Places to Visit in Stavanger

One of the best places to visit in Stavanger Norway is the Pulpit Rock, also known as Preikestolen. This iconic attraction in Stavanger is a majestic cliff, which is flat topped and is situated at an elevation of almost 609 metres from the sea level. In addition to being one of the most popular places for a hike in the region, the cliff also offers stunning views of Lysefjord.

You can either sit at the edge, or take a look below to see the azure waters of Lysefjord, which was formed in the Ice Age. The place is also great for indulging in nature photography. In order to reach the top of Pulpit Rock, you will have to take a ferry ride and a ride in the bus, followed by a four-hour round-trip hike. However, once at the top, the views are nothing short of magical.

Location: Rogaland County, Norway

Amongst the most unique tourist places in Stavanger is the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Stavanger gained popularity due to the presence of petroleum in the region, and this museum tells the story of how it was found. The museum overlooks the harbour, and has been designed in a way such that it resembles numerous oil storage drums on an oil rig.

Upon your visit here, you can see numerous exhibitions that showcase how the offshore petroleum operations have given birth to the most important industry in Norway. You can also see how oil and gas are formed, in addition to learning about how the resources are found below the seabed, how the drilling and production of petroleum is conducted and much more. Children can also visit this museum, and watch different films, in addition to indulging in various fun-filled activities.

Location: Kjeringholmen 1a, 4006 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 640 to INR 1300 approximately

Another one of the unique places to visit in Stavanger Norway is the Norwegian Canning Museum. Having an appearance that dates back to the times of World War I, this structure used to be one of the 70 canneries in Stavanger, and has now been turned into a museum. Home to many interesting exhibits that showcase the process of the fishing and processing of Norwegian sardines from the late 1870s to the mid-1950s, the museum also shows how these tiny fish became the most important export products of the country.

One of the major attractions here is a single machine that was manufactured in Germany in the 1930s. This machine was known to pack the sardine cans in greaseproof paper, attach a key as well as put a label on it. For children, the museum offers them a chance to dress up as cannery workers and indulge in the Norwegian waffles at the in-house café.

Location: Øvre Strandgate 88, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 10:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 800 approximately

Located in the centre of the city, the Stavanger Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous places to visit in Stavanger Norway. Built in the 12th century by Bishop Reinald, the cathedral was an erstwhile Romanesque basilica. It suffered a fire in 1272, after which its choir was rebuilt in the Gothic style of architecture. However, the entire cathedral was renovated in the early 19th century.

The interiors of the church boast of a magnificent Baroque pulpit, in addition to a stone front from the Gothic period. Furthermore, the church also has stained glass in its eastern windows, which depict scenes from the New Testament. You can also find the former Bishop’s Palace behind the cathedral, which overlooks the northern shore of the small Breiavatnet lake. The cathedral is also one of the best-preserved cathedrals in all of Norway.

Location: Haakon VIIs gate 2, Domkirkeplassen, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

Yet another one of the best-preserved buildings and amongst the top tourist places in Stavanger, the Valberg Tower is situated to the north of the Market Square in the city, between Vågen and Østre Havn. Located in the Holmen Peninsula, this tower was formerly a watchtower that was built in the year 1853 on the highest point in Stavanger.

The tower also served as the home of a watchman who used to alert everyone in the city in case there was a fire. As of today, the Valberg Tower is a structure that offers stunning views of the city as well as the harbour. There is also a Watchman’s Museum located on the first floor of the tower, which you can pay a visit to. For small events and get-together, you can also rent the tower and enjoy pristine views of the city.

Location: Valbergjet, 4006 Stavanger, Norway

Entry fee: INR 600 to INR 800 approximately

The Stavanger Museum is one of the best places to visit in Stavanger Norway. The entire building houses various exhibitions where you can learn about the natural and cultural history of the region. You can also find the famous Norwegian Children’s Museum here. The museum is a great place to gather knowledge about the cultural roots of Stavanger, the rich flora and fauna found here, as well as learn about how the sea has helped to shape the Norwegian community here.

The museum is also home to numerous collections donated by the generations of the seamen and missionaries of Stavanger. These collections consist of photographs, art and cultural treasures of exotic places. You can also find many art, furnishings, costumes and other excerpts of the rich cultural heritage of the city.

Location: Muségt. 16, N-4010 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 600 to INR 850 approximately

This is one of the most beautiful and vibrant tourist places in Stavanger. A major historic area in the city, Gamle has a collection of numerous quaint and tranquil older, wooden homes that lie along the stone-paved streets. It is also known as the largest surviving wooden house settlement in all of northern Europe.

The picturesque streets of Gamle are great to explore. With many galleries and museums also lining the meandering streets here, you can also find the Maritime Museum and the Norwegian Canning Museum here. There are over 170 wooden houses here, all of which date back to the 18th century, and are similar in style and structure.

The houses here are made of timber, with an arch on the top of the roof, that can be expanded into the living quarters. The houses also have a flat top, which are placed asymmetrically on the roof and are often called the Stavanger arch. The entire area of Gamle is great for a relaxing stroll.

Location: Øvre Strandgate, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: Open 24 hours 

Stavanger has always been a city of seafarers. Right from its early days, the city has experienced a boon owing to the maritime industry. From fishing fleets to petroleum, there is a lot that the city owes to the maritime industry. And this is what has been exhibited at the Stavanger Maritime Museum. The monument traces the business and industries of the city, which dates back to the fishing of herrings and building of ships in the 1800s, to becoming the oil capital of Norway in recent times.

At the museum, you can find intricately crafted models of transatlantic liners and working boats. You can also see the actual interiors and artefacts of these boats, which have been dismantled, and tell a great deal about the rich history of this land. The museum also has an authentic sail loft which was in operation until the 1980s.

Location: Strandkaien 22, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 600 to INR 800 approximately

Otherwise known as the Berentsen Family Villa, the Breidablikk Museum is one of the most underrated, yet unique attractions in Stavanger. The family lived in this villa in the 1880s, and the erstwhile villa-turned-museum offers visitors the opportunity to see the original furniture, fabrics, ceramic stoves, fancy glass chandeliers, souvenirs and even the flower arrangements that date back to the Victorian era. You can also see a collection of works by some of the most famous Norwegian artists here.

There are some areas in the house where you can catch a glimpse of the furnishings from different eras in time. This includes the library and dining room from the 1950s, a bomb shelter that dates back to 1939 and even the servant quarters and laundry room. You can also see the farm tools and carriages from bygone eras in the barn. The museum also has trails to the historic Ledaal, Holmeegenes and Munkehagen gardens.

Location: Eiganesveien 40A, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

The Ledaal House, one of the most offbeat tourist places in Stavanger, was built as a summer residence for the Kielland family in the year 1799. It is one of the few remnants of and preserved examples of how elite families of Norway used to live in the early 19th centuries. Still exuding opulence and furnished in rich décor, the mansion functions as a museum today, in addition to being the official residence of the King in Stavanger.

The property is currently owned by the state in trust. In addition to visiting its historic gardens, you can also visit numerous other gardens that are connected to the property via a trail. For visitors, the property is a good place to explore the taste and style of the bygone eras. Additionally, this 18th century building also has numerous exhibitions that are spread over three floors that you can enjoy.

Location: Eiganesveien 45, 4009 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 12:00 p.m. to 05:00 p.m.

When visiting Stavanger, you must definitely pay a visit to the beautiful Museum of Archaeology. Whether it is gathering more information about the Vikings, or seeing the collections and replicas of Viking boats, ships, costumes, artefacts, weapons and tools, this museum is the place to be.

One of the most popular exhibits of the museum is the Famous Finn, or the Finnøy Polar Bear, which is a skeleton that is over 12,400 years old. It was recovered from the village of Judaberg on Finnøy, and is the most complete Ice Age polar bear from its time. The museum also has exhibits from the Stone Age and Bronze Age, that can be seen in the many antique structures and objects presented here. The museum is home to objects that date back to almost 11,000 years, making it one of the richest archaeological fields for ancient civilisations in Norway.

Location: Peder Klows gate 30A, 4010 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 340 to INR 1,700 approximately

Located near the Seaplane Port, the Flyhistorisk Museum Sola is one of the most unique attractions in Stavanger. The museum focuses on exhibits of aircrafts that are used at the Sola Military Base and the Stavanger Airport. In addition to having a wide variety of completely restored aircrafts, the museum also houses parts of aircrafts, dating from the second World War to those of modern day.

You can also find a collection of over 30 historic aircrafts here, which includes military planes and civilian planes, in addition to pilot and crew uniforms, aircraft models as well as historic photographs. For a personalised and unique experience, you can also board some of the planes present here, which isn’t often found in aviation museums around the world.

Location: Sola Prestegårdsveg 170, 4050 Sola, Norway

Timing: 12:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m. (Only open on Sundays)

Entry fee: INR 340 to INR 2,000 approximately

Located in the beautiful park that surrounds the scenic Lake Mosvannet, around 3.2 kilometres from the centre of the city, the Stavanger Art Museum is amongst the top tourist places in Stavanger. It is home to some of the finest collections of international as well as Norwegian art in the entire country.

One of the best attractions here is the unique collection of paintings by the late 19th century painter Lars Hertervig. Even today, his romantic and highly personal landscapes continue to take visitors’’ breath away. The museum is also home to the stunning Hafsten collection, which is a former private collection of works by painters from the mid-twentieth century.

Location: Henrik Ibsens gate 55, 4021 Stavanger, Norway

Timing: 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.

Entry fee: INR 800 approximately

Located to the north of the city of Stavanger are several islets and islands, the most famous of which is the tiny island of Klosterøy. It is connected to the larger island of Mosterøy by bridge. However, this is not the only thing the island is known for. Klosterøy is known for its Utstein Abbey, which dates back to the Augustinian age. The abbey is a well-preserved monastic house, which was first mentioned sometime around the 13th century, and can be reached by boat from Stavanger.

Surrounded by verdant greenery, the abbey used to be the erstwhile residence of the Viking King Harald Fairhair. It was turned into a monastery in the middle ages, and ultimately, in the 1700s, the abbey became a farm of the local magistrate. It was in the 1930s that it was turned into a museum. Upon your visit here, you will be welcomed by guides dressed up in medieval costumes. The abbey also has a garden which is home to vibrant roses, herbs and ornamental bushes.

Location: Mosterøyveien 801, 4156 Mosterøy, Norway

Located in the beautiful city of Stavanger, Flor og Fjære is home to several exotic gardens that are sure to mesmerise you. Consisting of many exotic plants and palm trees, this garden exudes tranquillity, serenity and peace. You can also get your hands on some of the most vibrant flowers here, in addition to indulging in lip-smacking local and international delicacies, whilst you soak in pristine views of the sea.

You can reach the Flor og Fjære via a scenic boat trip through the local fjord from Skagenkaien in Stavanger. In addition to a guided tour of the garden, you can also gather more knowledge about various plants and flowers and garden maintenance from the professionals here. After the tour, you will be offered a delicious and unique culinary experience from the inhouse chef here, which includes the best of local seafood that the region is famous for.

Location: Sør-Hidle, Strand, Norway

One of the hidden attractions in Stavanger is the Sverd I Fjell, also popularly known as Swords in Rock. Located on a peninsula that stands out into the Hafrsfjord in the Madla area of Stavanger, is a majestic monument that speaks of a great naval battle in history. It was after the Battle of Hafrsfjord at the end of the 9th century, when the Viking chief Harald Fairhair proclaimed the throne as the first King of Norway, thereby bringing together several small kingdoms under his rule for the very first time in history. It is then that this 10-metre-high monument was established.

The Swords in Rock are three huge and magnificent bronze swords, made to replicate the ancient Viking swords, that have been plunged into rock. Designed by sculptor Fritz Røed, the monument was unveiled in the year 1983 by King Olav V. The largest of the three swords is said to represent Harald Fairhair, whilst the smaller ones symbolize his defeated rivals.

Location: Møllebukta, 4044 Hafrsfjord, Norway

Also known as the most colourful street in Norway, Ovre Holmegate is one of the major attractions in Stavanger. Commonly known as Fargegaten, this street is located in the old shopping district of Stavanger. However, it was in the year 2005 that this street started gaining fame. It was after a local hairdresser, by the name of Tom Kjørsvik proposed a way to transform the street as part of the local Kul Kultur project, that Ovre Holmegate came to life.

Craig Flannagan, an artist, was hired to create a colour scheme for painting the houses on the street. And he decided to paint them in vibrant, bright colours of green, pink and turquoise, which revitalised the street and gave it new life. Throughout the years, numerous new cafés, shops, bars and restaurants were established here, making it a famous tourist attraction in Stavanger.

This unique place in Stavanger is a reconstructed farmstead from the Migration Period, which dates back to around 350 to 550 AD. Located around 3 kilometres from the heart of the city, the farm offers beautiful views of the Hafrsfjord and the Northern Jæren region. Furthermore, the Iron Age Farm is the only one of its kind in the country, and has been reconstructed on the original archaeological site.

There are three houses on the farm, which are partially built underground, and all of which have domestic utensils and equipment from the Iron Age. You can also see a fire burning on the original fireplaces here. Sometimes, you might also be offered food that has been cooked on the fireplace. A visit here will enable you to experience a life almost similar to the one that people had around 1500 years ago.

Location: Ullandhaugveien 165, 4021 Stavanger, Norway

Entry fee: INR 340 to INR 900

Located by the dunes on the spectacular Solastranden Beach, a few kilometres outside of Stavanger is an idyllic hotel by the name of Sola Strand. Home to 135 elegantly designed and opulent rooms, in addition to a first-class multicuisine restaurant, modern meeting and conference hall, a fully equipped and functional kitchen as well as the famous Nordsjøbadet Spa, the hotel dates back to 1914.

With a distinctive style, serene atmosphere and popularity, the hotel is a treasure trove of antiques and old souvenirs. One of the main attractions of the Sola Strand is its original fireplace from 1914, which still smells of smoky wood and offers you a nice, peaceful warmth. You can choose to stay here during your trip to Stavanger, or simply visit the hotel to enjoy jazz brunches, wellness days, winemaker’s dinners and their very own jazz festivals, among other things.

Location: Axel Lunds veg 27, 4055 Sola, Norway

Entry fee: INR 11,000 onwards