Arendal is a small coastal town on Norway's southern shore, the kind of place Norwegians head to in summer for wooden boats, white-painted houses, and island-hopping in the Raet archipelago. The old town, Tyholmen, sits on what was once a separate island, its 17th- and 18th-century timber buildings packed tightly together along narrow lanes — one of the most intact assemblages of old wooden urban architecture in Norway.
The harbour is the centre of life. In summer it fills with boats and the waterfront cafes stay open late in the long Scandinavian evenings. Merdø Island, a short ferry ride from the harbour, has a preserved sea captain's house and quiet beaches. Raet National Park, Norway's first marine national park, protects the coast and seabed east of town. The large island of Tromøya, connected by bridge, offers cycling, beaches, and open views toward the Skagerrak. The Aust-Agder Museum covers the maritime and social history of the region.
Arendal is quieter and less touristed than Kristiansand to the west, and that is part of its appeal. It makes a good stop on a drive along the southern coast.