6 Best Things to do in Stavanger, Norway

Planning a trip to Stavanger? Great, because this pretty Norwegian city is incredible for exploring fjords, mountains, waterfalls, and coastal history.

Stavanger is a lovely city in its own right, but it’s also one of the best bases in Norway for outdoor adventures. From cruising through Lysefjord to hiking Pulpit Rock and chasing waterfalls, there are some truly incredible adventures awaiting you here, but we also love exploring the city itself, because it’s so unique and filled with character. The only problem is that with so much on offer, it’s hard to know where to start!

That’s where this guide comes in. Below, we’ll cover all of the must-do Stavanger activities to help you plan your perfect trip. Let’s get into it!

Stavanger at a glance

We honestly didn’t know much about Stavanger until we finally visited! Here are a few helpful tips we picked up during our travels that will make your trip just a bit easier.

Dress in layers: While Stavanger is warmer than many other parts of Norway, I still recommend layering. It’s a coastal climate, so it rains a lot, and a good rain jacket and a few extra pairs of socks can be a game-changer.

Use public buses: The bus system makes it easy to get around. We downloaded the Kolombus app, and it helped us immensely! 

Budget correctly: Stavanger is pretty expensive to travel to, so plan your budget accordingly! You can save money by eating out less and using the public bus system.

How I Would Spend Two Days in Stavanger, Norway

Two days is just enough time to experience Stavanger’s highlights and hidden gems. Here’s how we used our time in Stavanger, including some can’t-miss activities!

Day 1: Kick off your time in Stavanger by cruising through Lysefjord on a fjord safari. After lunch, spend the afternoon visiting IDDIS, the Maritime Museum, and Gamle Stavanger, before dinner and an evening walk along the Blue Promenade.

Day 2: Choose between a full-day guided hike to Preikestolen or a city-based day exploring Øvre Holmegate, Stavanger Cathedral, Valbergtårnet, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, and Swords in Rock. 

Things to do in Stavanger 

1. Take on the iconic Preikestolen trail with a guide 

If there’s one hike that Stavanger is famous for, it’s Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock. This is the big one: a flat-topped cliff that rises 604 meters (1,981 feet) above Lysefjord, with one of the most iconic views in Norway.

You can hike it independently, but this guided Preikestolen tour is a great option if you don’t want to deal with the transport logistics yourself. The tour includes pickup and drop-off from central Stavanger, so you can just show up, follow your guide, and focus on the actual hike. And while you need to be decently fit and mobile, you absolutely do not need to be a pro hiker to join this tour.

The hike is challenging enough to feel like an achievement, but I wouldn’t describe it as extreme. You’ll walk through rocky terrain, forested sections, and open mountain landscapes before reaching the famous viewpoint at the top. The payoff is huge, because the view over Lysefjord is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, I think “breathtaking” is a bit of an understatement!

I also like that you’ll be with a local guide, especially if you’re not used to hiking in Norway. They’ll help keep the pace manageable and share more about the landscape, while ensuring you don’t get lost. This is a long tour at around 9 hours total, but it’s so worth it. If you enjoy hiking, you cannot miss the chance to tackle Preikestolen when you’re in Stavanger! 

2. Speed through Lysefjord on an unforgettable fjord safari

If you only book one tour in Stavanger, make it this Lysefjord fjord safari. This is such a fun way to experience the fjord because you’re not just sitting on a big sightseeing boat looking at the views from a distance. You’re right there on the water, speeding between cliffs and waterfalls, with the wind in your face and the mountains all around you. It’s an absolute blast! 

The tour leaves from central Stavanger, which makes it super easy if you’re staying in the city or visiting on a cruise. You’ll be given all the gear you need, including a full-body floating suit, life jacket, goggles, and gloves, so you’ll stay warm and dry even when the boat picks up speed.

The scenery is so beautiful that it’s truly hard to believe. We were pinching ourselves the entire time! 

Lysefjord is one of Norway’s most famous fjords, and seeing it from a RIB boat makes the whole thing feel even more dramatic. We passed steep rock walls and hidden waterfalls, and even enjoyed views of Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, from down on the water. 

I also love that this tour is only around 2 hours, so it doesn’t take up your entire day. It’s super scenic and memorable, but it’s also easy to fit into a Stavanger itinerary.

3. Wander through Gamle Stavanger

Of course, you’re going to want to weave a few more low-key activities into your Stavanger itinerary, so be sure to spend some time wandering through Gamle Stavanger. This is the city’s old town, and it’s very idyllic, with narrow cobbled streets and rows of white wooden houses. It’s a chance to step back in time to old coastal Norway, or into a village of dollhouses if you ask me!

There are 173 protected wooden houses here, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, and you can just wander around at your own pace. It’s very easy to visit if you’re staying in central Stavanger. It’s close to the harbor, so you can just stroll over whenever you have some time. 

It pairs perfectly with a visit to IDDIS, too. This famous museum complex is located right in Old Stavanger, so it’s easy to combine the two. 

Our biggest piece of advice for visiting Gamle Stavanger is to remember that these houses are still real homes. The area is not an open-air museum, it’s a residential neighborhood, so act accordingly! Keep the noise down and don’t peer into windows or private gardens. But as long as you keep it respectful, this is a great little city activity to slot in between bucket list fjord adventures.

4. Follow the Blue Promenade along the harbor

The Blue Promenade is one of the easiest ways to enjoy Stavanger without spending any money. And to be honest, after a few big fjord tours and hikes, a simple waterfront walk might be exactly what you need!

The route starts at Badedammen and continues past Fiskepiren, with views towards Ryfylke along the way. You’ll pass boats coming and going, the harbor area, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, and Geopark, so it’s a nice way to see a bit more of the city without committing to a full hike.

I like this one because you can make it as short or as long as you want. If you’ve only got half an hour to fill, just do a small section. If the weather’s good and you fancy a longer walk, just keep following the water and enjoy the views!

We love walking along the harbor in the evening, although if you want to combine the walk with museums, shops, or nearby attractions, daytime is better. But either way, it’s a free and scenic activity that’s a total must-do in Stavanger.

5. Experience the wild beauty of Kjerag 

It’s no secret that we love hiking, so if you’re the same way inclined, do NOT miss this guided Kjerag hike while you’re in Stavanger. This is the tour that takes you to Kjeragbolten, the famous boulder wedged between two cliffs high above Lysefjord. Yep, that boulder!

I’ll say this now: this is not a casual little walk. The tour lasts around 11 hours, so it’s a long day. It starts early and the hike itself is challenging, with steep sections and mountain terrain. But for the adventurous at heart, that’s what makes it worth doing! This is a fantastic opportunity to spend the day out in the amazing Norwegian scenery and visit some incredible viewpoints that relatively few visitors ever get to see.

We strongly recommend going with a guide for this one, even if you’re a fairly experienced hiker. The weather here can change quickly, and the terrain is quite demanding. It’s reassuring to have someone in the know leading the way! The tour also includes pickup from Stavanger, which makes the whole thing much easier logistically.

The big moment, of course, is reaching Kjeragbolten. Seeing the famous boulder is pretty incredible, and you can even step out onto it to get the ultimate hiking photo. And the views over Lysefjord are just incredible. You’ll remember this hike forever – and the glowing reviews certainly attest to that.

6. Explore the museum where sardines steal the show

If you’re already wandering through Gamle Stavanger, IDDIS is well worth adding to your route. This is a museum complex that’s about a 10-minute walk from the center of Stavanger, and as we mentioned earlier, it’s an ideal activity to combine with exploring the pretty white wooden houses in the Old Town.

IDDIS combines the Norwegian Printing Museum and the Norwegian Canning Museum in one place. It sounds a little niche, but stay with us! These two industries played a huge role in shaping Stavanger, and the museum does a great job of making that history feel way more interesting than we initially expected it to be. 

The canning museum is especially fun because Stavanger was once a major sardine-canning city. We got to learn how the industry worked and why it mattered so much locally. I never knew canned fish could be so fascinating!

It’s also a good-value stop. Adult tickets are currently NOK 170, which is around $17 USD, while under 18s get free entry. Even better, one ticket gives you same-day access to all open MUST museums. MUST stands for Museum Stavanger, which runs several museums in and around the city, so it’s worth checking the full list of museums to see if any of the other options spark your interest!

Opening hours and days can vary by season, so be sure to double-check before you go. 

Related Read: Need help planning out your trip? See our two-day Stavanger itinerary, which includes a lot of these top activities!

Where to Stay in Stavanger

While Stavanger is pretty compact, there are some fantastic hotel options! We recommend staying downtown, which puts you within walking distance of the best restaurants and sights. Here are our top options for a luxury, mid-range, and budget stay in Stavanger.

Luxury – $$$

Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel is one of the best high-end stays in Downtown Stavanger, sitting right by Breiavatnet lake, close to the train station, and you can walk pretty much everywhere!

This property feels like a polished city hotel with a restaurant and bar on-site, plus a top-floor gym and sauna with city and fjord views. We think that’s a pretty lovely bonus after a day of walking around or cruising on the water! Prices range from $180 to $300 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Scandic Royal Stavanger is where we stayed in Downtown Stavanger, and we loved it! It was central and comfortable, and super close to the Old Town.

The real reason we loved this hotel so much, though, was the facilities. It offers a pretty impressive range of amenities, including a spa and wellness center, indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym, and an on-site restaurant. Nightly rates start around $120 USD per night. Check availability and book your stay here!

Budget – $

The Villa is a good budget-friendly option if you want to stay central without paying premium Downtown prices. It’s a self-check-in boutique hotel, so it’s best for independent travelers who don’t need a big hotel setup or lots of extra facilities.

Location-wise, it’s really handy. You’ll be close to museums, the harbor, shops, restaurants, and the main sightseeing areas, so you’re not sacrificing convenience to save money. It’s a practical base, but we also love that it feels chic and contemporary! Prices range from $90 to $120 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com!

Related Read: For a full breakdown of the best areas and hotels, read our Where to Stay in Stavanger guide!

Thanks for reading!

Stavanger is such a unique place to visit, and it should absolutely be added to your bucket list! We love the authentic Norwegian charm, paired with jaw-dropping outdoor sights. For adventure travelers and scenic viewpoint-enthusiasts alike, this place is worth a visit.

Before you go, check out the rest of our Europe blogs. We love helping fellow travelers plan their next great trip and have lots of resources to share. Here are a few related blogs to get you started – cheers!

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