Located on a peninsula in the southwest, Stavanger is the 3rd largest city in Norway and offers something for everyone. Once a coastal market town and known for it’s fishing industry, Stavanger is now known as the “Oil Capital of Norway”. Despite the industrial sounding nickname, the city and Old Town is charming and beautiful, complete with a mix of museums, parks, restaurants, shopping and wooden homes. It also serves a springboard for outdoor adventures in the area, as well as fjord cruises. All of this makes it the perfect destination for a long weekend adventure, or more!
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Stavanger twice – once on an extended weekend trip, and again as a day trip on a cruise. The best times to visit Stavanger are from May-September, when the weather is more cooperative. That said, our cruise stopped in Stavanger in July and it was cool and rainy. In September, we had sunny and mild weather – perfect for hiking! Stavanger is a place worthy of a weekend trip (or longer) but if all you’re able to do is cruise port visit, you’ll still see a lot!
Things to Do
Hike Preikestolen
Many people visit Norway to enjoy nature and the stunning scenery, and one of the best ways to do this is by hiking (which is really just walking in pretty places, and anyone can do it!).
Towering over 600 meters above Lysefjord is Preikestolen (aka Pulpit Rock), one of the areas most popular hikes. This was my number 1 reason for wanting to visit Stavanger! Ever since I saw a picture of Pulpit Rock towering over Lysefjorden, I knew it was on my bucket list. It’s recommended to do this hike between May and October, when you will not require special equipment. We went in early September and had perfect weather. (That said, we went back to Stavanger in early July and it rained the entire time, so summer isn’t necessarily better). If you aren’t comfortable hiking alone, there are hiking tours you can join to see Preikestolen.
Logistically, getting to the base of Pulpit Rock requires a little planning unless you are renting a car. From Stavanger you can now drive to Preikestolen. Previously, you needed a ferry (which required more planning but the ferry ride was scenic). There is also a tunnel (with tolls) that now connects to Tau if you choose to drive yourself. If you aren’t renting a car, you can purchase bus tickets from GoFjords or Pulpit Rock Tours. These will take you to the base of Preikestolen. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time online and are not available for purchase on the bus. Know your fitness level, and look at the time table ahead of time so you don’t miss the last bus and end up with a very expensive taxi ride back to Stavanger!
Plan ahead when you are hiking Preikestolen as daylight hours vary, and weather changes quickly. Google is your friend; keep yourself safe and do your research if you’re going in the shoulder season. Make sure you have trail shoes or hiking boots, layers, water, and snacks. If you’re like me, and the downhill hurts your knees more than uphill, hiking poles are helpful as there are rocky steps to walk down on your way back. Those stairs were fine on the climb, but killed my knees coming back down. There are no toilets along the route, but there are some at the base.
The hike itself isn’t too challenging as long as you’re comfortable with uphill and downhill. While the hike is classed as medium difficulty, don’t let that scare you off. It’s doable if you are mobile and willing to sweat a little for incredible views. The roundtrip hike is about 8km and you should allow 3-4 hours (more if you like to take photos the whole time). There is always a long line for photos at Pulpit Rock. Of course bring your camera, because the views at the top are breathtaking! I’m pretty certain my husband was annoyed with the amount of photos I took, but it’s just so incredible that I couldn’t help myself. We added an additional section after reaching Pulpit Rock and climbed up further to see the view from above. This allowed us to get away from the crowds and see a different view. It was worth it and highly recommend following additional trails once you reach Pulpit Rock. I wish we had more time here!
Take a fjord cruise.
Norway is known for it’s stunning fjords, and gorgeous landscape, and Stavanger boasts easy access to both. The nearby Lysefjorden is absolutely gorgeous; a fjord cruise is a must! Rodne Fjord Cruise offers a 3.5 cruise of the breathtaking Lysefjorden, passing waterfall and colorful homes. You’ll even get the view the famous Pulpit Rock from below. The boat has indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Bring an extra layer because it gets chilly on the water. The price is 790 NOK, or about $75. Don’t forget a camera!
Wander the streets of Gamle
Gamle is the historic neighborhood of Stavanger, where you will find the quintessential white, wooden Norwegian homes. Each home is as charming as the next, and strolling through the streets feels like going back in time. The building were originally from the 18th and 19th century, but restored after WWII. The cobbled streets make it feel like something out of a fairy tale.
Admire the beautiful harbor
Unlike many cities, the Port of Stavanger is right in Old Town. Fjord cruises and excursions leave from this area, and cruise ships even dock right in Old Town Stavanger. The beautiful harbour is lined with colorful shops and restaurants, and even holds a small market. It’s a perfect spot to people watch, grab a drink or bite to eat, or just sit back with a cup of coffee. If you’re visiting Stavanger on a cruise ship, you’ll see it from the deck of the ship! It’s hard to miss this vibrant area of Old Town.
Eat at Fisketorjet
Fisketorjet is a seafood restaurant right in the heart of Stavanger’s harbor. The restaurant is an a glass building, perfect for admiring the Old Town. Seafood in Norway is so fresh and unlike anything I’ve had before. We actually ate here on our first visit to Stavanger and loved it so much, we booked a reservation ahead of time for our cruise stop. The seafood soup is a specialty and honestly one of the best soups of my life! Seriously, I dream about this soup at least once a week. If you are a seafood lover, don’t miss this place. Norway is definitely one of the more expensive countries in Europe, but you do get what you pay for.
Walk down Stavanger’s “colorful” street
In recent years, Ovre Holmegate has become an attraction in Stavanger. It’s one of Norway’s most colorful streets, with splashy pink, purple and orange buildings. The locals call it Fargegaten, or “colourful street”. You’ll find restaurants, shops, and coffee houses. It’s an easy walk from the harbor so much sure you explore it on your next visit to Stavanger.
Visit one of Stavanger’s many museums
Stavanger has many museums for a smaller city, including several niche museums. If you have the time or are looking for something to do indoors, check out any of the following: Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger Museum, Stavanger Maritime Museum, Norwegian Canning Museum, Stavanger Art Museum, Iron Age Farm and Archeological Museum, or Norwegian Children’s Museum.
Norway is an absolute dream, and Stavanger has something for everyone. It’s a wonderful springboard to hiking and fjord tours in the area, with a charming Old Town. Add it to your bucket list!
Norway is an absolute dream, and Stavanger has something for everyone. It’s a wonderful springboard to hiking and fjord tours in the area, with a charming Old Town. There are plenty of museums to keep you busy on a rainy day. Add it to your bucket list!
My Weekend Wanderlusts 