Haugesund Norway Cruise Port Guide: Coastal Walks, City Centre & Viking Village

Don’t dismiss Haugesund Cruise Port as a “filler” port in your Norwegian fjords cruise itinerary! When I was planning my Norwegian fjords cruise (on P&O Iona), Haugesund initially struck me as an industrial town with little to offer compared to the dramatic fjords scenery at Olden and Hellesylt. How wrong I was! 

While you won’t find towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls here, Haugesund Cruise Port has a surprising amount to offer intrepid explorers who venture beyond the cruise ship crowds.

This guide is packed with DIY excursion ideas, tips for getting around, and essential information to help you plan an unforgettable day in this charming coastal city. Whether you’re interested in Viking history, scenic walks, island hopping, or simply soaking up the local culture, Haugesund has something to pique your curiosity. So, let’s dive in and discover the hidden gems that await you in this picturesque corner of Norway.

Haugesund Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy

Haugesund is easy to explore on your own. With its compact city centre, convenient transportation options and nearby attractions, it’s 😎😎😎😎😎 easy peasy to plan your own DIY shore excursion:

• Walkable City Centre: The charming heart of Haugesund is just a 15-minute stroll from the cruise terminal, making it easy to explore the shops,cafes, and historical sites on foot.
• Miniature Train for All Abilities: For those who prefer a more leisurely pace or have mobility concerns, a delightful miniature sightseeing train departs right by the pier, offering a fun and accessible way to see the sights.
• Nearby Natural Beauty: Even the famous Rising Tides sculpture is within reach, located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the port. A scenic walk will get you there, and you can even pack a picnic to enjoy by the water or take a refreshing dip!

For those who can’t get enough of the fjords, then a trip to Langfoss waterfall is also possible via small group tour.

Haugesund Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know

• Haugesund Cruise Port schedule: Karmsundhavn.no
• Haugesund Cruise Port Address: Garpeskjærvegen, 5527 Haugesund, Norway – see this marked on my Haugesund Cruise Port Map below 🗺️📍👇
• Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NOK), June 2024: US $1 = 10.50 NOK, GBP £1 = 13 NOK, CAD $1 = ~8 NOK, AUD $1 = ~7 NOK
• 💶 Cash or 💳 Card: Norway is mostly cashless! Many shops don’t accept cash and if they do, they may not have change to give back to you. So save yourself the hassle and forget about withdrawing NOK at an ATM. It’s perfectly acceptable to pay by card, even for a cup of coffee! Visa/Mastercard typically with Amex rarely accepted.
• Language: Norwegian, but almost everyone you’ll encounter will speak English with you!
• Official Websites:
  • FjordNorway is the official tourism website, including a very handy town map (PDF) listing out the WCs to download to your phones!
  • Local buses are operated by Kolumbus.no
• Recommended Transport App: Use Google Maps to navigate your walk around Haugesund but the town is small and you’ll unlikely to get lost
• eSIM for roaming in Norway: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout

Haugesund Cruise Port Map

• On Desktop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If the map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

Haugesund Cruise Port to Haugesund Town Centre: Your Transport Options

1. Walk to Haugesund Town Centre

From the Haugesund Cruise Pier, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Haugesund Town Centre. Follow the pavement out of the cruise terminal for about 5 minutes and take a left when you see a sign marked “City Centre”. After taking this left turn, you’ll immediately see the bridge – it’s the bridge in the photo above 📸👆. Follow the bend after the bridge and Haugesund’s town centre is straight ahead.

Note that there is a slight incline as you approach the bridge (“Risøy broen“) but the uphill section is no more than a minute or two. You can see the route marked on my Haugesund cruise port map 🗺️📍👆

2. Haugesund Port Shuttle Bus

The shuttle bus, run by a company called “Tide Buss AS”, is available just outside the pier, as you get off the ship:

• Frequency: Approximately every 15 minutes till an hour before cruise ship departure time. (Check last bus time on the day!) – this is NOT a hop-on-hop-off bus. It runs directly from the cruise pier to the drop off point in the town centre.
• Tickets: 70 NOK return – cards only, no cash
• Shuttle Drop Off: Our Saviour’s Church (Vår Frelsers Church), marked on my map above 🗺️📍👆

3. Haugesund Sightseeing CityTrain

This miniature tourist train is perfect for those with limited mobility. You can take a 70-minute guided tour of Haugesund with free WiFi and audio commentary, with the option to get out at Our Saviour’s Church in the town centre and take a later train back to the cruise port. If you’re heading to Alesund for your cruise, then the same company also runs an identical CityTrain there.

• Frequency: Roughly every 30 minutes
• Tickets: 320 NOK adults, 150 NOK for kids under 15, 750 NOK for 2 adults and 2 kids – pay with card, as cash prices are slightly higher!
• Route Note: The sightseeing train does not go to the Rising Tide sculpture. The furthest it goes outside the town centre is Haraldhaugen – Norway’s national monument to commemorate the unification of Norway by Harald Fairhair, 2 km (~1.2 miles) outside of Haugesund. I’ve marked this on my Haugesund cruise port map above 🗺️📍👆

4. Haugesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Also leaving from the cruise pier is the hop-on hop-off bus. I’m generally not a big fan of HOHO buses, but I know that a lot of cruisers love them!

The Haugesund HOHO is a 50-minute loop with just 6 stops along the way. It also goes only as far as Haraldhaugen and does not stop at the Rising Tide sculpture. It does stop at the Haraldsvang Nature Park, if you’d like to do some walking trails just outside of Haugesund town centre but that is also easily accessible with local bus #202 or just walk from the cruise pier in about 30 minutes.

• Frequency: Roughly every 30 minutes
• Tickets: 428 NOK adults, 213 NOK for kids – you can pay with card with a ticket seller prior to boarding at the cruise pier. You can check the bus route here and online tickets are sometimes cheaper!

Top Things To Do In Haugesund From Cruise Ship

1. Coastal Walk to The Rising Tide (Sculpture)

One of the most unique attractions in Haugesund is ‘The Rising Tide,’ a stunning tidal sculpture by world-renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor – the same artist that created the underwater art museum, just off the coast of Cannes. Featuring four horsemen that are submerged and revealed by the ocean’s tides, this powerful artwork is a must-see along the city’s beautiful coastal path.

Want to plan the perfect visit? What you see of the sculptures depends entirely on the tides, and getting there is a nice DIY shore excursion. For detailed walking directions, bus routes, the best time of day to go, and the story behind these incredible horses, check out my complete guide below.

➡️ Read More: Your Complete Guide to the Rising Tide Sculptures in Haugesund

2. See Norway’s National Monument Haraldshaugen

On the way back to Haugesund town centre, stop at Haraldshaugen, one of Norway’s National Monument.

It was erected in 1872 to mark the millennium celebration of Norway’s unification into one kingdom. In 872, after the Battle of Hafrsfjord, Norway was united as one.

The 29 smaller stones around the obelisk is mean to symbolise each of the 29 historic counties of Norway. Why is this in Haugesund? Because legend has it that this is the burial site of King Harald I (aka Harald Fairhair), who died circa 933.

How to Get There:

• Walk from Rising Tide sculpture: Once you’ve turned around at the Rising Tide sculpture and walk back towards the town centre (ie. the way you came), in about 1.5km (~1 mile), you’ll see a sign marked Haraldshaugen. (You should see the monument’s spire by then!).
• Mini-Tourist Train or HoHf Bus: Both the miniature tourist train and the Hop-on-Hop-off bus (see above) stops at Haraldshaugen.
• Bus from Haugesund Town Centre: Bus #201 from Strandgata terminal bus stop (see this marked on my Haugesund Cruise Port map above 🗺️📌👆) and get off at bus stop “Gard”. It’s easy to recognise the stop as it’s at an Esso gas station but best to tell the bus driver that you’ll going to Haraldshaugen! Timetables here but it’s a lot easier to use Google Maps and see live bus departures!
  • Tickets: 45 NOK one-way, I think the easiest way is to download the Kolumbus Billett app and purchase on your phone. Note cards are not accepted on the bus. Tickets onboard buses, paid with cash, is 65 NOK one-way.

Note: If you use Google Maps, you may see a Bus #231 with stops closer to both Haraldshaugen & the Rising Tide sculpture. Note that this is a “school-run” bus, so there’s only one AM and one PM departure.

3. Stroll Around Haugesund Town Centre

Haugesund Town Centre is compact and very walkable, so you’ll likely be done in an hour or two. Here’s a few must-see spots as you explore – all of these are marked in my map above:

• Haraldsgata: This bustling main street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Part of the street is pedestrian only. It’s a great place to find souvenirs, try Norwegian pastries or simply people-watch. For a coffee (with a sweet treat), try “Tre steer Uni-k” or “Naturbakst” – see these marked on my Haugesund Cruise Port map above 🗺️📌👆
• Haugesund Town Hall (Rådhuset) has a nice park attached, so drop by as a rest stop
• Haugesund Cathedral – Our Saviour’s Church (Vår Frelsers Kirke) is a local landmark built in the Neo-Gothic style. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when I was there, so I didn’t get to see it.
• Byparken: Beautiful park in the heart of Haugesund – you’ll find it on the northern end of Haraldsgata. Duck around the corner and see the King Harald Fairhair statue – it’s also a good viewpoint where you can see the cruise pier. You’ll be able to take good photos with the ship behind you.
• Haugesund Art Gallery: See Norwegian art from the 1800s to the 2000s. It’s a stone’s throw away from Byparken and there’s a cafe too. Kids-friendly art activities here, too. Check opening hours here – entry fees are 70 NOK adults, 50 NOK students & seniors, free for kids under 16

WC facilities are available at the local library, the Haugesund folkebibliotek, around the corner from Haugesund Cathedral. Just walk to the back of the Cathedral and you’ll see a park and the library is right there! There’s free WiFi there too!

4. Visit Viking Planet

Viking Planet is a mixed digital and interactive museum about the Vikings in the heart of Haugesund, about 15 minutes from Haugesund Cruise Port. (You’ll see it as soon as you cross the bridge.)

An immersive film called “Nordveger” sets the stage before you venture off to a series of interactive exhibits about key Viking events and battles. The most fun has to be the virtual reality (VR) movie – you’ll need to wear VR headsets – and the 270 degree cinema. (Note the VR Game is an additional charge to the museum admission.)

• Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm
• Tickets: NOK 265 Adults, NOK 150 kids aged 6-11. VR game costs an additional NOK 250.

5. Visit the Viking Village (aka Viking History Museum)

If you’re fascinated by Viking history, then take a bus ride to nearby Avaldsnes and visit the Viking History Museum (Nordvegen Historiesenter). It brings the Viking Age to life through interactive exhibits, archaeological finds and immersive experiences!

There’s Viking ships, a reconstructed Viking farm, weapons, jewellery and everyday objects. (Note the Viking Farm attached to the museum is only open during peak summer months.)

• Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday, April to September – double check opening hours here, since it’s a bit of a trek to get there!
• Tickets: 130 NOK adults, 110 NOK students & seniors, 80 NOK kids aged 4-16
• How To Get There: Buses #208, #209 and #210 all stop in the nearby town, Avaldsnes.
  • Closest bus stop to Cruise Pier is just across the bridge – see it marked on my map above called “Strandgata“
  • Timetables: Download here – look for routes listed under Haugalandet on the right hand side. Between the different routes, there’s a bus around every 30 minutes on weekdays but note that services are less frequent on weekends.
  • Journey Time: Around 20 minutes bus ride to Avaldsnes and then add 20 minutes walk to the museum
  • Tickets: 45 NOK one-way, I think the easiest way is to download the Kolumbus Billett app and purchase on your phone. Note cards are not accepted on the bus.
• Alternative Tour: If you prefer to take a boat trip, here’s a 3-hour tour which will take you there plus the Viking Planet in Haugesund town.

6. Take a Ferry to Røvær

Røvær (pronounced roughly “Rur-vair”) is a small archipelago located about 10 km (~6 miles) west of Haugesund. It is a tiny, close-knit community of just under 100 permanent residents who live on a handful of the 200 small islands and islets that make up the archipelago. The island is known for its peaceful, car-free environment, rugged coastal scenery, and offering a genuine glimpse into Norwegian coastal life, past and present.

If you’ve visiting Haugesund on a weekday, then a DIY shore excursion to Røvær is relatively straightforward, thanks to frequent ferries from Haugesund that allow you to visit for a few hours. (Note that the ferry schedules on weekends are less frequent, so timing your excursion is harder.)

What to See and Do at Røvær

Once you get there, the most interesting attraction is the Aquaculture Centre 📸👇. The exhibitions show how Norway used its vast coastline to become a world leader in producing farmed salmon. You can even take a RIB boat ride out to a nearby fish farm!

The Aquaculture Centre is free entry and RIB boat tours cost 100 NOK each – this is a very kids friendly activity but only kids over 5 can go on a RIB boat. (If you’re going specifically to go on a RIB boat ride to the fish farms, then please DO email them ahead to make sure that there are no school groups visiting and they have capacity for you.)

After your visit to the Aquaculture Centre, walk up to Bråvarden, the island’s highest point for great views. Walk to Lothastranda where the water is shallow to look at various sea life, including crabs.

• How to Get There: Take Ferry #700 from Haugesund ferry terminal, just across the bridge from the cruise pier – marked on my Haugesund Cruise Port map
• Ferry Schedules: 10am or 10:30am departure from Haugesund with a return at 2pm is sufficient time to explore Røvær. See the full ferry timetable here.
• Journey Time: Fast non-stop ferries between Haugesund and Røvær take 25 minutes while the “all-stops” ferries take 30 minutes.
• Ferry Tickets: One-way fares are 73 NOK adults, 37 NOK for kids and seniors – purchase online at https://billetter.kolumbus.no/en#
• What to Bring: Swing by a supermarket in Haugesund town centre and pick up snacks and drinks, as there’s very little to purchase on Røvær. If you prefer a sit-down lunch, then visit the only hotel on Røvær – the Røvær Sjøhus.

7. Take a RIB boat ride

RIB boat rides are very popular and available in almost every Norwegian cruise port, so why do RIB rides in Haugesund? I think that Haugesund is a good choice if you’re tempted but apprehensive about hopping onto a RIB boat.

Haugesund’s RIB rides start from just outside the cruise pier and because of the surrounding low lying areas, is less likely to be subjective to high winds than say Olden or Hellesylt. You’ll see Røvær and Feøy – both small island communities close to Haugesund, whereas in ports like Olden and Hellesylt, you’ll most likely be “flying” through the fjords to see dramatic landscapes and waterfalls. The two experiences are quite different!

• RIB Boat Tours: Hourly rides start at the tourist booth, at the cruise pier. The boats are about 3 minutes walk away. The operator in Haugesund appears to be smaller and only operates one boat an hour, whereas in other ports, there’s multiple boats running at the same time. All equipment is provided including a dry suit and goggles, so you won’t get wet!

8. Excursion to Åkrafjorden & Langfoss waterfalls

If you still craving for more dramatic fjord views, then the best full day excursion to do from Haugesund is to Åkrafjorden & Langfoss waterfalls.

The Langfoss waterfall has been voted as one of the most beautiful in the world by CNN. The water falls down a towering mountain for over 600m (~2,000 feet) before the water leaps out into Åkrafjorden at the base of the mountain.

This is about 90 minutes drive from Haugesund cruise port, so the best way to see Langford and get back on time is on a small group tour – this one leaves from the cruise pier and you’ll also see Haraldshaugen – the national monument – on the way back to the port.

As your ship pulls into Haugesund, I hope you’ll have an unforgettable day exploring this stunning region of Norway. If you found this blog post helpful in planning your adventure, please share it with fellow cruisers in your roll-call groups – I’d really appreciate it. Safe travels and smooth sailing!

Anchors aweigh! 👇 Find your next port of call here!

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