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A charming book town in South Norway, Tvedestrand is famous for its idyllic sea views, old wooden house quarter and range of wonderful secondhand bookshops. The perfect place for a serene day exploring authentic Norwegian town life, Tvedestrand is a brilliant location to visit all year round.
Let’s learn more about the town of Tvedestrand, including where exactly it is, how to get there, and the best activities you can enjoy and top sights to see.
All About Tvedestrand
The administrative center of the Tvedestrand municipality, Tvedestrand town is a traditional sailsman’s town, now known as a book town in South Norway. Featuring a harbor, white wooden houses and sprawling streets with plenty of hills, Tvedestrand is a popular place to visit for its natural surroundings.
Several islands around Tvedestrand make it a boater’s destination in summer, with around 1,700 summer cottages located along Tvedestrand’s fjord and coastal areas. Named after the old Tveite farm, which was once located where the town now stands, Tvedestrand is home to just over 6,000 people. As a seasonal destination, the number of people in Tvedestrand almost doubles during summer!
Where is Tvedestrand?
Located in South Norway, Tvedestrand sits in Agder county at the northern end of the Tvedestrand Fjord. Sitting by the Skagerrak strait, the town of Tvedestrand lies between the Norwegian capital of Oslo and the fifth-largest city in Norway, Kristiansand.
How to Get to Tvedestrand
To reach Tvedestrand from Oslo, it’ll take you around 2 hours and 45 minutes by car. The fastest route is 237 kilometers via the E18 and requires tolls along the way.
From Kristiansand, you’ll need to drive around 1 hour to reach Tvedestrand via the E18. Note that there are tolls along this 85 kilometer route.
What to Do in Tvedestrand
Wondering what to do to make the most of your time in Tvedestrand? Here are our top recommendations for the best things to do in Tvedestrand town and its surrounding area.
Find Your Next Read in Tvedestrand’s Bookshops
The best thing to do in Tvedestrand is to explore the secondhand bookshops the town is famous for. A treasure trove of books for avid readers, the town center of Tvedestrand features bookshops specialized in different areas, including fiction and non-fiction books.
Why not spend a pleasant afternoon strolling around the town seeing what literary treasures you can find? During the summer, there are also book-themed events for children in Tvedestrand, usually once a week during each week of July.
Visit Næs Ironworks Museum
The site of an ironworks dating back to 1665, Næs Ironworks Museum in Tvedestrand features a range of buildings, machinery and equipment that have been preserved or reconstructed, including some of the workers’ houses. A guided tour of the museum starts with an English-language introductory video about premodern iron and steel production, after which you can explore the ironworks to see how people lived and worked there.
You’ll also find a café at the museum where you can try a traditional pastry called ‘munker’. Næs Ironworks Museum is open from mid-May to the start of September between 11am and 4pm. Tickets cost 90 NOK (around $8 USD) for adults and 45 NOK (around $4 USD) for children under 18.
Stroll Along the Wooden House Quarter at the Harbor
While in Tvedestrand, you need to see the white-painted wooden houses that the town is famous for. A stroll around the wooden house quarter will also give you a chance to see Norway’s narrowest house, Strykejernet.
You’ll find many of Tvedestrand’s bookshops in this quiet area of wooden houses down by the harbor, so you can combine a lovely walk by the water with some historic sightseeing and book shopping – perfect!
Have Fun at Tvedestrand Aquapark
How would you like to spend a sunny day at a waterpark that’s completely free to visit? Well, you can do just that in Tvedestrand Aquapark, which is open every day during summer. Sitting on Tjenna Lake, Tvedestrand Aquapark is easy to get to from anywhere in the town and is free of charge.
A range of fun inflatables, kayaks, canoes and SUP boards to borrow make a day at Tvedestrand Aquapark an unforgettable trip for all the family.
Explore the Archipelago
A must-do while at Tvedestrand is exploring the picturesque archipelago, which is part of the unique Raet National Park: one of four marine national parks in Norway. The car-free islands of Sandøya and Lyngør, in particular, are well worth a visit.
Whether you choose to take a relaxing boat trip, join a seal and seaweed safari, or try windsurfing, sea kayaking or freedriving, the Tvedestrand archipelago has something for everyone. Here, you can soak in the amazing views while enjoying the fresh sea air and sampling some local cuisine – yum!
Visit Tvedestrand For Yourself
Inspired to visit Tvedestrand for yourself? Explore the town’s unique bookshops and enjoy the incredible natural scenery for yourself by planning your own unique Norway trip today.
Get started by taking a look through our range of affordable and reliable Norway campervan rentals, perfect for taking you all around the country, exploring to your heart’s content. We look forward to welcoming you to Norway soon!
