Is Stavanger Norway Worth Visiting in 2025? Best Places and Things To Do

Is Stavanger Worth Visiting In 2025?

Stavanger in beautiful Norway is absolutely worth visiting in 2025!

This storybook town has lots to offer the new or seasoned traveler, and with quick flight connections from most major European cities; it’s an easy place to get to!

My husband and I, along with our young son decided to explore our family’s heritage and connection to Norway recently. We stayed in the historic center (Gamle) and really dived into what this amazing location had to offer.

In Stavanger you can see amazing street art, visit comprehensive yet family friendly museums, eat at Michelin starred restaurants, and admire the grandeur of the great outdoors.

Where is Stavanger Located?

Stavanger was founded way back in 1125 is located on the Stavanger Peninsula in Southwestern Norway in the Rogaland County. It is almost a 7 hour drive from the capital region of Norway – Oslo.

Norway doesn’t look big, but it is HUGE in size! I recommend flying into Stavanger from somewhere like London, Newcastle, or Amsterdam. These flights are all just over 1 hour; so a very fast turn around.

What is Stavanger known For?

Stavanger is consider the oil capital of Norway. In the late 20th century, Stavanger found it’s population growing inline with the booming oil and gas industry. Learn more about how oil and gas shaped this beautiful city at the Norwegian Petroleum Museum in Stavanger.

In previous centuries, Stavanger had been a small village with it’s industry mostly focused on fishing and canning. Evidence of this history still stands today with the beautiful wooden homes in the Gamle (Old Towne) district, along with the Norweigan Canning museum.

Stavanger is also home to several higher educational institutions such as the University of Stavanger. NATO also has a base in the city contributing to the population of the area.

Stavanger has been rated several times as one of the most livable cities in the world. It has fantastic all around infrastructure, and indeed feels like stepping into the future while visiting.

Un-employment tends to be quite low in Stavanger, along with house-less people. While these are fantastic trends, Stavanger has also been rated as one of the most expensive cities in the world! My family found it to be extremely expensive, even when comparing it to Canadian prices.

Best Things To Do In Stavanger

1. Browse the Gamle (Old Town)

The beautiful and timeless neighborhood of Gamle alone makes Stavanger worth visiting! This beautiful old town consists of approximately 250 small white wooden houses built in the 18th and 19th centuries, along with the Canning Museum of Stavanger.

Gamle was once on the chopping block as city officials decided that the old wooden houses were useless, and big concrete and glass buildings should take their place. Thank goodness for a man named Einar Hedén, the city Architect of Stavanger! He had the foresight to see what value this area could bring to the city in the future.

This trendy, Instagram-worthy neighborhood has won several European awards for the preservation and protected status that it holds. Tourists flock to this beautiful area every year to see the quaint cobble-stone streets, beautiful wooden homes, and amazing flower displays.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a visit to Gamle early in the morning before it gets busy with pedestrians and other tourists for amazing, people-free photos!

*There is no entry or exit to Gamle (free); it is a residential neighborhood, not a tourist attraction. Please be respectful of the residents.

2. See the IDDIS – The Norwegian Canning Museum

Located just a 5 minute walk from the beautiful harbor of Stavanger, and through the Gamle is the Norwegian Canning Museum. Learn about the industry that put Stavanger on the map, and sustained it’s inhabitants for centuries.

If you’re traveling with kids, this museum is a MUST-VISIT! It offers plenty of hands-on experiences including dress-up, stringing and canning fish, along with sampling smoked fish. Norway does a great job of making their museums fun for kids, and this museum is definitely worth visiting while in Stavanger.

Live demonstrations at the Canning Museum can be hit or miss, but often times the curator of the museum will offer you a guided tour and history.

Entry is free for children under 18, and 140NOK or €12 for adults.

3. Grab a Bite to Eat on Øvre Holmegate (The Colorful Street)

Locally known as “The Colorful Street”, the beautiful Øvre Holmegate is just steps from the harbor and is popular with locals and tourists alike. In stark contrast to the Gamle, this area is bursting with color.

This street is one of the most photographed streets in Europe, and boasts shops, cafes and restaurants. Grab a coffee or something to eat, and sit at one of the many outdoor patios; a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Stavanger.

Pro Tip: Enjoy an a la carte meal, or sharing menu at Nick & Jonnies Restaurant – amazing food and service on Øvre Holmegate

4. Live like a Viking at The Iron Age Farm

One of my favorite places to visit while in Stavanger is the Iron Age Farm! Built on actual foundations of a REAL LIFE farm from 350-550AD! The farm is set up on a hill looking out at the peaceful Hafrsfjord. This historical open-air museum 100% makes Stavanger worthwhile visiting.

Pick up a sword and shield and have mock battles with your family members, or sit by the open fire and warm your hands as the local guide details what life was like for folks living here 1500 years ago.

*Keep an eye out for the Ravens –  a wise, all-knowing messenger from the Norse God Odin, and often a bird of prophecy, protector, and helper.

Entry is free for children under 18, and 100 NOK or €8.50 for adults.

5. Cruise the Lysefjord

The Lysefjord is one of the most spectacular Fjords in all of Norway! It’s situated in a unique spot, and really doesn’t have many locations that you can view it from land.

That’s why seeing is best appreciated from a Fjord Cruise! Hop aboard a ferry at the harbor in downtown Stavanger to get a full appreciation of its magnificence. These cruises typically last around 3 hours, and leave the harbor a couple times a day.

It takes just under an hour to reach the LyseFjord by ferry, and from there you’ll see cascading waterfalls, mountain goats, quaint villages and stunning scenery. You’ll also be able to appreciate Pulpit Rock from down in the Fjord, making this one of the most worthwhile things to do in Stavanger.

Pro Tip: Take some cash to try some Norwegian treats on board! I have some great food and snack recommendations here.

6. Hike Pulpit Rock (Priekstolen)

Some people only visit Rogaland in Norway to do this VERY famous hike; it definitely makes Stavanger worth visiting.

Drive 40 minutes from the center of Stavanger to reach the very famous hike of Pulpit Rock. Featured in films such as ‘Mission Impossible: Fallout’ where Tom Cruise famously dangled from the cliff’s edge.

Pro Tip: While driving to Pulpit Rock, you’ll drive UNDER a Fjord! The Ryfast Tunnel is currently the world’s deepest subsea tunnel; you’ll be 292 metres (958 ft) below sea level!

The hike to Pulpit Rock is considered a moderately easy hike. We took our 9 year old and he had no complaints climbing up to the summit at 604m high, but he does have previous experience with hiking and biking.

The roundtrip hike will clock you in at about 8kms in total; so be sure to bring some sturdy footwear and suitable clothing.

Plan to spend about 6 hours in total if you bring a pack-lunch with you to enjoy the views of the Lysefjord at the top. There are toilets located in the parking lot, but no other places on the trail.

If you’re in a time-crunch, you could always try a Helicopter tour of Pulpit Rock and the Lysefjord instead.

This hike is one of the best things to do in Stavanger. If you choose to do it yourself, it is completely free. If you feel safer with a professional guide – I have a great recommendation below. This local knows a side trail to avoid the crowds climbing to the summit of Pulpit Rock.

7. See the Famous Sverd i fjell

A short 8 minute drive from downtown Stavanger, you’ll find Sverd i fjell. This monument is three bronze swords that stand 10 metres (33 ft) tall, and are planted into the rock of a small hill next to the fjord.

They commemorate the historic Battle of Hafrsfjord which took place here in the year 872, when King Harald Fairhair gathered all of Norway under one crown.

Created by sculptor Fritz Røed from Bryne, and unveiled by King Olav V of Norway in 1983.

This activity is FREE for anyone to stop by and enjoy.

8. View all the Amazing Street Art in Stavanger

The art scene in Stavanger is like no other city I’ve ever visited, and I highly recommend taking a tour or a few hours out of your day to explore it!

Around every corner, there is some great installation or new piece to be discovered. Even the Children’s Playground (Geopark) outside of the Petroleum Museum was created from discarded oil-field projects, and is a total work of art!

Seeing the many amazing works of art make Stavanger worth visiting in 2025! To get a feel for how much street art there is to be found in Stavanger, take a look at this map: Street Art in Stavanger

Guided Walking Tour of Stavanger

If you’re short on time, and would like a professional guide to show you around the beautiful city of Stavanger, taking a guided tour on foot is the best hassle free way to see it all!

This two hour tour covers: Stavanger Cathedral, Gamle Stavanger Museum of Archaeology (Arkeologisk Museum), and Øvre Holmegate.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Stavanger?

My family and I traveled to Stavanger in the middle of summer, and we were just in time for Norway’s famous food festival Gladmat. I personally think that you would enjoy seeing this city anytime between spring and fall.

Read more on what to expect and what my thoughts are on the best time of year to visit the beautiful city of Stavanger.

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Where To Stay In Stavanger

I highly recommend checking out the historical building my family and I stayed at in the Gamle area of Stavanger. It is a very walk-able location, although we did end up renting a car so we could drive to Pulpit Rock, The Iron Age Farm, and Sverd i Fjell.

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FAQ

There are several questions that folks reach out to me about, here are some of the most common questions answered.

Stavanger on Foot: The Ultimate Free Walking Tour

Take the guess-work out of visiting Stavanger! Comprehensive tour with map to key locations, estimated walking times, hidden gems and best eats. Printable PDF included.

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Is Stavanger Safe?

Stavanger has been rated one of the top 10 happiest places to live in the world. Crime is very low; even common petty theft which you find in other major European cities is almost non-existent in Stavanger. This city is very safe.

It’s always wise to exercise caution where ever you travel, and keep important belongings to close to you or locked up safely.

What is the Weather like in Stavanger?

Stavanger is located along the water and so experiences an Oceanic Climate. What does this mean? It means that the city doesn’t experience wild temperature swings and stays fairly stable.

In the summer you can expect mostly dry weather, but cooler temperatures between 15-21C (59F – 69F). The summer we visited, we lucked out and had +25C weather; it was glorious! The winter months tend to be wet, but the temperature rarely dips below freezing.

How Many Days Do You Need in Stavanger?

If you want to experience the beautiful city center, take a cruise on the fjord and hike Pulpit Rock or Kjeragbolten, I would highly recommend staying in Stavanger for at least 3 nights/4 days.

This will give you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the museums in the center along with exploring some other great sites nearby like Sverd i Fjell and the Iron Age Farm. To hike Pulpit Rock or Kjeragbolten, I would recommend setting aside 1 full day.

Are There Reasons NOT to Visit Stavanger in 2025?

There is one big reason that you should NOT visit Stavanger in 2025, and that is if you’re traveling on a really tight budget. Although the hotels I mentioned above are actually fairly reasonably priced, the cost of food beverages are very expensive in Norway.

We ate at both restaurants and bought food from the grocery store and found the cost quite high even compared to Canadian food prices which are extortionate. (It was $28CAD for a cappuccino and cider at one restaurant on the harbor.)

Pro Tip: Reasonably priced activities are the museums and of course hiking which is completely free.

What are some Yummy Treats to try in Stavanger?

There is an abundance of really great food in Stavanger, from 9 Michelin Starred restaurants to all sorts of fun treats and snacks. The Gladmat Festival is Norway’s largest food festival and runs on the last weekend of June every year. If you can travel to Stavanger during this food festival, you are in for a real treat!

Top 3 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Stavanger:

1. Re-Naa
2. Hermetikken
3. Sabi Omakase Stavanger

Do You Need to Rent a Car in Stavanger?

Is renting a car in Stavanger necessary? It’s not totally necessary, but I would recommend renting one.

We used my partner company and were upgraded to a nice new SUV. There are however shuttle buses that run frequently out to Pulpit Rock, and a few hotels offer car service to the airport.

Conclusion: Is Stavanger Worth Visiting in 2025?

When I think back about visiting this beautiful country, I have very fond memories.

I would recommend Stavanger to anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of a big city, or anyone looking to appreciate nature and history.

Is Stavanger a place worth visiting in 2025? You bet your butt it is!!

Ha en god dag! (Have a good day!)

Tanya

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