Visiting Stavanger and dreaming of taking on the famous Preikestolen? There are plenty of other things to do in Stavanger!
Located on the southwest coast of Norway, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth-largest city. Thanks to the riches of the North Sea, this small fishing port has become a major city. At the beginning of the 19th century, herring numbers increased dramatically off the Stavanger coast. To cope with this surplus of fish, the local authorities decided to set up canning factories. Frenchman Nicolas Appert had just invented a canning process. This made the town’s fortune for a long time, until the second treasure was discovered: oil. From then on, it was the oil rigs that made the town rich. If you’d like to visit Stavanger, here’s a short guide to the city’s must-sees.
1. Preikestolen rock
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This is probably the reason you’re visiting Stavanger: to climb to the top of the famous flat rock Preikestolen (The Pulpit). Mind you, this is not an easy hike, especially if the stone path is wet. Although the hike is only 3800 meters long, with an ascent of 350 meters, some sections are very steep and the rock can be slippery.
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view, but you’ll have to be careful not to get too close to the edge. It really is the most spectacular walk in Stavanger.
2. Lysefjord
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Although not quite as impressive, you can also admire the famous rock below. It overlooks the Lysefjord, another of the region’s must-sees.
From a cruise ship, you’ll have plenty of time to admire the underside of the famous rock. You’ll also see a superb 400-metre-high waterfall: Hengjanefossen, and a cavity carved out of the rock: the vagrants’ cave, which is said to have served as a refuge for homeless people.
3. Old Stavanger
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When the fish canning industry took off in Stavanger, workers had to be recruited from all over the country and housed on site. Small houses with gardens were built in the south-western part of the port.
Today, Gamle Stavanger is listed and the small white houses dating from the 13th and 19th centuries have been restored. This is truly a must-see in Stavanger. A stroll through the narrow flower-lined streets is enchanting. To visit Stavanger is to discover an attractive city.
4. Norwegian Canning Museum
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Visiting Satvanger without understanding the history of canning is unthinkable! Still in the Old Quarter, another not-to-be-missed visit to Stavanger: the canning museum. The museum is housed in a former canning factory. Here you can learn about the history of the metal can, which dates back to 1850. Find out more about the launch of canned sardines in the early 20th century and the technological innovations that have gone into this method of preservation.
5. Norsk Oljemuseum
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Oil installations have replaced canneries, and this new black gold also has its own museum. The ultra-modern Norsk Oljemuseum takes the form of an oil rig, and presents the various aspects of life on board.
You can bring the whole family, as the presentations are fun and the exhibits are based on scale models. A visit to Stavanger means discovering places that are both touristy and enriching.
6. Stavanger Cathedral
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Stavanger has few old buildings, except for its cathedral, Norway’s oldest. A blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, it appears relatively modest at first glance, with its gray stonework and green roof. Push open the door and be seduced by the sculpted works and the superb Baroque pulpit.
7. Stavanger Maritime Museum
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A good idea for a visit to Stavanger is the local museum, where you can learn more about the region’s history and geology. In particular, you’ll find an extensive prehistoric collection, with local artefacts dating back over three thousand years. There are also sections on zoology, handicrafts and religious art.
8. Sverd i fjell
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What can you do in Stavanger to see traces of the distant past? Head for the Sverd i fjell site, Swords on the Rocks, on the banks of the Hafrsf fjord, just a few kilometers from the city center.
Although few vestiges remain of the battle of 872, which unified the three kingdoms of Norway, a 7-metre-high engraved stone does. It was part of a complex surrounding a church. The most spectacular monument, however, was erected in 1983. Three bronze swords, almost 10 metres high, are planted in the rock, symbolizing the three kings who took part in the battle.
9. Ovre Holmegate
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A very old shopping street, Ovre Holmegate is the most pleasant place to shop when visiting Stavanger. For its stores, of course, but above all because it’s lined with small, colorful houses.
It’s often referred to as the country’s » Notting Hill « . It really is one of the must-sees when visiting Stavanger.
10. Local specialities
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You can’t visit Stavanger without sampling its culinary specialties.
- As you’d expect, sardines feature prominently, as do the famous Norwegian salmon and many other local fish and seafood dishes.
- Meat is not forgotten, however, with lamb appearing on the menu of every good table, sometimes in the form of confit or dried.
- Finish the meal with a good Kraftar and strawberries. The famous blue cheese was voted best cheese in the world in 2016. As for strawberries, they’re perfect for those long, sunny summer days.
To make sure you don’t forget any of Stavanger’s specialties, join a guided culinary tour. It will take you through the streets of the city center, with many tasting stops.
11. Street art
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For the past twenty years or so, street art has had a place of its own in Stavanger. The NuArt festival, which usually takes place in late August/early September, features the world’s leading street art artists.
Outside this period, you can discover many of the works on a guided tour. Many of the city’s sites preserve permanent traces of this art form.
How to get to Stavanger
Stavanger is in a kind of cul-de-sac, so getting there can sometimes be tricky.
- However, several airlines fly direct from Paris to Stavanger’s Sola airport (SVG), taking around 4 hours. You can compare the various offers on Skyscanner. From the airport, the FB40 bus will take you to the city center in 20 minutes, with a frequency of 30 minutes.
- The train journey from Paris takes a day and a half, passing through Cologne, Hamburg and Oslo. If you’d like to visit Stavanger on a Norwegian rail-trip, you’ll need to take the line from Oslo along the south coast, ending here.
- To visit Stavanger from Bergen, a little further north, you’ll need to take local buses and ferries or the Hurtigruten coastal express line.
Where to stay in Stavanger?
Stavanger is essentially a residential town, so all neighborhoods are suitable for a stay. However, you’ll probably want to find accommodation in the center, so you can visit Stavanger on foot. In fact, this is where the accommodation offer is greatest, as in the particularly popular Old Stavanger.
Several 4-star establishments, such as the Clarion and Radisson, let you experience Stavanger in style.
There’s a wide range on offer, so you’ll also find more modest hotels, as well as homestays. To make your choice, use a hotel comparator or search on the Airbnb platform.
Enjoy your stay in Stavanger!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Norway