Every design for Arendal

Arendal grew up where the Nidelva, one of the largest rivers in the country, meets a sheltered harbour on the Skagerrak coast. Timber was floated down from the inland forests and loaded onto ships here, and the harbour, which locals call the Byfjorden, is still ringed by old buildings on every side.

Out beyond it lie the islands. Hisøy and Tromøy are separated by Galtesund, Flosterøya lies furthest east, and between and beyond them scatter smaller islands such as Merdø and Torungene, making up a skerry coast full of sounds and boat routes. Arendal is known as the 'Venice of the North', because the old centre was said to be built on seven islets with canals between them. Many of today's streets were once those canals. Tyholmen, the old quarter, is a remarkable cluster of historic houses, and KUBEN and Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall add to the town's cultural life. Each August, Arendalsuka, the democracy festival, draws politicians and the national media.

Sit on Kanalplassen on a summer evening and watch the boats come in past Tyholmen, and Arendal shows itself at its best.