stavanger tourist info

The Stavanger region

Explore Edge of Norway™ with urban Stavanger, countless surrounding islands, Sandnes with the famous mountain top Kjerag, long-stretched beaches along the Norwegian Scenic route Jæren, mountains and fjords, lunar landscapes in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark or the winter paradise Sirdal.

Edge of Norway™ - the Stavanger region is a treasure trove waiting to be discovered, a land of endless possibilities just waiting for you.

A city break where art comes alive

Imagine immersing yourself in the vibrant streets of Stavanger on a city break , where art comes alive on every corner, and where the Stavanger Art Museum beckons with its inspiring collections. Let your taste buds dance with delight as you savour the culinary delights of some of Norway's finest restaurants.

Explore museums, history and a surprising burst of colours

For those with a thirst for knowledge, museums catering to all ages await your exploration, ensuring everyone in your family finds inspiration. Wander the charming cobblestone streets of Old Stavanger , where history whispers through every nook and cranny. Marvel at the grandeur of the Stavanger Cathedral , a symbol of centuries of cultural richness.

And then there's Fargegaten, the Street of Colours , a lively burst of creativity that will transport you to a world of hues and artistry. All of this splendour is just a stone's throw away from the tranquil, emerald islands of Finnøy and Rennesøy , each offering a unique piece of paradise. The ocean gem, Kvitsøy , is also easily accessible from Stavanger.

Venture into the heart of the fjords

Your journey doesn't end there however. Embark southward, and you'll find yourself in the heart of the fjords , where Sandnes invites you to witness the awe-inspiring Kjerag boulder , a natural wonder that's a symbol of Norway's rugged beauty.

As you travel further south along the enchanting Jæren beaches , you'll be captivated by the ever-changing light that has intrigued artists for generations. The landscape unfolds like a tapestry of dreams, with majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and serene fjords that will stir your soul.

Lunar landscapes

For the adventurers at heart, the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark reveals lunar landscapes, where you can explore the earth's geological history. And for those seeking a winter wonderland, Sirdal awaits, ready to embrace you in a snowy embrace.

The Stavanger region is a world of contrasts, a symphony of natural beauty, and a boundless source of inspiration. It has it all, and it's waiting for you to explore and be fascinated.

Crazy Combo on the Edge of Norway

Jæren originally signifies edge. Combined with the several spectacular landscapes and natural phenomena in this region; the name Edge of Norway is a fitting match. Find your crazy combo here! Welcome to the Edge of Norway™!

Kvitsøy - Randaberg - Stavanger - Sandnes - Sola - Gjesdal - Klepp - Time - Hå - Bjerkreim - Eigersund - Lund - Sokndal - Sirdal

Explore stavanger on a weekend break.

The Norwegian TV personality Arne Hjeltnes shares with you his favourite Stavanger spots. Welcome to Stavanger!

What to do in the Stavanger region

Don't miss out on our top recommendations on things to do in the Stavanger region.

Welcome to the Edge of Norway™. Jæren originally signifies edge. Combined with the several spectacular landscapes and natural phenomena we have in this region; the name Edge of Norway is a fitting match.

Eat better in the culinary region Stavanger

Did you know that Stavanger is one of the few cities in Norway with several MICHELIN Stars restaurants? Stavanger is fortunate enough to have talented chefs and food experts in abundance. More than a few national and international food enthusiasts point to Stavanger as the culinary region number one in Norway.

Top Sandnes tips

Do your kids love outdoor activities? Sandnes is easy to get to, easy to get around in. Give your kids a holiday to remember!

Explore lunar landscapes in a UNESCO Global Geopark

Walk on the moon, enjoy that rush of adrenaline on a climbing adventure, or enjoy the slow life in a historical village. Magma UNESCO Global Geopark is a landscape with extraordinary geology. The area offers nature hikes and special rock formations, but also small-town charm, climbing routes and exciting stories.

Top activities

On the edge, thrillingly high above the fjord. On top of the waves, with surf in your heart and saltwater in your hair. Splashes of snow while your heart is pumping at the bottom of the ski slope. Thoroughly sweaty and tired after the bike ride along the roaring North Sea. Cultural adventures on the edge - where land, ocean and sky meet. Stavanger's street art destination is second to none. Lars Hertervig, Kitty Kielland and Frida Hansen or Antony Gormley's rusty men? Come experience it for yourself in the Stavanger region.

Hike to Kjerag in the Lysefjord

Kjerag is called the majesty of the Lysefjord, Ryfylke. Most people are content to enjoy the fjord view, but for many, Kjeragbolten is the highlight.

Trollpikken

Trollpikken near Egersund is a phenomenon created by the ice during the last ice age. You too can explore the hike to the peculiar Trollpikken in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark.

Hike to Dalsnuten

Dalsnuten: Popular peak by the Gandsfjord in Sandnes. Short and easy hike from Gramstad, suitable for the whole family all year round.

Contrasts in the Stavanger region

Experience everything from long-stretched beaches to a winter wonderland in Sirdal. The beaches offer adrenaline-filled adventures such as surfing, kiting, swimming and hiking. If you are driving along the Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren, you will see all the variations in the typical farmland landscape. You can even stay the night at a lighthouse. Planning to come during winter? Sirdal is merely 1,5 hours away from Stavanger where you can stay in mountain lodges or at the ski resort with ski slopes close by.

Magma UNESCO Global Geopark

Embark on an inspiring voyage of exploration through the one-of-a-kind lunar terrain found within the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. This park holds the prestigious UNESCO recognition, inviting you to join us on an adventure like no other.

The Jæren beaches

The beaches at Jæren (Jærstrendene) are prominent landmarks and popular recreational areas. They are ideal for hiking all year round, and in summer, the beaches are popular for all sorts of water activities such as SUP, surfing, kiting or swimming.

Holidays in Sirdal! The winter season is gorgeous in Sirdal, however, going there all year has become increasingly popular.

Stavanger - the region of festivals

To all lovers of festivals! The Stavanger region has a festival for nearly every occasion. Norway's largest food festival, rock and music festivals, festivals for the sporty and one solely dedicated to tomatoes.

Jærdagen and Jærnåttå at Bryne

Jærdagen and Jærnåttå at Bryne, the big happening of the year! 

Gladmatfestivalen (food festival) in Stavanger

Don't miss out on the biggest food festival in Norway - Gladmat in Stavanger!

Skifestivalen Blink

Welcome to this summer's big event in Sandnes and Gjesdal! Blinkfestivalen is a festival that has been held in Sandnes since 2006.

Sweet dreams

Sleep tight in historical hotels or in modern city hotels. In the city, in the countryside, with the ocean on your doorstep, or with the vibrant city life outside your hotel. The choice is yours.

Hotel Victoria in Stavanger

Stavanger's oldest hotel, Hotel Victoria with its modern facilities is a natural meeting place for tourists, business travellers and locals.

Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell

Sogndalstrand was originally an old rest stop from the sailing ship era. In this idyllic environment, you will find Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell in a newly restored wooden suit from the 19th century. Here, travellers are received with warmth and great hospitality.

Have you ever dreamt of sleeping in a treetop cabin as a child? This is now possible in these treetop cabins at Jæren near Stavanger.

Try our travel planner!

Find activities and accommodation and put together your itinerary. Use the map to navigate, find activities that match your interests, and view the route in the map. Download our app and carry your itinerary in your pocket, and find experiences along the way.

Would you prefer it on paper? Print out your itinerary, and you’ll have it handy at all times!

#regionstavanger

Be inspired, the stavanger region on facebook, the stavanger region on instagram, the stavanger region on youtube.

Stavanger region is close to Lysefjord and the Pulpit rock

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Epic landscapes, colourful culture and exquisite culinary experiences await you in the Stavanger region.

Here Norway`s fjord country begins and contains some of the country`s most amazing natural sights such as Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) in Lysefjord.

Stavanger is close to mountains, fjords and the beautiful beaches of Jæren, with the North Sea as its nearest neighbour. Like the rest of the cities and towns close to the Norwegian Fjords , you will find Stavanger close to the mountains, fjords and unique beaches. Stavanger is also neighbour to the North Sea.

When the oil was discovered in 1966, Stavanger became the oil capital of  Norway  and many inhabitants in the

What to see and do in Stavanger

The city has a rich cultural life, and you can also have an amazing culinary experience here. Stavanger is known for fishing, agriculture and industry, and populate by around 120.000. Stavanger offers a lot of cultural experiences from museums, galleries, and music events to festivals. In 2008 Stavanger was elected cultural city of Europe.

Related to the beautiful surroundings Stavanger offers all kinds of adventures, and one of the highlights from here is a tour to the Pulpit Rock , known worldwide. From here you get a fantastic view of the Norway fjords and the wonderful unique nature. It is also very recommended with a sightseeing cruise on the 42 km long Lysefjord and experiences the power of western Norway’s landscape at its best.

Getting there

Find routes to this destination.

Coordinates

• Lattitude: 58.969976
• Longitude: 5.733107

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The Pulpit Rock

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Getaways to the norwegian fjords.

Fjords & Pulpit Rock Cruise

This independent Fjord Cruise tour starts in Bergen and ends in Stavanger. Discover amazing nature and get an excellent feeling about what Fjord Norway is about.

Norway cruises

If you come here, you'll understand why. Dramatic and diverse, Norway's nature ranges from serene forest-covered hills in the southeast and spectacular fjords and glaciers in the west to Arctic wilderness in the north.

The Lysefjord

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There's a reason this coastal town has been twinned with Houston and Aberdeen: it's sometimes known as Norway's 'Oil City' for its importance in oil exploration in the North Sea since the 1970s (Norway's largest oil company, Statoil, is based here). But while much of the outskirts are modern, you won't find too many skyscrapers – Stavanger's old centre has some of the most beautiful and best-preserved wooden buildings anywhere in Norway, many dating back to the 18th century. It's all very pretty, and in summer the waterfront comes alive in the best port-town style.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Norsk Oljemuseum

Admittedly, the prospect of an 'oil museum' doesn't sound like the most promising option for an afternoon out, but this state-of-the-art place exploring…

Canning Museum

Don't miss this surprising museum housed in an old cannery: it's one of Stavanger's most entertaining. Before oil, there were sardines, and Stavanger was…

Gamle Stavanger

Gamle (Old) Stavanger, above the western shore of the harbour, is a delight. The Old Town's cobblestone walkways pass between rows of late-18th-century…

Stavanger Domkirke

This beautiful church is an impressive but understated medieval stone cathedral dating from approximately 1125; it was extensively renovated following a…

Norwegian Children's Museum

Dragging kids round a museum can be a tough proposition, but this is one place that's designed specifically with them in mind. It traces the changing…

Stavanger Museum

Stavanger's main museum was founded in the 19th century, and it's a typically wide-ranging affair, encompassing everything from Stavanger's history to…

Stavanger Kunstmuseum

This museum, 2.5km south of the town centre, displays Norwegian art from the 18th century to the present, including the haunting Gamle Furutrær and other…

Jernaldergarden

Always wanted to experience life on an Iron Age farm c AD 350–550? Then this living exhibition 4km south of town is as close as you'll ever get. Staff in…

Latest stories from Stavanger

Wildlife & Nature

Sep 12, 2016 • 5 min read

Built on the riches of oil, Stavanger conceals a pristine old town of timber houses that twists down to its high-spirited port. There’s plenty to hold you…

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Book popular activities in Stavanger

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 2.5 By boat
• 3.1 By foot
• 3.3 By train
• 3.4 By taxi
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10 Stay safe

Stavanger is Norway 's fourth largest city, at 145,000 citizens (2021). It is the largest city in, and the administrative centre of, Rogaland county in West Norway . Stavanger is the centre of the Norwegian oil industry and has the only petroleum museum in Norway. It also has a preserved old town on the west side of a charming waterfront. Stavanger cathedral is largely unchanged since early 12th century and the best preserved cathedral in Norway.

Understand [ edit ]

Stavanger sits on the northern part of the Jæren flatland just south of the wide Boknafjord. Stavanger has a mild, humid Atlantic climate. There is less rain (1180 millimeter annually) but more wind than in Bergen. All months are on average above 0°C, January and February around 0.5°C on average. Snowfall occurs, but snow rarely stays for a long time. There is rarely deep frost.

Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway, and third largest metropolitan area when nearby Sandnes, Randaberg and Sola are included with a total of some 240,000 people. Stavanger is Norway's most densely populated city. Until around 1950 Stavanger was a typical industrial city with ship yards and Norway's canning capital. During the 1960s Stavanger became an economic backwater and one of the poorest cities in Norway. When the large Ekofisk offshore oil field was discovered in 1969 south-west of Stavanger a new era for the city and for the country began. Ekofisk was at that time the world's largest offshore oilfield. The influx of oil workers, engineering firms and the establishment of headquarters for Norway's oil industry changed the city into Norway's richest.

Development of offshore oil production in the North Sea involved many engineering achievements in Stavanger, notably the huge condeep platforms ( concrete deep water structure ). These condeep platforms are the biggest objects moved by humans. The Troll A platform is almost 500 m, notably bigger than the Empire State building in New York and taller than the Eiffel tower.

Stavanger is one of Norway's oldest cities and Stavanger or nearby area was a centre of power during the Viking ages. Stavanger became a catholic diocese around 1120 (when the southern part of Western Norway split from Bergen diocese) and the cathedral was founded. The first bishop was probably Reinald, a monk from England.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

Airport Shuttle Buses (online 120 kr one way, 180 kr return, 90 kr child/student/senior/military personnel, 23 minutes) [1] [dead link] run to downtown Stavanger every 20 minutes (30 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays). Bus line number 42 with one transfer to 7 at Sande terrasse or 2 at Jåsund (35 kr, 40 minutes to 1 hour) runs every 30 minutes (60 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays) weekdays daytime and is cheaper, but slower. Only ONE piece of luggage allowed. Make sure to board the bus in the right direction. Search the schedule for the ones that do [2] .

Haugesund Airport, Karmøy [dead link] ( HAU  IATA ) [3] [dead link] (occasionally referred to as Helganes instead of Karmøy) is served by some charter flights and seasonal Norwegian flights from a couple of international destinations.

Public transport to Stavanger is available through Nor-Way Kystbussen (see section "By bus") which corresponds with the airport coach that departs Haugesund Airport after every Ryanair arrival. Through ticket 180 kr. Travelling from Haugesund Airport to Stavanger should take around two hours (private car)/three hours (airport coach + Kystbussen). There is a ferry crossing on the way, charging 95 kr if you bring a private vehicle up to 6 m.

By train [ edit ]

In addition to providing a scenic route, train travel may be a cheap alternative to flying with prices starting from 249 kr one way for discounted tickets booked well in advance. Tickets are made available for sale three months before departure. About 8 hours with NSB's train from Oslo via Kristiansand . Reservation is not obligatory on long distance routes.

By bus [ edit ]

Long distance bus services depart from the downtown bus station. Unless you qualify for certain discounts (student, senior, military, etc.) or travel at times when discounted air or train tickets are hard to come by, bus travel is relatively expensive compared to travel by plane or train. It is however often the best alternative for getting "off the beaten track" without renting a car.

Lavprisekspressen have a route along the coastal highway to Oslo (8 hours), calling at Kristiansand , Arendal , Sandefjord and others along the road. Booking in advance is mandatory for Lavprisekspressen. Nor-Way Bussekspress operates two routes from Stavanger: Kystbussen runs to Bergen and stops in Haugesund. Departures many times a day. Sør-Vestekspressen runs to Kristiansand. It is possible to catch a connecting bus onward to Oslo

By car [ edit ]

European route E39 from Kristiansand or Bergen .

Road 13 from Voss and Hardanger via Ryfylke. This is the slower but more scenic route.

By boat [ edit ]

A daily ferry service run by Fjordline between Bergen and Hirtshals in Jutland calls in Stavanger, on its way from Jutland to Bergen in the mornings, and on its way back in the evenings. The ferry docks at Risavika Port, which is some 30 minutes away from the city centre of Stavanger, and a bus service is provided for foot passengers (i.e. not arriving with a vehicle on the ferry). The journey between Risavika and Bergen, where the ferry lands at Hurtigrutenterminal in the centre, takes 5h30min and the fare is surprisingly affordable, at only about 250 kr per person. A reserved seat on the top deck and the Risavika-Stavanger bus cost 100 kr each,

Since overland travel by bus or car between Bergen and Stavanger is not any faster, and domestic airfares in Norway are not particularly low, the ferry may be a good option for those who want to visit both cities and experience the fjords on their way. In Bergen, it is also possible to connect to the Hurtigruten , which starts there, and continue further north towards Trøndelag and Northern Norway . Hirtshals can be a good option for those who want to take their car from Denmark to Norway and stop in Stavanger before exploring Western Norway further afield.

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Stavanger, which has four berths, piers 1 (Strandkaien) and 2 (Skagenkaien) in the inner harbor and piers 3 and 4 in the outer harbor. The harbor area is right in town, only a five- to ten-minute walk to most downtown attractions. Some smaller places in the inner fjords in Rogaland also have regular boat service from the inner port.

Get around [ edit ]

By foot [ edit ]

The most scenic and interesting part of Stavanger for visitors is the waterfront area of town surrounding the inner harbor like a big "U", all of which is quite walkable. On the west side of the inner harbor is the old town with two museums. Also the Tourist Information Office in Stavanger is located at Strandkaien, next to the harbor between the cruise pier and the historic Old Stavanger. The TI office, open 08:00 - 18:00 in the summer, is a good source of free advice, brochures, maps, and wifi. On the east side is also lots of shops and restaurants, as well as the Petroleum Museum. At the bottom of the "U" is the market plaza and the Stavanger Cathedral. South of the Cathedral is the man-made Lake Breiavatnet, which separates the harbour area from the train and bus stations and more museums. To go much farther afield, some form of transportation might be useful.

The local bus system in Stavanger is part of a Rogaland county bus system and works smoothly. The web page of the company that manages the bus system ( Kolumbus ) has a very helpful journey planner. Buses in the city center can be caught at the main bus terminal and at bus stops around the city lake, Breiavatnet [dead link] . Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages.

Rogaland county is divided into five zones (Nord-Jæren, Jæren, Dalane, Ryfylke, and Haugalandet), and Stavanger is in the Nord-Jæren zone. A single ticket will cost 33-73 kr depending on how many zones you traverse, although it can be used again within your last zone within a certain time limit. A better option might be to buy a day-pass for 85 kr (90 kr with necessary card), which can be used unlimited until midnight. In addition, you can buy the 3-day pass which costs 145 kr. One- and two-week passes are also available. The airport shuttle bus is very expensive (120 kr one-way, 180 kr return) and if you are heading to a location outside the centre it may be more worthwhile to take a taxi. However, on workdays, bus no. 9, which travels half-hourly between the airport and the city centre, is a much cheaper option than the airport shuttle bus (33 kr one-way) if you have only one piece of luggage.

Local trains connect the city center to the southern parts of the city and to the towns and villages further south. There are departures to Sandnes (49 kr, 16 minutes) every 15 minutes during daytime.

By taxi [ edit ]

Stavanger has different taxi companies, all charging high rates. A typical daytime rate is 35 kr flagfall, 7 kr/started 500 m and 8 kr/started minute, minimum 110 kr total payable. Expect a surcharge of about 25 % in evening/night/Saturday and a surcharge of about 45 % for Sunday. You can use credit cards to pay through the taxi meters. During weekends there can be long lines for taxis in downtown area. Try walking out of the city centre and hailing a vacant cab on its way back to downtown.

• Norgestaxi . Smart phone app offers address based routing and calculates price according to them. ( updated Aug 2020 )
• MiljøTaxi Stavanger , ☏ +47 51 58 66 66 , [email protected] . ( updated Aug 2020 )
• Jip . Smart phone app offers address-based routing and calculates price according to them. ( updated Feb 2021 )

See [ edit ]

• Norwegian Oil Museum ( Norsk Olje Museum ), Kjeringholmen in central Stavanger waterfront ( east of inner harborː Follow Skagenkaien and the Blue Promenade along Vågen to Børevigå. ). Jun-Augː daily 10:00-19:00; Sep-Mayː M-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-18:00 . The Norwegian Oil Museum is a very interesting building with fascinating information on Norway's oil industry, which got its start on Christmas eve 1969. Displays of submersibles, drilling equipment, a mock oil platform, and audio-visual presentations make for a good few hours. The museum caters to all ages. Adults 120 kr, children 60 kr, families (two adults and three children) 300 kr, students 60 kr; pensioners 60 kr . ( updated Jul 2017 )
• Museum of Archeaology ( Arkeologisk Museum, University of Stavanger ), Peder Klowsgate 30 A ( from the train station, continue up Muségata and turn right at Stavanger museum onto Peder Klowsgate; you will then see the flag of The Museum of Archaeology on your left ). 1 Jun - 1 Sep: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00 . Collection of archaeological and natural history objects from the county of Rogaland. Gives an introduction to Rogaland’s prehistory from the Stone, Bronze and Viking Ages, and up to the end of the Middle Ages. Café and museum shop. Adults 50 kr, children under 16 and students/seniors 20 kr . ( updated Jul 2017 )
• Stavanger Kunstmuseum (art museum, part of MUST) is on Mosvatnet Lake, only 2 km from the city center. The museum has a permanent exhibition of Norwegian art, and a rotating exhibition that is sometimes quite spectacular. Be sure to see the Lars Hertervig paintings; you'll see the landscape of the islands just north of Stavanger reflected in his work.
• 58.9413 5.672 5 Three Swords (Sverd i fjell, literally Sword in Mountain ) A monument outside the centre of Stavanger, beside the Hafrsfjord. The swords themselves are massive and in the background is the fjord. The monument commemorates the battle of Hafrsfjord in the late 800s where Harald Hårfagre beat his eastern opposition and became the first King of Norway.
• 58.972714 5.733493 6 Fargegaten ( the coloured street ), Øvre Holmegate ( east of inner harbourː walk straight out from the back of the cinema/library for a couple of minutes ). Street with vibrantly coloured houses, having some of Stavanger's best cafes and shops..  
• 58.968957 5.758597 7 Tou Scene ( Tou scene ). Old beer factory renovated as a cultural centre. They hold art exhibitions, concerts and any other culture event. Check their website for upcoming events.  
• Sculptures - In 2000 the mobile installation Another Place by British sculptor Anthony Gormley was placed on and off Sola beach. A few years later a new and permanent installation Broken Column , by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.
• Stavanger Botanic Garden [dead link] , a botanic garden and parkland.

Do [ edit ]

The seasons control what to do in Stavanger. Stavanger has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Summers features periods of warm and nice weather, although they sometimes can be rainy. Winters usually mean more rain than snow in Stavanger, although going into the mountains will ensure snow.

• Hiking and climbing around Stavanger is the best way to see the fantastic landscape. Many of the trails have been marked out by the Turistforetning with rocks bearing a red "T". Turistforening hyttes (cabins) provide simple accommodation in the mountains. Also mountain bikes can be hired and taken on the trails.
• 58.968463 5.730966 1 Bus to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) . The Preikestolen Plateau (the Pulpit Rock) is one of the most famous attractions in Norway  
• 58.966954 5.733503 2 Bus to Kjerag . Wedged in a mountain crevice sits the Kjerag Boulder, suspended nearly 1,000m above sea level  

• 58.963706 5.767659 3 Hiking trail from Rosenli Beach to Godalen Beach . The east coastline in Stavanger is a large recreation area. It's an 2.8-km-long trail that is considered perhaps the finest in Stavanger – it passes bays and promontories, sheltered coves with sandy beaches, rock slopes and popular bathing areas.  
• 58.954071 5.756808 4 Swim at Godalen Beach . Popular bathing area including a beach, barbecue facilities and play area for children. Kiosk open on warm days. It is part of the hiking area near Gandsfjorden. About 40 min walk from the centre, 20 min from Stavanger Øst.  
• 58.961629 5.767758 5 Swim at Rosenli Beach . Less crowded beach, also with BBQ facilities.  
• 58.966952 5.760331 6 Swim at Lervig's Park . (The area is under development as of 2022).  
• Island hopping (Byøyene). You can take a ferry from Fiskepiren to some of the islands around Stavanger. There are marked hiking trails in some of them, and it's popular among locals for swimming and BBQ. Some of the nicest islands are Lindøy, Langøy or Kalvøy.
• Sola Beach is a long sandy beach by the airport. It is very popular in the summer and allows for some small waves for surfing. Along the beach, in the dunes, are the remains of defences from the 1940-45 occupation. Other less populated beaches are all along the coastline although they are sometimes hard to find.
• Surf - The beaches around Stavanger have some of the best surfing conditions in Norway. Relatively warm water and small wave sizes are good reasons to try it for the first time. Especially good beaches are Sola, Hellestø, Bore and Brusand. Check out the surf school [dead link] .
• Kayak - It's possible to kayak all around the east side as well as the area where the three swords are. Rogaland Aktiv [dead link] organizes some trips.
• Ice skating on Stokkavannet - In the depths of winter the government tests the ice on its lakes. Once the official word is given many Norwegians will head for the largest lake, Stokkavannet. The lake itself is located near to Madla about 20 minutes walk/5 minutes bus ride outside of Stavanger. Should the ice not be safe, and you have a compulsion to skate, another option is to visit the Siddishallen, an indoor ice-rink.
• Football: Viking FK play soccer in Eliteserien, Norway's top tier. Viking Stadion (aka SR-Bank Arena, capacity 15,900) is 6 km south of city centre next to Jåttåvågen railway station; it was built in 2004 and has hosted junior internationals. The football season is April-Nov.

Buy [ edit ]

Pewter serving utensils at several shops in town that will also sell other tourist things. They are pretty to look at, coming in several different designs, and practical to use. The cheese slicer (ostehovel) is most traditional, and the fish server (fiskespade) is something rarely seen outside of Norway.

There is a "Bunnpris" grocery store, in Nedre Holmegate 11, nearby the Petroleum Museum and Fargegaten ("The coloured street"). It is also open on Sundays.

Eat [ edit ]

Stavanger is considered a great place for foodies, with a range of good restaurants and an annual food fair that fills up the harbour area for a week-end each summer. Eating out is generally not cheap, like everywhere in Norway. If you're on a budget you should go for the smaller ethnic restaurants (Chinese, Thai). Several excellent places exist for the traveller on an expense account - or if you want to spoil yourself or a loved one: Try Tango, NB Sørensens (upstairs restaurant) or Renaa.

Budget [ edit ]

• 58.969522 5.75815 1 Fortou , Kvitsøygata 25 , ☏ +47 923 28 862 . Take-away "asian fusion" food. You can take the food, sit at Øst and order a hand-brewed beer 100-150 kr .  
• 58.97 5.74327 2 Sabi Sushi , Pedersgata 38 , ☏ +47 90 40 60 70 . M-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 13:00-22:00 . Probably the best sushi in Stavanger. Take-away and restaurant.  
• No 28 Pizza Pub , Øvre Holmegate 12 , ☏ +47 51532828 , [email protected] . It seats 200 people and has an additional bar. They make everything themselves, even the dough is made in house. They also serve babyback ribs. 200 kr . ( updated Jul 2015 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Straen Fiskerestaurant , Nedre Strandgate 13 , ☏ +47 51 84 37 00 . 18:00-01:30 . Considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Norway. However, they only have seafood, you will not be served meat or poultry.  
• 58.970224 5.75259 3 Spildr , Ryfylkegata 33 , ☏ +47 480 15 193 . Seafood restaurant  
• 58.969829 5.746519 4 Bravo , Pedersgata 71 , ☏ +47 920 70 337 . Small dishes with ingredients influenced by season, regularly change menu. In the Michelin guide.  
• 58.96991 5.744404 5 Casa Gio , Pedersgata 48 , ☏ +47 924 38 227 . Very good quality and cosy Italian restaurant.  
• 58.969406 5.735671 6 Söl , Hetlandsgata 6 , ☏ +47 977 22 201 . Seasonal set menu. In the Michelin guide..  
• 58.968971 5.754949 7 Tako by Fortou , Ryfylkegata 22 , ☏ +47 476 12 616 . High-quality tacos and other Mexican food by the same guys of Fortou 200-300 kr .  
• 58.969106 5.753298 8 Ry , Ryfylkegata 11 , ☏ +47 951 10 011 . Indoor and outdoor with food, drinks, music and other events. Checkout their website for the upcoming events.  
• 58.968153 5.756208 9 Brøl , Ryfylkegata 33 , ☏ +47 479 32 000 . Bistro with a focus on bar and sourdough  
• 58.972976 5.733819 10 Kokko kaffebar , Østervåg 43 . Specialty coffee, design and architecture  
• 58.970557 5.737334 11 Micro Kaffi , Nykirkebakken 1 . Great selection of specialty coffees.  
• 58.969354 5.756337 12 Kafe Oransjeriet , Avaldsnesgata 95A . Plant-based cafe (opening late summer 2024)  
• 58.968845 5.754824 13 Kanelsnurren Øst , Ryfylkegata 22 , ☏ +47 413 78 032 . Good place to have a coffee/tea and fresh bread, pastry or sandwiches.  
• 58.968378 5.756172 14 Ostehuset Øst , Ryfylkegata 30 , ☏ +47 518 64 010 . Spacy and cosy place with good quality food, drinks, coffee, bread and cheese.  
• 58.969822 5.743344 15 Jakob's Brød og Kafé , Pedersgata 39 , ☏ +47 458 70 007 . Excellent bakery and cafe in a cosy place.  

Splurge [ edit ]

• 58.973906 5.730837 16 Re-naa , Nordbøgata 8 , ☏ +47 515 51 111 . Innovative dishes inspired on the Norwegian nature. ★ ★ ★ 3 Michelin star  
• 58.969718 5.745982 17 K2 , Pedersgata 69 , ☏ +47 979 56 120 . Seasonal, local, organic food. ★ 1 Michelin star  
• 58.969969 5.743353 18 Sabi Omakase , Pedersgata 38a , ☏ +47 925 43 781 . Omakase sushi. ★ 1 Michelin star  
• 58.971228 5.752084 19 Bellies , Støperigata 6 , ☏ +47 51 32 88 95 . Vegan high cuisine. Seasonal food, checkout the video in their website. In the Michelin guide.  
• 58.967631 5.722577 20 Hermetikken , Niels Juels gate 50 . Great selection of wines. ★ 1 Michelin star  

Drink [ edit ]

Stavanger has a varied and exciting nightlife, concentrated around Vågen (the bay) or a stones throw away. Even weekday nightlife is more vibrant in Stavanger than in most towns in Norway. The eastern rim of the bay gets the afternoon sun, and is the prime setting for an outdoor beer -weather allowing.

• Folken ( Student house ), Løkkeveien 24 , ☏ +47 51654444 . 11:00 - 01:30 . Folken is by far the cheaper place to drink if you bring your Student Card. The music varies in both genre and loudness. Enjoy the summer in Folkens backyard! low .  
• Bøker og Børst (Books and Booze) ( Café ), Øvre Holmegate 32 , ☏ +47 51 86 04 76 . 10:00 - 02:00 . Definitely the most charming little café in all of Stavanger. Really nice atmosphere and interiors. The eccentrics' favorite.  
• On the western side you will find Checkpoint Charlie , a legendary hangout for rockers and students. It is also home to CCAP, a record label that hold Thomas Dybdahl and Popface in their expanding stable. Though its clientele has gradually gotten younger over the years (now around 18-22), it retains much of its old feel. 2 beers for the price of 1 on Thursdays (Lars Hertervigsgt. 5 4005 Stavanger, ☏ +47 51532245 [4] ).
• Another bar well worth the visit is Cementen . Situated on the third floor of a concrete building alongside the bay, it has a great view of inner city Stavanger. It is easy to find, just look for the cement mixer hanging from the outside wall 7 m above its entrance. Dance floor. (Nedre Strandgt.25, 4005 Stavanger)
• For the see and be seen crowd, Taket is the place to go (Nedre Strandgt. 15, 4005 Stavanger ☏ +41 51 84 37 01 ).
• With Hall Toll the Stavanger night scene has finally gotten a taste of cosmopolitan jet set, complete with drunken bimbos, obnoxious bouncers with headsets and a separate VIP line at the entrance.
• Clubbers are advised to seek out Sting , next to Valbergstårnet . It is a bit cramped, but they keep great DJs and the atmosphere is inviting. The first floor is cafe style, and basement is a night-club. The rooms to the right when you enter the cafè is traditionally for gay people. If you get tired from dancing there is a lounge area, Indian style, with lots of pillows to lie down on. (Valberget 3, 4006 Stavanger, ☏ +41 51 89 32 84 , [email protected] [5] [dead link] )
• Munken (The Munk) is a traditional bar that serves beer, wine and spirits. Crowd varies a great deal in age (22-72), often many English speakers. Usually not very loud music. Free entrance. Prostebakken -in the Alley by the Dressmann haberdashery.
• [dead link] Nåløyet Bar , Nedre Strandgate 13 , ☏ +47 51 84 37 00 . Nåløyet is the closest thing to an everyday pub. The bar is open all days, and get packed on Fridays and Saturdays.  
• Bar Bache , Øvre Holmegate 5 . Perhaps the cheapest Happy Hour in town! Tiny English style pub.  
• Cardinal , Skagen 21 , ☏ +47 98204200 , [email protected] . Su-Th 15:00-01:30, F Sa 12:00-01:30 . One of the best beer pubs in Norway, with a selection of about 500 beers in bottles, and 25 beers on tap. On the second floor cocktails are also available. ( updated Mar 2016 )
• 58.969439 5.757914 1 Øst , Kvitsøygata 25 , ☏ +47 934 31 691 . Hand-brewed beer. They have about 10 different types of excellent beer written in a blackboard which they change every few days. You can order half glass if you want taste different types. A little pricey but really worth it!  
• 58.968012 5.756523 2 Gimlet , Ryfylkegata 33 , ☏ +47 913 21 082 . Cocktail bar, specialized in nordic liquors and gins.  
• 58.96901 5.757913 3 T-Time Vinbar , Kvitsøygata 25 . Wines and vinyls.  

Sleep [ edit ]

• Mosvangen camping , Tjensvoll 1B , ☏ +47 51 53 29 71 , fax : +47 51 87 20 55 . Check-in: 16:00-20:00 , check-out: 07:30-11:00 . Tent + car 200 kr, tent 150 kr, cabins 450-650 kr .  
• Centrum Romutleie , Baldersgata 7 ( 1.4 km (0.9 mi) walk from bus/train station, 2 km/1,25 miles walk from city centre ), ☏ +47 97 96 67 57 (17-20 GMT+1) . Check-in: 17:00-21:00 , check-out: 07:00-09:00 . Clean, very basic room rental, one single and one double room available, sharing a bathroom, basic guest kitchen available for preparing breakfast. Single 400 kr, double 500 kr .  
• Mosvangen vandrerhjem , Henrik Ibsens gate 19 ( 4 km/2,5 miles walk from train/bus station, or bus no 9 daytime every 30 minutes ), ☏ +47 51 54 36 36 . Check-in: 16:00-22:00 , check-out: 07:00-10:00 . Hostel of rather high standard, all bedrooms ensuite, basic guest kitchen. No alcohol allowed. dormitory bed 315 kr, single room 495 (low season only), twin-bedded rom (bunk bed) 825, four-bedded room (two bunk beds) 1415, prices per Dec 2011 and incl bed linen, towel and basic breakfast buffet. Showing your own bed linen (Norwegian-sized blanket/pillow cover/duvet cover) + towel at check-in allows a discount (45/bed), also a 10% discount to members of HI International. .  
• Rogalandsheimen Gjestgiveri , Muségata 18 ( 0,4 km/0,25 mile walk from bus/train station, 1 km/0,6 mile walk from city centre ), ☏ +47 51 52 01 88 , fax : +47 51 53 69 36 . Check-in: 16:00-22:00 , check-out: 07:00-11:00 . Typical **(+)-hotel. All rooms with sink, no rooms ensuite, TV lounge with free wireless internet zone. No alcohol allowed. single 700 kr, double 825, prices per Dec 2011 and incl Norwegian breakfast buffet. .  
• Stavanger BB , Vikedalsgata 1A ( 0.6 km (0.4 mi) from bus/train station, 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from city centre ), ☏ +47 51 52 25 00 . Check-in: 16:00-22:00 , check-out: 07:00-11:00 . Typical hotel. No rooms ensuite, all rooms with small TV sets. Single 750-850 kr, double 850-890 kr .  
• St Svithun vandrerhjem , Armauer Hansens vei 20 ( 2.5 km (1.6 mi) walk from train/bus station, or bus no 11 (Monday-Saturday two departures/hour, Sunday hourly departure) direction ), ☏ +47 51 51 26 00 . Check-in: 16:00-22:00 , check-out: 07:00-10:00 . Hostel of very high standard, totally comparable to ***-hotel except making your own bed is required. All bedrooms ensuite. Nice cafe and basic guest kitchen. No alcohol allowed. single bed in four-bedded room 495 kr, twin-bedded room 1095, four-bedded room (two bunk beds) 1695, prices per Dec 2011 and incl bed linen, towel and large breakfast buffet. 10 % discount to members of HI International if pre-booked by phone .  
• Stavanger Lille Hotell , Madlaveien 7 ( 0,6 km/0,35 miles walk from bus/train station, 1.2 km (0.75 mi) walk from city centre ), ☏ +47 51 53 43 27 , fax : +47 51 53 03 81 . Check-in: 15:00-21:00 , check-out: 08:00-11:00 . Typical ***(+)-hotel. Rather large rooms with TV/DVD and high quality beds. Economy rooms smaller, not ensuite, standard **+. Single economy 770 kr, double standard for single use 1420, double economy 940, double standard 1490, double superior 1690, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet .  
• [dead link] Havly Hotell , Valberggata 1 ( heart of city centre, five minutes walk from bus/train station ), ☏ +47 51 93 90 00 , fax : +47 51 93 90 01 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Typical ****(-)-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, work desk, high quality beds. No alcohol allowed. single standard 1260 kr, twin standard 1360, double standard 1360, prices pr Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet .  
• Hotel Maritim , Kongsgata 32 ( three minutes walk from bus/train station, eight minutes walk from city centre ), ☏ +47 51 85 05 00 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Typical ****-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk double standard 1625 kr (single use 1325), double business 2125 (single use 1825), prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet .  
• Park Inn , Lagårdsveien 61 ( local train to Jåtta (5 minutes, train departure every 15 minutes) + 7-8 minutes walk ), fax : +47 51 76 20 01 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Typical ***(+)-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, work desk. single standard kr 1495, single business 1795, double standard 1695, double business 1995, prices pr Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet lat= .  
• Hotel Scandic Forus , Bjødnabeen 2 ( 11 km outside city centre, close to the inter-town business area ), ☏ +47 21 61 48 00 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . New (2011) ****-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk. standard single/double 1690 kr, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet in reception area .  
• Hotel Atlantic , Olav Vs gate 3 ( two minutes walk from bus/train station, five minutes walk from city centre ), ☏ +47 51 76 10 00 , fax : +47 51 53 03 81 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . ****(+)-hotel, best available in town. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk etc. Single standard 1995 kr, single business 2495, double standard 2295, double business 2695, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet .  

Hotels in class **** generally allow a 15-25% discount when booking a room with check-in Friday/check-out Sunday or a booking for minimum three nights during July.

Close to the airport/the Sola Beach should be mentioned:

• Himmel og hav , Solastrandveien 114 ( 1,6 km/1 mile walk from the airport, close to the Sola Beach ), ☏ +47 51 65 04 60 , fax : +47 51 93 90 01 . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Typical ***-hotel. No alcohol allowed. single standard 1100 kr (F Sa 790), twin standard 1300 (F Sa 990), prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet .  
• Sola Strandhotell , Axel Lunds vei 27 ( 1,6 km/1 mile walk from the airport, close to the Sola Beach ), ☏ +47 51 94 30 00 , fax : +47 51 94 30 99 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 12:00 . ****-hotel. Cosy rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk - and a great sea view. Restaurant with high quality and price level, expect about 650 kr/person for a three-course meal (ex beverages) + coffee/tea. single standard 1850 kr, twin-bed standard 2050, prices pr Des 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet .  

Stay safe [ edit ]

Stavanger is generally considered a very safe city. The local police force are efficient, usually speak good English and have a strong presence in the downtown area at weekends. Call 112 in an emergency.

During weekends, the small downtown area tends to fill up with intoxicated people. Be careful when wandering around this area late at night, as a some people may have had a few too many to drink.

Night buses run after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, but have higher fares than during the day.

Cope [ edit ]

• Laundry - Renseriet Løkkeveien 73 (near Radisson Blu Royal) 51 52 30 05; Kongsgata 40 (near Thon Maritim and Lake Breiavatnet) 51 89 56 53.

Go next [ edit ]

• Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) is a massive 600 m vertical cliff that sits on the edge of the Lysefjord . Its top is a natural lookout of several hundred square metres, almost perfectly flat, and the rock is the region's main tourist attraction, and one of the nation's landmarks.

To get to the top, follow the marked path for 2 - 2.5 hours from the Preikestolhytta, where food and accommodation is available, 1.5 - 2 hours for the return walk. Buses meet many of the Stavanger to Tau ferries [dead link] during the summer, through ferry+coach tickets available from Tide Reiser [dead link] (can be bought onboard the ferry), or buy your own ferry ticket and then for the local Boreal bus to the lodge. Costs around 250 kr. Total travelling time one way (less the climb) from Stavanger harbour is 1 hour 10 minutes. If you opt to go by your own car, there is a 100 kr parking fee.

• The Kjerag is almost double the altitude of Preikestolen but the access is more difficult. It is further into the Lysefjord . There you can find the Kjeragboltn. There is a bus that can take you there runs from Stavanger and Sandnes by Tide Reiser [dead link] . It operates from mid June to the beginning of September. It is not possible to see both Kjerag and Preikestolen in one day.
• The Lysefjord runs 45 km deep underneath both these plateaus. Several options for cruising this fjord, among others Tide

If the climb sounds too rough, you can take a fjordcruise , leaving the harbour most days at noon and returning 3.5 hours later, 450 kr. If you want to both cruise and hike, there's also a 10:00 summer cruise + hike option which first cruises through Lysefjord then a bus takes you to hike Pulpit rock, 850 kr.

• Go south, to rural areas in Jæren . Take a fast-boat to some of the islands like Usken . Go to the family theme park Kongeparken close to Ålgård .

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Stavanger

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Bryan Dearsley has traveled Norway extensively since discovering previously unknown family ties there.

Situated on the southwestern coast of Norway and only a five-hour drive south of the beautiful city of Bergen , bustling Stavanger is the country's third-largest city. It's also one of the oldest communities in Norway, tracing its roots as far back as the 12th century. Well sheltered by offshore islands, it's been a commercial center for centuries and is a popular cruise port today.

The city is also a vibrant cultural hub, with music venues and annual events that include the MaiJazz Festival each May and the International Chamber Music Festival in August.

Add to that the city's museums, which cover everything from Vikings to offshore oil, along with sardines, aircraft, and seafaring in between, and there are plenty of interesting places to visit and fun things to do in Stavanger. The entire region is popular as a recreation area, with several nearby lakes and a mild maritime climate.

For more ideas on planning your Norway travel itinerary, be sure to review our comprehensive list of the top sightseeing experiences and tourist attractions in Stavanger, Norway.

See also: Where to Stay in Stavanger

1. Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen)

2. norwegian petroleum museum, 3. norwegian canning museum, 4. stavanger cathedral, 5. the valberg tower (valbergtårnet), 6. stavanger museum, 7. gamle stavanger (old stavanger), 8. stavanger maritime museum, 9. breidablikk museum, 10. lysefjord, 11. ledaal house, 12. museum of archaeology, 13. flyhistorisk museum sola, 14. stavanger art museum, 15. utstein abbey, klosterøy, where to stay in stavanger for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in stavanger, best time to visit stavanger.

Highlights: A stunning 609-meter cliff with a fantastic view from the top

Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is undoubtedly the best-known tourist attraction in the Stavanger area. This massive flat-topped cliff rises nearly 609 meters above the waters of Lysefjord and is one of the country's must-visit bucket list attractions.

It's also one of Norway's most iconic images and has long been the subject of some of the best photography in Norway .

Although Preikestolen is a bit of a trip to reach, it's well worth the effort. The adventure involves a ferry ride, a bus, and a four-hour round-trip hike. But if you have good walking boots (the path can be steep in places) and a head for heights (it's a sheer drop from the edge), the views from here on a clear day are unforgettable.

Location: Rogaland, Norway

Highlights: Family-friendly interactive displays, educational and fun science center

While the story of oil may not seem a compelling one, this innovative museum makes it relevant, as well as interesting. A lively blend of science, technology, history, environment, and social concerns, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum (Norsk Oljemuseum) sits overlooking the harbor in a building that resembles a series of oil storage drums sitting on an oil rig.

Graphic, audio, and interactive exhibits explore the geology of petroleum and explain why so much lies off the Norwegian Continental Shelf. They explain how these deposits are discovered, how they are recovered, and how they affect the Norwegian economy and society. Even adult visitors will enjoy climbing into a diver's suit, and there are other activities suitable for all ages.

Address: Kjeringholmen 1A, 4006 Stavanger

Highlights: Fun dress-ups for kids and hands-on exhibits in a historic building

Who knew sardines could be so interesting? The Venus Packing Co. was one of about 70 canneries in Stavanger and one of 250 in Norway as a whole, and it has been carefully restored to its appearance at the time of World War I.

It's now home to the Norwegian Canning Museum (Norsk Hermetikkmuseum) and is chock-full of interesting exhibits that show how Norwegian sardines were caught and processed from 1879 until the mid-1950s. During this period, these tiny fish were one of Norway's most important export products.

You can see how the fish were processed and follow the improvements in machinery. One of the most interesting exhibits is a single machine manufactured in Germany in the 1930s that packed the cans in greaseproof paper, attached a key, and put the label in place. The collection of labels displayed on the upper floor is a colorful sampling of the more than 40,000 different designs used.

Kids will like the opportunity to dress up as cannery workers and to sample Norwegian waffles in the café, which is in the authentic 1800s workers' cottage. It's been fully restored and furnished to show how it would have looked in the 1920s (on the lower floor) and about 1960 on the second floor.

Address: Øvre Strandgate 88, 4005 Stavanger

Highlights: Norway's oldest cathedral, close to the historic town square

Located in the city center, Stavanger Cathedral (Stavanger Domkirke) was built in the 12th century by Englishman Reginald of Worcester, later known as Bishop Reinald, as a three-aisle Romanesque basilica. The oldest cathedral in Norway, its choir was rebuilt in Gothic style after a fire in 1272, and the whole church was renovated in the 19th century.

Notable interior features include the richly carved Baroque pulpit (1658) and a stone font of the Gothic period. Also worth checking out is the stained glass in the east window depicting New Testament scenes.

Behind the cathedral sits the former Bishop's Palace, the Kongsgård, overlooking the northern shore of the Breiavatnet — the small lake at the center of the city. The nearby Bispekapellet , or Bishop's Chapel , dates back to the early 1300s and has been carefully restored.

Northwest of Stavanger's cathedral and extending to the harbor inlet (Vågen) is the city's Market Square (Markedsplass). This popular gathering place is a lively spot to spend time shopping at its open-air stalls and soaking up some local culture on nice days.

Address: Domkirkeplassen, 4001 Stavanger

Highlights: Great harbor views from the city's tallest building

Another of Stavanger's well-preserved older buildings, the Valberg Tower (Valbergtårnet) can be found to the north of Market Square between Vågen and Østre Havn (East Harbor). Located in the Holmen peninsula, the oldest part of the town, this former watchtower was built in 1853 on the highest point in the city.

It was the home of the watchman, whose job it was to alert everyone when there was a fire. Today, it is a good place to visit for great views over the harbor and city, as well as the great little Watchman's Museum located on the first floor.

Address: Valberget, 4001 Stavanger

Highlights: Natural history and cultural exhibits, plus a children's museum

The Stavanger Museum is much more than a single museum. The building, in fact, houses exhibitions of natural and cultural history, along with the popular Norwegian Children's Museum (Norsk Barnemuseum).

This fun attraction is a great one-stop shop providing a useful background of the city's cultural roots, its flora, and its fauna. It also tells the fascinating story of how the sea has shaped the community over the centuries, not to mention having somewhere for the kids to learn while having fun.

Much of the museum's collections have been the legacy of generations of Stavanger seamen and missionaries, who traveled to exotic places and brought back art and cultural treasures. These ethnographic collections appear in changing exhibits, as do art, furnishings, costumes, and other pieces of the city's cultural heritage.

Address: Muségt. 16, N-4010 Stavanger

Highlights: Historic quarter with Europe's oldest wooden houses

One of the most picturesque areas of the city is Gamle Stavanger. This historic area consists of a collection of quaint older homes lying along meandering stone-paved streets. This is, in fact, the largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe.

Gamle Stavanger's picturesque streets are well worth exploring, as are its galleries and museums. This area is where you'll find both the Maritime Museum, on Nedre Strandgate, and the Norwegian Fish Canning Museum.

Highlights: Fun for families, costumes and model ships

Stavanger has been a city of seafarers from its earliest days, and the maritime industry has shaped it in many ways, from its early fishing fleets to its modern role as a center for offshore petroleum. You'll learn a great deal about the city's history in the exhibits at the Stavanger Maritime Museum (Stavanger Maritim Museum), which traces the city's business and industry from the herring fisheries and ship-building of the 1800s to today's role as Norway's oil capital.

Beautifully crafted models of working boats and transatlantic liners, actual interiors, and artifacts tell part of the story, while a general store has been re-created from the interiors and merchandise of several dismantled Stavanger shops that served seafarers, fishermen, and other townspeople. A complete and authentic sail loft that operated here until the 1980s has been moved to the museum, complete with all the equipment used by sail-makers.

"Working at the Docks" is an interactive exhibition for children representing a harborside marketplace. Here, they can dress up and play on a fjord boat and at market stalls and harbor businesses.

Address: Strandkaien 22, 4005 Stavanger

Highlights: Elegant historic home with beautiful gardens

The Berentsen family villa, Breidablikk, remains much as it was when the family lived here in the 1880s. Highlights of the Breidablikk Museum today include having the chance to see the original Victorian-era furniture, fabrics, chandeliers, ceramic stoves, knick-knacks, and even flower arrangements, along with a collection of works by foremost Norwegian artists.

Some areas of the house show furnishings of different eras when the house was inhabited: the 1950s library and dining room, even a bomb shelter installed by the family in 1939. Servants' quarters, the laundry room, and the barn with farm tools and carriages are open to view, as are the beautifully landscaped gardens. From here, you can follow the trail to other historic gardens of Ledaal, Holmeegenes, and Munkehagen.

Address: Eiganesveien 40 A, Stavanger 4009

Highlights: Spectacular cliff-lined fjord with incredible scenery

To the east of Stavanger lies Lysefjord, a dramatic cleft in the mountains that's 42 kilometers long and up to 1.75 kilometers wide, revealing stunning bright-green water. Topping it all are the sheer walls of rock rising 1,005 meters above the fjord.

This breathtaking landscape is one of the best sightseeing trips in the area. Fortunately, it's easy to get to, and a number of very pleasant trips by boat can easily be arranged from Stavanger.

One of the most exciting ways to explore this beautiful area is aboard a Lysefjord sightseeing trip from Stavanger with RIB-Safari . You'll be whisked to Lysefjord aboard a speedy RIB tour boat, where you'll have plenty of opportunities to get some great photos from the middle of this impressive body of water. Lifejackets, gloves, and floating suits are provided.

Highlights: Beautiful historic royal home and museum

Built as a summer residence for the Kielland family in 1799, Ledaal House is a perfectly preserved example of how Norway's elite lived in the early 19th century. The richly furnished mansion still functions as a royal residence and is the King's official residence in Stavanger, as well as a museum .

The entire property is owned by the state in trust. Its historic gardens are well worth seeing and are connected to three others via a historic garden trail.

Address: Eiganesveien 45, 4009 Stavanger

Highlights: Viking history and replica ships

While you're in Norway, you'll certainly want to know more about the Vikings, and the place to do it is at Stavanger's Museum of Archaeology (Arkeologisk museum i Stavanger). The collections include replicas of Viking ships and boats, costumes, historic weapons, tools, and artifacts.

Perhaps the most popular exhibit here, though, has nothing to do with Vikings. The famous Finn, the Finnøy Polar Bear, is a 12,400-year-old skeleton recovered from the village of Judaberg on Finnøy. It is the most complete Ice Age polar bear from its time, and you can learn the fascinating story of Finn's discovery and how he compares to modern-day polar bears.

Address: Peder Klows Gate 30 A, 4010 Stavanger

Highlights: Norwegian air force museum with historic planes

With its focus on aircraft used at the Sola military base and Stavanger Airport, the Flyhistorisk Museum Sola collection includes a variety of completely restored aircraft, as well as aircraft parts from WW2 to the modern day. Its collection of more than 30 historic aircraft includes civilian as well as military planes, plus uniforms, models of aircraft, and historic photographs.

You can actually board some of the planes, a rare experience in an aviation museum, and the signage is in English as well as Norwegian. The museum is at the seaplane port, near Stavanger airport.

Address: Sola Prestegårdsveg 170, 4050 Sola

Highlights: Important art collections in a park-like setting

Stavanger Art Museum (Stavanger kunstmuseum), located in a beautiful park surrounding Lake Mosvannet just 3.2 kilometers from the city center, is home to one of the country's finest collections of Norwegian and international art.

Of particular interest is the unique collection of paintings by Lars Hertervig (1830-1902), whose romantic and highly personal landscapes continue to resonate with visitors.

Address: Henrik Ibsensgate 55, 4021 Stavanger

Highlights: Chain of small islands off the coast of Stavanger with historic monastery

To the north of Stavanger are numerous islands and islets, one of the most popular being tiny Klosterøy. Linked to the larger island of Mosterøy by bridge, Klosterøy is famous for its Augustinian abbey, Utstein .

First mentioned in the 13th century, this well-preserved monastic house can be reached from Stavanger by boat.

Address: Mosterøyveien 80, 4156 Mosterøy

If you're visiting Stavanger for the first time, the best place to stay is in the city center. Many of the top attractions are within walking distance of each other here, including Stavanger Cathedral, the old town, and several museums. Here are some highly rated Stavanger hotels in this convenient location:

Luxury Hotels:

• True luxury hotels are rare in Stavanger, but the pet-friendly Clarion Hotel Stavanger , a short stroll from the cathedral and old town, offers comfortable, contemporary rooms, as well as a top-floor Jacuzzi and sauna with city views.
• Located nearby, the Scandic Royale Hotel Stavanger has plush rooms with pillow menus, a spa, a fitness center, and the city's only child-friendly hotel pool.
• A stone's throw from Stavanger train station and handy to the cathedral, the pet-friendly Scandic Stavanger Park , with a fitness center and summer activities for children, is known for its spacious rooms with sitting areas. Breakfast is included in all these hotels.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In a fabulous location, a five-minute walk from the old town and cathedral, the hip and funky Comfort Hotel Square features bold, in-your-face art, cozy lounge areas, a gym, and a panoramic rooftop terrace.
• Located in a lovely lakeside setting, Thon Hotel Maritim offers sleek, dark-hued rooms and free breakfast, all a two-minute walk from Stavanger Cathedral and the city center.
• A few blocks away, the Frogner House Nygata 24 , set in a red-brick 19th-century building, offers a touch of elegance, with chandeliers and sumptuous fabrics in some of the rooms.

Budget Hotels:

• Budget hotels are also in short supply in Stavanger, but you can walk to town in about 10 minutes from the Stavanger lille Hotel . The hotel's basic rooms have TVs, mini-fridges, and shared or private bathrooms.

The best time to visit Stavanger is in July and August. Near-perfect weather with plenty of sunshine can be expected in the summer months, with cooler yet still pleasant evening temperatures being easily managed with the wearing of a light jacket or sweater.

Spring can also be a nice time to visit. However, it's worth noting that Stavanger's northerly location near the Arctic Circle means spring typically arrives later than other European destinations. It's also shorter, starting in late May or even early June. Although the weather's cooler than you'll experience in the summer, the days are generally long with plenty of sunshine.

Visiting Stavanger in the autumn and winter should be avoided if you're planning on sightseeing. September, October, November, and December are the area's rainiest months, with rainfall expected well over half of each month.

Winter can be a fun time to visit for those who enjoy snow sports. Snow conditions generally last from January into February and March, and although daylight hours are somewhat reduced, you can expect some sunshine to offset the cold temperatures.

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Plan Your Stavanger Holiday: Best of Stavanger

Explore Stavanger

Essential stavanger.

Stavanger Is Great For

Eat & drink.

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• About the region
• Annual report
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Stavanger Tourist Information Office

The Tourist Information Office in Stavanger is located at Strandkaien, next to the harbour between the cruise ships and the historic Old Stavanger. 

The staff at the tourist information know and love the region, and will do their best to offer you an unforgettable experience.

Qualified advice and recommendations

You will always get good and up-to-date tips on what to do in the Stavanger region. In addition to the official tourist brochure for the Stavanger region and the official City & Regional Maps , the tourist office distributes brochures and maps for local attractions, activities and accommodation.

Ticket sales for sightseeing tours and activities

The tourist information office sells a wide range of excursions in the Lysefjord, hiking tours with professional guides and tickets for transportation to famous sights such as Preikestolen and Kjerag. You can get tickets for sightseeing tours, fjord cruises and many other fun activities with us. The tourist office will gladly help you find a suitable activity or tour for you and your travel companion!

• Chili Chocolate
• Citysightseeing Strømma
• Engøyholmen Kystkultursenter
• Explore Lysefjorden
• Fjord Events
• Get Guided Norway
• Lysefjorden Adventure
• Nordic Paddling
• Norwegian Petroleum Museum
• Ryfylketurer AS
• Ski boat Sauda
• Stavanger RIB
• Viking House

Souvenirs sold

Buy yourself a souvenir that will later remind you of your visit to the Stavanger region. If you want to send a physical greeting to friends and relatives at home, you will find a selection of postcards and stamps.

Opening hours at the Stavanger tourist information

Main season (1 June - 31 August):

• Monday - Friday: 08.00 - 18.00
• Saturday and Sunday: 09.00 - 16.00

Rest of the year:

• Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 16.00
• Saturday and Sunday: closed

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Related articles.

Egersund Tourist Information

The tourist information office in Egersund is located at Jernbaneveien 18, in the centre by the bus station and the guest harbour, 900 meters from the railway station.

Sirdal Tourist Information

Sirdal tourist information is located at the mountain museum. In addition to general information and brochures, you can also buy fishing license, maps, books, DVDs, craft articles, Sirdalsferie's profile articles and more.

Plan Your Trip to Stavanger: Best of Stavanger Tourism

Explore Stavanger

Essential stavanger.

Stavanger Is Great For

Eat & drink.

Hiking Tours

Ports of Call Tours

• Hotel Victoria
• Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, Stavanger
• Thon Hotel Stavanger
• Clarion Hotel Stavanger
• Scandic Royale Hotel, Stavanger
• Restaurant SOL
• Fisketorget
• Firelake Grill House & Cocktail Bar
• Flor og Fjære
• Swords in Rock
• Gamle Stavanger
• Norwegian Petroleum Museum
• From Stavanger: Lysefjord Sightseeing RIB Boat Tour
• Guided hike to Pulpit Rock Preikestolen
• Stavanger: Waterfalls, Caves and Rock Tour By Sea
• Guided hike to Kjerag and Kjeragbolten
• Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavenger

Best Things To Do in Stavanger Norway (These 8 Are a Must!)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 11, 2023

If you are traveling to Stavanger, Norway, for the first time, you are probably wondering what are the must-see attractions in town and what are the best things to do nearby. We spent three unforgettable days here and in this post I am sharing some of the best things to do in Stavanger and best day trips from Stavanger that you really shouldn’t miss. 

This is not a complete list of Stavanger attractions. This beautiful region has so much more to offer than that, but if you want to see the main highlights, then look no further. These are the top places to see and things to do in Stavanger.

This list starts with the best things to do in Stavanger town . Further down, you can find the best excursions and day trips from Stavanger . Whether you are visiting Stavanger for a day when cruising Norway or are here for a few days, this article is all you need for your first visit. Find out!

TIP: At the bottom of the post I also included some itinerary ideas on how to spend one, two, three, or four days in Stavanger. You can also find some practical tips and recommendations on the best hotels in Stavanger.

Stavanger was the first stop during our Norwegian road trip and we couldn’t have chosen a better place to fall in love with Norway.

Stavanger really has it all – a beautiful old town with lots of history and cozy atmosphere, quirky museums (that prove that museums can be fun for all), and stunning nature with jaw-dropping landscapes within such an easy reach from town…

Without further ado, here are our absolute favorite things to do in Stavanger :

Gamle Stavanger

Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger) is a small historic area with beautifully restored wooden buildings dating from the turn of the 18th-19th century. If you only have a couple of hours in Stavanger, then this is one place you really don’t want to miss.

This protected area was originally home to the workers of the sardine canning industry. More than 170 houses have been beautifully restored and a visit to this historic quarter with its white wooden houses, colorful flowers, and well-kept little gardens is a real treat for the eye.

Strolling through the narrow cobbled streets with the old-fashioned street lanterns and empty benches feels like stepping back in time and you’d almost forget that people live here today… If you want to have an authentic feel of old Norway, then Gamle Stavanger is probably one of the best places to experience this.

Practical information: Gamle Stavanger is located to the West of the old harbor Vagen, just a few minutes walking distance from the Strandkaien cruise ship terminal (see the map ).

The Norwegian Canning Museum

If you visit just one museum in Stavanger, make it The Norwegian Canning Museum . You’ll never look at a can of fish with the same eyes again!

All kidding aside, visiting this historic museum located in an old canning factory in the earlier mentioned Gamle Stavanger area is the best hour you can spend in Stavanger.

Not only do you get to know the importance of the canning industry, learn how a factory worked, or see thousands of incredibly creative labels that even the best marketing gurus can learn from. On top of that, this museum is really hands-on with lots of fun activities that you can try for yourself. You can thread sardines, lay them in cans, and on certain days you can even taste some smoked sardines… Fun for kids and adults alike!

I really feel that you’d be missing a big deal if you don’t pay a visit to this unique museum when visiting Stavanger. Even if you have just half an hour to spare, take a look inside. You won’t be disappointed.

Practical information: You can find all the practical information on the Norwegian Canning Museum website .

LEARN MORE: What to Expect at the Norwegian Canning Museum

Norwegian Petroleum Museum

You can’t really miss the Norwegian Petroleum Museum in Stavanger. Built as a replica of an oil platform, its very special architectural design will catch your eye immediately. But there is so much more to this museum than its impressive exterior!

There is a lot to see and do in this museum, often chosen as the best museum of Stavanger by guidebooks and travelers alike.

Not only can you learn everything about oil, you will also get a better understanding about the importance of the petroleum industry in Norway. It turned the country that was once on the brink of poverty into one of the most wealthy countries in the world.

There are models of oil platforms and ships, rigs with emergency slides, and even an escape room where you can experience what it would be like to try to evacuate from a burning rig. Children will love this museum as well. There is a question-and-answer trail to follow, lots of hands-on experiences, and a themed playground where the kids can put on a helmet and a uniform and build their own oil platform.

Practical information:   You can find more information and opening times on the official website of the Norwegian Petroleum Museum . Count at least an hour or even two for a visit.

Which museum to visit in Stavanger? Stavanger is not such a big town, but it has so many museums that you could easily spend a week doing nothing else, but visiting them. 

If you have just an hour or two in Stavanger, I recommend visiting Gamle Stavanger and the Norwegian Canning Museum. If you have 2-4 hours in Stavanger, visit the Norwegian Petroleum museum as well.

These two museums couldn’t be more different, but I feel that you need to see both to get a better understanding of Norway as a country. If you have more time in Stavanger and want to visit even more museums, you can find the complete selection online.

Stavanger Town Center, Domkirke, and Breiavatnet

Stavanger town center is not very big, so I suggest that you go for a short walk and see some of the main highlights in town.

One of the landmarks you shouldn’t miss in Stavanger is its medieval cathedral – Domkirke . It has been recently restored and is one of the best-kept old churches of Norway. It’s also the only cathedral in Norway that has been continuously used since the 1300s.

Breiavatnet is a small lake with a fountain located in the middle of Byparken park in the center of Stavanger. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the old town and the cathedral and is a nice place for a relaxing stroll.

Lysefjord Cruise

Lysefjord is one of the most beautiful fjords of Norway and one of the main highlights that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Stavanger every year.

Sail deep into the fjord and admire the sheer walls around you, with the most famous of them – The Pulpit Rock – rising over 600 m above the fjord. You’ll pass some tiny islands, caves, and waterfalls. It’s a sight to behold…

There are several ways to experience the Lysefjord. Probably the easiest and the most popular is by taking a boat tour . There are regular ferries connecting various little towns along the fjord, but it’s much easier (and not more expensive) to just take a Lysefjord cruise from Stavanger.

We visited Lysefjord twice. Once on a rainy day when we did the Lysefjord cruise in combination with the Pulpit Rock hike , and then on a sunny day when we sailed all the way to Florli and climbed the world’s longest wooden staircase – Florli 4444 . Needless to say, you’ll have much nicer views if you visit the Lysefjord on a sunny day, but it’s still an impressive trip even if it rains.

Practical information:  Lysefjord cruise can be done the whole year. It starts in Strandkaien in Stavanger city center and takes about 3 hours. You can find more information about the fjord cruise here .

TIP: Lysefjord cruise is the most popular trip in Stavanger, so book early, especially when cruise ships are in town.

The Pulpit Rock Hike

Preikestolen , or The Pulpit Rock , is one of the most popular hikes in Norway. Many people come to Stavanger just to hike to Pulpit Rock. Even Tom Cruise was at Pulpit Rock. You can see him hanging by a thread on the Preikestolen in Mission Impossible: Fallout movie.

The purpose of this post is to show you that there is so much more to see and do in Stavanger than just the Lysefjord and the Pulpit Rock hike. At the same time, you really don’t want to miss these two main highlights that Stavanger is famous for!

So if you are fit enough for a moderate 4-hour hike, don’t miss Pulpit Rock! It’s an unforgettable experience and will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip to Norway.

Practical information: Below, you can find a link to an article about our experience hiking to Pulpit Rock (we did this hike with 3 young kids).  In that article, you can find all the practical information for the hike as well. Count at least 6-7 hours for the hike including transportation to and from Stavanger.

LEARN MORE: Preikestolen Hike

TIP: If you find the logistics too complicated or rather not go on your own, there are local guides that can guide you to Pulpit Rock as well . One of the biggest advantages of going with a guide is that you can start the hike much earlier before the crowds arrive and/or don’t have to worry about the logistics. This is the most popular guided Pulpit Rock hike tour from Stavanger .

Flørli 4444

If you like outdoor activities and are looking for a more unique experience in Stavanger, then I can highly recommend climbing the world’s longest staircase – Florli 4444 .

A beautiful boat trip deep into the Lysefjord is followed by a strenuous steep climb with some of the most spectacular views you can imagine. Florli 4444 can be done as a day trip from Stavanger, yet you’ll find very few tourists here.

It’s a true hidden gem, but don’t wait till the rest of the world finds out! Visiting Florli and climbing this staircase was the most unique and memorable experience from our trip to Norway.

Practical information:  Via the link below, you can read about our experience hiking Florli 4444. In this post, you can also find all the practical information and logistics. You’ll need a whole day to visit Florli from Stavanger and do the Florli 4444 hike. Unless you have a car, by far the best way to do this hike is with a guided tour that includes transfers from Stavanger .

LEARN MORE: Hiking Florli 4444 Stairs

Kjeragbolten Hike

Despite the fact that it’s quite far from town and not the easiest place to get to,  Kjerag is a really popular day trip from Stavanger. With its 1084m, it’s the highest mountain in the area that not many people hiked to in the past.

It’s very probable that you’ve seen a picture of a round rock stuck in a mountain crevice, often with a person standing on top of the rock. Being able to take an epic picture like that is the reason why Kjerag has become more and more popular in recent years. It seems that the Instagram-factor of the Kjeragbolten is too big to resist and so more and more tourists come to Stavanger in order to hike to the Kjeragbolten.

Kjeragbolten is a strenuous hike of almost 10 km that takes about 6 hours to complete. It’s the most challenging of the three most popular hikes near Stavanger mentioned in this post and can only be done in summer. Actually, it can be done off-season as well, but you shouldn’t attempt that without an experienced local guide.

Practical information: You can find all the practical information for hiking to Kjerag here . If you don’t have a car and find it too complicated to attempt to get to Kjerag by public transport, you can best book this guided hike from Stavanger (we did the Florli4444 hike with this guide and he’s really good).

The biggest advantage of going with a guide is that you can beat the crowds by going very early in the morning and you don’t have to worry about renting a car, parking, or researching where exactly to hike.

Best Things to Do in Stavanger – Suggested Itinerary for 1 to 4 Days

• If you have just one day in Stavanger , I suggest taking the Lysefjord cruise and then visit the town and the two museums mentioned above.
• If you have two days in Stavanger , you could do Lysefjord cruise and the Pulpit Rock hike one day and then visit the town and the museums on the other day.
• If you have three days in Stavanger , follow the same 2-day itinerary as above and then add either Florli 4444 or Kjerag hike, ideally not hiking two consecutive days.
• You can do all of the things described in this post if you have four days in Stavanger . However, please consider that each of the hikes (Pulpit Rock, Kjeragbolten, and Florli 4444) are quite hard. You can do the Pulpit Rock hike one day and one of the other hikes the following day, but I wouldn’t suggest hiking three days in a row. In that case, you probably best start with either Kjerag or Florli, then take a quiet day and spend it in town, then do another long hike on day 3, and leave Pulpit Rock for the last day, because it’s the least challenging hike of the three.

TIP:  If you want to discover Stavanger like a local and see the main highlights in the town itself, I recommend this highly-rated private walking tour with a local guide .

Where to Stay – Best Hotels in Stavanger for Sightseeing

Stavanger is a big town with plenty of accommodation options. It’s also one of the most affordable places to stay in Norway, so good news if you are planning to spend a few days here.

The best places to stay in Stavanger for sightseeing are close to the old town, where you can easily walk to all the main attractions, the bus station, and also to the ferries for your day trips.

Here are some of the best hotels in Stavanger  based on the location and customer reviews:

• $$$$$ Hotel Victoria – beautiful historic building and waterfront views.
• $$$$ Clarion Collection Hotel Skagen Brygge  – 4* – probably the best location in town for those who want to be by the harbor.
• $$$$ Scandic Stavanger City – best price/quality, especially for big families. We stayed at this hotel and it was perfect.
• $$$ Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel  – the most popular hotel in town . Excellent reviews and a beautiful location next to Breiavatnet lake.
• $$$ Scandic Royal – just a little bit further from the rest (still very central) and has excellent reviews and an indoor swimming pool .

For more information and accommodation options for all budgets, please check our complete guide to Stavanger hotels .

TIP: Using the map below, you can also compare hotels, apartments, and short-term rental accommodations in Stavanger . Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s available for your stay. Check it out!

So, this is our guide to the best places to see and things to do in Stavanger. I hope it will help you plan your trip and make the best of your time in this beautiful area in Southwestern Norway.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a reply below and I’ll do my best to help. Have you been to Stavanger? Let us know your favorite things to do in town. 

More tips for your trip to Stavanger:

• Hotels:  Where to Stay in Stavanger (Hotels, Apartments, Hostels, Airbnb)
• Best hikes:  Pulpit Rock  and  Florli 4444
• Must-do:   Lysefjord Cruise & Pulpit Rock
• Itinerary:  Norway Itinerary  (Stavanger, Bergen, Flam, Geirangerfjord, and more)
• Packing:  What to Wear in Norway in Summer  and  What to Wear in Norway in Winter
• Budget:   How Expensive is Norway
• Norway:  For more travel tips and destinations all over the country, please check our  Norway travel guide . Also for Lofoten Islands , Northern Norway , and even Svalbard .

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Thursday 15th of June 2023

Love this guide, very informative!

Saturday 17th of June 2023

Glad to help. Have a great time in Stavanger!

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Really useful guide to Stavanger, excellent

Thursday 8th of September 2022

Glad to help, Steve, and thanks for your kind feedback. Enjoy your trip!

Wednesday 13th of July 2022

Your post is extremely helpful. Beautifully written Nd covered everything. Thank you! God bless you!

Friday 15th of July 2022

Glad to help, Noureen, and thank you for the kind feedback. Have a great time in Stavanger!

Paul Henderson

Sunday 29th of March 2020

I visited Norway in the mid 90’s, and very much enjoyed my time in Stavanger.

As I recall, we visited the town hall which housed the city government. The tour was great as were the photos of the many past mayors and the stories of the hauntings by past ghosts. I believe that the building then used for city government was once the home of a wealthy merchant.

I would be interested in learning how old that building is.

Someday I will revisit Norway and its very friendly people.

Thank you, Paul Henderson

Monday 30th of March 2020

Hi Paul, we haven't been to the town hall of Stavanger and I can't find much useful information about it online. So I'm not sure if it's open for visits or how old the building is. From what I see, the current municipality building is quite modern, so it's probably not the one you are talking about. You'll just have to go back and see how it is ;). Sorry I can't help you more.

Thursday 21st of November 2019

We are looking to visit Stavanger next year. My great uncle died in the Second World War and is buried in the churchyard at Sola so we want to visit his grave. Your blog has been very helpful in us deciding if we need a hire car or not. Thanks

Monday 25th of November 2019

Glad to help, Corinne. Enjoy your trip. It will be a special experience for you for sure.

Stavanger Tourist Information Office

• Tourist information

Stavanger Tourist Information Office is the perfect place to start your exploration of the Stavanger region. Located in the heart of the city, the office is open all year round and provides a wealth of information on the area, from maps and brochures to guided tours and activities. The knowledgeable staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and help you plan your trip. The office also offers a range of services, such as booking accommodation, arranging car hire, and providing information on local attractions. Whether you're looking for a cultural experience, a nature adventure, or a family holiday, the Stavanger Tourist Information Office is the ideal place to start your journey.

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Fjord experiences from Stavanger

From the city to the fjord with our comfortable and modern boats! We offer fjord experiences from Stavanger all year round. Embark on a fjord cruise through Lysefjord or enjoy the best of two worlds – with a combo fjord cruise and hike!

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Lysefjord cruise – experience Preikestolen

Enjoy our 3.5-hour fjord cruise from Stavanger to Lysefjord year round aboard our comfortable and modern boats. Experience spectacular Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) hanging 604 meters above the fjord as well as towering waterfalls and spectacular landscapes!

Purchase tickets to our fjord experiences here, and pay online with Visa, Mastercard or Apple Pay. Bon Voyage!

Preikestolen cruise & hike

From the fjord to the mountaintop! This fjord cruise from Stavanger to Lysefjord is combined with a spectacular hike to world famous Preikestolen. See the panoramic view from the plateau!

Day trip to the Flørli stairs

Every Saturday and Sunday during the summer, we’ll take you on a wonderful day trip to Lysefjord and Flørli, where all 4444 steps of the famous Flørli stairs await!

Day trip to the Flørli stairs round trip on different days

Preikestolen cruise and guided hike – winter

Combine a fjord cruise through beautiful winter landscapes with a hike to famous Preikestolen. Experience the spectacular panoramic view from the plateau during wintertime.

Ski boat to Sauda

The Ski Boat offers a fast and relaxing voyage from Stavanger city center to one of southwestern Norway’s top ski resorts, Sauda Skisenter.

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