Once home to a bustling sea trade, the port city of Haugesund is becoming increasingly popular on Norwegian Fjords cruise itineraries. In the past, the majority of fjords cruises visited Bergen, however the port is increasingly busy and less accommodating to the larger ships, so many now dock in Haugesund instead. But what does Haugesund have to offer cruise passengers?
First off, Let’s Talk Logistics. Walking from the cruise terminal to the main city is not for those with mobility issues. It is easy enough to navigate, but involves a long walk through the industrial harbour area, up and over a somewhat steep road bridge and back down the other side. It looks so close from the ship, but because of the route you have to take, it is a fairly uninteresting and time-consuming walk. If limited mobility is something you need to consider, there are options other than a local taxi or pre-booked excursion, like the City Train.
Haugesund City Train
A hit with families and couples alike, the Haugesund City Train is a fantastic way to get a whistle-stop tour of the city right from the cruise terminal. This land train, like many dotto trains in the UK, serves as both an efficient mode of transport and a way to educate tourists on the many historical and modern points of interest in the city. The tour is available in 8 languages and includes 2 stops along the way. The first is a 10-minute photo stop at a landmark named Haraldsstøtta, which lies in the north of the city. The second stop is in the centre of town and allows passengers the option to disembark and re-join the tour on a later train, walk back from the town to the cruise terminal at leisure, or stay on board for the last leg of the journey. Tickets are currently 300NOK per adult and 150NOK per child, and can be booked at the cruise terminal when you disembark. Trains fill up quickly, so I recommend booking as soon as the cruise ship docks to get a time early in the day. This will allow you plenty of time to explore the town centre before getting the train or walking back. Click here for more information from Visit Norway.
Walking the Coast Path, Kyststien
It’s a beautiful walk on a pleasant day, but this route is not for everyone! The walk is uneven, winds through fields of wild sheep and features the odd incline too. We took a pushchair for our 3 year old as we knew we would be walking further than his legs would carry him, but it was challenging in places. If you do enjoy a walk however, and a little rocky terrain does not put you off, this well-travelled path is a wonderful way to spend an hour or two. There is also a jetty en-route which proved popular with those brave enough to take a dip in the sea!
The Rising Tide
If you walk far enough along the coast path, you will reach a mesmerising sculpture of horses in water, created by artist Jason DeCaires Taylor. It’s approximately 5km from the cruise terminal, heading North along the coastline of the mainland. It takes an hour each way at a leisurely pace, though you may want to allow extra time for photos and a picnic along the way. To read more about the meaning behind the artwork, Visit Norway has an article all about it here.
Haraldsvang
A charming park to the East of Haugesund, Haraldsvang is popular with families and locals looking for a relaxed space to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. With options for walking, running, cycling and swimming in Skeisvannet Lake, there is plenty to do. Add to that a children’s play area with swings, a climbing frame and a sand pit, you can see why it’s a family favourite. It’s a 45 minute (3.3km) walk from the cruise terminal, or you can get bus 202 from Strandgata on the mainland to
Maudvegen, which takes around 8 minutes. There are toilets and a cafe, though it only opens during peak times. Locals recommend taking a picnic just incase!
Walk, Shop & Eat
Sounds like my ideal day out! Although there are of course souvenir shops dotted around, Haugesund is a locals town at heart, and that means a chance to shop like a true Norwegian. From fairisle jumpers knitted from the finest nordic sheep wool, to handmade greetings cards, art galleries, boutiques and delicious baked goods, there are plenty of shops to snoop around in. We found a gourmet doughnut shop next door to a supermarket, and the food was truly delicious – just what we needed to recharge after a long walk. Not sure where to stop for lunch? Check out TripAdvisor or ask a local where they would recommend.
Galleries & Museums
As with many cities across the world, Haugesund is not short of a few museums. For a city with a tale to tell, you would expect its past to be so well represented, but perhaps not in such a modern way as The Viking Planet, Haugesund.
The Viking Planet Haugesund
This brand new museum for 2023 uses the most up-to-date VR and 3D technology to bring to life iconic Viking culture in a new and innovative way. A truly immersive experience, the journey through history is separated in to 4 zones and lasts approximately 60 minutes. There is also a designated space for 0-5 year olds which features age-appropriate activities, so no need for the little ones to miss out! Just 700m from the cruise terminal, this will be popular on port days and it is advised that you pre-book tickets to avoid disappointment. You can do so by visiting the Viking Planet Haugesund website here.
Arquebus War History Museum (WWII Museum)
Often featured as a best-selling cruise excursion, Haugesund’s World War II Museum is a popular choice for those fascinated by this era. Passengers are often encouraged to book this excursion through the cruise line as it includes convenient transportation from the cruise terminal, however if you can make it over the bridge, I suggest saving yourself some serious money and getting public transport. Bus 206 runs regularly from Sørhauggata terminal on the mainland to Førresfjorden.
History
If, like my husband, you are obsessed with Vikings, then Haugesund and the surrounding area will be a fascinating place to learn about. Before the town was established, neighbouring Avaldsnes was the most significant settlement in the area and is celebrated as the home of Harald Fairhair – the first King of Norway. Though Haugesund itself has a much more recent history, monuments to King Harald can still be found around the town, including Haraldshaugen, the national monument to Norway’s unification under his rule. Haugesund wasn’t really established until the 18th century when the town sought to take its share of the herring trade. Though the herring heydays of Haugesund may have passed, the town still thrives as a modern meeting point for local communities and tourists, in addition to a significant geographical settlement and the home of the Norwegian Maritime Authority headquarters.
Getting Around
Travelling around Haugesund by public transport is very easy. Kolumbus bus services run regularly throughout the city and are very economical. Single journeys in the local area are as little as 15NOK (that’s around £1.50) and get you to all of the main attractions with no hassle. Kids under 6 travel for free too! For a full list of fares, journey planners and to download the app for purchasing tickets, visit Kolumbus.no.
Pre-bookable Excursions
Many of the cruise lines offer their own shore excursions from Haugesund cruise port, however there are no ‘must-do’ excursions from this particular port in my opinion. Many cruise passengers who disembark at Haugesund will do some shopping, maybe take a walk or a ride on the land train. The rest will make the most of the facilities onboard whilst everyone else is off enjoying the sights.
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If you like this article, check out some of our other Norwegian Fjords posts here.
Useful Links:
The Viking Planet Haugesund www.tvphaugesund.no
Arquebus Museum www.haugalandmuseet.no
Visit Norway www.visitnorway.com
City Train Sightseeing Haugesund www.bytoget.no
Fjord Norway www.fjordnorway.com
Have you been to Haugesund? What were your highlights? Let us know in the comments – we love to hear from you!
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