Skip to main content

Spectacular architecture at the ocean’s edge

The Flokehyttene cabins in Sveio, 10 km north of Haugesund enable you to get close to the elements and get a real sense of the forces of nature. The cabins are small, but their design draws the landscape in. The cabins are 18 square metres and can sleep five, and they have a kitchen, living area and toilet. Each of the cabins has been named after important people in the Viking Ravnafloke's life; his grandfather Horda-Kåre, his mother Vilgerd, his daughters Geirhild and Tjodgerd, and Faxe who accompanied Floke across the sea to Iceland. The biggest cabin, Horda-Kåre, which can sleep ten, is twice the size of the other cabins and is adapted for wheelchairs.

Every cabin has a heart, which, in these cabins is the fireplace that enables you to sit in warm and snug surroundings while you watch the storms rage outside. The most spectacular time to visit these cabins is when the weather is not at its best. The large panorama windows frame the impressive vistas, and you can watch the waves splash against the cabin walls on really rough days.

Flokehyttene|© Holon Arkitektur

Eco lodge on Karmøy

Raw Ocean Lodge is in a tranquil setting surrounded by the North Sea, where adventure, local food and cultural experiences are the order of the day. You can spend the night in your own private dome or in a bungalow right beside the sea, listening to the sound of the waves and soaking up the sea air. The lodge is situated near one of the best surfing beaches on Karmøy, and you can hire a surfboard from Raw Ocean lodge. You can also do bouldering courses there, take a SUP course and hire a board. There is also a seawater pool that is protected from the waves and a breakwater nearby that is perfect for fishing.

Glamping in the fjord

Innermost in the beautiful Åkrafjord, in the village of Fjæra, you can spend the night in your very own dome. The domes Bjødnasete and Padl are located on a rock ledge surrounded by steep mountains with fantastic views across the fjord. Wake to the sound of birds chirping and beautiful views across the Åkrafjord. Unique accommodation, exciting activities and local food – the Åkrafjord has everything you need for a perfect holiday!

Åkrafjorden Glamping|© Åkrafjorden Glamping

Nostalgia in Vats

At Nesheimstunet in Nedre Vats, you can spend the night in nostalgic surroundings on a farm that has been in the same family since the 15th century. The hosts, Elisabeth and Bjørn Steinar, will give you a warm welcome and serve homemade food made from the farm’s own produce. Accommodation options range from sleeping in a lavvo (Sami tent), the old barn or the 150-year-old Oldemors hus building. And, if that’s not enough, Friday is baking day at Nesheimstunet! Fancy a slice of homemade bread?

Lighthouse holiday along the coast

Spend the night at one of the lighthouses along the coast. You can spend the night at the old lighthouse keeper’s house at Ryvarden lighthouse in Sveio. The walk to Ryvarden is exotic in all kinds of weather, and you get a real sense of the forces of nature if you do the walk in wet and windy weather.

If you’re looking for a little more luxury, Høyevarde Fyrhotell on Karmøy is a good option – an exclusive and unique part of Norway’s cultural heritage. The lighthouse station was built in 1700, and it has been an important lighthouse in the Karmsundet sound, previously known as Nordvegen (the way to the north). Høyevarde lighthouse, as it stands today, dates from 1858 and comprises a lighthouse keeper’s house, customs building, boathouse, warehouse and wood-fired bakery. Lothes Mat & Vinhus run the kitchen at Høyevarde. They only use fresh ingredients, and the menu varies with the season.

Experience idyllic island communities

Utsira is a 70-minute boat trip from the centre of Haugesund, and offers beautiful scenery and world-class street art. The lighthouse has the highest elevation of any in Norway at 68 metres above sea level, and it is Norway’s oldest meteorological station to have been in continuous operation. You can also stay overnight in one of the lighthouse keeper’s houses, in Severins hybel, in the artist's lodge or in the charming little cabin Nyperosa. It’s also possible to spend the night at Bølgen or Sildaloftet on Utsira.

Røvær is a 25-minute boat trip from the centre of Haugesund. You can spend the night there at Røvær Kulturhotell, the only hotel on the island. Travelling to the island is like travelling back in time, and its population is just under 100 people. The oldest house on the island, Hiltahuset, has been turned into a museum where you can learn about the island’s history and the tragic accident that befell the island in 1899. At Røvær Aquaculture Centre, you can learn more about Norway as a seafood nation and salmon exporter, and find out more about life in the sea around Røvær.

Urban hotel in beautiful surroundings

Spend the night at Fugl Fønix in Etne – an urban hotel in the countryside. As well as providing accommodation, the hotel focuses on serving tasty fare made from local produce and good beer in its own restaurant and pub brewery. The location of Fugl Fønix makes it a great base for experiencing the Åkrafjord and the Trolltunga Rock, which are both within driving distance. It also has a boat for hire, so that you can go out on the fjord and try your luck fishing.

Proximity to the fjord and mountains

Åkrafjorden Nature B&B is an old school that has been converted into cosy accommodation. Its ten rooms have been given a personal touch. Åkrafjorden Nature offers activities such as Via Ferrata climbing, canyoning, kayak and bike hire, and they’ll be happy to provide tips about great walks to do in the area. The Åkrafjord has everything you need for active experiences in beautiful surroundings.

Charming Skudeneshavn

Old Skudeneshavn, which is said to be one of the best preserved old wooden towns in Europe, is made up of white wooden houses and narrow streets. Wander around the streets where you’ll find a museum, cafés, restaurants, a gallery and plenty of charm. There are lots of options for those who want to spend the night in Skudeneshavn. Stay by the harbour in the stylish Havn Hotell, and enjoy a delicious meal in its restaurant. Spend the night at the venerable Norneshuset in the old town – in a building that originally came to Skudeneshavn from Riga as payment for herring. Or stay in what is said to be Skudeneshavn’s oldest building, Gamlekaien. The guesthouse oozes elegance and style, and has a wonderful atmosphere.

Gamlekaien|© Studio Lie

Microhouse in the Åkrafjord

Wake up to a view of the Åkrafjord and enjoy your morning coffee in beautiful surroundings. Micro cabins in Åkrafjord is situated beside Åkrafjordtunet, surrounded by fjords and mountains. Spend the night in one of the microhouses, which embrace the 'live small, be more’ concept. You’ll find all the facilities you need, and, if you so wish, breakfast comprising a range of local produce, can be delivered to your door. The Åkrafjord offers a wide range of activities, with everything you need for an active and exciting stay!

More inspiration from Haugesund