Haugesund
Haugaland, with Haugesund as its regional center, is currently one of the most exciting growth regions in Norway, offering significant purchasing power and business opportunities. From Haugesund, more than 160 000 people can be reached within an hour or so by car or high speed passenger ferry.
It is also a part of the country well enriched with numerous historical sites and other archaeological discoveries.
Experience this country of majestic mountains, picturesque fjords, spectacular waterfalls and ancient glaciers. Inland, abundant farmlands dot the landscape, where trout and salmon rivers or lakes offer a taste of the great outdoors. At the coast, feel the exhilaration of wild foaming seas during a storm, or wide sandy beaches on a calm summers’ day. And remember, all these attractions can be reached within a short trip.
The Region of Haugalandet - Norway’s birthplace
Haugalandet identifies itself with water, especially the sea. Fjords are shortcuts to the oceans, - the widest main road to the world. For more than 1000 years the people of Haugalandet have been sailors and merchants. “Nordvegen”, the sea route through Haugalandet, is the origin of the name Norway, - the way north. Travelers from distant lands have sailed these routes and our ancestors embarked on many a journey. These travels have brought with them impulses from other cultures. The sea challenges us to courage. The courage to face the unknown and withstand the harsh weather. We have always developed vessels and equipment to meet these challenges. The sea means fish, oil and gas. Mountain water run-off and abrupt fjord walls provide energy, which aids in the production of manganese and aluminum. Industry brings with it international influences that are seen throughout the region. We are fortunate to find ourselves in the middle of enormous natural riches. But nothing is taken for granted. We give status to hard-working and practical people, and this has created wealth and knowledge. Water encourages recreation and leisure. Haugalandet has the sea to the west, long fjords to the south and north as well as lakes and rivers in the heart of the region. Haugalandet has many opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy leisure activities.
Haugalandet a good place to realize your dreams
The good life is about having a good job, but equally important is life outside the workplace. Norway is one of the world´s richest countries and Haugalandet in particular belongs to that part of the country which has experienced the largest increase in population and standard of living. It is no surprise that Haugalandet offers a wide range of living choices, a positive environment to raise children, and abundant network of public and private services.
What is important for you? What is your ideal picture of the good life? Dreams are individual and often connected to life´s different stages. Maybe you want not just one job but the possibility of several different jobs. Maybe you are considering more than one home and are looking for a wide ranging housing market with affordable prices. Some people appreciate the short travel times to Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and international destinations. For others, things such as schools within walking distance or a view of the ocean are priceless.
Give Haugalandet a try
With so much to experience and plenty to take part in, Haugalandet has a lot to offer. Music corps, sports clubs, boat clubs, children´s choirs, hiking and hill-walking, dancing, performing arts, golf clubs and much more. Alternatively, pleasure and enjoyment can be found on a secluded island or quiet mountain top. Tourist association Fjord Norway is accredited with the title; - One of the world´s most attractive travel destinations. Haugalandet is part of this stunning scenic beauty. The name is very appropriate, for regardless of your location you can observe mountain stacked upon mountain. It is among these mountain stacks and fjords that you will find sandy white beaches, rocky inlets and coves, heather moors and lakes filled with trout, salmon rivers, deer prowled forests, numerous hiking trails in summer and skiing tracks in winter. We must also mention Langfoss, Norway´s fifth highest waterfall, standing 612 metres high and one of the most beautiful.
Haugesund - A great shopping destination
Haugesund is the region’s largest urban center and for this reason enjoys a trade turnover twice the national average. Many shoppers combine their shopping with a day out or weekend in town, often traveling two hours or more to reach Haugesund. With what is probably Norway’s longest pedestrian street, Haugesund´s shopping precinct comprises several hundred shops and stores. Situated just a few minutes away are a number of shopping centers and malls. Shops and boutiques within close proximity to each other generate strong competition, wide choice, keen prices and friendly service which translates into a good deal for the consumer.
Haugesund is also host to a string of festivals and arrangements, the peak of which occurs in August with the internationally acclaimed Sildajazz jazz festival and the Norwegian Film Festival. More than 160 000 people between Bergen and Stavanger have at least one thing in common Haugesund.
Energy Rich Haugalandet
Natural energy and energetic people make up “Energy Rich Haugalandet”. Most of Norway´s natural gas passes through the Kårstø processing plant in Haugalandet, where it is refined and sent out, - mostly to Europe. Hydro has Europe’s largest aluminum works here. Haugalandet and neighboring Sunnhordland comprise Norway’s most significant region in platforms, equipment and modules for the petroleum industry. Altogether, Haugalandet is one of the largest and most diverse areas in the petroleum and maritime based industries and process industries. Collectively, these industries have created a strong service and supply environment. Competition and co-operation have led to the development of technically advanced products and has stimulated substantial export and international partnerships. Haugalandet can offer a multitude of exciting and future-orientated careers in both the industrial and service sectors. Stord/Haugesund University College runs a comprehensive curriculum which compliments the regions industrial base. Several colleges also provide industry with skilled young people.
Never far away
Haugalandet is surrounded by fjords. To the south is Boknafjord, which stretches inland to Sauda. To the north, by the sea, is Bømlafjord which eventually becomes Åkrafjord at its end inland. From Haugesund in the west to Sauda and Etne in the east takes approximately 1 hours by car. Sailing west by ferry to Utsira takes about 1 hour. Improving roads changes a society. The main road E-134 to Oslo is being continuously upgraded to reduce travel time. The west coast route, E-39, has been significantly improved with new bridges and an undersea tunnel linking Stord and Bømlo to Haugalandet.
In approximately 10 years time a planned tunnel will connect the Stavanger region with Haugalandet forming an ever more important crossroads between western and eastern Norway.
From Haugesund to:
Haugesund Airport by car or bus; 20 Mins.
Stavanger by high-speed ferry; 90 Mins.
Stavanger by car; 115 Mins.
Bergen by high-speed ferry; 120 Mins.
Bergen by car; 180 Mins.
Bergen by aeroplane; 30 Mins.
Oslo Airport by aeroplane; 55 Mins.
Oslo by bus; 7 Hours
How to get there?
- 15 minutes from the Haugesund airport by car or airport bus.
Things to do ?
- Visit the City of Haugesund - shopping area, museums, cafes etc.
- Visit the Nordvegen Viking Center, Avaldsnes
- See the spectacular film about Haugesund and the region of Haugalandet in the hotel’s multi-screen theater.
- Fjord trips - take the recommended routs around in the region and enjoy the look at the unique landscape and nature including fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, panoramas etc.
- Take a walk in the hills around the city - many trails in the city and the region.
- Enjoy a day-trip with the ferry to the small and beautiful island Utsira.
- Visit the small and charming wooden village Skudeneshavn - voted as no. 1 Summer-Village in Norway in 2004.
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