Top 10 experiences from Grimstad
© Raet nasjonalpark | Jarle Kvam
Grimstad is located close to all the amazing opportunities that is available in the beautiful southern part of Norway.
1. Idyllic Grimstad city center
The city center of Grimstad has several great shops selling fashion, accessories, interior design, and more. Walk through the cozy cobblestone streets, alleys, and squares.
The traditional white houses in the pedestrian street line up one after the other. Sit down at a nice café and visit some of the local stores. The diversity of food and drink in Grimstad is vast, with a good selection of excellent restaurants.
You can also follow in the footsteps of Henrik Ibsen. Visit the place where he worked and wrote his first plays.
2. Hiking and coastal nature
The beautiful nature in and around Grimstad offers fantastic opportunities for cycling, hiking, boat trips, and more.
Don't miss out on Raet National Park, which consists of 607 square kilometers of coastal nature and sea with various marine habitat types, beaches, heaths, and rolling stones.
"Kongeveien" is perfect for those who want an idyllic bike ride, through deciduous forests, past small lakes, and over bridges. The trail is mostly closed to cars.
If you are interested in literature and culture, Hamsun's trail may be the option for you! Here you can follow in Hamsun's footsteps, as he wrote about in "On Overgrown Paths."
![Sunset on the horizon, three people stand on a rock and look out. Photo](https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=70&sharp=5&w=600&s=46737b9584b59adecf735edfa908df50 600w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=70&sharp=5&w=800&s=3d53a3e0375af2154f90fcffeff61ae7 800w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=70&sharp=5&w=1000&s=491d6378bed12db5e7684536379e9960 1000w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=70&sharp=5&w=1200&s=72ed00c49cece19ef88e749309f2e8ae 1200w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=788&q=70&sharp=5&w=1400&s=784b04e11523211f022c5c1a0aa85b3a 1400w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=70&sharp=5&w=1600&s=26d588558672b2395ddd6dfb8f4c06e2 1600w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013930/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_hav.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1013&q=70&sharp=5&w=1800&s=38116325087b9c25b590f74f5053eea4 1800w)
© Raet nasjonalpark | Jarle Kvam
3. Sailboat trip with the schooner Solrik
Few things are as enjoyable as feeling the sea breeze from a sailboat. Grimstad's very own schooner, Solrik, takes you around the coast. The trips go, among other places, to the Raet National Park, or to visit various lighthouses.
Solrik can be rented by groups for pleasure trips, deep-sea fishing trips, birthday celebrations, long-distance trips along the coast, and more! They have a liquor license on board.
4. Crab fishing
There are many good opportunities for fishing in Grimstad. Both the archipelago and inland lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities. You can, among other fish, catch sea trout, mackerel, cod, pike, pollock, and whiting.
If you don't want fish on your dinner table, crab fishing is a fun activity that children also enjoy.
5. Experience the archipelago from a kayak
If you want to truly float through the archipelago, you can rent a kayak. At BUA Grimstad, you can borrow all the equipment you need for a fantastic trip on the water.
![Two kayakers on the sea, with rocky cliffs around. Photo](https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=338&q=70&sharp=5&w=600&s=e35f9db42a045a065311f301acf6cf3f 600w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=70&sharp=5&w=800&s=e02e971952dc92ddc986a231dabe7d6b 800w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=563&q=70&sharp=5&w=1000&s=fe2252b161042b7f1f0dd2e78553e569 1000w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=675&q=70&sharp=5&w=1200&s=27312a8dc2522e1c2e480e3593fec265 1200w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=788&q=70&sharp=5&w=1400&s=5a2f4496ed2b2dcbbe334635d3b72f60 1400w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=70&sharp=5&w=1600&s=1ed11984b5fc090d511fd8febd14a621 1600w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/images-20/20230327013842/bie_opplevelse_raet-nasjonalpark_kajakk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1013&q=70&sharp=5&w=1800&s=3c4d32e543a44edc83140157e73a20a6 1800w)
© Raet nasjonalpark | Øystein Paulsen
6. Interactive fun at the Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Grimstad is the perfect family activity. The museum showcases a modern exhibition about the maritime history of Grimstad and Aust-Agder.
There are several interactive activities along the way, making this place perfect for children. There is a museum shop and a café in the building.
They have a dock with boat mooring and a bathing ladder right outside.
7. Get charmed on an alpaca walk
You can be sure that this is a winner for both children and adults. Mid-Tjore Farm offers a walk with the funny and cute animals. The walk lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Before the walk, you will get an introduction to the alpaca, and you get to meet the even more cuddly alpaca cubs.
In the summer, it may be wise to book your walk well in advance, as the tours fill up quickly.
8. Get smarter at the Science Center
In Arendal, 20 minutes from Grimstad, you'll find the Science Center Sørlandet. Here, the whole family can learn and play through experiments and activities.
The exhibition in Arendal has activities within the themes of maritime technology, energy, and your body and health. The family can compete, play, experiment and have fun together.
9. Family fun at the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park
The Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park, 25 minutes from Grimstad, is a big hit for the kids. Visit areas of several of the famous Norwegian fairy tales, and watch their shows as well.
There is a water park, a zoo, and lots of activities.
10. Norwegian Museum of Horticulture
The Norwegian Museum of Horticulture is located in Dømmesmoen park. The museum has three exhibitions that showcase the history of horticulture and is the only one of its kind in Norway. As you walk among the currant bushes, you can see who can repeat "Ibsen's currant bushes and other shrubs" the most times.
Among other things, you'll get an insight into the production of the famous wines from Fuhr. Another exhibition goes into depth on why bees are so important for our food. The last exhibition provides a look back at Grimstad's large canning industry.
The museum is rumored to have the best waffles in town, as well as a shop and a library.
![Large airy room with lots of natural light from the windows and veranda door. Floor-length curtains. Covered dining table. Photo](https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/image-28/20230416113328/bie_camping_hytte_landvik-ekstra_stue.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=70&sharp=5&w=600&s=590636413e941b89afe8b16155006b88 600w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/image-28/20230416113328/bie_camping_hytte_landvik-ekstra_stue.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=70&sharp=5&w=800&s=19902b676ac01d02b46742ae3bf55f42 800w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/image-28/20230416113328/bie_camping_hytte_landvik-ekstra_stue.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=70&sharp=5&w=1000&s=67057cdeeab5e44fdc2a3b85ed6f248a 1000w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/image-28/20230416113328/bie_camping_hytte_landvik-ekstra_stue.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=70&sharp=5&w=1200&s=f2a2400f09d1ab3593e2ffef2c36a558 1200w, https://topcamp-web.imgix.net/dam/image-28/20230416113328/bie_camping_hytte_landvik-ekstra_stue.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&cs=srgb&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1050&q=70&sharp=5&w=1400&s=549db955576235320d99ee16d22c2582 1400w)
Topcamp Bie
Located near the center of Grimstad, Topcamp Bie offers cabins, apartments, and campsites in picturesque surroundings.