Stavanger is the 900-year-old city that manages to stay young, and where everything is within easy reach: Unforgettable culinary experiences, a rich and vibrant cultural scene, medieval streets and street art, and an urban vibe with magnificent natural landscapes
The old and the new will be celebrated during the City of Stavanger’s 900th anniversary. The winding medieval streets and vibrant city life. World-renowned murals and Viking history. Modern, award-winning architecture and Northern Europe’s best-preserved wooden buildings.
The regional capital Stavanger is a compact and vibrant city, like a Norway in miniature, surrounded by fjords, islands and mountains. Stavanger is actually made up of over 250 islands, many of which have fantastic cultural landscapes, where you can experience everything from the wonderful tranquillity of the archipelago to the raw power of the North Sea. Try island hopping on an electric ferry!
It’s no coincidence that Stavanger was an important place for the Vikings. Its close proximity to the sea has given it a close connection to the coast, and Stavanger has a long and proud maritime history. Stavanger is now Norway’s energy capital. It all started with oil, but the city is now leading the transition from fossil to renewable energy.
Stavanger is a city that captivates all the senses: Taste something new, listen to and sense the energy of the city as you wander through the streets or along the fjord, and admire the magnificent landscapes. Welcome to Stavanger!
City Experiences
City of gastronomy
Food capital Stavanger has a lot to offer. You can find everything from food trucks and microbreweries to food festivals and Michelin restaurants. The distance from farm (or fjord) to fork is short – and it’s not far between the city’s culinary highlights. Trendy cafés attract latte drinkers, while local seafood, lamb, vegetables and fruit from our local producers make their way to the wide range of restaurants in the city. The restaurants RE-NAA, Sabi Omakase and K2 have been awarded stars by the renowned Michelin guide. You have to book a table well in advance at these restaurants. In addition, the restaurants Söl, Sabi Enso, Bellies, Tango and Bravo have been recommended by the guide
Nuart Street Art
Stavanger is also a city of rich culture. Stavanger has, among other things, cemented its position as a street art destination. Spectacular murals bring life to the urban landscape, and challenge perceptions about what art is, and what it can be. The works of art make for a magnificent and unforgettable visual experience. At Google Arts & Culture, locals and visitors alike can explore the city’s unique street art and attractions digitally – across time and space
Sølvberget
Stavanger’s public library and cultural centre is the region’s cultural meeting place, and is situated in the heart of the charming city centre. The public library is of course free, and is a popular hangout spot in the city with room for everyone. There are lots of activities for adults and children alike at Sølvberget. You can relax with a good book, see interesting exhibitions or learn more about the well-known Norwegian writer Alexander Kielland at the Kiellandsenteret.
Stavanger consert hall
The city’s concert hall hosts exciting entertainment and cultural events in different musical genres. You can see concerts with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, or national and international performers. The concert hall has two beautiful halls, an atrium and a good restaurant.
Old Stavanger
Before the oil industry came to Stavanger, the city made its living from fishing and various forms of industry. People lived close together, and the city consisted mostly of small wooden houses. The city centre has now been modernised, but large areas of these old wooden buildings have been preserved. In old Stavanger, you can visit Northern Europe’s best preserved wooden buildings. The area is made up of 173 wooden buildings that were erected in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Stavanger Cathedral
Stavanger Cathedral is in the heart of the city centre. The cathedral was built in 1125, making it one of the oldest churches in Norway. The cathedral is currently closed due to renovation work and is scheduled to be completed in time for the city’s and cathedral’s 900th anniversary in 2025. The cathedral is a spectacular sight, and a natural focal point in the city centre.
Fargegaten – The colourful street
Øvre Holmegate in the centre of Stavanger has become one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions and one of its most photographed locations. All the houses on this street are painted in bright colours and its cafés, pubs, specialist shops and art shops are popular among locals and visitors alike.
Østre bydel (Stavanger East)
Pedersgata street in the centre of Stavanger has become a mecca for take-away food. You will find food from all corners of the globe, and the street is in the most multi-ethnic area of the city. Situated between the city centre and Stavanger East, it offers a wide range of food, drink, art and culture experiences. A number of urban meeting places are located not far from Pedersgata, including the cultural institution, Tou, which is one of Norway’s biggest independent cultural institutions and housed in Tou brewery’s old premises dating back to 1895.
Stavanger and the Vikings
The area around Stavanger has been inhabited for thousands of years. Stavanger’s proximity to the sea made the area a natural place for the Vikings to settle. New archaeological finds show that Stavanger was a ‘Kaupang’, where people traded goods and services in the Viking Age. It was also here that Harald Fairhair united Norway into one kingdom following the battle of Hafrsfjord in 872 AD. The majestic monument Swords in Rock (Sverd i fjell) has been erected on the site where the battle is said to have taken place.
The city of top level sports
Stavanger is home to a number of Norway’s best teams in a range of sports. The SR-Bank Arena is where the city’s football team Viking battles it out for precious metal. The best hockey team in Norway, Stavanger Oilers, play their matches in the state-of-the-art DNB-Arena, and you can watch top handball being played in Stavanger Idrettshall.
Stavanger`s 900th anniversary
In 2025, Stavanger will celebrate its 900th anniversary. In the time leading up to 2025, a number of events will be held to mark the occasion. For an overview of what’s on during your visit to the city, check out the Stavanger2025 web page https://www.stavanger.kommune.no/stavanger2025/
Museums
The Museum of Archaeology Many of the archaeological finds made in the region are exhibited at the museum, which is close to the city centre. The open air Iron Age Farm (Jernaldergården), which is part of the Museum of Archaeology is located at Ullandhaug and houses an exciting visitor centre.
The Norwegian Petroleum Museum As the energy capital of Norway, Stavanger is the perfect place to learn how the Norwegian oil boom started, and how it has influenced and continues to influence Norwegian society. The city is now leading the transition from fossil to renewable energy. Find out more about Stavanger’s journey, from oil capital to becoming the centre of innovation for renewable energy developments, at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum.
IDDIS The Norwegian Printing Museum and the Norwegian Canning Museum The museums in Old Stavanger host exhibitions about Stavanger’s important canning industry and printing industry, and about the importance of the written language and the art of printing for society.
Stavanger Art Museum You can experience the works of important Stavanger artists such as Frida Hansen and Lars Hertevig, in addition to temporary exhibitions of Norwegian and international artists.
Stavanger maritime museum The museum has exhibitions about shipping, trade and shipbuilding in the region.
Stavanger Museum and the Norwegian Children’s Museum The museum houses natural history and cultural history exhibitions and the Norwegian Children’s Museum. The museum also has a museum shop and a café.
Ledaal, Breidablikk and Holmeegenes, Ledaal is the royal family’s residence when they visit Stavanger, and the distinguished 19th-century buildings are now museums that are open to the public. The Ledaal royal residence, a former summer residence of the Kielland Breidablikk family, is Norway’s best-preserved villa from the 1880s with authentic interiors. Holmeegenes is a former country mansion with gardens, and dates back to the 1860s. It has a wonderful collection of objects from the period between World War I and 1950.
Kunsthall Stavanger Independent art venue with temporary exhibitions of international contemporary art
Fjords & mountains - unique scenery
Stavanger is set among high mountains and deep fjords, and it is the perfect destination for those looking for spectacular scenery. Stavanger is a great point of departure for day trips in Norwegian nature. This makes the city the perfect starting point for day trips to experience the Norwegian scenery. A visit to the beautiful Lysefjord is a must when you visit Stavanger. The Lysefjord can been seen by boat or by walking up to the world famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). This distinctive mountain formation towers 604 metres above the fjord, and thousands of selfies are taken here every year. To get to the starting point of the hike to Pulpit Rock, you can drive or take a bus through Ryfast – the world’s longest undersea tunnel. The Kjerag Bolt is an attraction that is gaining popularity, and although the walk there is physically challenging, the rock bolt that is wedged in a crack in the rock 1,000 metres above the sea is a popular destination. Walking up the Flørli steps is a less well-known trip. The 4,444 steps take you from the bottom of the Lysefjord to 740 metres above sea level. There is no road to Flørli, but the steps start at Flørli ferry quay, which means you can get there by boat from Stavanger city centre.
Outdoor activities - botanical garden
It has plants from all over the world with a total of 3,000 species and strains. Here you can sit on the bench and enjoy the view of Jæren, the North Sea and Hafrsfjord, or relax on the grass with a tasty snack. The garden is always open and admission is free.
Walks close to the city centre
Walks around Breiavatnet or Mosvannet lakes, close to the city centre, are accessible and easy. You can also climb up Bandåsen, which, at 513 metres above sea level, is the highest summit in the Ryfylke islands. On the City of Stavanger’s website, you can find 52 suggestions for walks. The walks are close to the city centre, with different levels of difficulty. www.stavanger.kommune.no/kultur-og-fritid/tur-og-natur/52-hverdagsturer/
Cycling in Stavanger
Stavanger is adapted for cycling. Cycling routes and paths bind the region together, and it’s easy to find parking spaces for bikes. You can also hire bikes and if you buy a public transport ticket. Then you will also be able to use the city bikes found all over Stavanger.
Sustainable transport. Stavanger has worked on sustainable development for many years. In Hillevåg, just outside Stavanger city centre, you will find a mobility hub with shared transport such as electric bikes and cars
The islands
The region’s proximity to the sea has meant that the people have always lived with and from the sea. With over 250 islands, Stavanger has everything a large modern city can offer, while visitors can also experience everything from the idyllic archipelago to the brute force of the North Sea. Most of the islands are linked to the mainland via bridges, but some islands can only be reached by boat.
Utstein monastery One of the real gems of the archipelago can be found where Norway’s first King; Harald Hairfair established his royal seat. Today, it is home to Norway’s only preserved medieval monastery. The monastery is situated in beautiful surroundings on Mosterøy, a 30-minute drive from Stavanger city centre. The monastery was built in 1260, but some parts of the building may be older, and originate from earlier royal estates. The church at the monastery is the only one of its kind in Norway, with the tower placed midway between the chancel and the main body of the church. Today, the monastery is run as a museum, conference centre, function room and concert venue.
The cultural landscape of the islands
Have provided fantastic walking trails. The landscape of the Rennesøy islands is shaped by their long and rich agricultural history. The many livestock that have grazed here have formed a green and almost park-like cultural landscape. This is a landscape of great biological and cultural history value, which it is very important to preserve. The eight islands therefore provide wonderful opportunities for boat enthusiasts, nature lovers and those interested in culture and history. Marked walking path are everywhere, and varied shore landscape offers small local harbours and large marinas, lovely bathing spots, small areas of woodland, islets and smooth bare rocks along the coast.
Fjøløy
The locals enjoy taking trips out to Fjøløy where you will find, among other things, Fjøløy lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1849, and is beautifully located by the fjord. Its location at the ocean’s edge is beautiful on sunny days, but it also gives you a sense of the huge forces of the ocean. From the lighthouse, you can also continue walking on a good path along the sea to Fjøløy Fort. The fort from WWII, has now been converted into one of the region’s most exciting outdoor recreation areas, where you can combine nature experiences with Norwegian war and post-war history.
What´s on
Tourist Information Strandkaien 61, N- 4005 Stavanger Tel. : +47 51 85 92 00
1. June – 31. Aug: Every day 8 - 18
Rest of the year: Mon. – Fri 9 - 16
Saturdays May and Sept. – medio Oct. 9 - 14
Closed on public holidays, during Easter and the period between Christmas and New Year.