Yes, we love Haaland! Fans and journalists from all over the world flock to the small town of Bryne in southwest Norway – the hometown of one of the greatest football players of our time, Erling Braut Haaland!
Haaland was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season 2023, after a record-breaking debut where he delivered 36 goals in total. Manchester City then claimed their third straight league title. Not bad for a 22- year-old from the Norwegian countryside!
As Haaland himself prepares for the two up-coming finals for Manchester City, his hometown is simply buzzing with interest for the tall Norwegian. Visit Norway followed Haaland-fans Garry & Barry as they traveled to Bryne to look for their big hero: Chasing Haaland
Haaland fever
– We have had a lot of interest from international press lately, including British media like the BBC and Israeli press, and there was also a big article about Bryne in The Athletic. We have also been contacted by CBS broadcasting in the USA, who was interested in doing something about our area, says Frode Hagerup, the manager of Opplev Jæren and a huge football (and Haaland) enthusiast.
The bull from Jæren
Erling Braut Haaland is often referred to as “The Bull from Jæren”. That is because a red bull is the logo of the supporters club, B-gjengen, of the local football team of Bryne FK, where Haaland started his football career.
Bryne and Jæren is also known as an important agricultural area, especially famous for dairy and meat production.
– There are many farm shops around in this area, and they already report more sales and visits – much thanks to Haaland’s posts in social media. For example when he posts things like “Me and my magic potion”, drinking a glass of milk, says Hagerup.
Top tourist attractions
We can´t promise you that the local food will make you a football hero, but we can promise you that the local produce of Jæren is nationally recognized in Norway for its high quality and great taste.
Below you can read our tips for a tour around Bryne in the footsteps of Braut Haaland. But you should also set aside time for exploring the nearby surrounding areas as well, as Bryne happens to be smack in the middle of some of Norways top tourist attractions!
Explore Haaland`s hometown:
- Taste Bryne’s speciality: Farse at Pylsebuå te Håland (Håland’s sausage kiosk). Farse is ground meat, sprinkled with flour, milk, eggs and spices shaped like a large meatball served in bread like a hamburger. No wonder Haaland has gotten so strong!
- Eat at the Chinese restaurant When Hua House, where Haaland used to eat and a signed Haaland’s football uniform is on display.
- Visit the Bryne stadion where he played his first professional football match.
- Take a selfie in front of the two street art-images of Haaland, one by Anette Moi and the other one by Pøbel.
- Stop by Hole Gard at Voll to get a taste of Haaland’s “magic potion”, fresh cows milk!
- Visit his middle name Braut – a six minutes drive from the center of Bryne.
- Hotell Jæren has a special “Haaland-room” with a picture and a quote by him over the bed saying “I wanted to score a hat trick, and so I did”!
Top five tourist attractions around Bryne
In addition to Bryne, Jæren and the surrounding areas also offer several world class tourist attractions!
1. Mile long beaches: Do like Haaland and let your hair run wild in the wind at some of Norway’s longest white beaches in Jæren. Sign up for a surfing course or a kiting lesson!
2. The Troll´s dick: Haaland is not the only big thing in this part of the country. Trollpikken, literally the Troll` s dick, is a unique stone formation near Egersund. A short and easy hike will lead you to this popular tourist attraction.
3. Viking country: Haaland´s Viking inspired braids and costume went viral! Follow Haaland’s viking roots all the way into Haugesund – the homeland of the Viking kings.
4. Personal goals: Replace your football shoes with mountain hiking shoes and feel like Haaland when you reach the top of the Pulpit Rock Preikestolen by the glittering Lysefjord!
5. A Norwegian City break: It might not be as big as the city of Manchester, but so worth a visit! Be sure to check out the local football pubs and the quaint, wooden houses of the old town in Stavanger.
Read more: Jærens nye landemerke (The new landmark of Jæren – published may 2023)
