The area and activities

Southern Norway idyll with year-round experiences

As the song about the watchmaker from Tvedestrand says: it is a charming little southern town. It rests quietly with its crooked, white wooden houses clinging to the landscape. Here, you can walk up narrow streets and down steep steps toward the fjord and the harbor. Smell the scent of fresh pastries mixing with the salty sea air.

Islands

Lyngør
Ahh, Lyngør – the car-free island paradise… This white-painted village has been named the best-preserved settlement in Europe. The old Southern Norwegian houses stand tightly packed along the water’s edge. Skippers’ houses, pilot stations, and former taverns bear witness to the golden age of sailing in the 1800s. Strolling through the charming, narrow streets and winding paths between the houses is worth the trip in itself.

Sandøya
Sandøya is so idyllic and charming that you’ll feel like you're on holiday even before the boat docks. This small island community, located between Lyngør and Tvedestrand, was described by Forbes as one of 11 “Insanely Beautiful Lesser-Known Islands Around The World.” Picture a scene from Seacrow Island, and you’ll know what we mean. Cozy little coves, white sandy beaches, grazing sheep, and meadows full of wildflowers.

For the active

Get in shape on one of Norway’s most beautiful golf courses

Arendal & Omegn Golf Club in Tvedestrand is a hole-in-one for everyone with a passion for golf — pros and amateurs alike. They offer one of Norway’s largest and finest golf facilities, featuring an 18-hole championship course and a 9-hole short course. The facility is set in scenic surroundings at Nes Verk.

Arendal & Omegn Golf Club in Tvedestrand

Raet National Park

Raet National Park was established in 2016 and stretches from the Valøyene islands in Grimstad – along the entire coastline of Arendal – to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. Here, you can experience a total of 607 square kilometers of coastal nature and sea!

Fagerhei

Fagerhei is located east of Tvedestrand town center and is a popular hiking area year-round. Enjoy beautiful nature along forest roads and clearly marked trails. Fagerhei sits at 176 meters above sea level – offering stunning views of the sea, small lakes, and Hovdefjell.

Cycling Tour

The cycling possibilities in and around Tvedestrand are nearly endless. We warmly recommend island hopping! The tour starts in Tvedestrand and takes you from island to island through the authentic southern archipelago, all the way to the protected island community of Lyngør.

Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park

A favorite among children and Norway’s largest family attraction. Kristiansand Zoo is just a one-hour drive from Tvedestrand. The park offers unforgettable experiences for the whole family, with 123 animal species, a water park, Cardamom Town, the Forest of Huckybucky, Captain Sabertooth’s World, and much more!

Water Park

Just a stone’s throw from the town’s pedestrian streets, you’ll find Tvedestrand’s very own water park. There’s a sandy beach, free canoe and kayak rental, and lots of floating elements and slides. All activities are free.

Food & Drink

From traditional seafood to Italian delicacies

Tvedestrand and the surrounding islands offer something for every taste. Here are a few tasty highlights. Try the heavenly fish cakes from Fiskespesialen at Øyvind Bjorvatns Plass. Owner Lars Wilhelmson has been behind the counter for 20 years, serving his legendary delicacies. The shrimp salad is a bestseller!

In the town center, you’ll also find the artisan bakery Bonzo, where the freshly baked Bonzo bread or their signature ginger and lime swirl is definitely worth a try. You also can't leave Tvedestrand without tasting an organic lamb sausage from RAGG and Bondens Valg. The sausages are available at Real, at the top of the main street.

Down by the pier, you’ll find Tvedestrand Fjord Hotel with Café Sjøsiden and the floating outdoor restaurant Pir4 – a perfect spot for sunshine all day long. At the very end of the harbor, you’ll find Vertshuset, which also has a floating dock, Flåta, where you can enjoy mussels, fish soup, Skagen toast, and much more. Don’t forget to visit Lyngør, home to Seilmakerfruens Kro and Pers Brygge, or Sandøya, with its many eateries – including the Italian gem La Locanda di Marie.