Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger, recognized as the oil and energy capital of Europe, saw significant transformation following Norway’s discovery of the Ekofisk oil field located 200 miles off its coast in 1969. Affectionately dubbed Oljebyen (The Oil Capital), Stavanger boasts a world-class museum dedicated to the Norwegian petroleum industry, which commenced operations in 1999 and features architecture reminiscent of a small oil platform situated in the harbor.

Stavanger serves as a strategic gateway to the Lysefjord, renowned for its striking cliffs and the spectacular natural viewpoint known as Pulpit Rock, which rises over 600 meters above the waters below.

Within the city, visitors can glimpse Stavanger’s pre-oil era in the Gamle Stavanger district, where historic shipping offices and a fish-canning factory have been converted into engaging museums.

Let us delve into the noteworthy attractions in Stavanger:

1. Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger)

Following the Second World War, plans were made to demolish and reconstruct downtown Stavanger using concrete, a proposition that was met with resistance from city architect Einar Hedén.

Thanks to his efforts, Old Stavanger has been preserved as a neighborhood featuring over 200 wooden structures adorning quaint cobblestone streets along the west side of the Vågen bay.

The majority of these structures are charming whitewashed cottages, many of which now house restaurants and boutiques on their ground floors.

Once overlooked and somewhat desolate, this now desirable, upscale area is a pleasure to explore on foot.

2. Lysefjord

Stavanger is the most pivotal city for experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Lysefjord, which lies merely an hour to the east.

While words may fail to capture the grandeur of Lysefjord’s landscapes, an excursion by boat provides a close-up view of towering rock walls, cascading waterfalls, and idyllic islets.

The Rødne Fjord Cruise company, based in Stavanger, organizes tours year-round, with typical excursions being timed between three hours to half a day.

A particular highlight is Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a cliff standing 604 meters above the fjord.

The ascent is more manageable than it appears, including a bus journey followed by a moderate hike.

Unquestionably, the vistas from this vantage point are awe-inspiring.

3. Stavanger Cathedral

Located in the Storhaug borough, not far from the harbor, stands Norway’s oldest and most impeccably preserved cathedral.

Constructed in Romanesque style in the early 12th century, it was later adorned with a magnificent Gothic chancel in the 13th century following a fire in 1272. The contrast between the understated nave and the dramatic choir is evident.

Inside, one cannot help but notice the opulent Baroque pulpit, intricately carved by Scottish craftsman Andrew Lawrenceson Smith in 1658. In the choir, observe the soapstone baptismal font adorned with foliage patterns and multifoil arches from the late 13th century.

The nave also features original Romanesque capitals sculpted with animal motifs.

4. Stavanger Petroleum Museum

Approaching from the North Sea, one might mistakenly identify the Petroleum Museum and its gleaming metallic structures as an oil rig.

This is intentional, as the museum narrates over 50 years of Norwegian oil drilling in the North Sea.

With modern and well-organized exhibits, visitors can view drilling equipment, submersibles, robots, a scale replica of an oil platform, along with interactive displays that provide insight into life on an oil platform.

Furthermore, visitors can learn about the technological advancements since the 1960s, as well as sophisticated underwater systems and state-of-the-art vessels expected to support the industry into the future.

5. Sverd i fjell (Swords in Rock)

Situated on a peninsula extending into Hafrsfjord in the Madla neighborhood is a poignant monument commemorating a historic naval confrontation.

The Battle of Hafrsfjord, fought towards the end of the 9th century, enabled Viking leader Harald Fairhair to declare himself the first King of Norway, uniting several smaller kingdoms.

This 10-meter high monument features three bronze swords embedded in the rock, designed by sculptor Fritz Røed and unveiled by King Olav V in 1983. The largest sword symbolizes Harald Fairhair, while the two smaller swords represent his defeated rivals.

The monument embodies peace, as the swords are lodged in the rock and cannot be extracted.

6. Norwegian Canning Museum

Located at Øvre Strandgate 88 in Old Stavanger, the Canning Museum resides in a former canning factory operational from 1916 to the 1950s.

The factory, established in 1841, was left abandoned until its transformation into a museum in 1975.

Visitors can experience the machinery still in place while an enthusiastic guide explains the processes of smoking and packaging freshly caught fish (sprats) as well as working conditions in the factory.

The equipment is functional, and during summer months on Tuesdays and Thursdays, guests can sample traditional Norwegian smoked brisling directly from the oven.

7. Stavanger Art Museum

Under the auspices of the multi-location “Museum Stavanger,” this institution is positioned along the western shore of Lake Mosvatnet, southeast of the city center.

The collection is anchored by the work of 19th-century landscape artist Lars Hertervig, a member of the Düsseldorf School who returned to Stavanger after facing personal challenges, achieving posthumous recognition.

In addition to Hertervig, the museum showcases noteworthy works by Edvard Munch, Kitty Kielland, and Christian Krohg.

A significant contemporary installation at the museum is the Broken Column created by British sculptor Antony Gormley.

Additionally, there is a creative workshop designed for children and a rotating selection of up to four temporary exhibitions at any one time.

In early 2018, a noteworthy exhibition featured textile artist Frida Hansen.

8. Øvre Holmegate

Prior to 2005, this street on the east side of the Vågen was rather unremarkable.

However, as part of the “Kul Kultur” initiative, Øvre Holmegate underwent a complete transformation when local hairdresser Tom Kjørsvik proposed a revitalization scheme.

Initially closed to vehicular traffic, the street was then painted in vibrant colors based on a scheme developed by artist Craig Flanagan.

The new palette of greens, turquoises, and pinks has attracted trendy bars, cafes, and boutiques that enhance the area’s appeal.

9. Stavanger Maritime Museum

Also located in one of the charming whitewashed wooden houses of Old Stavanger is a museum dedicated to the maritime heritage of southwestern Norway, covering the history of shipping, fishing, and shipbuilding.

Visitors can tour a general store as it might have appeared in 1910, stocked with goods ranging from milk to paint and maritime equipment.

The museum features the office interior of the Monsen Shipping Company, which conducted business in Stavanger for 165 years.

On the top floor, guests can explore a reconstructed sail-making workshop, complete with authentic workbenches and tools.

Furthermore, the museum also portrays the lifestyle of a prosperous merchant family through a restored apartment from the early 1900s, inclusive of a study, kitchen, parlor, and dining room.

The collection preserves two seaworthy historic sailboats: a traditional Hardangerjakt sloop launched in 1848 with a 19-meter mast, and the Wyvern yacht, designed by Norwegian naval architect Colin Archer and christened in 1897.

10. Breidablikk Museum

Managed by the Stavanger Museum AS, this elegant villa located in the Eiganes neighborhood was constructed in the early 1880s.

Commissioned by wealthy merchant and ship owner Lars Berentsen, architect Henrik Nissen drew the plans for the villa.

Breidablikk exhibits Swiss chalet-style architecture with pronounced eaves, featuring neo-Romanesque and Gothic influences.

Prominent artists, including painter Louis Anton Jacobsen, contributed to the interior design, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship indicative of Stavanger’s bourgeois lifestyle during this era.

Most of the decor and furnishings date back to the 19th century, and the layout of the surrounding English garden remains unchanged.

Adjacent to the villa is a barn from 1852 housing agricultural tools and horse-drawn carriages from that period.

11. Skagenkaien

With the advent of summer, the street along the east side of Vågen opens up to pedestrians, transforming into a vibrant thoroughfare adorned with outdoor seating and festival stalls.

Skagenkaien is arguably the liveliest nightlife hub in the city, featuring restaurants and bars housed in attractive 19th-century wooden structures, with a number of hotels interspersed.

Among the notable establishments is No. 16, a historic property dating back to 1770, which hosts the Skjøna Skagen restaurant on its ground floor.

At the innermost section of the street, visitors can view elegant boats in the marina, while further along are docks where ferries embark for the Lysefjord.

12. Vitenfabrikken (Science Factory)

Located in Sandnes, a short train or car ride south of Stavanger, stands an exceptional science museum that opened in 2008. The Science Factory focuses on technology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and mathematics, featuring inspiring installations such as an 11-meter high Foucault Pendulum, a Tesla coil, and inventions by Leonardo da Vinci.

In the winter months, do not overlook the fourth floor, which offers an observation terrace equipped with telescopes.

This region of Norway is the birthplace of groundbreaking 19th-century mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, and the “Abel’s Sketchbook” exhibit provides an interactive exploration of the intersections between art, science, and technology.

13. Jernaldergården

In the Ullandhaug suburb of Stavanger lies a reconstructed Iron Age farm, restored in the 1970s after lying dormant for 1,500 years.

This site was first inhabited during the Migration Period in the 4th century but was subsequently destroyed and abandoned around 200 years later.

Prominent archaeologist Bjørn Myhre investigated the location in the late 1960s, bringing attention to one of nearly 200 Iron Age farms in the low-lying Jæren region.

Amidst a pastoral landscape dotted with sheep, English language tours are available to delve into ancient folklore, observe traditional crafts, start a fire using firesteels, and spin wool.

The unique design of the huts features small doorways, not merely for warmth retention but as a tactic for residents to defend against potential invaders.

14. Sola Beach

Stavanger can experience temperatures exceeding 20°C during the months of July and August, and clear, sunny days invite excursions to Sola Beach.

Located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the city, this two-kilometer stretch of fine sand lies just a short distance from the airport.

While sunshine cannot be guaranteed, wind is a constant, making Sola Beach a popular destination for kitesurfers and windsurfers.

Visitors may also encounter a German Second World War bunker at the beach’s southern extremity.

In addition, located just beyond the dunes on the southern side is the Solastranden Golfklubb, an 18-hole links-style course that presents a challenging experience due to its capricious winds.

15. Jæren

For those in search of expansive skies and cinematic beaches, a journey southward leads to Klepp, which is less than a half-hour drive from Stavanger.

The protected natural landscape of the Jæren region features Norway’s longest continuous stretch of flat sandy coastline, measuring 11 kilometers and bordered by dunes providing habitat for a rare variety of wildlife.

Unlike many other parts of Norway’s coast, this area does not boast fjords, and the topography remains low and flat.

At the Orre Friluftshuset (recreation center), one can discover local hiking and cross-country skiing routes along with exhibitions, conveniently located near Orrestreanda beach.