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.
Also check out the guided tour to the potholes at Rullestad (Åkrafjorden) – you are guaranteed a nature experience you will never forget!
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 is organising a children's day on Wednesday 25 February. The cinema will open its doors at 11:00, and there will be various activities in the foyer before the films start 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 swimming facility is open every day during the winter holidays from 11:00 to 18:00. In addition, there is morning swimming on Wednesdays and Fridays from 06:30 to 11:30, and twilight swimming on Fridays from 18:30 to 20:30. Remember to book your tickets online in advance.
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. A visit to the Nordvegen History Centre can be combined with fun at the Avaldsnes Leikvoll activity park or a trip to the Viking farm, which is a pleasant walk from the centre. If you visit Avaldsnes outside opening hours, you can learn more about Viking history using the free "Tilbakeblikk" app.
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).
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.
Haugesund Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 15:00 and Saturday to Sunday from 11:00 to 15:00 during the winter holidays.
On Monday 23 February and Tuesday 24 February, there will be a free two-day workshop with visual artist Bernhard Østebø. The workshop is for young people aged 12-19, and you can register by sending your name, age and contact details to a parent or guardian to ma@haugalandmuseet.no by Friday 20 February.
Visit Visnes Mining Museum during the winter holidays and learn more about the exciting mining history, open on Sundays during the winter holidays (22 February and 1 March) from 11:00 to 15:00. 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.
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.
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), in Åkrehamn (Havglød) and in Skudeneshavn (Bade-Olena). In Haugesund city centre, there is a sauna on the connected city island of Risøy (Heit Haugesund), next to Høvleriet (Allmenningen Bybad Sauna) and close to Quality Maritim Hotel (Maritim Badstuer).
Experience the idyllic island communities out west, home to just under 100 people. Røvær is only a 25-minute boat ride from Indre kai in Haugesund city centre.
During the winter holidays, you can visit Røvær Sjøhus every day from 25 February to 1 March between 12:00 and 16:00, and Røvær Havbrukssenter every day from 10:00 to 16:00. Admission to the aquaculture centre is free. Here you can learn more about Norway as a maritime nation and how we have developed into a world-leading producer of salmon. On Thursday 26 February, you can take part in Komle og Kunnskap (Food and Knowledge) at Røvær Havbrukssenter. The event is free of charge and you can register by emailing post@rovarhavbrukssenter.no.
It is also possible to book a RIB tour of the aquaculture facility between 23 February and 1 March. There are daily departures at 2 p.m., and you can register at the café at Røvær Sjøhus or by telephone on 960 94 450. The RIB trip costs NOK 100 for adults and NOK 50 for children. The age limit for participating in the boat trip is 6 years, and children aged 6-14 must be accompanied by an adult.
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.
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. 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 to the lighthouse takes about 30 minutes, and on the way you may encounter a wild sheep or two. Once you arrive at the lighthouse, you can enjoy the fresh sea air and the packed lunch you brought with you in your rucksack.
