Grimstad: Ibsen history, coast and cultural landscape

Grimstad brings together cultural history, hiking destinations, coastal scenery and cycling routes. At Dømmesmoen, horticulture and Ibsen’s history take center stage; elsewhere, marked trails lead through varied terrain or to viewpoints overlooking the town and archipelago. This lets you plan your trip around the subjects that interest you most.

Horticulture, Ibsen and early history

The Norwegian Museum of Horticulture in Dømmesmoen features exhibitions about horticulture in Grimstad and the ecological interplay between nature, bees and people. The museum also houses the visitor centre for Raet National Park in Grimstad, which provides information about experiences in the Grimstad section of the park. Ibsen’s herb garden in Dømmesmoen includes plants that were used medicinally in the mid-19th century. The museum also has a café known for its waffles.

The Ibsen House opened in 1916 and was the first Ibsen museum ever. The Ibsen Museum can only be visited with a guide. Daily guided tours are planned for 2026 at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.; each tour can accommodate up to 15 people. As seasonal opening hours may change, check the times before your visit.

Fjære Church is another notable cultural site: it is one of Norway’s best-preserved medieval stone churches. The cultural landscape of Dømmesmoen contains 43 burial mounds dating from 600 to 200 BC. Together, the two sites offer distinct historical points of reference for the region, from medieval church architecture to much older burial mounds.

Hiking trails and coastal scenery

Auesøya Landscape Protection Area lies at the outer end of Kaldvellfjord, in the southern part of Grimstad municipality on the border with Lillesand municipality. A marked hiking trail of about 2.4 kilometres leads through rugged and varied terrain.

Binabben is a hiking destination close to the town centre, with sweeping views over Grimstad and the archipelago. The coastal trail in Grimstad runs from the border with Arendal to the border with Lillesand and is marked for most of its length. This gives you a choice of walks and hikes, from a viewpoint close to town to a longer coastal trail.

Ytre Maløya has a marked hiking trail and small sandy beaches. Indre Maløya offers a maintained circular trail starting at Dynamittbukta. The bay is also the natural landing place for visitors arriving on the island by boat. The two islands offer different ways to enjoy the coast: a marked trail and beaches on Ytre Maløya, and a circular trail and landing place on Indre Maløya.

Hasseltangen is part of Raet National Park and lies in the eastern part of Grimstad municipality. Paved paths lead to a landing place at Sømskilen and to a viewpoint overlooking the sea. At Østerskogen, you’ll find forest trails, swimming spots and fishing opportunities in a landscape of unspoiled woodland. The descriptions of these places highlight different features: sea views and paved paths at Hasseltangen, and woodland and outdoor activities at Østerskogen.

Cycling routes in and through Grimstad

A project featuring 52 cycling tours offers 52 route suggestions; the routes marked in black start in Grimstad municipality. National Cycle Route 1 passes through Grimstad, mostly on cycle paths. The Vestlandske hovedvei cycling route starts in Vik, in the eastern part of Grimstad municipality, and continues to Kaldvell in Lillesand municipality.

Theatre and the wider region

The Fjæreheia Amfi hosts theatre performances and concerts. The venue is set in a granite quarry in Grimstad, offering a different experience from the region’s museums, churches and trails.

In the wider region, Raet National Park offers excellent opportunities for paddling. The park stretches from the Valøyene in Grimstad along the coast of Arendal to Lyngør in Tvedestrand. For trip planning, this broader setting offers a view beyond Grimstad, while the visitor centre focuses specifically on experiences in the Grimstad section of the park.

Discover more destinations: Fevik, Grimstad, Homborsund, Lunden, Valle, Froland, Lindesnes, Åmli.

Go to the regional travel overview: Aust-Agder.