Here are some great tips for you if you're planning a winter holiday in the Haugesund region!
Spend one or more nights in the Haugesund region and enjoy all that the region has to offer.
Shopping, restaurants, nature experiences, museums and activities - there's so much to do! Spend the night in one of the region's hotels or check out the unique accommodation options.
Join a local guide from Åkrafjorden Nature B&B on a snowshoeing trip during the winter holidays. Experience the fjord in its winter guise and join local guides to their favourite places. At Åkrafjorden Nature you'll also find an indoor climbing wall and a separate gymnasium that's perfect for the kids to run around in. Åkrafjorden Nature is also a short distance from the ski slopes in Hårdadalen and Seljestad.
You can also check out the guided tour to the potholes at Rullestad (Åkrafjorden ) - you're guaranteed a nature experience you won't forget!
Olalia Fjellstove, which is part of Haugesund Tourist Association, is open during the winter holidays, both for accommodation and for visits to the café. If you're extra lucky, you'll get perfect skiing conditions during your holiday. Check the Friluftsrådet Vest webcam to keep up to date on the weather.
If the weather doesn't cooperate during your holiday, going to the cinema is always a good idea. And hey, you're allowed to treat yourself to some snacks with your film. Here you will find the cinema programme for: Edda Kino, Karmøy Kino, Tysvær Kino and Skakke Kino in Etne.
Edda Kino has a packed programme during the holidays and opens at 12.00 all week. The exception is Wednesday 26 February. Then the cinema opens its doors at 11.00, and there will be various activities in the foyer before films are shown in all halls at 12.00.
Tysværtunet Badeanlegg is an indoor bathing facility in Aksdal that offers perfect bathing temperatures all year round. Here you can swim, test your fear of heights in the diving tower, warm up in the sauna or go down the slide. Tysværtunet also has its own children's pool. The pool is open throughout the winter holidays from 12:00 - 18:00. In addition, you can join the morning swim on Wednesdays from 06.30 - 11.30 and Fridays from 08.00 - 11.30. Remember to pre-book tickets online.
Learn more about the exciting Viking history at Nordvegen History Centre at Avaldsnes. The history centre is open Wednesday 10:00-16:00 and Sunday 11:00-16:00. On Wednesday, they are organising a winter holiday day with the theme ‘Sheep and Wool’. Among other things, you can make a sheep to hang as a decoration, learn how to make cords from woollen yarn and try your hand at carding wool the Viking way. Read more about the winter holiday event at Nordvegen History Centre here.
A visit to the Nordvegen History Centre can be combined with fun in the playground at Avaldsnes Leikvoll or a trip to the Viking farm, which is a nice walk from the centre. If you visit Avaldsnes outside opening hours, you can get to know the Viking history better with the help of the app Tilbakeblikk (free).
In Haugesund city centre, you'll find Escape Room, an indoor activity suitable for most people. A team of 3-5 people are ‘locked’ in a room and have limited time to solve tasks and puzzles. Can you find the code and get out in time?
Rush Trampoline Park offers activities for the whole family. Try out new jumps and tricks, the laser maze or challenge a family member to a gladiator duel. During the winter holidays (week 9), Rush Trampoline Park in Haugesund is open every day. This week they also have a special winter holiday pass that allows you to jump for up to two hours every day from 17 February to 9 March. See the Rush Tramplinepark Haugesund website for prices and more information.
Visit Visnes Mining Museum during the winter holidays and learn more about the exciting mining history, open every day during the holidays from 12:00 - 16:00. Did you know that you can find a mini version of the Statue of Liberty here? The Statue of Liberty in New York is made of copper from the Visnes mines. The museum also has a children's mine where children can play miners and receive certificates and sweets as a reward. The area also offers a playground with a barbecue hut, a skating rink, a zipline for the little ones and the opportunity to go on an adventure hunt.
It's okay to enjoy yourself a little extra when you're on holiday. Enjoy a good meal at one or more of the region's restaurants, or head to a café for a delicious cup of coffee in good company. During the winter holiday week, ‘Haugesund on Håve’ is organised, where a number of restaurants and cafés offer a dish or two at a reduced price. You can also visit the charming Nesheimstunet in Nedre Vats, where Elisabeth and Bjørn Steinar are hosting a winter holiday café on Monday 24 February from 12:00 - 17:00.
Are you a vegetarian or aiming to eat less meat? Check out our vegetarian guide for an overview of eateries that have vegetarian options on the menu.
Haugesund city centre is known for its many niche shops and people with a passion for their work. Don't miss out on treasures such as Den lille Bokbutikken, Den lille barnebutikken, Krimz Kramz, Garnkroa, Crush Concept, Condor, Lille Jacobi, Noor By M and Tone. If you like hunting for second-hand treasures, you should check out the second-hand guide. If the weather doesn't quite cooperate, gead to one or more of the region's shopping centres, Oasen Storsenter, Alti Amanda Storsenter or Amfi Åkrehamn, for a dry and pleasant shopping trip.
During the winter holidays, you can join various events for both adults and children. Quality Hotel Maritim is hosting a street party, Haugesund Public Library has Lan for everyone over the age of 13 and a board game day with Haugaland Brettspillklubb on Saturday 22 February. Check out our What's on calendar and buy yourself tickets to a cultural event or two. Theatre, concert or show - you're guaranteed to find something to tempt you!
Combine a refreshing bath with a nice hot sauna - the perfect start to your holiday! You'll find saunas in Haugesund city centre, Åkrafjorden (Heit Åkrafjorden), Skudeneshavn (Bade-Olena) and on the island of Røvær. In Haugesund city centre there are saunas on the associated city island Risøy (Heit Haugesund), and close to Quality Maritim Hotel (Maritim Badstuer).
Experience the idyllic island communities out west where just under 100 people live. Røvær is just a 25-minute boat ride from the inner quay in Haugesund city centre. During the winter holidays, you can visit Røvær Aquaculture Centre, which is open every day from 10:00-16:00. The aquaculture centre is free to visit. Here you can learn more about Norway as an seafood nation and how we have developed into a world-leading producer of salmon. It is also possible to book a RIB tour of the aquaculture centre. This can be booked by calling +47 960 94 450 or by emailing post@røværhavbrukssenter.no.
The island community of Utsira lies out in the open sea. So close, yet so different. Stroll around the island, which offers world-class street art, and enjoy a good meal with local produce. Who would have thought that seaweed and kelp could be conjured into the most flavoursome dishes? There are several eateries to choose from on Utsira - and both offer delicious meals. Dalanaustet on Utsira is open the first weekend of the winter holidays, as well as Wednesday 26 February - Sunday 2 March (Friday 28 February is closed due to a closed party). Dahmsgård Utsira is open some days during the holidays, check their Facebook page for more information.
If you choose to stay overnight, there are several options. If you listen to the locals, this is actually a necessity to really experience island life as it is. The boat to Utsira departs from Garpaskjærskaien in the centre of Haugesund, and the crossing takes about 70 minutes.
The activity bus is a fun and educational activity for young and old, and on Karmøy you can go hunting in Visnes and Skudeneshavn. The rebus can be downloaded from the internet, and then just let the hunt begin!
Take a trip to Syreneset Fort on Karmøy, a German fort from the Second World War. There are lots of fun things to explore, climb on and crawl into. There are also benches organised for rest breaks - so remember to bring something tasty in your backpack. It's a good idea to bring a torch when exploring Syreneset as it's dark inside the bunkers. You can also learn more about the history of Syreneset fort by downloading the app ‘Tilbakeblikk’ (free).
Fresh air and exercise are good for body and soul. There are many great hiking destinations in the Haugesund area, and you can find more of them here.
It's always a good idea to make a trip to Ryvarden Kulturfyr. The walk out to the lighthouse takes about 30 minutes, and here you can enjoy a delicious waffle and a hot cup of coffee. During the winter holidays, the lighthouse café and gallery will be open from 11:00-16:00 on Sunday 2 March. If you visit Ryvarden outside the café's opening hours, it's a good idea to bring something good to eat and drink in your bag to enjoy when you arrive at the lighthouse area.
