Southern Norway - Norway - page 195

Around Risør

The skerries just offshore are a popular excursion from Risør. The southernmost island of
Stangholmen , with a pretty lighthouse dating from 1855, is the most popular. This may be
due to the fact that it's the only one of the islands with a restaurant, Stangholmen Fyr
Restaurant & Bar ( 37 15 24 50; www.stangholmen.no ; mains Nkr310) , which is in the light-

house.
To get to Stangholmen take one of the twice-hourly summertime boats, which run from
the harbour in Risør. Note that they don't go during bad weather.

Arendal

Pop 40,100
Arendal, one of the larger south coast towns, has an undeniable buzz throughout summer,
with the outdoor restaurants and bars around the harbour (known as Pollen) filling up with
holidaymakers, and a full calendar of festivals. Large enough to have an array of amenities
but not too big to overwhelm, it's a nice place to spend a few days. The matchbox-sized
old district of Tyholmen, which features many timbered houses, adds considerable charm,
while those seeking greater communion with the sea than a harbour side cafe can set off to
the offshore islands of Merdø, Tromøy and Hisøy.

Sights

Tyholmen NEIGHBOURHOOD

Rising up behind the Gjestehavn (Guest Harbour) is the old harbour-side Tyholmen dis-
trict, home to beautiful 17th- to 19th-century timber buildings featuring neoclassical, ro-
coco and baroque influences. Tyholmen was once separated from the mainland by a canal,
which was filled in after the great sailing era. Look out for the rådhus (town hall), a strik-
ing wooden building dating from 1815.

Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall GALLERY