Herøy: Islands, Birdlife and Coastal Culture
Accommodation in Herøy
Open sea, inhabited islands and distinctive birdlife define Herøy. There is also a historic trading post, a coastal museum and activities for active days. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Herøy, you can plan your trip around whether you would most like to explore nature on Runde, coastal culture or different experiences across the municipality.
Islands, connections and exploration
The inhabited islands in Herøy are connected to one another and to the mainland by bridges and the subsea Eiksund Tunnel. Herøya can be reached by boat and car. The coastal landscape also comes into view when cycling: along the route, you can experience bridges, small villages and scenic views. Bicycles are available to rent in Herøy, as are kayaks; guided kayak tours and mountain hikes are also offered. This gives you different ways to explore the landscape actively, without every outing having to take the same form.
Runde: bird cliffs and the Runde treasure
Runde is known for Norway’s third-largest bird cliff and one of the country’s most species-rich. The island has both a nature reserve and a bird sanctuary. Runde Mountain is home to a diverse bird population and a wide variety of plants and flowers. If you are interested in wildlife and its surroundings, this offers a different focus from Herøy’s cultural and historical attractions.
A guided puffin safari takes you to the bird cliffs in the evening, where you can see puffins up close. The hike to the bird cliffs takes about 45 minutes and reaches a height of approximately 200 metres above sea level. The safari also includes a screening of the film “The Silver of the Sea” and a visit to the exhibition at the Runde Environmental Centre. Fish soup and freshly baked bread are served before the tour. The Environmental Centre offers activities for all ages, with a focus on birdlife and the Runde treasure; it also has a café and a souvenir shop.
A guided tour at the Runde Environmental Centre covers the sinking of the Akerendam in 1725, the gold treasure recovered in 1972, and the seabirds that nest on Runde. Runde also has an exhibition of the Runde treasure. The tourist information office is at the foot of the mountain and provides information about boat trips and hiking routes. These attractions give your trip a clear focus on nature and history.
Coastal culture and attractions in Fosnavåg
The Herøy Coastal Museum showcases a historic trading post from the 18th and 19th centuries. On display are authentic buildings, period interiors, fishing equipment and boats. The reconstructed Sunnmørsjekta vessel “Anna Olava” is home-ported at the museum. The museum is also a pilgrimage destination and an important stop on the Coastal Pilgrim Route from Egersund to Trondheim. During the summer season, the museum serves freshly baked waffles, as well as coffee and tea.
In Fosnavåg, Gallery R/ART regularly presents changing special exhibitions. Sunnmørsbadet has a large competition pool, a children’s pool, hot tubs, slides and a café. Horisont’s permanent exhibition consists of Ervik & Sævik’s private art collection. When planning your holiday, you can balance nature experiences, exhibitions and water-based activities rather than reducing Herøy to just one activity.
Which experiences should shape your stay?
For a trip focused on birdwatching and coastal scenery, Runde makes a natural point of reference; for trade, fishing and maritime history, the Herøy Coastal Museum offers a specific starting point. If you would like to include some exercise, you can consider the available hikes: the 2026 Stikk-UT! programme includes 17 varied routes, from easy short walks to more challenging mountain hikes. The annual Ti på topp programme selects 12 summit hikes for adults and 12 routes for children under 13 and people over 70. It includes stamp cards, route descriptions and a simple map. These different formats help you choose excursions based on your interests and preferred type of route. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore be useful to first consider which experiences matter most to your trip.
Discover places in Herøy
If you would like to focus your search on individual places, you will also find pages about Fosnavåg, Moldtustranda, Runde, Tjørvåg, Leinøy, Nerlandsøy and Bølandet.
For the wider travel overview: More Og Romsdal.
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