The Maritime Museum in Aust-Agder

The family-friendly museum in beautiful surroundings.

The museum is situated by the beautiful fjord, Vikkilen in Hasseldalen in Grimstad, only a few minutes walk from the town centre. Hasseldalen has been home to shipyards and shipping activities for over 150 years. The museum has modern exhibitions and a museum shop. Right outside the museum, there is a jetty with boat mooring and bathing stairs.

The museum tells the maritime history of Hasseldalen and Aust-Agder. The exhibitions show each, in their own way, how important the sea has been to people in the region. In the exhibition “The Age of Sail” the sailing ship era is the focus. Here you will get to know the economic, social and cultural aspects of shipping. The exhibition "Morten Smith Petersen and Hasseldalen" displays the drive towards modern shipping, the shift in power from master to shipowner, and the transition from sails to steam. The story of Hasseldalen as a shipyard, both past and present, will also be shown.

In 2020, it is 75 years since World War II was over. The Maritime Museum is celebrating this with a new exhibition on Aust-Agder's sailing warships.

A stroll in the historic surroundings of Hasseldalen is also recommended.

Opening hours 2023:
Opening sunday June 11., 11:00-16:00

Open every day in the period of June 18. - August 13., 11:00-16:00

Open for groups and individuals all year with booking

For booking:
Guided tours can be booked throughout the year. Further information.