Car Hire Haugesund - Mini guide to Haugesund

Haugesund lies in southwestern Norway along a coastal stretch of islands and peninsulas, surrounded by scenic countryside of moors and mountains.

The city is best known for its festive and cultural events in summer, particularly the Norwegian film festival and International Trade Jazz Festival, "Sildajazzen". It also has an art gallery, specialising in modern art, and a city museum.

Haugesund is an idyllic spot for keen fishermen, with options to hire a boat or join one of the tourist fishing trips. An attractive golf course is located in serene natural surroundings only 20kms from the town. The gentle countryside just outside the centre is a blissful area for walking. Haugesund's main shopping area is the kilometre-long Skaregate Street, with hundreds of stores and a major shopping complex. In October, visitors can check out Haugesund's outdoor market. The town has a lively nightlife, with numerous bars and restaurants to choose from. Get into the Scandinavian spirit with a dinner of reindeer or impressive seafood at one of the most authentic restaurants, Lothes Mat and Vinhus. The majority of bars in and around town play an interesting blend of Irish folk music, country and Norwegian pop, with the exception of Mack Kjelleren, which specialises in live acts.

Outside Haugesund to the north, you can visit the grave of Harald Harfagri, the Viking whose rule united Norway. At Avaldsnes, three miles south, stands St Olav's, a 13th century church. The large island of Larmoy is linked to Haugesund via an enormous arched bridge, and is a must for those wishing to view or photograph some of Norway's magnificent fjords.

There are flights to Haugesund from Oslo, Bergen, Copenhagen, Billund and Aberdeen, and express boats and ferries from the neighbouring towns of Stavanger and Bergen. There is also a ferry connection to Newcastle with the Fjord Line.