Cities
Haugesund
Haugesund
Population: 79 543 habitantes Region: Vestlandet Actual temperature:The Haugesund - Karmøy area has played a significant role in Norwegian history. Known as the "home of the Viking kings", it was the seat of the first unified kingdom of Norway in the 9th century. The county experienced strong growth in the mid-19th century thanks to fishing. Witness to those times is the idyllic village of Skudenehavn, a small fishing village with one of the best-preserved old towns in Norway. Strolling through its streets, admiring the beautiful white wooden houses, takes you back in time to when the sailing ships of Skudeneshavn sailed the world's oceans with their holds crammed with herring.
If we decide to stroll through Haugesund, we will discover a dynamic, lively and active city. On Haraldsgata, the city's main shopping street, you will find a wide range of shops that attract both residents and visitors from neighbouring towns. Haugesund's economic vigour and strength have made it home to a number of companies that support the oil industry and employ a significant percentage of the population. Today Haugesund has become the largest city between Bergen and Stavanger. An attractive place well worth a visit.
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Uta Scholl - Unsplash
History and the sea
Haugesund and the island of Karmøy have a strong connection with the sea. In the 19th century, both areas experienced strong growth thanks to the catching and marketing of herring to the Baltic countries. The discovery of herring around 1840 ushered in an era of splendour that saw a strong growth in population and urban area. Today, herring has been replaced by oil as the region's economic engine.
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Ida Krsitin Vollum - visithaugesund.com
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Matt Palme - Unsplash
Water, beaches and breath-taking scenery
On the island of Karmøy and in the town of Haugesund, water is the main feature. Sandvesanden beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Norway. Its fine sand and pristine surroundings make it an enchanting place to enjoy a pleasant summer's day. Further inland, the pure waters of the Langfoss waterfall spill over 600 metres into the Åkra Fjord.
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Magnus J Fjell
Langfoss Waterfall is an impressive natural monument located one and a half hours from Haugesund. At 612 metres, it is the fifteenth highest waterfall in Norway.
In 2011, CNN named it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
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Espen Mills - Visit Haugesund
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Espen Mills - Visit Haugesund
Norway's first Viking capital
After the famous Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, King Harald Fairhair chose the enclave of Avaldsnes on the island of Karmøy, as the seat of his kingdom. It was the first time in history that the various Viking tribes that populated Norway were unified under one authority. Today, there is an interpretation centre with important archaeological remains that give an insight into how the Viking peoples lived more than 1000 years ago. Near the museum, a Viking village has been faithfully recreated with actors in period costume.
Haugesund Town Hall
Haugesund Town Hall is a remarkable neoclassical building erected in 1931. Its architects were Gudolf Blakstad and Herman Munthe-Kaas. The building is the result of the strong impressions the two architects received during a study trip to Italy in 1921. The façade of the building is 60 metres long. From the top of the dome to the ground is 25 metres. The total usable area of the town hall is more than 3,000 square metres.
The town hall was named the most beautiful town hall in Norway by the readers of Kommunal Rapport in 2010.
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Magnus J. Fjell
Haraldshaugen
On the outskirts of Haugesund, in a quiet and pleasant spot by the sea, is the Haraldshaugen National Monument. The monument was erected in 1872 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the unification of Norway under the Viking King Harald I. The monument was built in 1872. The conspicuous stones surrounding the main obelisk represent the twenty-six historical counties of Norway.
Haraldsgata
Haugesund's main street is full of life. It is lined with shops and pleasant cafés. In the centre of the street is a sculpture of two sailors pointing out to sea. The monument is intended as a tribute to the seafarers who made the development of the town possible and as a reminder of Haugesund's close ties to the sea.
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Espen Mills - visithaugesund.com
Langfoss Waterfall
Langfoss Waterfall is an impressive natural monument located one and a half hours from Haugesund. At 612 metres, it is the fifteenth highest waterfall in Norway.
Unlike many of Norway's great waterfalls, Langfoss was spared a hydroelectric power station at its base thanks to neighbourhood opposition. Today it is one of the main attractions for the thousands of cruise passengers who come to Haugesund every year. In 2011, CNN named it one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn is an old fishing village on the southern tip of the island of Karmøy, on the shores of the North Sea. The 130 wooden houses, built during the 19th century, form a beautiful and unique architectural ensemble of singular beauty. Their excellent state of preservation makes them one of the best-preserved old towns in Norway. Since 2018, they have enjoyed the highest state protection.
Avaldsnes Church
Avaldsnes Church is located in a small municipality in the north of the island of Karmoy. It was built around 1250 on top of a broad hill with a pleasant view of the Karmsund Strait. It is considered one of the oldest stone churches in Norway. As a curiosity, an old legend says that when the leaning stone that runs along one of the side walls of the church manages to touch it, the end of the world will be unleashed.
Nordvegen Viking Museum
A unique Viking museum is located next to Avaldsnes Church. In different sections you can learn about the lifestyle, customs and traditions of the Viking people. The museum has authentic artefacts from archaeological excavations near the site.
On a small island nearby, a replica of an ancient Viking settlement with buildings and figures has been created and is open during the summer months.
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Giulio Andreini
Statue of Marilyn Monroe
In Haugesund harbour, next to the Scandic Maritim Hotel, there is a curious sculpture of Marilyn Monroe. The work is intended to highlight Marilyn Monroe's supposed Norwegian origins. It seems that her father, a local baker, emigrated from Haugesund to the United States in search of a better life.
Statue of the Viking King Harald I
On a small, hidden mound in the centre of Haugesund, we find an imposing statue of King Harald I. Known as Harald "Fair-Haired", he was the first monarch around 870 to unify the various tribes that populated Norwegian territory under a single authority. He established the seat of his kingdom at Avaldsnes, a strategic enclave outside Haugesund.
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Mattias Fredriksson
Himakånå
Himakånå is a rock formation located in Nedstrand, a small town about an hour from Haugesund. In recent years it has become an accessible alternative for those who want a less demanding hike than the famous Preikestolen or Trolltunga. The 5.8 km (round trip) takes about two hours to cover. With an altitude of 356 metres above sea level, the views from the top are spectacular.
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