Haugesund and Haugalandet - Official travel guide to Norway

Film, jazz and viking roots

The region of Haugalandet and its main city Haugesund can be used as a starting point for exploring the Lysefjord and its surrounding mountains. If you love films and music, you might be in for a treat.

In the southwest of Norway where the fjords flow out into the North Sea, you will find Haugalandet and Haugesund. The geographical region is flanked by the Folgefonna glacier to the north and the mountain formation of Preikestolen to the south.

The regional centre Haugesund (population 35,000) is a young, vibrant city, and hosts several festivals. Among them is the Norwegian International Film Festival in August, which is one of the most important film festivals in Scandinavia. Jazz lovers might want to check out the Sildajazz festival, also during August, with a mix of local and international artists.

The Viking Age is important to the region, as it was the kith and kin of the early princes who ensured that the base of power for the Viking Harald the Fairhaired was to be at Haugalandet when he united Norway into one single kingdom.

One of the best sites to experience the viking roots is Avaldsnes at the Karmøy island, which is also known for its long and pale beaches.

If you want to experience the surrounding nature of the region, there are plenty of opportunities. You can for example take an excursion to the Langfoss waterfall, which has been nominated as one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world by CNN. Island hopping to Røvær and Utsira is also a popular activity, and locals will be more than helpful if you ask them for advice on the best hiking trips.

visithaugesund.no

Langfoss

Espen Mills

Skudeneshavn

Ørjan Iversen

Draken

Tove V. Bråthen / vestfoto.no

Haugesund

Scott Sporleder / FjordNorway

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Things to do

Interested in historical tours, landscape and recreational activities, culture and fjords? In Haugesund and Haugalandet you can experience it all.

Where to stay

Food and drink

Getting here and around

By plane:

There are daily flights from Oslo to and from Haugesund Airport.
Haugesund Airport is situated 20 minutes from the city centre, and a Airport Coach is available on selected arrivals.

By road:

There are daily express bus services that connect Haugesund with other major towns and cities in Norway, including Bergen, Stavanger and Oslo.
By car, follow E39 from Bergen or Stavanger to Haugesund. From Oslo, take E134 to Haugesund.

Haugesund & Haugalandet also offers ...

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Haugesund & Haugalandet