🏙️ Stavanger: coast vs city centre — what to choose for a month

In the ‘oil capital,’ it's easy to combine work, the sea, and weekends in Røflek. It's important to choose the right base: close to the kindergarten and offices, with quick access to the Ryfast tunnel and piers so you can get away for the weekend. Below are practical answers to three questions: which areas are suitable for families and commuters, where to live near the piers/ferries, and how to choose between a central studio and a house on the coast.

🏫 Which areas are closer to kindergartens/schools and offices? [Lock: Stavanger]

For families and everyday logistics, check out Hinna and Madla: these are ‘bedroom’ areas with parks, schools and good public transport; from there, you can quickly get to the centre and office clusters.

If your office is nearby.

• Hinna Park (Jåttåvågen). A large business hub by the water: Lyse Arena stadium, waterfront, trains/buses; for employees of nearby companies, it's ‘living and working in one cluster.’
• Forus. The largest business agglomeration in the region (≈3,000 companies, ~46,000 employees). If your meetings are here, Hinna/Forus and neighbouring Sandnes are convenient.

For quick trips to the Røfjellet trails, the proximity to Ryfast is helpful: the city side of the entrance is at Hundvåg, with access to Solbakk/Jørpeland. If you live east of the centre (Storhaug, Hundvåg), you can get to the tunnel a little faster; it's also quick from the centre, but be aware of rush hour traffic.

⛴️ Is there accommodation near the piers/ferries for weekend trips?

Yes, and it's a great format for a ‘workation by the water’.

City harbour (Vågen: Strandkaien/Skagenkaien). If you live in the centre, you can walk to restaurants and boarding points for sightseeing cruises/tour boats.

Fiskepirterminalen (fast boats). Express routes run from here:

• Byøyene/Hommersåk (line 800) — fast ‘city islands’ and Risavika; convenient evening departure.
• Vassøy (898) — a separate ferry line if you want to stay on a ‘quiet’ island.
• Expresses to Røfjulke (Sand, Sauda, etc.) — depart from Fiskepiren; convenient for weekend trips to the mountains and fjords. The building has a warm waiting room with long opening hours.

In addition to the water, there is Ryfast logistics. If not by sea, then by bus/car: from the centre to Preikestolen, the shuttle bus takes about 50 minutes through the Ryfylketunnelen underwater tunnel.

⚖️ Which format is more advantageous: a studio in the centre or a house on the coast?

Studio/1-room apartment in the centre — this is:

• about time: walking distance to coffee shops, libraries and business meetings; less dependence on parking;
• Weekends: 5–10 minutes to Vågen/Fiskepiren — hop on a boat and head to Ryfylke;
• Budget: usually lower utilities (smaller area) and no extra charge for parking/charging if you don't have a car.

House/townhouse by the sea (Madla, Hafrsfjord; Hundvåg/suburbs):

• space: convenient for families, storage rooms/garden, easier to dry wet clothes;
• Schools/kindergartens: within walking distance in family neighbourhoods — a plus for everyday life;
• Wind/utilities: higher wind load on the open coast — factor in heating;
• Logistics: longer to the centre, but closer to Ryfast and island ferries (Hundvåg/Vassøy).

How to choose for a month:

1. Calculate the travel time to the office (Hinna/Forus?) and to Fiskepiren/Vågen — what is more important: meetings on weekdays or a weekend getaway by the water.
2. Check noise and wind: the centre is noisier, the coast is windier.
3. Check internet (speed test screen during rush hour) and parking/charging if you have a car.
4. If you have children: ask about the nearest barnehage/school and available places — this will save you hours every week.

Here's a quick guide: Centre/Storhaug — when walking to meetings is important and you want to be 5–10 minutes from the piers; Hinna/Madla — if you need family infrastructure and a short commute to offices and parks; Hundvåg side — for those who often use Ryfast and like the ‘island’ vibe. For a month, choose what saves you the most — time — both on weekdays and weekends. And then the sea, boats and the Røfjell trails will do the rest.