Haugesund is a lively and charming coastal town with a small harbour area full of restaurants and bars. The town is ideally situated between the Lysefjord and the Hardangerfjord, with the lovely Åkrafjord and Langfoss Waterfall in its own backyard.

Haugesund is also home to several festivals, amongst which the Herring Jazz Festival and the Norwegian Film Festival are the biggest.

Witness the Viking heritage

The history of Norway started in the Haugesund area, which was the home of Viking kings. It is here that the Viking explorers began their sailing adventure. It is these chieftains or kings, from the time before written records began, that have endowed us with a history told through monumental burial sites, carved stones and other treasures.

Following the battle of Hafrsfjord in 872 AD, it was at Avaldsnes that Harald Fairhair established Norway’s first throne, and the strait of Nordvegen – the way to the north, gave its name to Norway. At Avaldsnes you can learn about Viking history and you will be introduced to the Viking way of living.

Explore the coastline

The charming village of Skudeneshavn is also worth a visit, with its small white houses and narrow streets. If you look for peace and calm – cruise to the small island of Utsira, a little island community with fewer than 300 inhabitants. There are several daily departures from Haugesund. Utsira has great hiking trails, a lighthouse and loads of space with fresh sea air to be reenergized.

Experience Norway’s birthplace

Visit the Nordvergen History Centre, where you can walk in King Harald Fairhair’s footsteps and learn about the fascinating history of the Norwegian Viking.

Nordvegen History Centre is one of Norway’s most important areas within national history. For years chieftains and kings controlled the strait Karmsundet – Nordvegen – the shipping lane that gave Norway its name. At the centre you can learn about the sovereigns that controlled the coast of Norway from Avaldsnes. 

For more information visit visithaugesund.no.

Åkrafjord and Langfoss Waterfall

In March 2011, CNN included Langfoss in the Åkrafjord in the list of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

With its 612-metre drop (2,008 feet), Langfoss is the fifth largest waterfall in Norway. It is located at the end of the Åkrafjord. There is an easy-to-climb footpath all the way to the top, from where the views are magnificent. Instead of falling in a straight drop like most waterfalls, Langfoss slips down a cliff, maintaining contact with the rocks the entire way down, before spilling into the Åkrafjord. Langfoss isn't the biggest waterfall in Norway, but its combined height (2,008 feet) and width (205 feet) are an impressive combination.

The landscape can also be admired from a boat, seeing a string of pearls with the cascading Langfoss Waterfall as the most impressive amongst others. 
Why not joing a Waterfall Fjord Cruise to one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls?

For more information visit visithaugesund.no.