Grand nature with steep mountains and deep fjords. From outer reefs to sheltered villages. From steep vantage points to green valleys. Short distances to mountains and fjords. Colourful culture and spectacular culinary highlights. Stavanger is the region’s largest city with a population of around 130 000.
The culinary region
Restaurants and ingredients in this parts of Norway have received excellent reviews from both national food critics, as well as from the Michelin guide, where Stavanger became the first Norwegian city, except for the capital, to have this highly sought after Michelin star in 2016. It was the restaurant RE-NAA that could boast this magic star. Seafood, lamb, vegetables and fruit from local producers can be enjoyed in world class restaurants. The largest food festival in the Nordic countries, Gladmat, is one of more than 30 festivals organised every year, and attracts more than 200 000 guests to the Stavanger region every year in the end of July.
Activities and attractions in the Stavanger & Ryfylke Regions
Architecture and culture
For the architecturally interested, there are several buildings and attractions of remarkable design. In Sauda, the architect, Peter Zumthor from Switzerland, has created a striking art piece near the ancient zinc mines in Allmannajuvet. At Sand in Suldal, the architects Rintala Eggertson Arkitekter AS, have designed the bridge Høsebrua, a special and powerful gangway overpassing the river Suldalslågen. At Nesflaten in Suldal, the well-known architect Geir Grung, has designed a power station, housing and the hotel Energihotellet – all in the functional style. The design was made in connection with the power development to Røldal - Suldal power in the 60s. Old Stavanger has northern Europe’s largest concentration of listed wooden houses with its 173 whitely painted houses. The area is one of the most photographed tourist spots in the city of Stavanger. Sogndalstrand in Sokndal, is the only community in Norway where both the wooden houses from the 17-1800’s as well as the surrounding cultural landscapes are listed. Attractions such as the Norwegian Oil Museum and the Stavanger cathedral are furthermore prime examples of outstanding, architectural pearls.
Stavanger and Sandnes were chosen as European capital of culture in 2008, a testament to the cities’ wide-ranging and rich cultural life. As a visitor, you can choose among cultural delights such as museums, galleries, a pioneering musical environment, cabarets and theatre shows. World famous artists have given fantastic concerts in the iconic building Stavanger Concert Hall beautifully located in the harbour of Stavanger. The what’s on calendar gives you the complete list of events in the region at all times.
Preikestolen
Preikestolen - the most famous tourist attraction in the region! It ranges 604 metres above the Lysefjord, with a grand view of the entire fjord from the mountain plateau. The starting point of the hike is the Preikestolen Mountain Lodge. The lodge is close to Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke (Rv. 13) and is reached by car all year or by bus from Tau in summer. From the parking (a fee applies), there is a hiking trail in slightly hilly terrain with a height difference of 350 metres. There are pretty spots to swim as well as pleasant resting places along the hike. Remember sturdy footwear, warm clothing in addition to food and drink. General good physical condition is absolutely necessary. The hike takes around 4 hours in total (return included), is approximately 6 kilometres. Main season: April – October.
There are several different ways to experience Preikestolen. You can take a
fjord cruise and see Preikestolen from below as you sail along the Lysefjord. If you like hiking and you want to see Preikestolen from its most famous angles, we recommend the
Preikestolen hike.
Kjerag
The majesty of the Lysefjord! With 1 084 metres,
Kjerag is the highest of the mountains in the Lysefjord. The highlight not to miss, is to have you picture taken on the large round rock wedged in between the mountain sides. Kjerag is also popular destination for mountain climbers and base jumpers. The hike starts from the parking (a fee applies) at Øygardstøl by Lysevegen just above Lysebotn. The very demanding hike goes up and down several hill tops, and has a height difference of 570 metres. 5-6 hours return trip, around 10 kilometres. Remember sturdy footwear, warm clothing in addition to food and drink. General good physical condition is absolutely necessary. Season: June – September.
Are you looking for a unique hike and a bit of a heart-pounding adventure? Book the "
Go Kjerag" return bus between Stavanger and Øygardstøl, the starting point for the Kjerag hike.
The Lysefjord
The 40-kilometre-long fjord stands out from other fjords in Rogaland with all its savagery. The mountains rage high along large parts of the Lysefjord. For the sporty hikers there are stunning views of the fjords from destinations such as Preikestolen, Kjerag, Brattely and Flørli. A sightseeing cruise on the fjord is a memorable experience where you can see powerful mountains, waterfalls, seals, goats and remote farms. There are sightseeing boats on the fjord all year, and in the summer season there is also a tourist ferry. If you go by ferry, you can enjoy a “fjord and mountain roundtrip”, combining ferry to Lysebotn and car back via Lysebotn or Songesand (winter closed roads).
The company Go Fjords offers an idyllic fjord cruise from Stavanger. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fjord scenery. You will sail past Preikestolen giving you a view of the legendary rock formation from below as well as seeing the Vagabond’s cave (Fantahålå), small waterfalls and islands. Check out the "Go Lysefjord" here.
Norwegian Scenic Routes in the region
Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke is 183 kilometres, and passes through Ryfylke on the Rv. 13 and Fv. 520 from Oanes at the Lysefjord to Hårå in Røldal. The tourist route invites you to a meeting with Fjord Norway where you get to explore a diverse, gorgeous and lush landscape, where green, tranquil archipelagos and mesmerising cultural landscapes are followed by stone screes, well-polished cliffs, fjords and mountains. The most famous attractions along the route are Lysefjord, Preikestolen and Kjerag, however you will also find resting areas in fantastic nature and historical sites making the route an attraction in its own right.
Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren - vast skies, wide horizons and endless sea, constantly changing weather and light, miles of sandy beaches and sand dunes followed by pebbles and salmon rivers. This is Norway’s outdoor pantry with intensive agriculture in a flat, wide stretched and well-kept cultural landscape in an area with mild climate all year round. Norwgian Scenic Route Jæren runs from Ogna to Bore and is 41 kilometres long.
Winter and snow
There is not always snow in the lowlands, however you do not have to go far to get to snowy destinations during winter time. Only 1,5 hours away from Stavanger by car you will find ski resorts and attractive cross country areas in Sirdal. Sauda is furthermore a popular skiing destination, only located an hour from Nesvik in Hjelmeland, or five hours from Stavanger by boat. If there is sufficiently of snow during winter, Brekko in Gjesdal is also a stunning place for both alpine and cross country skiing. In addition, Rogaland’s largest roller ski track is found at Vikeså in Bjerkreim. Gullingen in Suldal, is a family friendly skiing area with ski resort with everything from ski games to illuminated tracks.
The good life in Sokndal and listed Sogndalstrand
Sokndal is the first municipality in the Nordic countries to become a member of the International movement Cittaslow. The idea was slowing down the pace and prioritise quality of life and the good life. In Sokndal you are allowed to be different and slightly silly. They host their very own week of love, organised every autumn where the focus is on the little things in life. Sogndalstrand in Sokndal, is the only community in Norway where both the wooden houses from the 17-1800’s as well as the surrounding cultural landscapes are listed. They have no tourists here – only guests!
Lunar landscapes in Magma Unesco Geopark
South in the region, in Dalane, is the Magma Unesco Geopark, where you can find exciting geological surroundings that you otherwise would go to the moon to witness! Visit our region to walk on “moon” rocks.
Active holiday
There are endless opportunities for an active holiday in the entire region. Just to mention some; canoeing, kayaking, fishing, salmon safari, surfing, kiting, climbing, ZIP line, rappelling, SUP, boating, skiing, cycling, hiking or extreme sports such as base jumping or paragliding. Norway’s best surfing conditions are actually found along the Jæren beaches in the Stavanger region, making it possible for large tournaments such as Eurosurf and Eurosurf Junior to organise their events there.
How to get here
You can get here by bus, plane, boat or train. Everything is within reach!
Plane
Stavanger international airport, Sola, with its more than 60 destinations makes it easy to go by plane to and from the region. Tickets and airlines are found at Avinor. At the airport you can rent a car at reasonable prices to get around.
Train
Regional trains from Oslo and Kristiansand to Stavanger are an economical and comfortable way of travelling, where you at the same time enjoy fantastic natural landscapes such as forests, mountains and the open landscapes of Jæren. NSB takes you all the way into the centre of Stavanger.
Car and ferry
E39 takes you efficiently to the region. If you arrive by car from other countries in Europe, you can go by car ferry from Denmark to Kristiansand, or by car ferry from Denmark to Risavika, near Stavanger. Colorline and Fjordline operate these ferry connections.
Are you arriving from Kristiansand or Oslo and you choose to go along the coast, you could drive the North Sea Route, where you get to experience the closeness to the North Sea as well as the striking Jæren landscapes, historical lighthouses, wide stretched beaches and sand dunes. Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren and Norwegian Scenic Route Ryfylke are both important scenic roads leading into the region. From the north, the region can be reached by car from Haugesund, from Hardanger and from Haukelifjell. In summer, the region is bustling with life, both on land and in water. Along the route, you have the opportunity for fishing, swimming and outdoor activities. Within the region, there are car ferries from Lauvvik to Oanes, from central Stavanger to Tau, as well as speed boats into the Ryfylke islands or to the fjord villages.
Bus and coach
Bus routes such as Haukeliekspressen (Oslo-Haukeli-Haugesund), Sør-Vest ekspressen (Kristiansand-Eigersund-Stavanger) and Kystbussen (Bergen – Haugesund – Stavanger) take you from the region from the north, south and east. Locally there are buses in the entire region organised by Kolumbus, Suldal Billag and Boreal Transport.
Pick the destination and activity that you would most like to experience. Take advantages of the short distances, the next adventure is never far away!
The Stavanger and Ryfylke regions – where the fjord adventure begins, and everything is within reach!
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