Top 9 things to do in Stavanger

Last updated: 31.01.2022
Stavanger. Photo: Brian Tallman Photography |© Brian Tallman Photography

Stavanger is known for street art, food, culture and proximity to mesmerising nature attractions such as Preikestolen, the Lysefjord, Kjerag, Dalsnuten, Flørli, Flor & Fjære as well as a myriad of islands near Stavanger.

The food city of Stavanger

Can you believe it? Three Michelin stars in Stavanger! Restaurants and ingredients in this part of Norway receive the best reviews from both national food critics as well as from the Michelin Guide Nordics, where Stavanger became the first Norwegian city outside the capital to receive a Michelin star in 2016. It was the restaurant RE-NAA that could boast this magic star, and the following year another star followed - awarded to the much talked about Sabi Omakase. Both restaurants each retained their stars in 2018 and 2019. RE-NAA then reached new heights with the second star in 2020 and retained them both in 2021. Sabi Omakase kept its star in both 2020 and 2021. Tango also has Michelin awards (the plate/service level comfortable). Book well in advance if you want to challenge your taste buds at these restaurants. Fortunately, there is also a rich selection of first-class restaurants throughout the region.

Learn more about the top restaurants

The art city of Stavanger

In Stavanger, you will find street art on almost every street corner, and the city has become one of the world-leading cities in street art. The former Nuart festival has put Stavanger and the region on the street art map. As a visitor, you get a magnificent, visual experience that you will not forget any time soon, with great works (by Fintan Magee, Snik, Milu Correch, AFK, Skurk and Martin Whatson, among others) on outdoor walls, mainly in Stavanger and Sandnes.

For those of you who are interested in art, Stavanger also has its own art museum where you can experience the country's largest and most important collection of Lars Hertervig's works of art. Another important part of the permanent collection of the art museum is Frida Hansen's tapestries. Frida Hansen was one of Norway's foremost textile artists with a significant international career.

Top 9 things to do in Stavanger

1. Old Stavanger - The old part of the city is one of the places you simply must visit when you are in Stavanger. The area also called Straen consists of 173 wooden houses idyllically located close to the harbour in Stavanger. Most of the houses are painted in white, they are small and charmingly crooked. A neighbourhood that takes pride in the fact that gardens and outdoor areas look the part. From spring to summer, it blooms in every flowerpot, and a stroll along the cobbled pedestrian street Øvre Strandgate is a great experience. Herring fishermen and factory workers lived here with their families during the herring's heyday in Stavanger. In a former canning factory, you will find IDDIS Norwegian Graphic Museum & Norwegian Canning Museum, a museum where you experience exhibitions about Stavanger's important canning industry, and about the people who made it big.

2. Fargegaten is one of the streets in Stavanger you have most likely already seen pictures of on various social media. It's an Instagram favourite for many. The street was previously a somewhat forgotten part of the city that had its renaissance after initiators had the idea to paint the houses in vibrant colours.

3. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is one of the most popular museums in Stavanger. The building itself makes it worth a visit. Hard to miss along the harbour promenade, as it is shaped like an oil platform. The museum itself tells the important story of how oil was found and how it is extracted.

4. Stavanger Cathedral is the only Norwegian cathedral from the Middle Ages that has retained its original architecture, and the only one that has been in continuous use since the 14th century. According to tradition, the church was built in 1125, when Sigurd Jorsalfarer made Stavanger the diocese. The cathedral is currently being restored and will be closed from 1 May 2020-2022.

5. At Hafrsfjord, just outside Stavanger, is the monument Sword in rock. The story goes that it was in the nearby area that Harald Hårfagre gathered Norway into a kingdom in 872. The monument is in memory of the battle and consists of three swords set down in the ground, which stand for peace, unity, and freedom. The heroes of the Viking worlds are taken from swords found in different parts of the country. The monument was made by Fritz Røed (1928-2002) and was unveiled by King Olav in 1983.

6. Shopping in Stavanger. Enjoy some quality shopping with a variety of shops and charming shopping streets. The pedestrian streets have cafes and restaurants that offer a breather between shopping and other errands. Top shopping recommendations are Chili Chocolate for anyone with a sweet tooth, Oleana for lovers of award-winning designs or Fjällräven and Helly Hansen if you are in need of hiking and outdoor clothing.

7. Fjord cruise from Stavanger is possible all year round, whether you choose an electric catamaran from Rødne Fjord Cruise or a fast-paced RIB boat. You can also choose to experience the fjord and islands in VIP style in one of the luxury yachts of Private Cruise or Lysetur AS. Norledalso offers fjord cruises in the summer. In the summer you can also visit the incredible, tropical garden, Flor & Fjære, an unparalleled paradise, which you would not think is just outside Stavanger. A visit here could be mistaken for a visit to warmer regions, perhaps on some Mediterranean island? Exotic and colourful!

8. Segway tour A different way to see what Stavanger has to offer is on a Segway trip! A nice way to see all the attractions in an efficient and fun way. Segway tours can be booked at Guidecompaniet. If, on the other hand, you prefer to have your feet planted well in the ground, you can book a guided walk in Stavanger.

9. Viking House is a world-class visitor centre that conveys the history of the Viking Age in the region through VR technology. Embark on the Viking ship and join an adventure. Travel back in time and experience the VR film "The First King". It tells the story of the sagas on Harald Hårfagre and the battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, where Hårfagre united Norway into one kingdom. You get to experience Norway's exciting history and cultural heritage like you have never seen before.

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