11 reasons to visit
the beach paradise of Jæren
Are you looking for some of Norway's longest white beaches, tasty food from both fjord and field, and fun outdoor activities?
Then the Jæren area in the Stavanger region is definitely the place to visit. The landscape is unique with its large flatland areas and dramatic coast, and there are plenty of historic sites to explore.
Check out its unmissable attractions.
#1
Dreamy beaches
Plan for a fun day at one of the many Jæren beaches!
Jæren is home to 25 kilometres of long, sandy beaches, which means you have plenty of space for family fun or a romantic day out.
By the way, the beaches are also an excellent place to go birdwatching!
You can read more about the beaches below.
#2
Thrilling kitesurfing
We can't mention the beaches without letting you know that this is also one of Norway's best areas for kitesurfing.
The Sola beach is particularly popular for water sports. Here, you can go straight from Stavanger airport and hit the waves!
#3
Catch a wave
Waves and wind = perfect surfing. Here, you'll find both sheltered beaches for beginners, and more demanding spots for more advanced surfers.
Regardless of your skill level, Jæren is an ideal place to surf! The area even hosted the European Surf Championships in both 2017 and 2018.
Brand new in the game? You can also take surfing courses at Jæren!
#4
Stay by the beach
Combine fun beach activities with luxury accommodation! The Sola Strand Hotel is located by the dunes beside Sola beach, and is home to both a first-class restaurant and a relaxing spa.
If you want to wake up to a panoramic view of the North Sea, this is the ideal place.
The hotel not only has a unique location by the beach, it's also very easy to get to – only two kilometres from the airport.
#5
Idyllic cycling routes
Let's go from one adventure to the next!
The 140 kilometre Jærruta bicycle route provides an incredible ride through the beautiful landscape of Jæren with its large fields, characteristic stone walls, and ocean views – in other words, it's packed with treats!
Check out Discover Norway for bike rentals and tour options in the area.
Travelling with the whole family?
You'll also find bike tours with shorter stages, which can be combined with other activities along the route.
It's also possible to rent electric bikes that you can collect at several hotels in the area.
#6
Drive the Scenic Route
Travelling by car? Drive the 41-kilometre-long Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren, from Bore to Ogna, through the flat and well-kept cultural landscape!
This Scenic Route is unique, as the coastal landscape is unlike anything you'll find in other parts of the country.
If you want to explore even more of the area, you should drive some of the country roads, and, of course, make some stops along the way.
Check out these roundtrip options in the region.
#7
Hike the King's Road
Do you want to walk on the same trails that people before you took thousands of years ago? Then you should definitely hike the historic King's Road.
You can start and finish your hike at different locations, and you'll find plenty of attractions along the way.
Popular routes include:
Hå Gamle Prestegard - Obrestad harbour
Obrestad harbour - Grødalandstunet
Grødalandstunet - Varhaug cemetery
If you start walking from Hå Gamle Prestegard, remember to plan for a visit there first!
#8
Get artsy
The art and culture centre Hå Gamle Prestegard, a former vicarage, is a must-visit while at Jæren.
The centre is housed in traditional, listed buildings and showcases contemporary art by national and international artists, all exhibited by the stunning coastline.
While here, you should also visit the café with local treats on the menu.
Hå Gamle Prestegard serves some fantastic lapper, traditional Norwegian pancakes. Try the recipe at home!
#9
Stay in a lighthouse
About 1 kilometre from the art centre at Hå, you'll find Obrestad fyr – one of Norway's many lighthouses.
What's really cool about this one is that you can actually spend the night there! If you visit on windy days, you can really get a dramatic close-up of the forces of nature.
#10
Tasty local food
The food in the Jæren region is known for serving up the best from the sea and the field. The mild coastal climate makes it possible to harvest and create a wide range of incredible flavours.
Award-winning cheeses, some of Norway's sweetest tomatoes, and fresh seafood. What do you want to taste first?
In addition to the restaurant at Sola Strand Hotel and the café at Hå Gamle Prestegard, you should definitely plan to dine at Strandhuset at Ølberg.
Here, you can enjoy an amazing buffet each Sunday! Its location by Ølbergstranden beach is, of course, fantastic too.
Explore more places to eat in the region, with tips from a local expert.
#11
Get there with a view
Make your journey a part of the adventure! With the Jæren Railway you can easily travel from Stavanger, the largest city in the area, down the coast to Egersund in Jæren.
The ride lasts about an hour and takes you along the rugged coastline, through wide horizons and open skies – a short, but sweet train journey!
If you travel from the capital Oslo, you can take the Sørlandet Line all the way from Eastern Norway to Fjord Norway, an eight-hour-trip through a varied and idyllic landscape.
It's one of the world's most beautiful train journeys, and passes many family-friendly destinations on the way.
Do you want even more?
The Stavanger region offers plenty to explore.