from the 16th century can be seen near the baptismal font. The new pipe organ was built by the German company Werkstätte für Orgelbau Mühleisen, and it has about 3900 pipes between 4 millimetres and 7 metres high. It is (November 2010) the fourth largest church pipe organ in Norway, with 59 voices and built in a German-Romantic style. Opening hours Tuesday-Thursday 1230-1400.