Stavanger

Where Old Meets New

From vibrantly coloured waterfront streets to serene coastal hikes, Stavanger is simply unforgettable. Located on a stunning peninsula surrounded by the North Sea, Stavanger might not be as well-known as Oslo, but Norway’s fourth-largest city is well worth a spot on your travel itinerary.

Explore Stavanger by foot to get up close and personal with the beauty and history of the city. Marvel at the gothic Stavanger Cathedral – Norway’s oldest – and stroll through Gamle Stavanger, the oldest part of the city and home to 173 wooden buildings from the 18th century.

Be sure to make time to explore the vibrant Øvre Holmegate. Locally known as “Fargegata (the Street of Colours),” this pedestrian area is a hive of activity thanks to its quirky shops and brightly painted buildings. The street is lined with cafes and restaurants serving tasty treats and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever have.

Learn about the region’s industrial history at the Norwegian Canning Museum or the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Travel further back in time at the Museum of Archaeology, which contains relics dating back to prehistoric times. And for some ancient lore, visit the Swords in Rock monument where King Harald Harfagre battled to unite Norway into one kingdom in 872 AD.

Norway is renowned for its natural beauty, and Stavanger and the surrounding area truly deliver. Lysefjord is a 40-km  fjord that makes for exhilarating adventures with majestic mountains and stunning viewpoints. Go for a walk along the bridge or sit back and relax on a calming boat trip where you’ll enjoy views of waterfalls and (hopefully) see lots of sea life.

Among the area’s many natural wonders is the mighty Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock). Sitting 604 m above the Lysefjord, movie buffs will certainly recognise the viewpoint as the site of a nerve-wracking scene from Mission Impossible – Fallout. Reaching the top is just a moderately demanding hike. For the thrill seekers, meanwhile, the nearby Kjerag boulder is wedged between two mountains and allows you to perch a dizzying 1,000 m above the Lysefjord. 
 

Looking for something more relaxing? Sola Beach is one of the most popular shorelines in the region, and its golden sands and cool waters are perfect for those who enjoy wind and water sports as well as spectacular sunsets. Other beaches to look out for are the Jærstrendene: these miles-long slices of Norwegian paradise are a combination of sandy and pebble beaches with moraine rocky coast. 
 

Pack up the car and travel to Stavanger for a trip brimming with new adventures. It’s a place sure to occupy your dreams for years to come.