Utsira - Fjord Norway (2024)

Villages and places

Utsira is an island west of Haugesund, and it is Norway’s smallest municipality in terms of population. The island is known for its rich birdlife and world-class street art.

Day trips to UtsiraIf you have a few hours of spare time that you haven’t yet planned how to fill with wonderful experiences, check out our tips for daytrips to Utsira. Whether travelling alone, with children or with friends, and whether you enjoy active or more relaxing adventures, there is an amazing selection of tailor-made trips and experiences in Utsira. Use the filter to find experiences that are more suitable for you and your travelling companions, if any.

The bird watchers’ Utsira

Utsira is a 75-minute boat trip from the centre of Haugesund, west in the North Sea. Utsira is a favourite with birdwatchers for its rich birdlife, with more than 300 species of birds visiting the island during the migration season.

Norway’s smallest municipality

There is no village on Utsira, and the houses are spread across the island. The main thoroughfare is an axis between the two harbours in the north and south. Utsira has a permanent population of around 200, making it the smallest municipality in Norway in terms of population. Utsira lighthouse, which is a listed building and the lighthouse with the highest elevation in Norway, has a central location on the island. The lighthouse station originally comprised two lighthouses, known as a twin lighthouse, but only one is still in operation. The lighthouse keeper’s house and the buildings around the lighthouse are now rented out as accommodation.

Norway’s first female mayor

Sirabuen, as the people who live on Utsira call themselves are very proud of having Norway’s first female mayor: Aasa Helgesen (1926–1928).

Street art Utsira

Utsira has become a street art mecca in recent years. Well-known and unknown street artists from around the world have made their mark on sites dotted across the island, on buildings, silos, windmills and rock faces. Utsira has now become a popular destination for street art enthusiasts.

Travel inspiration for Utsira

Find inspiration here to help you plan your visit to Utsira. We have gathered some articles together here written by people who know Utsira well.

Activities on Utsira

You can find a range of the activities on offer on Utsira here.

Utsira LighthouseUtsira lighthouse is the highest-placed lighthouse in Norway, and the most visited attraction at Utsira.

Birdwatching UtsiraThe island has a long birdwatching tradition and it is sometimes compared with Fair Isle (south of Shetland). Among other things, this is because the two islands have ornithological links.

Mikal L. Klovning's boathouse on Utsira - HaugalandmuseetMikal L. Klovning's boathouse on Utsira was the main area for an extensive fishing activity. The business was primarily related to herring fishing, but also other fishing such as cod, mackerel, and lobster.

All activities related to Utsira

How to get there

Are you travelling by car or public transport? Wondering how to get there? We can help you!

How to get to HaugesundSee the map

Plan your visit to Utsira

You can find an overview of restaurants, cafés, accommodation and transport on Utsira here.

Lighthouse holiday on Utsira Fancy a holiday out of the ordinary? Where the big sea comes alive, and you feel the forces of nature? You can with a lighthouse holiday on Utsira.

Dahmsgård UtsiraDahmsgård is a small and intimate restaurant on the island of Utsira. The restaurant focuses on fresh seafood and the use of local products.

NordvikgårdenNordvikgården is anunattended tourist cabin on Utsira, accommodation in beautiful surroundings.

All services related to Utsira

Upcoming events

Would you like to visit more islands?

There are interesting island communities worth visiting along the entire coast of Fjord Norway.

RøværRøvær is a group of islands 25 minutes by boat from the centre of Haugesund. The island has no cars and a population of around 80.

Runde and the coast of SunnmøreOuter, southern Sunnmøre is Ålesund’s unpolished and outgoing neighbour. An archipelago of small villages, communities and fantastic experiences.

KinnFar out in the ocean gap, you can find the green, and grass covered island Kinn, and its church and characteristic mountain site Kinnaklova.