Hareid: History, Nature and Experiences
Accommodation in Hareid
At the Ishavsmuseet Aarvak, you can go aboard a seal-hunting ship from 1912. The ship is called Aarvak, and the museum tells the story of Norwegian seal hunting and winter hunting in the polar regions. In Hareid, older cultural history is also worth exploring: the Hodr-Hjørungavåg Vikingsete features a Viking house built according to old traditions.
Cultural history between museum and monument
Hareid Church is a wooden church dating from 1877. There has been a church on this site since the Middle Ages. Next to the church stands Prestestova, which dates from before the 17th century and is probably the oldest building in the municipality. If you are interested in historic buildings, you will find two distinct periods represented here: the present-day church and a much older neighbouring building.
The national monument at Overåsanden also directs attention to the past. It commemorates the Battle of Hjörungavágr in 986. Hareidstemna adds a cultural event to these historic sites: the annual cultural festival was first held in 1962. These places and events offer different perspectives – from architectural history and a specific historical memorial to festival life.
Water, nature and activities
Holesanden, with its bathing beach and good parking facilities, is located on Snipsøyrvatnet. At Hjørungdalsvatnet, nature observation takes centre stage: the lake is a nature reserve with a rich variety of birdlife. The lake also has populations of trout and Arctic char that can be fished. For a stay focused on nature and fishing, these are different options, each associated with a particular lake.
Rowboats, kayaks and canoes can be used on Hjørungdalsvatnet. If you would rather be active on land, Hareid has Sunnmøre Golfbane, a nine-hole golf course. There is also an 18-hole football golf course with a par of 68. So there are two distinct golfing options to choose from: traditional golf and football golf, with its own number of holes and par.
Sauna and connections
Hareid Sauna is a self-service sauna at Hareid Hamn Gjestebrygge. It is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00 and offers views of the fjord landscape. It is just a short walk from Hareid centre. Private sessions can be booked for up to 12 people; shared sauna sessions are also available. This gives you a practical way to add a sauna visit to your stay in Hareid.
There are frequent ferry connections from Hareid to Sula at Sulesund, for travel to and from the area. A fast boat service also connects Hareid with Ålesund city centre.
Choosing the right focus for your stay
When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your trip: cultural history, with a museum, Viking house and monument; time by the water; nature observation and fishing; or golf. Hareid offers a range of options, without requiring the same pace of holiday. If you are travelling with your family, you can plan each day around your interests – perhaps with a visit to a museum, time at the bathing beach or an activity on the lake.
For more information about places within the municipality, visit the pages for Hareid, Hjørungavåg and Brandal.
For the broader travel overview: More Og Romsdal.
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