The 11 things to do in Stavanger

Are you going to visit Stavanger and dream of measuring yourself at the famous Preikestolen? Know that there are many other essentials to do in Stavanger

Located on the southwest coast of Norway, Stavanger is the fourth city of Norway. It is thanks to the wealth of the North Sea that this small fishing port has become a city of importance. At the beginning of the 19th century, the herrings saw their numbers grow significantly off the coast of Stavanger. To cope with this surplus of fish, local authorities decide to install factories to keep it. Frenchman Nicolas Appert has just invented a conservation process in metal boxes. This will make the city’s fortune for a long time, until we discover the second treasure of the place: oil. From now on, it is the oil platforms that enrich the place. To visit Stavanger, here is a small guide of uncontourable things to do in the city.

1. The Preikestolen rock

This is probably the reason why you visit Stavanger: climb up the famous flat rock Preikestolen (The Chair). Careful, this is not an easy hike, especially if the stone trail is wet. If the hike is only 3800 meters, for a 350 meters high, some portions are very steep and the rock can be slippery.

Upstairs, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view, but should be careful not to get too close to the edge. This is really the most spectacular trip to Stavanger.

2. The Lysefjord

Even if it is not as impressive, you can also admire the famous rock from below. Indeed, it overlooks the Lysefjord, another must in the region.

From a cruise ship you will have all the leisure to admire the underside of the famous rock. You will also see a beautiful 400-metre high fall: Hengjanefossen and a cavity dug into the rock: the cave of the vagabonds, which would have served as a refuge to the homeless.

3. Old Stavanger

When the fish canned industry took its boom in Stavanger, it was necessary to recruit workers throughout the country and house them there. Small houses with gardens were built in the south-west part of the port.

Today, the Stavanger Gamle is classified and the small white houses of the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries have been restored. This is truly a must-see visit to Stavanger. The walk in the small flowery streets is a enchantment. Visiting Stavanger is discovering an attractive and attractive city.

4. Norwegian Canning Museum

Visit Satvanger without understanding the history of the canned is unthinkable! Still in the Old Quarter, another visit of Stavanger not to be missed: that of the can. The museum is located in an old conservatory. You will learn about the history of the metal can, whose origins date back to 1850. You will learn more about the launch of the box sardine at the beginning of the twentieth century and the technological innovations regarding this mode of conservation.

5. Norsk Oljemuseum

Oil installations have replaced the canneries and this new black gold also has its museum. Ultra-modern, Norsk Oljemuseum has the form of an oil platform and presents the various aspects of life on board.

You can go with family, presentations are playful and exhibitions are made using models. Visiting Stavanger is discovering tourist and enriching places.

6. Stavanger Cathedral

Stavanger has few ancient buildings, except its cathedral, the oldest in Norway. This building, which blends Romanesque and Gothic styles, appears relatively modest in the first glance, with its gray stones and its green roof. Push the door and let yourself be seduced by the sculpted works and the beautiful baroque chair.

7. Stavanger Maritime Museum

A good idea to visit Stavanger is the local museum: it allows you to learn more about the history and geology of the region. Here you will find an important prehistoric collection, with local objects dating more than three thousand years. It also includes zoology, crafts and religious art sections.

8. Sverd i fjell

What to do in Stavanger to see traces of the distant past? Head to the site Sverd i fjell , Les Épées sur les Rochers, on the edge of the Hafrsf fjord, a few kilometers from the city centre.

Although there are few remnants of the battle of 872, which allowed the unification of the three kingdoms of Norway, there is still a stone engraved by 7 meters high. She was part of a set surrounding a church. The most spectacular monument, however, was erected in 1983. Three bronze swords of nearly 10 meters high are planted in the rock, symbolizing the three kings who took part in the battle.

9. Ovre Holmegate

Very old shopping street, Ovre Holmegate Street is the most pleasant place for shopping when visiting Stavanger. For its shops, of course, but especially because it is lined with small houses of all colors.

It is often considered to be " Notting Hill "of the country. It is truly one of the musts to visit Stavanger.

10. Local specialties

It is impossible to visit Stavanger without tasting its culinary specialties.

• You doubt it, the sardine occupies a prominent place, just like the famous Norwegian salmon and many other local fish and seafood.
• The meat is not forgotten, however, with the lamb, which appears on the map of all the good tables, sometimes in the form of candied or dried.
• Finish the meal with a good Kraftar and strawberries. The famous blue cheese was elected the best cheese in the world in 2016. The strawberries are sublimated by the long sunny days of summer.

To be sure not to forget any of Stavanger’s specialties, join a guided culinary tour. It will make you discover the streets of downtown, making many stops tasting.

11. Street art

For about 20 years, street art has been entitled to city in Stavanger. A special festival is devoted to him: NuArt . It usually takes place at the end of August/early September and welcomes the world's largest street art artists.

Apart from this period, you can discover many works during a guided tour. Many locations in the city keep permanent traces of this art.

How to get to Stavanger?

Stavanger is in a sort of ass-of-sac, it can sometimes be complicated to get there.

• However, several airlines serve Sola Airport in Stavanger (SVG), with direct flights of approximately 4h, since Paris. You can compare different offenses on Skyscanner. From the airport, the bus FB40 will take you to the city center in 20minwith a frequency of 30min.
• The train journey from Paris takes a day and a half and pass through Cologne, Hamburg and Oslo. If you want to visit Stavanger during a trip rail in Norway, you will have to take the line that starts from Oslo and runs along the south coast to finish here.
• To visit Stavanger since Bergen, a little further north, you'll have to borrow some local bus and ferries or line the Coastal Express Hurtigruten.

Where to stay in Stavanger?

Stavanger is essentially a residential city, all neighborhoods are suitable for staying there. However, you will probably want to find accommodation located in the centre, to visit Stavanger on foot. This is where the offer of accommodation is the most important, as in the Old Stavanger, particularly popular.

Several 4-star establishments, such as Clarion or Radisson , will allow you to live Stavanger with style.

The offer is wide so you will also find more modest hotels, as well as rooms at home. To make your choice, call a Compare hotels or search on the platform Airbnb .

Good stay in Stavanger!