The good life in the Haugalandet region
Haugalandet has everything you need to live a balanced life, with room for ambitions, hobbies and quality time with friends and family.
Although work and career are important to many, most people prefer to have a life outside of it too. When life is good outside of work, you’ll perform better at your job as well!
Whether you’re into sports and fitness, you’re a culture junkie, love fishing and outdoor life or want a bit of everything – Haugalandet has something for everyone. And if you’re looking to start something new, you’ll quickly find a cheer squad backing you up.
A rich cultural life
You won’t find yourself bored in the Haugalandet region. If you’re into culture, you’ll find a wide range of cultural events and activities for all ages – all year round. You can attend concerts and festivals, stand-up comedy and theatre, museums and galleries. There are experiences to suit all tastes, whether you prefer buzzing crowds and big international artists or intimate concerts with undiscovered talents.
Here you can learn about coastal culture and Viking history, craft traditions and local heritage. You can enjoy a sauna and take a dip in the sea, join a kitchen gardening course or go for a “hole in one” in Europe’s largest mini golf facility!
If you’re a foodie, you can indulge in a wide range of restaurants and cafés in authentic and charming surroundings. In the regional centre, Haugesund, you’ll find everything from traditional home cooking to street food and fusion – often with flavours from the region. And of course, Haugalandet offers first-class seafood – fresh from the sea in the west!
Haugalandet hosts a number of festivals each year, including Sildajazzen, the Norwegian Film Festival, the Viking Festival, Skånevik Blues Festival, Vikedal Roots Music Festival, the Festival in Vangen, the Skude Festival and Haugaland Pride.
Check out the overview of cultural attractions and upcoming events on Destination Haugesund & Haugalandet’s website using the buttons below:
Family friendly
Haugalandet has everything needed to give children a good upbringing: a safe living environment, good access to kindergartens, quality schools in both private and public ownership and after-school activities for everyone: choirs, marching bands, football, martial arts, scout groups, music and arts schools and hiking groups are just a fraction of what children can choose from.
Not to mention – the money for housing goes further here than in the big cities. Whether you prefer living close to the city centre or on the countryside, your family can live in a spacious home with room for both a trampoline and backyard adventures. Perhaps the dream of a cabin in the mountains could become a reality too?
Outdoor adventures
Love spending time in nature? Then you’ve definitely come to the right place! In the Haugalandet region, you’re just a short distance from breathtaking nature experiences. Choose between fjords, mountains, forests or the sea. Strong natural forces and spectacular landscapes attract tourists from all over the world. Yet you get the feeling of having nature all to yourself.
For those who enjoy heights, we have perhaps Norway’s toughest Via Ferrata route. Here, you’ll also find fantastic conditions for surfing, kiting and windsurfing. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, Haugalandet offers great hiking trails both in the high mountains and along the beautiful western coastline. If skiing is your thing, Sauda boasts one of the largest ski resorts in the South-West of Norway – just a two-hours drive from Haugesund!
Even for young explorers, the region is an outdoor paradise. Most people have access to nearby nature, where kids can pick berries or mushrooms in the Hundred Acre Wood of the neighbourhood, try their luck fishing in a pond or race each other to the top of one of the many small local hills, known as “nuter”. The day trip cabins are easily accessible hiking destinations and are open all year round – completely free of charge.
Find your dream home
If you’re on the hunt for your dream home, it’s quite possible that you’ll find it in the Haugalandet region. The housing prices are favorable, meaning you get more value for your money here than in the larger cities. A garage, garden and your own home office are all within reach.
You can choose between modern new builds, well-maintained pre-owned homes or charming fixer-uppers with history. Did we mention small farms? Whether you prefer urban living or life in the countryside, there’s something here for every taste.
Studies and upskilling
From time to time, it can be nice to top up your knowledge – or take a new direction altogether. Haugalandet offers a wide range of opportunities for further and continuing education. The Western Norway University of Applied Sciences has a campus in Haugesund and offers both classroom-based and online study programmes.
There’s a broad selection to choose from – mental health, pedagogy, offshore wind, and sustainable business development are just a few examples of available courses.
Headquartered in Haugesund, Tirna offers a wide range of courses and educational programmes at upper secondary and tertiary levels, covering a variety of disciplines, from health and social care to economics and administration.
