Things to see and do Stavanger

This regional tourist office is very attentive and speaks several languages. They'll give you all the advice you need to discover Stavanger and its beautiful region. Highlights include the city of Stavanger, but also the neighboring islands, mountains, fjords, the famous viewpoints from Kjerag and Preikestolen, not forgetting the magnificent beaches of Jaeren, the lunar landscapes of the UNESCO-recognized Magma Geopark or the winter landscapes of Sirdal.

Formed during the Ice Age, this long fjord of 40 km imposes itself. It is recognizable by its high cliffs of more than 900 meters above sea level. If a cruise on the fjord from Stavanger is an exceptional adventure, the more adventurous (and sporty) can choose to hike to the famous peaks of Preikestolen or Gjerag, offering breathtaking views and the feeling of being at the end of a dream. Beware, the roads are cut in winter and think of contacting the tourist office to get there safely.

Located just a few minutes from Stavanger, on the shores of the pretty Hafrsfjord to be precise, these giant bronze swords, almost 10 m high and planted on rocks, commemorate the naval battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, which resulted in the unification of Norway into a single kingdom. In 1983, King Olav V inaugurated this monument to celebrate the ^1111th anniversary of the battle. The swords also represent peace, as they cannot be removed.

This company organizes 3-hour boat tours in the Lysefjord and to see the famous Preikestolen. The company also offers departures from Bergen and Tromsø. Crossings and cruises all year round. Group rates. A nice way to discover the surroundings as you only have to let yourself be driven. Remember to take warm and waterproof clothes when you go to sea. You can contact them by mail or book directly from their website. There is almost always a small cafe on the boat for refreshments.

This is the old Stavanger. The district overhangs the city by the port. A walk in these paved lanes allows us to realize the city such as it was. The houses are charming and there is a peaceful atmosphere. On sunny days, flowers brighten up the facades of the white-painted wooden houses. Approximately 173 houses of the XVIIIth constitute the old city (in reality one finds rather 8 000 wooden houses distributed in Stavanger). Very lively district! Unmissable obviously during your visit.

IDDIS is a new museum, which will be opened in November 2021. It is located in the old town and combines the Cannery Museum and the Printing Museum. The name IDDIS is a nod to the Stavanger dialect: a label is called etikett in Norwegian, but iddikett in the local dialect, which later became iddis. A great idea to bring together these two museums that share a common history related to images, graphics and printing. Super café + nice shop.

King Sigurd Jorsalfar, a fervent Christian (he took part in the crusades), ordered the construction of this cathedral in 1125. Built in Anglo-Norman style with the help of English companions, it was damaged by fire in 1272. Its choir was rebuilt in Gothic style. The rest of the interior is Baroque. In the literature, it is assumed that the remains of a standing wooden church built by Erling Skjalgsson around 1015 are located under the present cathedral.

This park is inspired by the theme of Gulliver and his journey to the land of the Lilliputians. There is also a bumper car circuit called the Le Mans Circuit. In Jaeren's miniature farm in the park, children can play in the hay. Children can also visit a replica of a chocolate factory and try their hand at making chocolate - and so can parents! There are also cafeterias where you can eat. This park adapts to the changing seasons and celebrates holidays like Halloween and Christmas. A park for the whole family.

Here is a colorful street that gives you a feeling of well-being. Don't miss the most beautiful street in Stavanger. Øvre Holmegate is probably a street like any other, with the nice difference that all the houses are painted in different colors. Some people compare it with Notting Hill in London and others say that it is the most colorful street in the whole country! Excellent meeting place to come and have a drink with friends, the street is full of beautiful addresses, by the fire in winter and nice terraces in summer!

The Nuart Street Art Walking Tour will take you through Nuart's impressive 20-year street art history and the evolution of Stavanger into one of the world's most important destinations for street art. The festival and the guided tours around the city allow you to learn more about the roots of the movement, from graffiti, to stencil art, to the murals that have inspired artists around the world! Of course, you can do the tour by yourself by following the map.

This company offers day cruises to the different fjords around Stavanger. It also offers a number of activities and guided tours from Stavanger (glacier climbing, hiking ...). It is the company that operates connections between several cities and is therefore a good option for a one-way trip. Be careful, some boats are for passengers only. The company offers the FJORDcard, valid for 5 days of unlimited travel in the region, not bad!

In the Eiganes district, a little way from the centre, it is a 19th century residence of neoclassical architecture with, inside, a heterogeneous mixture of Rococo, Empire and Biedermeier styles. It was built between 1799 and 1803 for the Kielland family as a summer residence. In 1936 the city of Stavanger took over the house and turned it into a museum. Temporary exhibitions and events are held on a regular basis. Large and beautiful collection of paintings, the oldest dating from 1710. Beautiful park.

Close to Mosvann lake and the youth hostel, unfortunately a bit far from the centre (25 minutes walk from the city centre, and 5 minutes by bus), this modern museum has about 1,500 paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries and exhibits about two thirds of Lars Hertervig's total neo-romantic works. The museum also has paintings by Kitty Kielland. Cafeteria in the building. Guided tours. Activities for children and families.

The Musée de la Marine tells the story of the shipyard with the help of ship models. A reconstruction of a shipowner's office of the time can also be seen. There are interactive exhibits for the youngest visitors, such as a reconstruction of a trading platform, where children can dress up as they did in those days and play different roles! In this museum you can see different interiors as they were. Great visit.

Probably founded in 1250 by Magnus Lagabøter, Utstein Monastery is set in beautiful surroundings and surrounded by gardens. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it was the royal residence of Norway's first king, Harald the Fair-haired, before being handed over to the monks of Stavanger in the ^12th century. Today, the private manor house offers a privileged setting for occasional concerts in the monastery church, as well as mass every Sunday.

It is located opposite the Royal House. It is still a patrician house from 1881, a perfect example of the Swiss style of the time, having kept all its original furniture. The villa is surrounded by an English-style park with a small museum of horse-drawn carriages in the barn. You can find a good part of the museum collection online with lots of information. This villa is spread over three floors and therefore promises a rather nice and diversified visit. Please note that there is no access for people with reduced mobility.

North Sea and Fjord Safari takes you on a voyage of discovery through Rogaland's magnificent fjords. You'll set sail aboard the Olav Ringdal Jr, the former search and rescue vessel. The vessel was built in 1952 by the famous shipbuilders Kittelsen in Risør, south-east Norway. Olav Ringdal Jr, after a long service in the bitter cold of the Barents Sea, stationed in northern Norway at Honningsvåg and Hammerfest, retired after 31 years of service in this difficult climate and rough sea. The ship's name and history is truly something to be proud of, and you'll hear about it as you sail through the fjords, and on board, you'll feel the atmosphere and imagine what it was like on a stormy night in the Barents Sea.

A few hours on board, you'll discover Stavanger's surroundings by water. You'll sail on the Lysefjord, passing by the magnificent Ryfylkes Islands and Preikestolen, Norway's flagship rock. During this excursion, you'll be able to observe the flora and fauna of Rogaland's majestic fjords.

If you're a fishing enthusiast or have an adventurous spirit, Olav Ringdal Jr also offers fishing trips in the Ryfylke fjords and on the high seas of the North Sea!

Embark on an atypical local adventure, full of history and breathtaking scenery!