Urban development, fisheries and coastal culture, industrial adventures, royal power, and Viking traces – Many exciting themes you can learn more about at the museums and experience outdoors, with or without a guide, in the historic areas.
Norway's first royal throne
Rune Johnsen
For 3000 years, princes and kings sat at Avaldsnes, controlling the ship traffic that was forced through the narrow Karmsundet – Nordvegen – the ship route that gave Norway its name. They have left visible traces of towering burial mounds, standing stones, and rich finds.
Walk in the footsteps of the ancient kings through the historical landscape at Avaldsnes. Experience the ruins of the royal estate and the medieval church and take a deep dive into the exciting history at the Nordvegen History Centre. Meet Vikings for activities and guided tours at the Viking farm. There is much to explore at Avaldsnes
Industrial adventures at Visnes
Camilla Vandvik
Did you know that the copper for the Statue of Liberty in New York comes from Karmøy? Here you can take a selfie with our own little Statue of Liberty, and at Visnes Mine Museum you will find the story about the unique mining community. Take a walk in director Charles de France`s mansion garden - Fransahagen and the riding trails, the kids have lots of fun things to do in the area.
In the heart of old Skudeneshavn
Ørjan B. Iversen
you will find Skudeneshavn Museum. Surrounded by the beautiful, protected wooden buildings, you can step into the general store and further into a bourgeois home. Here and in the boathouse, you get a good insight into how the city grew in connection with the rich herring fishing in the 19th century.
Rich fishing history
Camilla Vandvik
Åkrehamn Coastal Museum hosts a large number of artifacts and photographs illustrating Karmøy's past as a significant fishing centre and about the contact between West Karmøy and America. Nora sjøhuset is one of the few herring salteries that is still intact.
Ørjan B. Iversen
Karmøy Fishing Museum sits as an architectural gem in the beautiful natural landscape of Vedavågen. The museum is designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, which also stands behind major landmarks such as The Norwegian Opera in Oslo and the Library of Alexandria, Egypt. The exhibitions showcase the development within the fishing industry since the advent of the engine.