Grimstad

Travel Guide

Picturesque aerial view of town with buildings in sunset
A snowy town with a church steeple, houses, and a harbor.
A calm lake with houses and a church steeple in the distance.
A narrow street lined with white houses, a flagpole with a flag, and a no parking sign.
A marina with several white yachts docked, surrounded by a row of traditional houses with red roofs.

Enjoy idyllic Southern Norway at its best with quiet days in the sun either on the beach, at sea, on one of the isles in the archipelago.

In Grimstad, you can wander around narrow streets and alleyways, enjoy fantastic food at many restaurants and eateries, such as Smag & Behag, go on a pleasant boat trip or follow in the footsteps of writers Knut Hamsun and Henrik Ibsen. If you are travelling with children, there are also plenty of excursions and interesting activities on offer.

Grimstad is a coastal municipality in Aust-Agder and dates back to the Viking Age when it was a market town at the heart of the Vikkilen area. In the Middle Ages, the area was a great fishing town with strong international trading networks.

A visit to Grimstad lets you explore the archipelago and its many isles. Visit the Homborsund Lighthouse, paddle through the Reddal Channel or go camping on Ytre Maløya. You can hire a bicycle and explore the town or take a trip to Dømmesmoen, a beautiful park just outside the town centre. The Oddensenteret shopping centre, situated on the quay, is a haven for a spot of retail therapy.

Literature enthusiasts should visit the Ibsen Museum. It is a short trip to the other towns in Southern Norway, such as the charming town of Arendal or Kristiansand. You can hire a boat in Grimstad and explore more of the breathtaking coastlines around Grimstad.

The closest airport is Kristiansand, approximately 30 minutes’ drive away from Grimstad. Grimstad has no train station but there is a regular bus service. If you’re thinking about visiting Grimstad in the summer, make sure to book in advance, as hotels can get booked up very quickly.

In Grimstad, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful summer days. You can completely unwind at one of the many beaches or explore the archipelago and the surrounding area. The town is well known for its narrow streets and wooden houses, and large parts of the town centre now feature on Norway’s preservation list for towns of national interest.

Home Hotel Grimstad

Home Hotel Grimstad

3 out of 5
Kirkegaten 3 Grimstad
The price is P11,657 per night from Jul 26 to Jul 27
P11,657
P13,056 total
Jul 26 - Jul 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Grimstad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
Home Hotel Grimstad
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

1.5 out of 5
85 Arendalsveien Grimstad
The price is P6,415 per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
P6,415
P7,185 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Grimstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions The Ibsen House and Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad
Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels

Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels

4.5 out of 5
Nedre Hausland 80 Grimstad
The price is P11,012 per night from Jul 5 to Jul 6
P11,012
P12,333 total
Jul 5 - Jul 6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Grimstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Hauslandsanden and Lille Moviga are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"I liked the hotel, I (being a semi-regular) always like this hotel. However, the switches for electricity in my room were poorly planned (or I could not figure out how to use them). Kind of strange that hotel management has not addressed this issue. Other than that, a very nice hotel."

Reviewed on May 31, 2026

Strand Hotel Fevik - by Classic Norway Hotels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

Topcamp Bie - Grimstad

1.5 out of 5
85 Arendalsveien Grimstad
Stay at this cottage in Grimstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions The Ibsen House and Ibsenhuset og Grimstad Bymuseum ...
Topcamp Bie - Grimstad
5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum

5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum

2 out of 5
Grimstad Agder
Stay at this vacation home in Grimstad. Enjoy free parking. Popular attraction Lundesanden is located nearby.
5 Person Holiday Home in Grimstad-by Traum
Hotell Arendal

Hotell Arendal

3 out of 5
Østre gate 2-4 Arendal Agder
Stay at this aparthotel in Arendal. Enjoy free WiFi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Glass Elevator to the Top of Fløyheia and Alti Arendal are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (457 reviews)
90 cm from bed to ceiling.
"The photo on the ad on hotels.com does not represent the room. the photo was of a king size bed, but the actual room was a bunk-bed in a capsule. Needless to say i didnt read the ad well enough, but the misrepresenting photo made up for the confusion. Would not recommend to stay here in a ..."

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2024

Hotell Arendal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Grimstad attractions

Things to do