Things to see and do on your trip to Stavanger?

Near the Norwegian fjords and tucked away in the mountains is a must-see city on your trip to Norway: Stavanger. Often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’, Stavanger is a jewel that holds mythical places like the awe-inspiring Preikestolen and beautiful streets lined with ice-white buildings that adorn the landscape of the area. Read on, and we’ll tell you more about things to do in Stavanger.

Things to do in Stavanger, Norway

The Old City of Stavanger

If you go into the heart of the city, you’ll soon discover one of the city’s greatest attractions and one in which to soak in the magic of this city: Old Town Stavanger.

In the centre of the old town, there are more than 170 whitewashed houses. They easily captivate the eye of any visitor. These wooden houses were built at the end of the 19th century and became one of the most attractive spots.

The group of houses unfortunately suffered damage during World War II. So, there have been a number of restorations in the area. But this group of houses retained the essence of the old town (hence the name). They were once houses used to store goods arriving at the port. However, today they are private homes for the people who live in the town.

The Øvre Holmegate Street, a unique street to see in Stavanger

If the Old Town of Stavanger has caught your eye, the Øvre Holmegate street will not go unnoticed by you. As it is one of the must-see sights in Stavanger.

In this beautiful shopping area of the city, as well as being able to enjoy the pace of the city and soak up the culture of this Norwegian city, you’ll come across a series of houses that, in contrast to those in the old town, are in all sorts of contrasting colours as you walk down the street.

Many of the old houses were destroyed. And after subsequent reconstructions, they looked as white as those in the old town. Just over fifteen years ago, an innovative project was carried out to modernize the street and increase the street’s trade accordingly.

Of course, as you can see, local hairdresser Tom Kjorsvik’s initiative was successful. Now it is one of the liveliest streets in the city. Craig Flannagan, who came up with the colour scheme that was used, was the other mastermind behind the successful project. If you want to relax, a drink in one of its bars is a real treat for the senses.

Skagenkaien, Stavanger’s famous port

As a port city, surrounded by natural scenery that attracts visitors from all over the world, Skagenkaien has become a busy place. Not only for tourists who want to see the sights that await in Stavanger, but also for ships that come to the city to trade.

Here you can stroll around and appreciate one of the most historic and important parts of the city, where sailing ships and other vessels wait to set sail, offering a unique, memorable sight that will stay with you for a long time.

Not only that, but the area also abounds in entertainment and dining options, making it one of the liveliest areas, especially when the summer heat (which is short-lived in Stavanger) starts to hit the city and the number of visitors increases. It’s definitely the perfect spot to enjoy a break after your wanderings in charming Stavanger.

And of course. If you’re in the area, a visit to the Stavanger Maritime Museum is also highly recommended. It tells the history and importance of the city’s fishing tradition. Just a few minutes away, you can also find the Fisketorget. This is Stavanger’s fish market, where all the material collected by the fishermen is brought in.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Stavanger, Norway?

Preikestolen

Since it is not actually in the city, we have decided to leave this mythical place in Stavanger for this section, as it deserves a unique mention.

The famous Preikestolen (or also called The Pulpit) is a unique lookout point. It is a rock formation with an altitude of 600 metres. From there you can have a spectacular view of the entire Lysefjord.

Approaching to see the Preikestolen is an indescribable must-see in Stavanger. The hike is a small 1-day adventure. And we strongly recommend you get up early to go there, as the climb takes some effort and it’s a popular tourist spot. So, the earlier you get there the better.

A boat route along the Lysefjord

The fjords of Norway are a natural wonder you have to see in Stavanger; they are something indescribable, which can only be truly appreciated by witnessing their beauty first hand.

There are several boats that leave from Stavanger harbour and travel the length and breadth of the fjord waters. There, you can catch a unique view of these works of nature’s art of sheer cliffs and overwhelming green vegetation, which is interrupted when the white of the snow takes centre stage.

From the boat, you will be able to see the entire fjord skyline and Stavanger from afar, with its continuous rows of colourful houses and the white walls of the houses in the old town. This is certainly a unique experience. We recommend you put it on your list of things to see and do in Stavanger, Norway.

What can I do in Stavanger in 1 day?

And to make sure you don’t miss out on anything, this itinerary we’ve put together will make it easier for you to choose what things to do in Stavanger:

• The Old Town
• The Øvre Holmegate Street
• Skagenkaien, Stavanger’s harbour
• The Fisketorget
• Stavanger Cathedral

If you have more time, take the opportunity to stay in town and visit the Preikestolen from there. You can also spend a few hours on a boat tour and see the fjords from a completely different perspective.

Sites to stay in Stavanger

We’ve put together a short list of places to stay. So, you won’t have any trouble choosing accommodation on your trip to Stavanger:

• Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel: A round triumph in every respect: heart-stopping facilities, super-comfortable rooms and superior service. It’s in the heart of the city centre and the price for a weekend for two people in June is around €300
• Best Western Havly Hotell: A four-star hotel in one of the best locations in the centre of Stavanger that, with its classic style, meets all your expectations. The price for a weekend for two people is around €240.
• Stavanger Bed & Breakfast: This austere bed&breakfast-style hostel is a perfect choice for an enjoyable stay, as it’s excellent value for money. The price for a weekend stay for two people is €185.

Sites where to eat in Stavanger

If you’re someone who enjoys sampling all that the local cuisine has to offer, don’t worry, below is a list of must-visit places for you to do just that:

• Sabi Enso:A recent opening, where you can enjoy sushi made by expert Japanese hands and raw materials from Norwegian waters. Prices are around €20 and upwards for lunch or dinner.
• RE- NAA: For those who want to taste an authentic menu prepared by the best chefs, this restaurant is the perfect opportunity, as it has not one, but two Michelin stars. The menu is masterful and if you can afford it (prices are from €70 upwards) it’s a unique experience that we recommend you don’t miss out on.
• Rice & Noodles: A Vietnamese-style place, where noodles are the absolute stars of all the dishes you’ll find. Not only that, but there are plenty of other food options, and if you’re looking for something quick and delicious, be sure to check it out. Prices are around €10-15.

How to get to Stavanger?

There are many flight opportunities from Spain to Stavanger for about -€ round-trip and the journey takes about -hours, as flights from Spain usually have a stopover on the way.

From Oslo, Norway’s capital, to Stavanger, it’s not far and the stopover is fairly short. Once you arrive at Stavanger Airport, we recommend you take a bus, which leaves the terminal every 20 minutes and takes about half an hour to get to the centre of Stavanger.

Tips on a trip to Stavanger

• Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
• Alcohol can only be bought in specialised “Vinmonopolet” shops with very limited opening hours.
• The official currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
• Winter tyres are compulsory in the car at this time of year.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The best time to see auroras is from October to March, and for hiking the summer months.

How to organize what things to do in Stavanger, Norway?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Stavanger, Norway.

If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Stavanger, Norway