Top 10 Haugesund Shore Excursions
For many heading from the north of Europe to the Norwegian fjords, the port of Haugesund is either your first or last port of call due its location just to the south of the main fjords for cruising along.
That makes it a popular port of call for most ships sailing in the region and whilst there is enough to do for a day ashore, you can do and see just about everything it has to offer tourists in one visit.
With the chances been that you will visit their time after time on Norwegian cruises, it leaves plenty looking to see what else is on offer and for that, many will need to book a shore excursion.
But just what are the top 10 Haugesund shore excursions? That is just what I answer in this list, which is based on my experience of visiting the port on a cruise holiday and the research I did before visiting there.
Shore Excursions In Haugesund
Scenic Skudeneshavn
If you want to visit a quintessential coastal Norwegian village, make sure you book a trip to the Skudeneshavn.
A visit there is like stepping back in tome as you walk around tis narrow streets that are lined with beautifully kept wooden houses that are white sided and red roofed.
You will also get the chance to visit the Maelandgarden Museum where you can step inside one of the houses that has been kept as it was in the19th century as well as seeing what life was like for the fishermen who lived there.
Langfoss Waterfall
If you have chosen a cruise of the Norwegian fjords, the chances are that you are interested in waterfalls and whilst you will see plenty form your cruise ship, there are some that are worth getting up close to and some that you just cannot see from your ship.
Once such example is the magnificent Langfoss waterfall, which h is quite a drive from the city itself but with the views you get as you drive alongside the beautiful Akrafjorden.
The waterfall is one of the easiest to visit as it the E134 road runs right alongside it but for the best views, you need to be back a bit and the majority of excursions will take to the nearby Eljarvik Farm, where you can disembark your coach and take some photos.
World War 2 Sites
If you are a history buff or just have an interest in World War 2 a visit to the Arquesbus War History Museum is a must as it offers a chance to gain an understanding of life in the region during the period it was occupied by Germany.
As well as visiting the museum, you will drive past some important sites relating to the occupation which your tour guide will point out and explain their importance whilst many trips will visit the Steinsfjellet viewpoint for panoramic vistas of the city and important WW2 sites.
Viking Village Visit
There are many reasons why people want to visit Norway but one reason that is growing popularity is to understand its Viking past.
With many tv programmes and films bringing the raiding past of Norway to life, many people want to see and experience Viking life for themselves.
That is something that can be done on excursion for Haugesund where you can head to the island of Karmoy and to Avaldsnes- the former royal estate of King Harold Fairhair.
The remains of the estate can be explored as it has been turned into a museum where you can gain an insight into the Viking way of life with many tours going to the historic St Olavs Church and to a Nordvegen History Center before heading to a Viking Farm on Bukkoy Island for a full day of exploring Viking life.
Ryvarden Lighthouse Walk
After a short drive to the north of the city, you will disembark your coach and take a walk to the rocky outcrop where the beautiful Ryvarden Lighthouse can be found.
The lighthouse was opened in 1849 and became automated in 1984 where it was one of 212 such buildings helping sailors navigate the exposed coastline between the Sletta Sea and Bomlafjorden.
It is around a 30-minute walk to get to the lighthouse, but don’t worry, as a café complete with beverages and waffles await you as does a small gallery offering a look at the history of the lighthouse.
As you walk from the coach park along the gravel path, make sure you have your camera at hand as you can often spot local wildlife including sea birds and seals.
Mortholmen Visit
If you are a fan of the Deadliest Catch, you may have heard of Martholmen as it is home of Sig Hansen, one of the shows stars.
Located around an hours drive from the port, where you will take in the stunning views of the Norwegian coast as you drive to the once bustling herring processing location.
Whilst not as chaotic as it once was, it is still home to the industry and offers a chance to understand the importance of herring fishing to Haugesund and the surrounding region as you take a guided tour around its former processing plants and canneries.
After you have finished exploring, you will get a chance to try some freshly caught seafood delicacies, including locally caught herring before heading back to the city.
Haugesund Guided Walk
Once you get to the city centre, it is very walkable with one main ’high street’ giving a pedestrianised area linking all of the major sights of interest and allowing you to do some shopping.
The Hauges district, full of luxurious mansions sits at one end, whilst the cities town hall and cathedral sit just off of the high street.
It is also easy to walk down to the waterfront and visit the numerous eateries along it but one thing you don’t get from simply walking around its streets is an understanding of what you are seeing along the way.
Why is one part of the city full of mansions? Why is their a statue of Marilyn Monroe? And why does every restaurant offer herring? Find out the answers to those questions and plenty more by taking a guided walk of Haugesund where you will learn all about the city from a local expert.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
A Hop Off Hop On bus can often be the best way to explore somewhere you have never visited as you get a mix of a guided tour and the chance to get off and explore on foot things that are of interest to you.
The buses pick up directly from the cruise port, so you need not waste any time before heading off for a day of exploring both the city centre and the surrounding area, with the buses route offering lots of different stops including heading out to the Haraldshaugen monument and to the beautiful Haroldsvang Nature Park.
Haugesund Panorama
When you dock at Haugesund, you arrive on a small island separated from the main city by a small bridge, so you have two options, to take a long walk into the city or jump on a shuttle bus.
With effort needed for both of those options, the third option is to simply book onto a scenic coach tour of the city which isa great option for those with mobility issues or for those who are due to arrive in the city on one of its more wet and windy days- it is Norway after all.
RIB Adventure
The coast around Haugesund is made up of 100’s of islands, rocky outcrops and a narrow channel that protects the city from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean and whilst all of that is beneficial to its human residents, it is also ideal for its local wildlife.
Arguably the best way to see the seals, whales and sea eagles that call this part of the world home is to head out on a Rigid Inflatable Boat, or RIB, which are high speed and small boat capable of taking in lots of the surrounding coastline and getting you up close to highlights including a former Viking fishing village and numerous islands teaming with sea birds.
Haugesund Shorex
If you have booked a cruise that is set to call into Haugesund and want to make the most of your time ashore, this is the list for you.
The same can be said for those who are yet to book a Norwegian fjords cruise and are trying to decide whether they should call into Haugesund or not.
