Skip to main content
  • Search
    • Regions
    • Cities and places
    • See and do
    • Events
    • Food and drinks
    • Accommodation
    • Transport
    • Tourist information
  • Inspiration
  • Fjord Norway logo
    Fjord Norway logo
  • Search
  • Explore map
    • Regions
    • Cities and places
    • See and do
    • Events
    • Food and drinks
    • Accommodation
    • Transport
    • Tourist information
    • Inspiration
    • Explore map
Holiday ideas

For a summer full of "hygge" and relaxation

Summer
Last updated: 12.09.2024
En person som ligger i en seng med store vinduer og panoramautsikt over Lysefjorden.
The Bolder|© thebolder.no/Bitmap
The Bolder|© thebolder.no/Bitmap

In Haugesund and Ryfylke, you can swap the hustle and bustle of everyday life for "hygge" and relaxation, which we believe are the key features of every good holiday!

When all you can say is WOW!

Spice up your holiday with accommodation that’s worth the journey in itself, such as The Bolder on the Lysefjord and the Panoramahyttene cabins on Karmøy. The Bolder is beautifully situated overlooking the fjord, giving you a sense of complete seclusion. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a good book and nice drink as you relax and unwind.

Den spektakulære utsikten over Lysefjorden fra soverommet.

The Bolder by the Lysefjord

With its distinctive design and location by the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, The Bolder is a unique place to stay. Four of the cabins are designed by Snøhetta.

As you journey from fjord to coast, you can experience all the contrasts of Fjord Norway. The Panoramahyttene cabins at Sandhåland bring you close to the ocean and offer an unforgettable experience no matter the weather. The cabins’ huge windows are tilted towards the sea, and the summer sunsets provide all the entertainment you need.


Panoramahyttene

Panoramahyttene - Karmøy

The Panoramahyttene cabins at Sandhåland offer accommodation with spectacular views of the sky, sea and elements. They can sleep up to four adults.

Accommodation close to nature

Getting close to nature is the best way to relax, so if it’s fun and relaxation you want, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options that offer just that.

There are a number of places to go glamping – a luxurious version of camping. They all offer the chance to unwind and will instantly give you that holiday feeling. Åkrafjorden Glamping, Handeland Lodge, Kleppa Gard & Glamping, North Sea Dome at Raw Ocean Lodge, Nordlodge and Tveita Adventure are well worth checking out. If you can't stay in all of them this time around, make a note of the others for your next visit.

Stemningsfylt på glamping i Åkrafjorden.

Åkrafjorden Glamping

Åkrafjorden Glamping, a unique place to stay in the wild, beautiful and untouched nature of Western Norway. They have two domes.

To personer som sitter utenfor glampingteltet med bålpanne og eplemost.

Kleppa Gard og Glamping in Hjelmeland

Kleppa Gard & Glamping is located in a small cove outside Hjelmeland center in Ryfylke. You sleep in a luxury tent close to the fjord.

North Sea Dome

North Sea Dome at Raw Ocean Lodge

The North Sea Dome at Raw Ocean Lodge – right at the edge of the ocean! The dome can accommodate two people and is available from May to October.

To personer som nyter utsikten fra glamping-teltet.

Glamping at Tveita in Suldal

At Tveita Adventure at Tveita in Suldal, you can spend the night in a dome with panoramic views of the Ryfylke fjords.

To personer som drikker eplemost utenfor glampingteltet.
© Visit Ryfylke

If staying a night in a design hotel is more your idea of fun and relaxation, you should visit Energihotellet in the village of Nesflaten. The hotel stays true to the style of the 1960s and boasts a number of pieces of original furniture from that period. Energihotellet also serves delicious food in its own restaurant.

Relaxation is also guaranteed at Haukali 333, Fossane Gard and the Mikrohyttene cabins by the Åkrafjord.

Inngangspartiet til restauranten og hotellet.

Energihotellet at Nesflaten

Energihotellet is idyllic located in Nesflaten in Ryfylke, and focuses on local food, culture and the history of hydroelectric power production in Suldal. 

Haukali 33/3

Haukali 333 near the Lysefjord

At Haukali 333 in Forsand, close to the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, you spend the night surrounded by unspoilt nature.

To jenter og en hund som springer ned grusveien fra de to hvite husene.

Accommodation in authentic farmhouses at Fossane Gard in Hjelmeland

At Fossane farm you can rent a charming, authentic house, surrounded by the stunning Ryfylke nature at Vormedalen, the whole year around.

Mikrohyttene i Åkrafjorden

Micro Cabins in Åkrafjorden - Viking Adventure

Mikrohyttene cabins, near Åkrafjordtunet, offer stunning views of Åkrafjorden and Folgefonna. Each of the 2 cabins accommodates 4-5 people.

Soothing for body and soul

It's wonderful to have a few lazy days on holiday, but a little activity is no bad thing either. Experience the unique tranquillity of exploring the coastal islets and skerries on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). SUP boards can be rented at Raw Ocean Lodge at Sandve and at Saltråk in Skudeneshavn, both of which also offer guided tours.

Skaarnesheimen - Raw Ocean Lodge

Rental of SUP (Stand Up Paddle) at Raw Ocean Lodge

Raw Ocean Lodge Skaarnesheimen in Sandve has 10 rental Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) available.

Lei et SUP-brett fra Saltråk

SUP rental in Skudeneshavn

Rental of SUP boards in Skudeneshavn through Saltråk. Lifejacket included.

Urtehagen til restauranten og hotellet.
© Tom Haga

Sauna and a refreshing dip

Saunas are a fabulous place to relax, and you’ll find a range of saunas in Haugesund and Ryfylke. Preikestolen Basecamp, Moskjelenin Sand, Ryfylke Fjordsauna, Heit Haugesund, Heit Åkrafjorden and Bade-Olena in Skudeneshavn are all open throughout the summer. We can't promise that the refreshing dip will be quite as relaxing, but it's delightful nonetheless!

Badstubåt på Preikestolen BaseCamp

Floating Saunas at Preikestolen BaseCamp

Enjoy a perfect start to the morning, or unwind after a day in the mountains, aboard one of Preikestolen BaseCamp's floating saunas, close to the trail to Preikestolen.

The sauna Moskjelen in Suldal

The sauna Moskjelen in Suldal

Moskjelen Badstove by Suldalslågen river in Suldal is a unique combination of sauna and dining with a fantastic view of the famous salmon river.

Tre personer som sitter i badstuen.

Ryfylke Fjordsauna at Sand

Right at the mouth of the Suldalslågen in Sand, Ryfylke, you can find peace and quiet and loosen stiff muscles in the fjord sauna at Ryfylke Fjordhotell.

Heit Haugesund

Heit Haugesund Sauna – Viking Adventure

Heit Haugesund Sauna is beautifully located by Smedasundet in the centre of Haugesund. Here you get a real wood-fired sauna, and the opportunity to jump into the sea every day of the week.

Heit Åkrafjorden Sauna

Heit Åkrafjorden Sauna

Sauna with spectacular fjord views, about 1.5 hours from Haugesund and 35 minutes from Odda (Hardanger). Can be combined with accommodation at Åkrafjorden Glamping.

Ett par tar badstu i Bade-Olena Skudeneshavn.

The bathing jetty “Bade Olena”

At the bathing jetty “Bade Olena” you can take sea-baths and sauna all year round.

Award-winning local food and drinks

Ryfylke is home to world-class ciders and wineries, and many of them have won awards for their exquisite beverages. Apal Sider, OmCider, Eiane Gard and Fuglestein Fruktgard are all open to visitors in the summer and offer tastings of their products. Did you know that Apal Sider's Sølvsider cider won the title of world’s best sparkling cider at the Cider World Award 2020? Or that OmCider has won eight awards for its products in international competitions? It may also surprise you that there is a winery in Ryfylke! Hebnes Vingard is beautifully situated by the fjord and offers farm visits, guided tours and tastings.


En mann som skjenker eplesider i et glass omringet av epletrær.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Apal Sideri

Apal Sideri produces fresh and fruity apple juice and apple cider. Join a guided tour among apple trees, taste the world's best cider and visit the farm shop in Hjelmeland in Ryfylke.

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

Cider tastings at OmCider in Hjelmeland

OmCider produces apple juice and apple cider on Fevoll farm on Hjelmeland in Ryfylke. You can join a guided tour with tastings and visit the farm shop.

To personer som plukker epler.

Cider tasting and farm shop at Eiane Gard at Hjelmeland

By Jøsenfjorden in Hjelmeland, on the National Tourist Route Ryfylke, discover Eiane Gard. Farm shop, as well as guided tours and tastings for groups.

Farm shop at Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal

Farm shop at Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal

At Fuglestein Fruktgard in Suldal, Ryfylke, they produce apple cider, apple juice and apple jelly.

To personer som holder klaser med blå drue mellom vinrankene.

Wine tasting at the vineyard Hebnes vingard in Ryfylke

Hebnes vingard is idyllically located by the fjord at Hebnes, Ryfylke. Here you can visit the farm, take a guided tour and taste Norwegian wine.

You can also enjoy award-winning drinks in Haugesund, or more specifically at Hiernagla Brenneri distillery in Sveio. They produce world-class whiskey and gin, and you can also book a tasting tour for groups of all sizes.


Hiernagla Brenneri i Sveio.

Historical guided tour at Hiernagla Brenneri distillery - Sveio

Hiernagla Brenneri distillery is a craft distillery that was founded in 2018. They produce whisky, gin, aquavit and rum at Ekrene in Sveio. On a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour, you can discover the history behind the distillery and the local area, get an introduction into how Hiernagla makes its spirits, and even get the chance to taste some.

In addition to exquisite drinks, you can also enjoy award-winning local food on your journey. At Ryfylke Gardysteri you can try Ryfylkeosten cheese, silver medal winner at this year's World Championship Cheese Contest. Mikals Laks smokehouse has also won a number of awards for its products, and Strand Gård supplies quail and quail eggs to the Michelin Star restaurant Renaa in Stavanger.

Locally produced cheese from Ryfylke Gardsysteri

Locally produced cheese from Ryfylke Gardsysteri

Ryfylke gardsysteri is idyllically located with a view of Hetlandsvatnet in Hjelmeland in Ryfylke. They produce cheese, yoghurt, cream cheese and eggs.

Flere biter røykelaks på en tallerken av tre.

The salmon smokehouse Mikals Laks in Hjelmeland

Mikals Laks AS, a family-owned smokehouse in Skiftun, Ryfylke, offers top-quality smoked salmon and trout.

Flere lokale produkter i gårdsbutikken.

Farm shop at Strand Gård at Tau

At the farm Strand Gård at Tau, Ryfylke, they produce products from quails and unique woolly pigs. When you visit the farm shop, you can see the pigs up close.

Island holidays and roadless villages

If you really want to venture off the beaten track and find inner peace as the boat slowly chugs out to sea, you should take a trip to the island community of Utsira. Few than 200 people live on the island, and one thing the locals are famous for is their hospitality. Perhaps you’ve heard about Norway’s smallest municipality donating the most to TV fundraisers? The municipality also elected Norway's first female mayor.

Utforske Utsira til fots

The island community of Utsira

West of Haugesund, right out in open ocean, is one of Norway's smallest municipalities in terms of population size: Utsira. The island may be small, but the hospitality is enormous and the experiences many: delicious seafood, street art and Utsira lighthouse are just some of the things you can experience on Utsira.

Et par og en hund som går mellom de blomstrende epletrærne med fjorden i bakgrunnen.
© Visit Ryfylke

Geographically, it may not be the biggest island, but Utsira has no shortage of experiences. Street art, delicious seafood, beautiful scenery and the area around the lighthouse – and of course the people living there – are just some of the things that make the island worth visiting. Although if you really want to immerse yourself in island life and find true relaxation, it's best to spend at least one night on the island.


Fyrmesterboligen

Lighthouse holiday on Utsira

Fancy a holiday out of the ordinary? Go on holiday to Utsira, where you can stay overnight in the old lighthouse keeper's house or the cosy cabin Nyperosa.

Bølgen Utsira

Bølgen apartments on Utsira

Bølgen Leiligheter is located in Nordrevågen on Utsira. There are several apartments available, and each apartment can accommodate up to 6 people.

Rutebåten til kai på Utsira

Boat to Utsira

The boat to Utsira departs from Garpaskjærskaien quay in Haugesund, and the crossing takes about 70 minutes.

I vannkanten på Utsira
© Fjord Norway/fjordnorway.com

From one relaxing island to another island that’s equally tranquil. Røvær is only 25 minutes by boat from the centre of Haugesund and has been home to generations of fishermen. Just under 100 people now live on the island, which has its own school and kindergarten. Røvær is famous for the well-known Western Norwegian dish Komle (potato dumplings), also known as raspeball, which attracts locals and visitors alike. The island also boasts a hotel, museum and aquaculture centre. In summer, it’s the perfect place to sunbathe with a good book on the smooth coastal rocks, go for a swim if the weather permits, and just enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Doesn’t just reading about the island make you feel relaxed?

Røvær Kulturhotell

Røvær Kulturhotell

Røvær Kulturhotell has 16 rooms. In addition to single and double rooms, you can also book a family room with a kitchen and cook your own meals.

Røvær Havbrukssenter

Røvær Havbrukssenter

Røvær Havbrukssenter is located 25 minutes by boat from Haugesund city centre, on the island of Røvær. It's free to visit the centre, which gives you an insight into Norway as an ocean nation.

Rutebåten til Røvær

Boat to Røvær

The boat to Røvær departs from the centre of Haugesund, and takes about 25 minutes. The same boat also goes to Vibrandsøy and Feøy on certain services.

Why not visit a roadless village to find your inner peace? Flørli is beautifully situated next to the Lysefjord and is a paradise for anyone seeking tranquillity. Stay overnight in the charming and secluded Radiobua Mini-Suite and spend the evening in a hot tub overlooking the fjord.


Accommodations in Flørli

Accommodations in Flørli

Flørli 4444 has four rental apartments, Flørli Historic Hostel and Special Rooms with shared facilities. All houses and most rooms have a fjord view.

Hike to Flørlitrappene and Rallarstien in the Lysefjord

Hike to Flørlitrappene and Rallarstien in the Lysefjord

In Flørli in the Lysefjord, Ryfylke, you'll find the world's longest wooden staircase (Flørli Stairs) with 4,444 steps. A demanding but family-friendly hike.

More inspiration from Ryfylke!
More inspiration from Haugesund!

More travel inspiration

Explore exotic places that satisfy your adventurous spirit

Explore exotic places that satisfy your adventurous spirit

In Ryfylke and Haugesund, you can explore hidden gems along the deep fjords and rugged coastline, where you can try exciting activities that challenge both body and mind. We promise you holiday snaps brimming with moments you'll cherish forever!

Time for a weekend getaway!

Time for a weekend getaway!

Want to get in the holiday mood once more? Go on a fun weekend getaway with good friends, or take that long-awaited romantic weekend away with your partner.

  • Image shop
  • Meetings and conference
Fjord Norway's secondary logo
About Fjord NorwayFrequently asked questionsData protection