Stavanger for Families: Rainy Day Plans

Family plans in Stavanger divide neatly into wet-weather options indoors and dry-weather options outside. Children are free or cheap at most places, and costs are in Norwegian kroner (NOK).

When it rains

Museum Stavanger. A single adult ticket costs 170 NOK and opens every museum in the group on that day. Anyone under 18 enters free. The group includes the Norwegian Children’s Museum in Stavanger Museum at Muségata 16, the Maritime Museum in the old harbour warehouses and IDDIS, where the canning and printing trades are shown through exhibitions and activities (branch list ).

Norwegian Petroleum Museum. The museum at Kjeringholmen 1a explains the offshore industry. A child from 4 to 16 pays 60 NOK, children under 4 are free, and two adults with up to three children pay 420 NOK in total. Opening hours run from 10:00 to 19:00 daily in summer, and from September to May the museum closes at 16:00 on Monday to Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday (official site ).

Science in Sandnes. Vitenfabrikken is a science centre run by Jærmuseet in Sandnes, a short train ride away. Look at Jærmuseet for prices and hours.

When it is dry

Geoparken. Next to the oil museum, this free playground uses pieces of offshore equipment as climbing and play structures.

Jernaldergården. Visitors tour a rebuilt Iron Age farm on the Ullandhaug hill, run by the University of Stavanger’s archaeology museum. The ticket is 100 NOK for adults and 200 NOK for a family, with children and students free. It shuts for the winter half of the year, so check the current dates at uis.no .

Boat ride. The Rødne electric catamaran takes 3 to 3.5 hours and costs 890 NOK, which is long for toddlers but easy for older children because there is no climbing.

Where to be careful

  • Preikestolen. The platform at the top has no fence. Keep children beside you and away from the edge, and be ready for a 7.6 km return walk.
  • Kjerag. Chains, steep granite and a 5 to 6 hour day make it unsuitable for families with young children.
  • Jæren beaches. Solastranden and Borestranden face the open sea. Waves are strong and the water is cold.

Not in Stavanger

The city has no zoo or aquarium and no trams, so get around with Kolumbus buses and boats.

Browse family tours in Stavanger if you want a guide.

Read more: Stavanger sightseeing and the Stavanger guide .