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At Nordvegen History Centre, an audio visual King Harald Fairhair invites us in to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. He is our guide through a 3500 year long history about Avaldsnes as a meeting spot between Norway and Europe, and as a national and, at times, international centre of power. The Viking king presents some of the kings who have controlled the Norwegian coast from Avaldsnes. Some of these kings are known through archaeological findings, and some through tales. The history centre is placed next to St. Olav’s Church. To preserve the integrity of the church as well as the historical landscape, most of the centre, opened in 2005, is underground. Café can hold up to 130 people. Also combo ticket with Viking Farm: adults 150 kr; child under 16 50 kr; senior 100 kr.
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King Håkon Håkonsson erected the St. Olav’s Church around 1250 AD as part of the royal farm on Avaldsnes. Next to the church stands one of Norway’s tallest pillars, “Jomfru Marias synål” (Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle). According to the legend when the pillar touches the church wall it means the end of the world. That is why the priests through the years have chipped off parts of the top. St. Olav’s Church is situated on Avaldsnes, approximately 10 minutes by car south of Haugesund.
The Viking farm at Bukkøy is a reconstructed farm at Avaldsnes. The museum provides knowledge about the lives of our ancestors. In the museum courtyard you will find a traditional longhouse as well as smaller dwellings, a Viking boat and plants and animals. During the summer people are dressed in Viking clothes as they display the Vikings’ way of life. You get here by walking from St. Olav’s Church, 15-20 minutes through the open beautiful landscape before getting to the tree-covered island. In summer there's an English guided tour starting 13:00 at the Viking Farm.
Vigsnes Grubemuseum
Copper from Visnes was used on the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. A much smaller version of the statue is at Visnes to commemorate the connection. Guided tours are offered, including peasant re-enactments with 19th-century crofters’ lunches.
Rådhuset i Haugesund
A gift from shipowner Knut Knutsen and his wife Elisabeth, the town hall was designed by architects Gudolf Blakstad and Hermann Munthe-Kaas and opened in 1931.
Karmsund Folkemuseum
A museum of local culture and history.
Our Saviour's Church
Church of Norway (Lutheran) parish church, built in 1901, in the centre of Haugesund with a capacity of 1050.