Risøy

Risøy feels closely tied to the heart of Haugesund. Surrounded by Smedasundet and Karmsundet, it sits where movement and stillness meet — ferries, cargo vessels and cruise ships passing by, seabirds drifting above, people crossing the bridges without always thinking about the water beneath them.

This is not just a quiet island neighbourhood. It is part of one of the region’s most important harbour areas. Every year, thousands of cruise passengers arrive here, stepping ashore within sight of Risøy. The island is also home to Aibel, one of the key cornerstone companies in the Haugesund region — a reminder that maritime life here is not just history, but present and active industry.

Yet beyond the port activity, Risøy still feels grounded and compact. Wooden houses, narrow streets, everyday life unfolding at a calmer pace than the ships that pass outside. Some buildings are carefully maintained, others marked by decades of wind and salt. It does not feel staged — it feels lived in.