Stavanger

Stavanger is Norway's fourth largest city, at almost 150,000 residents (2023). It is the largest city in, and the administrative centre of, Rogaland county in West Norway. Stavanger is the centre of the Norwegian oil industry and has the only petroleum museum in Norway. It also has a preserved old town on the west side of a charming waterfront. Stavanger cathedral is largely unchanged since early 12th century and the best preserved cathedral in Norway.

Understand
Stavanger sits on the northern part of the Jæren flatland just south of the wide Boknafjord. Stavanger has a mild, humid Atlantic climate. There is less rain (1180 millimeter annually) but more wind than in Bergen. All months are on average above 0°C, January and February around 0.5°C on average. Snowfall occurs, but snow rarely stays for a long time. There is rarely deep frost.

Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway, and third largest metropolitan area when nearby Sandnes, Randaberg and Sola are included with a total of some 240,000 people. Stavanger is Norway's most densely populated city. Until around 1950 Stavanger was a typical industrial city with ship yards and Norway's canning capital. During the 1960s Stavanger became an economic backwater and one of the poorest cities in Norway. When the large Ekofisk offshore oil field was discovered in 1969 south-west of Stavanger a new era for the city and for the country began. Ekofisk was at that time the world's largest offshore oilfield. The influx of oil workers, engineering firms and the establishment of headquarters for Norway's oil industry changed the city into Norway's richest.

Development of offshore oil production in the North Sea involved many engineering achievements in Stavanger, notably the huge condeep platforms (concrete deep water structure). These condeep platforms are the biggest objects moved by humans. The Troll A platform is almost 500 m, notably bigger than the Empire State building in New York and taller than the Eiffel tower.

Stavanger is one of Norway's oldest cities and Stavanger or nearby area was a centre of power during the Viking ages. Stavanger became a catholic diocese around 1120 (when the southern part of Western Norway split from Bergen diocese) and the cathedral was founded. The first bishop was probably Reinald, a monk from England.

By plane


Airport Shuttle Buses (online 120 kr one way, 180 kr return, 90 kr child/student/senior/military personnel, 23 minutes) run to downtown Stavanger every 20 minutes (30 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays). Bus line number 42 with one transfer to 7 at Sande terrasse or 2 at Jåsund (35 kr, 40 minutes to 1 hour) runs every 30 minutes (60 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays) weekdays daytime and is cheaper, but slower. Only ONE piece of luggage allowed. Make sure to board the bus in the right direction. Search the schedule for the ones that do.

Haugesund Airport, Karmøy  (occasionally referred to as Helganes instead of Karmøy) is served by some charter flights and seasonal Norwegian flights from a couple of international destinations.

Public transport to Stavanger is available through Nor-Way Kystbussen (see section "By bus") which corresponds with the airport coach that departs Haugesund Airport after every Ryanair arrival. Through ticket 180 kr. Travelling from Haugesund Airport to Stavanger should take around two hours (private car)/three hours (airport coach + Kystbussen). There is a ferry crossing on the way, charging 95 kr if you bring a private vehicle up to 6 m.

By train
In addition to providing a scenic route, train travel may be a cheap alternative to flying with prices starting from 249 kr one way for discounted tickets booked well in advance. Tickets are made available for sale three months before departure. About 8 hours with NSB's train from Oslo via Kristiansand. Reservation is not obligatory on long distance routes.



By bus
Long distance bus services depart from the downtown bus station. Unless you qualify for discounts (student, senior, military, etc.) or travel at times when discounted air or train tickets are hard to come by, bus travel is relatively expensive compared to travel by plane or train. It is however often the best alternative for getting "off the beaten track" without renting a car.

Lavprisekspressen and FlixBus have a route along the coastal highway to Oslo(8 hours), calling at Kristiansand, Arendal, Sandefjord and others along the road. Booking in advance is mandatory for Lavprisekspressen and FlixBus. Nor-Way Bussekspress operates two routes to Stavanger: Kystbussen runs from Bergen and stops in Haugesund. Departures many times a day. Sør-Vestekspressen runs from Kristiansand. It is possible to catch a connecting bus onward to Oslo

By car
European route E39 from Kristiansand or Bergen.

Road 13 from Voss and Hardanger via Ryfylke. This is the slower but more scenic route.

By boat
A daily ferry service run by Fjordline between Bergen and Hirtshals in Jutland calls in Stavanger, on its way from Jutland to Bergen in the mornings, and on its way back in the evenings. The ferry docks at Risavika Port, which is some 30 minutes away from the city centre of Stavanger, and a bus service is provided for foot passengers (i.e. not arriving with a vehicle on the ferry). The journey between Risavika and Bergen, where the ferry lands at Hurtigrutenterminal in the centre, takes 5h30min and the fare is surprisingly affordable, at only about 250 kr per person. A reserved seat on the top deck and the Risavika-Stavanger bus cost 100 kr each,

Since overland travel by bus or car between Bergen and Stavanger is not any faster, and domestic airfares in Norway are not particularly low, the ferry may be a good option for those who want to visit both cities and experience the fjords on their way. In Bergen, it is also possible to connect to the Hurtigruten, which starts there, and continue further north towards Trøndelag and Northern Norway. Hirtshals can be a good option for those who want to take their car from Denmark to Norway and stop in Stavanger before exploring Western Norway further afield.

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Stavanger, which has four berths, piers 1 (Strandkaien) and 2 (Skagenkaien) in the inner harbor and piers 3 and 4 in the outer harbor. The harbor area is right in town, only a five- to ten-minute walk to most downtown attractions. Some smaller places in the inner fjords in Rogaland also have regular boat service from the inner port.

By foot
The most scenic and interesting part of Stavanger for visitors is the waterfront area of town surrounding the inner harbor like a big "U", all of which is quite walkable. On the west side of the inner harbor is the old town with two museums. Also the Tourist Information Office in Stavanger is located at Strandkaien, next to the harbor between the cruise pier and the historic Old Stavanger. The TI office, open 08:00 - 18:00 in the summer, is a good source of free advice, brochures, maps, and wifi. On the east side is also lots of shops and restaurants, as well as the Petroleum Museum. At the bottom of the "U" is the market plaza and the Stavanger Cathedral. South of the Cathedral is the man-made Lake Breiavatnet, which separates the harbour area from the train and bus stations and more museums. To go much farther afield, some form of transportation might be useful.

By bus
The local bus system in Stavanger is part of a Rogaland county bus system and works smoothly. The web page of the company that manages the bus system (Kolumbus) has a very helpful journey planner. Buses in the city center can be caught at the main bus terminal and at bus stops around the city lake, Breiavatnet. Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages.

Rogaland county is divided into five zones (Nord-Jæren, Jæren, Dalane, Ryfylke, and Haugalandet), and Stavanger is in the Nord-Jæren zone. A single ticket will cost 33-73 kr depending on how many zones you traverse, although it can be used again within your last zone within a certain time limit. A better option might be to buy a day-pass for 85 kr (90 kr with necessary card), which can be used unlimited until midnight. In addition, you can buy the 3-day pass which costs 145 kr. One- and two-week passes are also available. The airport shuttle bus is very expensive (120 kr one-way, 180 kr return) and if you are heading to a location outside the centre it may be more worthwhile to take a taxi. However, on workdays, bus no. 9, which travels half-hourly between the airport and the city centre, is a much cheaper option than the airport shuttle bus (33 kr one-way) if you have only one piece of luggage.

By train
Local trains connect the city center to the southern parts of the city and to the towns and villages further south. There are departures to Sandnes (49 kr, 16 minutes) every 15 minutes during daytime.

By taxi
Stavanger has different taxi companies, all charging high rates. A typical daytime rate is 35 kr flagfall, 7 kr/started 500 m and 8 kr/started minute, minimum 110 kr total payable. Expect a surcharge of about 25 % in evening/night/Saturday and a surcharge of about 45 % for Sunday. You can use credit cards to pay through the taxi meters. During weekends there can be long lines for taxis in downtown area. Try walking out of the city centre and hailing a vacant cab on its way back to downtown.


 * Uber
 * Uber
 * Uber
 * Uber

See

 * Stavanger Kunstmuseum (art museum, part of MUST) is on Mosvatnet Lake, only 2 km from the city center. The museum has a permanent exhibition of Norwegian art, and a rotating exhibition that is sometimes quite spectacular. Be sure to see the Lars Hertervig paintings; you'll see the landscape of the islands just north of Stavanger reflected in his work.
 * (Sverd i fjell, literally Sword in Mountain) A monument outside the centre of Stavanger, beside the Hafrsfjord. The swords themselves are massive and in the background is the fjord. The monument commemorates the battle of Hafrsfjord in the late 800s where Harald Hårfagre beat his eastern opposition and became the first King of Norway.
 * Sculptures - In 2000 the mobile installation Another Place by British sculptor Anthony Gormley was placed on and off Sola beach. A few years later a new and permanent installation Broken Column, by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.
 * Stavanger Botanic Garden, a botanic garden and parkland.
 * Sculptures - In 2000 the mobile installation Another Place by British sculptor Anthony Gormley was placed on and off Sola beach. A few years later a new and permanent installation Broken Column, by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.
 * Stavanger Botanic Garden, a botanic garden and parkland.
 * Sculptures - In 2000 the mobile installation Another Place by British sculptor Anthony Gormley was placed on and off Sola beach. A few years later a new and permanent installation Broken Column, by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.
 * Stavanger Botanic Garden, a botanic garden and parkland.

Do
The seasons control what to do in Stavanger. Stavanger has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Summers features periods of warm and nice weather, although they sometimes can be rainy. Winters usually mean more rain than snow in Stavanger, although going into the mountains will ensure snow.


 * Hiking and climbing around Stavanger is the best way to see the fantastic landscape. Many of the trails have been marked out by the Turistforetning with rocks bearing a red "T". Turistforening hyttes (cabins) provide simple accommodation in the mountains. Also mountain bikes can be hired and taken on the trails.


 * Island hopping (Byøyene). You can take a ferry from Fiskepiren to some of the islands around Stavanger. There are marked hiking trails in some of them, and it's popular among locals for swimming and BBQ. Some of the nicest islands are Lindøy, Langøy or Kalvøy.
 * Sola Beach is a long sandy beach by the airport. It is very popular in the summer and allows for some small waves for surfing. Along the beach, in the dunes, are the remains of defences from the 1940-45 occupation. Other less populated beaches are all along the coastline although they are sometimes hard to find.
 * Surf - The beaches around Stavanger have some of the best surfing conditions in Norway. Relatively warm water and small wave sizes are good reasons to try it for the first time. Especially good beaches are Sola, Hellestø, Bore and Brusand. Check out the surf school.
 * Kayak - It's possible to kayak all around the east side as well as the area where the three swords are. Rogaland Aktiv organizes some trips.
 * Ice skating on Stokkavannet - In the depths of winter the government tests the ice on its lakes. Once the official word is given many Norwegians will head for the largest lake, Stokkavannet. The lake itself is located near to Madla about 20 minutes walk/5 minutes bus ride outside of Stavanger. Should the ice not be safe, and you have a compulsion to skate, another option is to visit the Siddishallen, an indoor ice-rink.
 * Football: Viking FK play soccer in Eliteserien, Norway's top tier. Viking Stadion (aka SR-Bank Arena, capacity 15,900) is 6 km south of city centre next to Jåttåvågen railway station; it was built in 2004 and has hosted junior internationals. The football season is April-Nov.

Buy
Pewter serving utensils at several shops in town that will also sell other tourist things. They are pretty to look at, coming in several different designs, and practical to use. The cheese slicer (ostehovel) is most traditional, and the fish server (fiskespade) is something rarely seen outside of Norway.

There is a "Bunnpris" grocery store, in Nedre Holmegate 11, nearby the Petroleum Museum and Fargegaten ("The coloured street"). It is also open on Sundays.

Eat
Stavanger is considered a great place for foodies, with a range of good restaurants and an annual food fair that fills up the harbour area for a week-end each summer. Eating out is generally not cheap, like everywhere in Norway. If you're on a budget you should go for the smaller ethnic restaurants (Chinese, Thai). Several excellent places exist for the traveller on an expense account - or if you want to spoil yourself or a loved one: Try Tango, NB Sørensens (upstairs restaurant) or Renaa.

Drink
Stavanger has a varied and exciting nightlife, concentrated around Vågen (the bay) or a stones throw away. Even weekday nightlife is more vibrant in Stavanger than in most towns in Norway. The eastern rim of the bay gets the afternoon sun, and is the prime setting for an outdoor beer -weather allowing.
 * On the western side you will find Checkpoint Charlie, a legendary hangout for rockers and students. It is also home to CCAP, a record label that hold Thomas Dybdahl and Popface in their expanding stable. Though its clientele has gradually gotten younger over the years (now around 18-22), it retains much of its old feel. 2 beers for the price of 1 on Thursdays (Lars Hertervigsgt. 5 4005 Stavanger, ).
 * Another bar well worth the visit is Cementen. Situated on the third floor of a concrete building alongside the bay, it has a great view of inner city Stavanger. It is easy to find, just look for the cement mixer hanging from the outside wall 7 m above its entrance. Dance floor. (Nedre Strandgt.25, 4005 Stavanger)
 * For the see and be seen crowd, Taket is the place to go (Nedre Strandgt. 15, 4005 Stavanger ).
 * With Hall Toll the Stavanger night scene has finally gotten a taste of cosmopolitan jet set, complete with drunken bimbos, obnoxious bouncers with headsets and a separate VIP line at the entrance.
 * Clubbers are advised to seek out Sting, next to Valbergstårnet. It is a bit cramped, but they keep great DJs and the atmosphere is inviting. The first floor is cafe style, and basement is a night-club. The rooms to the right when you enter the cafè is traditionally for gay people. If you get tired from dancing there is a lounge area, Indian style, with lots of pillows to lie down on. (Valberget 3, 4006 Stavanger,, c-sting@online.no )
 * Munken (The Munk) is a traditional bar that serves beer, wine and spirits. Crowd varies a great deal in age (22-72), often many English speakers. Usually not very loud music. Free entrance. Prostebakken -in the Alley by the Dressmann haberdashery.
 * Clubbers are advised to seek out Sting, next to Valbergstårnet. It is a bit cramped, but they keep great DJs and the atmosphere is inviting. The first floor is cafe style, and basement is a night-club. The rooms to the right when you enter the cafè is traditionally for gay people. If you get tired from dancing there is a lounge area, Indian style, with lots of pillows to lie down on. (Valberget 3, 4006 Stavanger,, c-sting@online.no )
 * Munken (The Munk) is a traditional bar that serves beer, wine and spirits. Crowd varies a great deal in age (22-72), often many English speakers. Usually not very loud music. Free entrance. Prostebakken -in the Alley by the Dressmann haberdashery.







Splurge


Hotels in class **** generally allow a 15-25% discount when booking a room with check-in Friday/check-out Sunday or a booking for minimum three nights during July.

Close to the airport/the Sola Beach should be mentioned:

Stay safe
Stavanger is generally considered a very safe city. The local police force are efficient, usually speak good English and have a strong presence in the downtown area at weekends. Call 112 in an emergency.

During weekends, the small downtown area tends to fill up with intoxicated people. Be careful when wandering around this area late at night, as some people may have had a few too many to drink.

Night buses run after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, but have higher fares than during the day.

Cope

 * Laundry - Renseriet Løkkeveien 73 (near Radisson Blu Royal) 51 52 30 05; Kongsgata 40 (near Thon Maritim and Lake Breiavatnet) 51 89 56 53.

Go next
To get to the top, follow the marked path for 2 - 2.5 hours from the Preikestolhytta, where food and accommodation is available, 1.5 - 2 hours for the return walk. Buses meet many of the Stavanger to Tau ferries during the summer, through ferry+coach tickets available from Tide Reiser (can be bought onboard the ferry), or buy your own ferry ticket and then for the local Boreal bus to the lodge. Costs around 250 kr. Total travelling time one way (less the climb) from Stavanger harbour is 1 hour 10 minutes. If you opt to go by your own car, there is a 100 kr parking fee.
 * Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) is a massive 600 m vertical cliff that sits on the edge of the Lysefjord. Its top is a natural lookout of several hundred square metres, almost perfectly flat, and the rock is the region's main tourist attraction, and one of the nation's landmarks.


 * The Kjerag is almost double the altitude of Preikestolen but the access is more difficult. It is further into the Lysefjord.  There you can find the Kjeragboltn.  There is a bus that can take you there runs from Stavanger and Sandnes by Tide Reiser .  It operates from mid June to the beginning of September.  It is not possible to see both Kjerag and Preikestolen in one day.


 * The Lysefjord runs 45 km deep underneath both these plateaus. Several options for cruising this fjord, among others Tide

If the climb sounds too rough, you can take a fjordcruise, leaving the harbour most days at noon and returning 3.5 hours later, 450 kr. If you want to both cruise and hike, there's also a 10:00 summer cruise + hike option which first cruises through Lysefjord then a bus takes you to hike Pulpit rock, 850 kr.


 * Go south, to rural areas in Jæren. Take a fast-boat to some of the islands like Usken. Go to the family theme park Kongeparken close to Ålgård.