Villages and places
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn - a coastal town with wooden houses and an idyllic atmosphere about 50 minutes by car from Haugesund. Perfect for both day trips and longer stays!
What is Skudeneshavn known for?
Skudeneshavn is known for its rich maritime history and great atmosphere. The town became an important fishing village and a busy sailing centre during the great herring fishery in the 1800s. In the heart of Skudeneshavn you will find the old town, an idyllic collection of white wooden houses and sea stalls from the mid-19th century, which was listed by the The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2018.
The city's rich maritime history is reflected in the architecture, where impulses from all over the world have left their mark on houses and details - a legacy of seafarers who travelled out and brought inspiration home. The relaxed atmosphere, combined with a vibrant local community, makes Skudeneshavn a perfect place for both day trips and longer stays.
Restaurants and cafés in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn has a selection of cosy restaurants and cafés, where you can enjoy everything from fresh seafood to homemade pastries. Note that several places are closed on Mondays, so you may want to check the opening hours in advance. Just a short drive away, you will find Raw Ocean Lodge, which offers an open café during the summer.
Travel to Skudeneshavn - information about transport
Skudeneshavn is idyllically located at the southern tip of Karmøy, just a 50-minute drive from Haugesund. If you are travelling by plane, it takes around 35 minutes by car from Haugesund Airport Karmøy, which has both national and international routes. The local bus network, operated by Kolumbus, makes it easy to explore the area by public transport. By bus, you can visit attractions such as Avaldsnes' rich Viking history, the white beaches of Åkrasanden and city life in Haugesund.
- Kolumbus - Public transport in Haugesund and the surrounding area
- Haugesund Airport Karmøy
- Car hire overview
On a cruise to Haugesund and want to visit Skudeneshavn?
If you're travelling to Haugesund by cruise, there are several ways to explore Skudeneshavn. Kolumbus has regular bus departures from Haugesund city centre to Skudeneshavn (bus no. 210 and X210 from Sørhauggata terminal), and there are several car rental companies that offer car delivery to the cruise port in Haugesund. In addition, Viking Adventure , Guidecompaniet and Fiordos Noruegos offer excursions that include charming Skudeneshavn.
More information about what to do when the cruise ship docks in Haugesund can be found here.
Good reasons to visit Skudeneshavn
Popular activities in Skudeneshavn

Outdoor activities and nature
SUP rental in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Rental of SUP boards in Skudeneshavn through Saltråk. Lifejacket included.

Culture
Skudeneshavn Museum, Mælandsgården
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn Museum, Mælandsgården, is situated in the beautiful Old Town of Skudeneshavn surrounded by wooden houses from the 1700s and 1800s. This old town grew in the 1800´s due to the great herring fishery.

Sightseeing
Adventure hunt in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Discover the exciting history of the town. The Adventure Hunt is an activity rebus for those with an adventurous spirit who visit Skudeneshavn.

Outdoor activities and nature
Karmøy by bike
Skudeneshavn
Karmøy has many open areas where a bicycle seat is the perfect place to be. By going by bike it is possible to get up close and personal with the beauty and variety of nature.

Sightseeing
Fiordos Noruegos
Skudeneshavn
Fiordos Noruegos is a Spanish-Norwegian tour operator that offers a wide range of services in Spanish, Norwegian, English and German.

Outdoor activities and nature
Rent a rowing boat - Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Free rowing boat rental at the tourist office in Skudeneshavn in the summer.

Culture
Historic Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
At the southern tip of Karmøy, with lighthouses guiding ships into Skudefjorden and across the North Sea, lies the charm of Skudeneshavn.

Culture
Skudeneshavn Museum, Mælandsgården
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn Museum, Mælandsgården, is situated in the beautiful Old Town of Skudeneshavn surrounded by wooden houses from the 1700s and 1800s. This old town grew in the 1800´s due to the great herring fishery.

Sightseeing
Adventure hunt in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Discover the exciting history of the town. The Adventure Hunt is an activity rebus for those with an adventurous spirit who visit Skudeneshavn.

Outdoor activities and nature
SUP rental in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Rental of SUP boards in Skudeneshavn through Saltråk. Lifejacket included.

Outdoor activities and nature
Bike rental Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn Tourist Information has 4 bicycles for hire in the period June-August.

Sightseeing
Guided tour to Skudeneshavn with GuideCompaniet
Skudeneshavn
Harmonic, maritime surroundings and charming history await in Skudeneshavn. Forget about the hectic modern lifestyle and travel back in time to the southern tip of Karmøy, where you will find the charming little town of Skudeneshavn.
How to get here
Would you like advice or tips on how to get to Haugesund and Haugalandet, or see how easy it is to get around Haugalandet using public transport? Here we have gathered information about transport to and around Haugesund.
How to get to HaugesundSleep well in historic surroundings
Accommodation
Lundins Hotell - Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Experience the perfect combination of historic charm and modern comfort at Lundins Hotell in Skudeneshavn - a historic hotel from 1853 with 3 double rooms.
Accommodation
Nornes Holiday House
Skudeneshavn
Norneshuset is a cosy bed and breakfast located in Old Skudeneshavn, which is said to be one of the most well-kept old towns in Europe.
Accommodation
Havn Hotell in Skudeneshavn
Skudeneshavn
Havn Hotell is located in the centre of Skudeneshavn and has a total of 7 rooms and its own restaurant attached to the hotel.
More places to visit when in Skudeneshavn
Avaldsnes
Avaldsnes is a village of great historical importance, on the island of Karmøy just off Haugesund. Avaldsnes may be best known as the main seat of the Viking and first King of Norway, Harald Fairhair. However, kings and chieftains lived at Avaldsnes for thousands of years, all the way back to the early Bronze Age and throughout the Viking Age.
Åkrafjorden and Langfoss
Discover Åkrafjorden – a hidden gem in western Norway. Explore Langfoss waterfall, fjord cruise, via ferrata and hikes from fjord to peak. A fjord adventure awaits!