Stavanger Travel Information

Stavanger Travel Information

Coastal city in the south of Norway with postcard-perfect fjord landscapes and with prosperity rising from the presence of the North Sea Oil fields, Stavanger is a city worth seeing. The architecture here is charming with traditional wooden buildings coloring the city, and should you want to explore the history of the area deeper, there are excellent museums to be visited. Stavanger is also a good base for outdoor activities like trekking, mountaineering or sailing. Cruises offer an excellent way of seeing the coastal landscapes around Stavanger.

Prekestolen rock in Stavanger

Stavanger, culturally rich fjord city in Norway, with Pulpit Rock crowning the landscapes

Lively city in Southwestern Norway, Stavanger is famous for its scenic coastal landscapes. The one thing printed in most postcards sent from Stavanger is Preikestole (Pulpit Rock), a high cliff rising from the waters of Lysefjord. This steep cliff rises 604 m above the sea level and offers an amazing panorama over the Norwegian coast.

Outdoor activities. Should you want to go trekking in Stavanger, climbing the rock by foot takes about two hours. As there are plenty of boat tours from Stavanger, you can also admire the rock formation from sea. A variety of other outdoor activities from sailing and fishing to kayaking and mountain climbing are also available in Stavanger. There are also sandy beaches near Stavanger to enjoy during sunny summer days, and winter sports lovers can also find some ski resorts in the region.

Fountain in Stavanger

Cultural heritage. Besides the scenic landscapes and outdoor sport opportunities, Stavanger attracts also with its architecture and services. You can find traditional wooden buildings everywhere in the city, and historical monuments such as the 12th century cathedral and the Three Swords offer an interesting addition to your sightseeing tours in Stavanger. Museums and rich arts scene with high class theater performances and the popular Stavanger Symphony Orchestra make the picture of a culture city complete. As a bonus to this all you will have a possibility to admire the 12th century Utstein Monastery, which is among the best preserved monasteries of Norway.

Colorful houses in Stavanger

Practical information for your trip to Stavanger

Stavanger is located in the Southwest coast of Norway south from Bergen. For flights and travelling to Stavanger, search for connections to Sola Stavanger Airport, which is located only a short drive outside the city. Travelling to Stavanger by road is quite slow due to mountainous geography of Norway, with coastal fjords making the driving even more slow.

However, both Oslo and Bergen are reachable by car or train from Stavanger in a few hours. Public transport in Stavanger is offered mainly by taxi and buses. For more independent touring, try car rental in Stavanger. Cruises from Stavanger are another good way for sightseeing in the scenic area.

City center of Stavanger

Weather in Stavanger is changeable. Summers (June-August) are usually warm with up to 20°C temperatures, while winters (November- March) are cold with below zero temperatures. Moderate rainfall is received in Stavanger all around the year. If you travel for summer activities, visit Stavanger between May and September, and if for snow sports, come between December and March.

A bridge in Stavanger by night

A wealthy Norwegian city with modern and traditional attractions, Stavanger is a relatively popular travel destination. Although prices in the city are high, services are comfortable. Hotels in Stavanger range from traditional city hotels to Bed and Breakfasts, with also camping grounds available. Some of the best restaurants in Stavanger are specialized in fish dishes. As for nightlife in Stavanger, the city is among the most active in Norway. As Stavanger is a very safe destination, moving around outside is safe also after dark. English is spoken by many locals in the city.