From Skudeneshavn to the Åkrafjord – a journey from coast to fjord

This trip starts at the southern tip of Karmøy, more specifically in Skudeneshavn. After checking into Havn Hotell, stroll among the white, well-maintained houses and charming streets of the old town.

After soaking up the town’s unique atmosphere, make your way to its coolest shop: Saltraak. Cathrine is waiting to take you on a guided paddle board tour around Skudeneshavn. This gives you the opportunity to see the town from the sea, and Cathrine will maybe even show you some hidden gems and her best-kept secrets?

The tour will probably have made you hungry, so find a table at your hotel’s restaurant with a view of the harbour and enjoy a good meal at Havn Restaurant.

The next day, get in your car after breakfast and head north towards Haugesund. Taking a break at Åkrasanden beach is recommended, where you can either take a refreshing swim in the sea, go for a stroll or just sit, breathe and enjoy the scenery.

On arrival in Haugesund, check in at one of the town’s most central hotels: Thon Hotel Partner Saga. Then head for Carlos at Gamle Slaktehuset for lunch, and the best coffee in town!

When you’re done, head for the shops! Haugesund is well known for its lively town centre and niche shops. Whether you’re interested in fashion, interior design, books or second-hand shops – you’ll find the shop for you! And best of all – you’ll meet people who don’t simply work there, but are passionate about what they do.

Would you prefer a cultural activity to shopping, or a combination of the two? There are several interesting museums in the town centre; Karmsund Folk Museum, Dokken – Herring Museum in Haugesund, Haugesund Art Gallery and The Viking Planet.

After your shopping spree or a cultural activity, it’s time for a bite to eat. Stop by Dattera til Lothe (or Lothes Mat & Vinhus if you want to splash out) in the town centre. If you’re in Haugesund on a sunny day, we recommend finding an outdoor table, so you can enjoy both the food and sunshine at what may be Haugesund’s most charming outdoor restaurant.

Explore the island community of Utsira. The day starts with a hearty breakfast before you head for Garpaskjærskaien quay on the island of Risøy (linked to the town centre by a bridge). From there, take the boat to Utsira, an island community with just under 200 inhabitants. You can park your car for free at the ferry quay, or take it on the boat to Utsira.

Utsira may be a small island, but it offers plenty of different experiences. The island is known for its warmth and hospitality, and the municipality always comes out top in televised fundraising events.

On the island you can see Utsira Lighthouse, go bird watching (more species of birds have been observed on the island than the number of permanent residents) and beautiful nature. It may also surprise you to learn that the island, at the ocean’s edge in the west, is also known for its street art. For several years, street artists from all over the world have been invited to make their mark on the island. Can you find all the artworks?

You can eat dinner in the old schoolhouse, which now houses the restaurant Dahmsgård. Daniella and Hans, originally from the Netherlands, are passionate about local ingredients, and their menu primarily focuses on seafood delicacies.

You spend the night at the lighthouse, where you can stay in one of the three different lighthouse keeper’s houses or the tiny charming cabin Nyperosa.

You take the boat back to Haugesund the following day, and the trip continues from coast to fjord. When the boat arrives in Haugesund, head towards Etne and the Åkrafjord (a drive of around 1.5 – 2 hours). After driving for about an hour, you will arrive in the centre of Etne, where we recommend stopping for lunch at Fugl Fønix. The restaurant is in the hotel of the same name and serves delicious food. Did you know that this urban local hotel also has its own brewery?

After the meal, start the final leg to the Åkrafjord. Check in at Åkrafjorden Glamping, where you can enjoy the accommodation and a sauna with fjord views. If you are more than two people, we recommend you check in at the Mikrohyttene cabins, next to Åkrafjordtunet, which can sleep 4 to 6 people.

The last day of the trip is packed with activities on the fjord. And don’t miss out on the fjord’s top attraction: Langfoss waterfall. Admire the waterfall from the car park beside the kiosk, or hike to the top of it (on your own or accompanied by a guide).

In the Åkrafjord, you can also climb a via ferrata trail (a family-friendly trail is available), go canyoning in spectacular scenery, hire a paddle board and paddle on the fjord, go horseback riding or join a guided mountain hike with a local guide. The hike can be tailored to your wishes – and rest assured that the local guide knows the mountains and fjord like the back of their hand! Maybe you’ll get to experience a hidden gem that few people know about?