Pilgrim Center Avaldsnes

At the Regional Pilgrim Centre at Avaldsnes, and at the key sites throughout Rogaland, we are ready to assist you with information and guidance. Here, you can also have your pilgrim passport stamped. In addition to Avaldsnes, you will find key sites in Eigersund, at Obrestad lighthouse/Hå gamle prestegard, in Stavanger Cathedral, and at Utstein Pilgrim Guesthouse.

Avaldsnes has its roots as one of the most important historical and religious centres along the coast, and therefore has a natural role as both a key site and a Regional Pilgrim Centre along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route. During the Middle Ages, many pilgrims from both Norway and abroad are believed to have passed through Karmøy, and St. Olav’s Church at Avaldsnes appears as a natural stopping place, connected to both the cult of St. Olav and the church’s relics, which gave the site prestige and attraction.
Today, this role is continued through active and purposeful pilgrimage work. Avaldsnes is easily accessible for pilgrims, local residents, and visitors, and serves as an important hub for information, guidance, and hospitality along the route. As a Regional Pilgrim Centre, the site fosters cooperation and inclusion across stakeholders and key sites in Rogaland, and works systematically with quality, further development, and long-term value creation.
Through events, interpretation, and close interaction with the local community and partners, Avaldsnes demonstrates both innovation and the ability to create engagement. At the same time, the work reflects a conscious approach to sustainability—social, cultural, and economic—and facilitates experiences that create a sense of belonging, activity, and reflection. This makes Avaldsnes a central and unifying point along the Coastal Pilgrimage Route.

The Coastal Pilgrimage Route is a historic travel route, both by sea and by land, and is not a continuous walking trail from Egersund to Trondheim. The key sites and certain walking sections are well marked. If you have your own boat, you can travel by sea from key site to key site. Without a boat, you can travel by public transport, kayak, bicycle, car, or a combination of these. At some locations along the route, you can also try traditional boats that are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage.

On the Historic Avaldsnes website, you can find information about the Nordvegen History Centre, the Viking Farm on Bukkøy, the Viking Festival, St. Olav’s Church, the Medieval King’s Manor, and the Virgin Mary’s Needle. Welcome to visit the realm of the Viking kings!

Would you also like to visit the Visnes Mine Museum? Visnes Copper Works was once the largest workplace in Norway and home to Northern Europe’s largest copper mine. In Visnes, you can explore the park area in Fransehagen, created by Charles de France, enjoy beautiful hiking trails, and see World War II gun emplacements. If you get hungry along the way, the Fransehagen Café and Bistro is well worth a visit.

If you’re looking for affordable accommodation in beautiful surroundings, we recommend the pilgrim hostels Magasingården in Visnes, Fredtun Retreat Center in Skudeneshavn, and the historic storehouse in Torvastad.

Ready for even more experiences? Karmøy has a lot to offer: check out Opplev Karmøy.