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!

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 in Haugalandet on Fjord Norway’s website:

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Networks and communities

Moving to a new place (or even just wanting to meet new people where you already live) can feel overwhelming. Luckily, Haugalandet is full of opportunities to connect – whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, meet fellow expats, volunteer, or just get to know your community better.

Mingel

Join our monthly afterwork, meet new people and find out what’s happening in the region. Both free and fun! Mingel is an informal afterwork event for anyone interested in broadening their horizons. Whether you’re new to Haugalandet or have lived here your whole life, this is a great place to connect with others, discover new opportunities and have a good time. You can expect company presentations, free food, social activities and great vibes!

Expats in Haugesund (Facebook group)

Looking for tips, connections, or just some friendly faces? Join the Expats in Haugesund Facebook group – a helpful and welcoming space for internationals living in the region.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, give back to your community, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. You don’t need special qualifications – just a willingness to share your time, talents or interests.

Local voluntary organisations offer everything from sports and outdoor activities, culture and music, faith-based communities and more. Explore local organisations through Aktiv i Haugesund and Aktiv i Karmøy:

Feeling unsure where to start? That’s totally normal! The region’s Voluntary Service Centres (Frivilligsentraler) are here to help you find something meaningful and suited to you. Just reach out – they’re happy to chat!

Voluntary Service Centre contacts by location:

• Haugesund – Selam Teklu: Selam.G.Teklu@haugesund.kommune.no / +47 52 74 43 41 / +47 40 08 94 07
• Tysvær – Grethe Vangsnes: Grethe.vangsnes@tysver.kommune.no / +47 92 82 27 14
• Tysvær (Haugesund Red Cross) – Anne Kesia Leirvik: anne@hrk.no / +47 52 71 12 50
• Tysvær (Stegaberg Sports Club) – Espen Å. Førland: dagligleder@stegaberg.no / +47 94 09 41 63
• Nedstrand – Elisabeth Ness: elisabeth.ness@tysver.kommune.no
• North Karmøy – Silje Sjøen: nordkarmoyfrivilligsentral@iogt.no / +47 90 61 39 99
• South Karmøy – Linda Thorsvik: lindarthorsvik@live.no
• West Karmøy – Mangor Mannes: mangor.mannes@blakors.no / +47 95 86 07 04
• Utsira – Elisabeth Fosse: elisabeth.fosse@utsira.kommune.no
• Vindafjord – Nelly Beate Vestbø: Nelly.Beate.Vestbo@vindafjord.kommune.no / +47 48 18 40 78
• Etne – Solveig Kvamme: frivillig.etne@gmail.com / +47 90 23 83 54
• Sveio – Guro Røher: guro.roher@bymisjon.no / +47 48 86 23 18
• Sauda – Mari Austarheim: mari.austarheim@sauda.kommune.no / +47 90 20 59 22

Other organisations worth checking out:

Haugesund and Karmøy Red Cross offers activities, courses, and social support initiatives:

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Food and drink

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!

See Fjord Norway’s overview of food and drink, including restaurants, bars and cafés:

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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?

Check out Fjord Norway’s overview of activities for families and children in the region:

Skattkammeret offers free rental of outdoor and recreational equipment for children and young people up to 25 years old. It is a service provided by Kirkens Bymisjon, and you’ll find equipment suited for all seasons. You can borrow anything from snowboards, skates, and alpine gear to volleyballs, tents, and fishing rods!

Skattkammeret also offers drop-in meeting places for youth, free courses and activities, and personal guides who can help you get started with a new hobby. Get in touch with your local Skattkammeret to learn more about what’s happening near you!

In the Haugalandet region, you’ll find Skattkammeret here:

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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-hour drive from Haugesund!

Check out some magnificent walking trails recommended by Fjord Norway:

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.

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) organises hikes, outdoor trips, and cabin stays for all ages and levels. Are you between 25 and 35 years old, living in Haugalandet, and interested in hiking with people your own age? DNT ung voksen Haugesund is a new hiking group under the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) in Haugesund, dedicated to bringing together young adults in the region who share a passion for the outdoors and want to explore nature together. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a complete beginner, there are no skill requirements – just a willingness to enjoy nature and have fun!

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Shopping

Whether you’re picking up everyday groceries or looking to refresh your wardrobe, Haugalandet offers a variety of shopping options, from cozy local shops to large retail centres.

Grocery shopping

For grocery shopping, locals often shop at supermarkets such as Rema 1000, Coop Extra and Kiwi. If you’re after high-quality produce, fresh seafood, or speciality foods, MENY is a popular option as well. Most neighbourhoods have small convenience stores like Bunnpris or Joker, where you can pick up everyday essentials. These shops are especially handy on Sundays, when most grocery stores are closed. Selected Spar and Rema 1000 locations also have Sunday opening hours.

For an all-in-one experience, head to Obs at Raglamyr in Haugesund. This large hypermarket combines groceries with household goods, electronics, clothing, and seasonal items. Many locals do their weekly shopping here.

International grocery stores can also be found across Haugalandet. These include shops like Aya Internasjonal Mat and Vina Import AS, which offer ingredients and products from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and more.

Do note that product labels and signage are mostly in Norwegian, which can be a bit confusing at first. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask someone at the checkout — they are usually happy to help.

Also, be aware that alcohol stronger than 4.7% (like wine and spirits) is only sold through state-run Vinmonopolet stores. You’ll find locations in Haugesund, Karmøy, Aksdal, Kopervik, Sveio, Ølen, Etne and Sauda.

Town centres and shopping malls

Around Haugalandet, you’ll find a mix of independent boutiques and well-known brands. Many are located in the heart of charming town centres:

• Haugesund city centre
• Skudeneshavn
• Specialty shops in Haugesund – featured by Fjord Norway

Prefer everything in one place? The region has several shopping malls that combine fashion, lifestyle and food under one roof, including:

• Alti Amanda (Haugesund)
• Markedet (Haugesund)
• Oasen (Karmsund)
• AMFI (Åkrehamn)
• Aksdal Senter (Tysvær)
• Sveio Senter (Sveio)
• Ølen Senter (Ølen)
• Etne Senter (Etne)

Online shopping

Online shopping is very popular in Norway, and many people regularly order clothing, electronics, beauty products and even groceries to their homes. Delivery is usually fast and reliable, with parcel lockers and pick-up points widely available across Haugalandet.

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Places of worship

Around 61.7% of the Norwegian population are members of the Church of Norway — an Evangelical-Lutheran church with an Apostolic Christian faith tradition. Across Haugalandet, most towns and villages have their own parish church. You can find your local congregation here.

In addition to the Church of Norway, the region is home to a variety of religious communities, including:

Christian denominations:

• The Catholic Church – St. Josef’s Church in Haugesund: katolsk.no
• Free Evangelical Congregation (Frikirken) – located on Karmøy: karmoy.frikirken.no
• Pentecostal Churches – find a local congregation: pinsebevegelsen.no
• Mission Churches – part of Misjonskirken Norge: mknu.no
• Seventh-day Adventist Churches – in Haugesund and Skudeneshavn
• Jehovah’s Witnesses – find a meeting location near you: jw.org
• Hope Church – an international Christian fellowship in Haugesund: hopechurch.no

Islam:

• ISMG Haugesund – Masjed el Salam – the local mosque: ismg.no

Humanism:

• The Norwegian Humanist Association (Human-Etisk Forbund) – a secular humanist organisation with over 174,000 members in Norway: human.no

If you’re looking for other faith or belief communities, your local municipality or community centre may be able to assist you in making connections.