Stavanger (Norway) is one of the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia, surrounded by forests and the Norwegian Sea. It is a tourist destination and the oil capital of the country. It is home to 80% of Norway’s oil production and attracts many tourists who want to explore the fjords.
General information
Stavanger is located in the south-west of the country. It is the fourth largest city in Norway and has a population of approximately 180,000 (including the suburbs). The city is surrounded by fjords, which are the main attractions of Norwegian Stavanger and are often ranked among the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the 16th century, when it was still a small village, Stavanger was a fishing center, and herring was caught in tons. But soon the fish left, and the fishermen followed.
The Norwegian city of Stavanger found a new life only in the middle of the 19th century. Stavanger opened canneries for the production of smoked sardines in olive oil, and the city once again became the center of Norway, only now industrial. But that didn’t last long either. In the middle of the 20th century, all the factories were closed, and the city fell into disrepair again. The situation stabilized only by 1969 (it was then that oil was found in the Norwegian Sea). Since then, Stavanger has been growing and developing: new enterprises are being built, and the population is increasing. Today, this city is the oil capital of Norway.
Stavanger attractions
But the city is interesting not only for the presence of oil. Its distinctive feature is the world-famous fjords. They surround the western part of the city and are a symbol not only of Stavanger, but also of Norway in general. You have probably seen pictures of these natural attractions more than once, but you have not even guessed that this is a photo of Stavanger.
Luse Fjord
Lysefjorden is one of the most visited natural attractions in Stavanger. It is one of the deepest and most beautiful fjords located near the city.
Mountains
The hallmark of Luce Fjord are two cliffs that rise above the sea – Prekestolen (height – 600 meters) and Kjerag (height – 1100 meters). You can even get to the cliffs on foot – a four-kilometer road, paved with stones, leads to them. From the cliffs, you can go further – to the mountains, where you can see an incredible view of the valley and fjords. Then the total length of the route will be 16 km.
Don’t be afraid of getting lost: in Norway, the tourism industry thrives on such routes and cruises. Therefore, everything is done to make foreign visitors feel comfortable: signs with inscriptions and names of nearby settlements can be found everywhere, even in the mountains. In the middle of the roads, you can even find entire maps with photos of Norwegian Stavanger.
Geiranger Fjord – Natural Attractions in Norway
Cruises
If mountains are not your thing, you can go on a one-day cruise along Luce Fjord. From Stavanger, ferries depart every hour, which will take you to the most beautiful places of Luce Fjord for 2 hours. Such water trips usually end near the village of Oanes, from where tourists are taken to the Lodge. Back to the city, tourists return by bus. The current cost of different programs, cruise schedules and tickets are available on the website https://rodne.no/en/.
Fjord villages
However, it is not only the fjord itself that attracts attention. It is also worth visiting the villages located in the lowlands: Forsand, Bakken, and Oanes. Additionally, take a look at the world’s longest staircase, which consists of 4,444 steps. Located near the city, it connects the Luce Fjord with the mountain lakes at the top of the cliff. The route is very unusual and interesting: in addition to the natural attractions of Norwegian Stavanger, tourists will be able to see an ancient reservoir located on the very top of the mountain above the village of Flori.
Old Town
Photos of old Stavanger are mesmerizing – one of the most “fairy-tale” cities in Europe. Almost all the buildings here are wooden, painted in white or yellow. This is due to the fact that there are very few sunny days in Norway, and the residents of the city are trying to replace the real sun in this way.
There are also modern buildings in Stavanger, such as the fish market, the Clarion Hotel, and the Victoria Hotel. However, there are many more ancient buildings that have been a source of beauty for locals and tourists for centuries.
There are many interesting monuments dedicated to prominent Norwegians in the Old Town. Among them are the monuments to the playwright Alexander Kielland and Andreas Jacobsen, who are part of the “Great Four” of Norwegian writers.
In the old town, you can find an unusual sculpture of a sheep and a duck, as well as a monument dedicated to a Norwegian firefighter. There is also a sculpture in Stavanger dedicated to the Russian admiral of Norwegian origin, Cornelius Cruys.
Norway’s oldest cathedral
Special attention should be paid to Stavanger Cathedral, which is the oldest cathedral in Norway. It was built in 1100 by order of the Crusaders. The cathedral is built in the severe Anglo-Norman style. Its distinctive feature is the two low Gothic towers that frame the facade of the ancient building.
Among the natural attractions of Stavanger, Lake Breivatnet is worth mentioning, which is located in the center of the city park.
Oil Museum
Stavanger is rightfully considered the oil capital of Norway, as it is home to the offices of the world’s largest oil companies and specialized educational institutions (such as Rogaland Research and IRIS). The Norwegian Ministry of Energy is also located in Stavanger. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most famous and visited museum in Stavanger is Norway’s only oil museum.
The futuristic museum building, which was designed to resemble mountains and oil wells, is located in the heart of the city. It is impossible to miss, as it is one of the tallest buildings in the area.
The museum is also interesting inside. Despite its small size, the Norwegians have managed to fit in all the exhibits, from oil rig equipment to models of the facilities used to extract the country’s natural resources. The museum also features several exhibits designed specifically for children.
The museum also has a “virtual reality” section: in one of the rooms, there is a large screen that constantly displays a movie about ocean life with special sound and light effects. When a person enters this room, they feel as if they are immersed in the ocean and become a diver.
In addition, the museum has a cinema where you can watch the film “Petropolis,” as well as a hall for temporary exhibitions.
- Address: Kjeringholmen 1A, Stavanger 4006 Norway.
- Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 on Sundays, and 10:00-16:00 on other days.
- Price: 150 CZK for adults, 75 CZK for children and pensioners
- Website: www.norskolje.museum.no.
Note! Read about the sights you can see in Bergen on your own on this page.
Swords in Stone Monument
The Swords in Stone monument is located a few kilometers from Stavanger, on the shore of Lake Målebukta. It is dedicated to the battle that took place between King Harold I the Fairhair and his opponents in 872. The monument consists of three swords. The first, the largest, is dedicated to the victorious king of Norway, while the two smaller swords represent his defeated opponents.
The monument looks very original, and it can be seen from the other side of the river. In the evening, the monument is beautifully illuminated.
Weather and climate
Despite the fact that the Norwegian city of Stavanger is located in the north, it has a fairly mild climate. Interestingly, Stavanger does not always receive snowfall in winter, unlike other Norwegian cities. This is due to the warm Gulf Stream current.
In summer, the average temperature is +18°C, and in winter, it is +2°C. The best time to visit the city is in summer. If you want to see the fjords, go to Norway in spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, or in autumn. Ski enthusiasts should visit Stavanger in winter. However, it is important to check if there is snow before traveling.
How to get from Oslo to Stavanger
There are various ways to get from Oslo to Stavanger.
On railway transport
Trains to Stavanger depart from Oslo Central Station every day. Depending on the season, there are 5-10 departures per day. The journey time is 7 hours and 40 minutes to 8 hours and 11 minutes. Ticket prices range from 709 to 819 kroner. Tickets can be purchased at the station or on the official Norwegian Railway website, www.vy.no (available in English).
By bus
You can also take a bus to Stavanger from Oslo. There are both direct and connecting bus routes available. However, connecting bus routes are not only longer but also more expensive. The cost of a ticket for this route is 594 kroner, which is slightly cheaper than a train ticket. The journey time is approximately 9.5 hours. You can check the current schedule and purchase a ticket on the carrier’s website, www.nor-way.no.
Perhaps the bus is not the most expensive option for traveling from Oslo to Stavanger: the fare is slightly higher, but the speed is lower.
By plane
The distance between Stavanger and Oslo is 500 kilometers, so many tourists prefer to get here by air. All planes flying to Stavanger start their journey at Gardermoen Airport, and the flight itself lasts only an hour. But you also need to take into account the time for check-in and baggage drop-off. Therefore, traveling by air is not the fastest way to get to Stavanger, but surprisingly, it is not that expensive. The cheapest ticket costs 600 kroner.
By car
Travel time by car from Oslo to Stavanger is approximately 7-7. 5 hours. The roads in Norway are very good, so the trip will be uneventful. But keep in mind that there are several toll sections on the highway connecting the two cities.Getting to other cities from Stavanger
You can get to Stavanger from the cities of Bergen and Langesund by ferry from Fjord1, Tide, Fjordline, and Rødne Fjordcruise.
As for air travel, you can fly to Stavanger from touristy Bergen or Oslo.
Interesting facts
- Stavanger is the richest city in Norway.
- Stavanger is also known as the White City.
- In Stavanger, there is only one street with buildings that are not painted white. Its name is “Color Street”.
- Over the course of Stavanger’s history, there have been more than 200 fires in the city.
- The approximate age of Luce Fjord is 400 million years.
- A traditional Norwegian dish is brown cheese made from boiled condensed milk.
- The economy of Stavanger, Norway, is based on four “S”s: herring, shipping, sprats, and oil (Seld, ship, sprot, and statoil).
