Stavanger

The city of natural highs

Surrounded by beautiful fjords, mountains, and long, white beaches, Stavanger and Sandnes also boasts an impressive assortment of museums and cultural events.

Famed for its many natural attractions and old wooden houses, the Stavanger region is on the radar of nearly every visitor to Norway. Here, you can explore scenic landmarks such as the Lysefjord, Sola beach, and the famous cliff Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) which Lonely Planet once named the world’s most breathtaking viewing platform.

Stavanger is both a university city and Europe’s oil and energy capital. Many different nationalities are attracted to the region, making it a highly international destination. This is all reflected in Stavanger’s urban and lively atmosphere, with cutting-edge food menus and a booming cultural scene.

Though Stavanger is an ever-evolving city, the city’s proud history shines through. Old Stavanger has Europe’s best preserved wooden house settlement with more than 170 white wooden houses.

With so much to see you’ll be happy to learn that getting to the Stavanger region and around is easy.

Find more inspiration on Stavanger and Ryfylke’s official website.

Show More Show Less

regionstavanger-ryfylke.com

Summer at Preikestolen (“The Pulpit Rock”).
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life / regionstavanger.com

Sjokoladepiken Café, Stavanger.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

Swords in Rock, Hafrsfjord.
Photo: Richard Larssen / Visitnorway.com

Fjøløy Light house, Rennesøy.
Photo: Monica Larsen / Regionstavanger.com

Lunch at Renaa Restaurant.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

The Petroleum Museum in Stavanger.
Photo: Espen Grønli / Norsk Oljemuseum

Solastranden beach.
Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / Fjordnorway.com

Having fun in Geoparken, Stavanger.
Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

Activities and attractions

With natural attractions, innovative museums, and high-profile kitchens, the Stavanger region is ready to give you an enjoyable holiday.

The city centre of Stavanger is compact and you can reach most attractions on foot. Stop by some of the city’s many museums, such as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger Art Museum, and the Norwegian Canning Museum.

The varied smells of the city centre come from an increasing amount of different kitchens, such as Michelin-starred restaurants RE-NAA and Sabi Omakase.

In the region, you will also find a growing appetite for food and drink festivals, with Gladmatfestivalen in July as the biggest of its kind.

Combine the urban life of Stavanger and the neighbouring city of Sandnes with hiking and stunning views from Preikestolen and Kjerag in the Lysefjord, or try the surf at the white sandy beaches along the coast.

Show More Show Less

Get inspired

Take time out by the fjords

Sometimes we just need a break. With its spellbinding surroundings, broad views, and numerous possibilities for outdoor adventures, Fjord Norway is the ideal place for an inward journey. Alone, or together in a group of new friends!

Discover
Top 10 places to paddle in Norway

The Norwegian coastline is varied, spectacular, and a paradise for everyone who loves the ocean breeze. If you really want to get close to nature, grab an ore and explore some of the ten best places to go kayaking in Norway, according to Olympic medallist Eirik Verås Larsen.

Discover
The Vikings come alive

The Vikings are back – through new, awesome technology. Participate in a rousing Viking show at The Viking Planet in Oslo and experience the dramatic Battle of Hafrsfjord at Viking House in Stavanger.

Discover
Winter in Fjord Norway

It’s raw, rough, and full of contrasts. It’s the time of year when Fjord Norway shows its mystical and magical self. It’s what we call the Viking season.

Discover
Street art

Norway is a big (and free!) outdoor art exhibition. Look up and around and enjoy a dense collection of spray-painted glory. Street art enthusiast and author Martin Berdahl Aamundsen guides you through some of the hot spots.

Discover
Video

Discover Preikestolen: The cliff from Mission: Impossible

The nerve-wracking cliff scene in Mission: Impossible – Fallout is praised as the highlight of the movie. Now it’s our mission to lead you to the mountain plateau Preikestolen and the stunning region surrounding the famous cliff in Norway.

Discover

Dynamic Variation:

Getting here and around

Get in-depth travel information on Stavanger and Ryfylke’s official website.

Statens Kartverk, Geovekst og kommuner - Geodata AS

By train

There are regular train departures to Stavanger from Oslo via Kristiansand, and the journey takes about eight hours.

The local train between Stavanger and Egersund departs at least once every hour, providing easy access to the Jæren area.
By road

There are several daily bus departures from Oslo, Bergen and Kristiansand to Stavanger.

The approximate travel time from Oslo is 10 hours, from Bergen 5 hours and from Kristiansand 4 hours.

Ad: AutoEurope – always a smooth rental experience.
By boat

If you want to take your car with you from abroad you can take a ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark to Kristiansand, a four-hour drive from Stavanger, or to Tananger, about 20 minutes from Stavanger.

From the boat terminal in Stavanger, you can choose from a number of passenger boats to the areas of Ryfylke, as well as to the islands just outside of Stavanger.
Local travel

Bus travel in Stavanger is operated by Kolumbus, which offers a network of routes covering the Stavanger and Sandnes areas.
By plane

Stavanger has Norway’s second largest airport when it comes to international air traffic. To/from Stavanger International Airport Sola, there are direct flights from more than 60 destinations in Norway and abroad.

An airport shuttle bus links the airport and the city centre of Stavanger. It departs every 20 minutes, and travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Ad: Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia.