Tysnes
Tysnes is Vestland’s fjord-framed heritage basin — a municipality where Viking burial mounds rise from coastal meadows, chocolate shops nestle in trading posts, and three silver axes cross beneath a crown on the coat of arms. With around 2,900 residents and a landscape shaped by the Bjørnafjord, Langenuen Strait, and the villages of Uggdal, Våge, Onarheim, and Reksteren, Tysnes is the kind of place where you can hike past Iron Age monuments, explore marble mines, and still sip spruce tea beside a fjord that once bore Njord’s name. It’s got fjords, folklore, and a name that may stem from Týr — the Norse god of justice.
In the Middle Ages, Tysnes was known as Njardarlog — “Njord’s dominion” — named after the Norse god of hunting, fishing, and seafaring. With its abundant coastal resources and sacred landscapes like Vevatnet (the holy lake) and Årbakkavollen (burial mounds), the island was a spiritual and practical haven for early Norse settlers.
Discover Tysnes: Visitor Portal
- VisitTysnes.no – offers curated travel information about the island of Tysnes, including local attractions, dining and lodging options, event listings, outdoor activities, transportation guides, and cultural highlights. It's a practical gateway for both planning and exploring the region.
Why might Tysnes be one of the best places on Earth to spend your summer? Because it’s a rare blend of tranquility and joy that doesn’t just impress — it settles into your soul. The days linger under that golden Nordic sun, fjords stretch out like polished mirrors, and the air smells of spruce and saltwater. You wake up to mountain hikes with sweeping views, paddle past marble cliffs that tell their own stories, and by nightfall, you’re dancing at Tysnesfest those couple of days in July when the event is taking place.
Begin with the romantic charm and cultural richness of Haaheim Gaard, a lovingly restored hillside retreat where gourmet meals are inspired by seasonal Norwegian ingredients and elevated with herbs gathered just outside the kitchen door. With interiors reminiscent of a bygone era, rose gardens boasting over 1,500 blooms, and an atmosphere shaped by storytelling, opera evenings, and intimate concerts, it’s a place where elegance and tradition meet in every detail.
Add in creamy local cheeses from Myrdal Gard—a hillside farm near Tysnessåta where both goat’s and cow’s milk are transformed into award-winning wheels infused with wild garlic, truffle, and honey clover—and round it out with handmade chocolates from EH Vaage Landhandleri, a lovingly restored 1902 trading post in Uggdal that now crafts artisanal sweets, macaroons, and ice cream using locally sourced ingredients.
And just when you think you’ve soaked it all in, you stumble into Mandelhuset Restaurant & Bar in Våge — a warm, easygoing place down by the harbor where the seafood is fresh, the dishes are comforting, and the fjord views gently remind you that real peace still exists.
Top Attractions
- Tysnessåta Mountain – panoramic summit hike with views of Hardangerfjord
- Årbakka Trading Post – 1898 general store with Iron Age burial site nearby
- Myrdal Farm – award-winning cheese, pizza terrace & fjordside café
- E.H. Vaage Landhandel – restored 1902 shop with handmade chocolates
- Seløya Marble Mine – sea-facing cavern with 17th-century quarry tunnels
Unique Experiences
- Tysnesfest – summer music festival with fjordside concerts & family events
- Årbakkavollen – Iron Age site with 20 burial mounds & standing stones
- Haaheim Gaard – boutique hotel with gardens, concerts & gourmet dining
- Reksteren WWII Fort – preserved German fort with memorial & map board
- Breidablikk Anno – Viking clothing, dolls & textile crafts near Tysnes Church
Places to Stay
Search hotels, cabins & guesthouses in Tysnes
Where to Eat
Explore top-rated restaurants in Tysnes
Getting There
Tysnes lies south of Bergen, with Uggdal as its administrative center and Våge as its harbor hub. Reach it by ferry from Halhjem or Jektevik, or drive across the Lukksund Bridge from Kvinnherad. The area is best explored by boots, boat, or bold curiosity — especially if you’re chasing axe echoes, fjord lore, or the hush of pine needles beside a marble mine.