Mum and boy at the Iron Age Farm making fire the old way
© Fabel Media

The Iron Age Farm

Holiday ideas

To explore is to discover

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Last updated 2024-10-17

Explore the Edge. Curiosity and the desire to explore are part of human nature. In the Stavanger region, find an entire universe to explore. We promise you - you have plenty to uncover.

You will discover history, art and culture, and high-level urban qualities. You will be captivated by raw nature, mountain peaks with stunning views, and magical moments by the fjord. Perhaps you will also rediscover yourself? In surroundings like these, anything is possible. Explore the Edge.

Curious about life?

Do you believe that holidays should be about discovering, learning, and exploring new things? Preferably something that surprises and challenges you. Then you've come to the right place! Here - on the edge of Norway - you'll hear the stories behind the herring industry in Norway, get to know more about the North Sea workers, gain insight into how people lived during the Iron Age, and experience a famous Viking battle through modern technology. In Stavanger, Sandnes, Bryne, and Egersund, you'll find museums that teach you about the history and unique qualities of these places. At Jæren and along the coast, you'll uncover the coastal history and breathtaking nature - excellently presented in locations like Hå Old Vicarage or Kvassheim lighthouse.

Architecture and Art

Recent times have also given us groundbreaking architecture; take an architectural tour and learn about the various structures from different eras and styles. For several years, Nuart has adorned the region's walls with striking murals - feel free to take a street art walk with an experienced street art guide.

For art enthusiasts - visit the art museum and immerse yourself in the works of Bill Viola, Lars Hertervig, Kitty Kielland, or Frida Hansen.

The History and Nature of the Jæren Coast

Coastal history awaits you along the extensive North Sea Route; feel free to drive the Norwegian Scenic Route Jæren and make stops at museums, galleries, and even spend a night in a lighthouse. Visit Jøssingfjord and learn about the mining industry and the unique geology in the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. Try something entirely new - sleep in an abandoned tunnel in hammocks with a view of Jøssingfjord. Sogndalstrand - the preserved village at the southernmost tip of Magma - feels like stepping into a whole different world. Here, time stands still a bit more than in other places, and you have the time to observe, enjoy, eat, and sleep well.

Treasures from the past

Exhibition of Fabulous Beasts

Art and museums

Museum of Archaeology in Stavanger

Stavanger

Learn about the treasures the Vikings brought back to Norway. Or come face to face with the 8,200-year-old skeleton from Vistehola? Visit the Archaeological Museum in Stavanger.

Fritz Røed: Sverd i fjell © Fritz Røed / BONO

Architecture and heritage

Swords in rock

Stavanger

The Swords in Rock monument in Hafrsfjord, Stavanger marks the Viking battle of Hafrsfjord when Norway was united into one kingdom.

Woman standing in the doorway of a longhouse from the iron age. Dressed in period clothing.

Art and museums

Iron Age Farm in Stavanger

Stavanger

The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug in Stavanger is a reconstructed farmstead from the Migration Period (350-550 AD).

Utstein kloster

Architecture and heritage

The Utstein Monastery

Stavanger

Utstein Monastery is Norway's only preserved medieval monastery. It lies in beautiful surroundings on the island of Mosterøy.

Museumsreisen.

Art and museums

Stavanger Museum included Norwegian Children's Museum

Stavanger

Stavanger Museum is centrally located in Stavanger. In addition to being a stunning architectural gem, the museum consists of three sections; the cultural history section, the natural history section and the Norwegian Children's Museum.

Viking House VR-opplevelse!

Architecture and heritage

Viking House

Stavanger

Viking House is a groundbreaking concept. For the first time, we get a Virtual reality-based world-class visitor centre to tell the Viking history of the Stavanger region.

Rural Life and Farm Tourism

Art and museums

Sirdal Mountain Museum

Sirdal

At Sirdal Mountain Museum a collection of buildings and artefacts from Sirdal is presented, where the oldest building is from the 1770s. 

Museumsområdet på Slettebø

Art and museums

Dalane Folk Museum

Egersund

Dalane Folkemuseum is a regional museum for Dalane, the southernmost part of the county Rogaland, encompassing the municipalities Bjerkreim, Lund, Sokndal and Eigersund.

Jærhus fra 1700- og 1800-tallet. Det yngste er nærmest.

Art and museums

Grødalandstunet

Bryne

Grødalandstunet is perhaps one of the finest and best-preserved farmhouses in Rogaland! A typical sea farm with a great view of the sea to the west.

Vågningshuset

Art and museums

Limagarden

Ålgård

Experience local history and the cultural landscape formed by generations of sheep farming.

Vistnestunet

Art and museums

Vistnestunet

Randaberg

The Vistnestunet farm is open to groups and school classes. Various activities take place throughout the year, and the surrounding area is ideal for walks.

At Sea!

Fasade Stavanger Maritime Museum

Art and museums

Stavanger maritime museum

Stavanger

The museum's exhibitions are located in Stavanger's best-preserved merchants' buildings. The exhibitions convey the last 200 years of maritime history, craftmanship and trade and the general development of the city.

Kvitsøy Hummermuseum

Art and museums

Kvitsøy hummermuseum (lobster museum)

Kvitsøy

Idyllic island of Kvitsøy lies far out on the fjord between Haugesund and Stavanger. It is the smallest of Ryfylke's municipalities. The island is home to one of Ryfylkemuseets finest museum sites, Kvitsøy Hummermuseet.

Tales from typical industries through the ages

IDDIS uteområdet

Art and museums

IDDIS The Norwegian Printing Museum and The Norwegian Canning Museum

Stavanger

The museum is located in the heart of Old Stavanger and here you can learn more about the city's two important industries through exciting exhibitions and engaging activities.

Norsk Oljemuseum, fasade

Art and museums

Norwegian Petroleum Museum

Stavanger

Norwegian Petroleum Museum: Uncover Norway's offshore industry evolution. Engaging exhibits highlight its pivotal role, in offering immersive experiences.

Alkemuggen

Art and museums

Egersund Faience Museum

Egersund

After Egersund Fayancefabrik shut down in 1979, Dalane Folkemuseum took over the factory's archives and item collections. Today, this gift constitutes the core collection at Egersund Fayancemuseum (the Egersund Pottery Museum), which was first established in 1986.

Museet er lokalisert i en autentisk tyskerhanger.

Art and museums

The Museum of Aviation History at Sola

Sola

The Aviation History Museum (Flyhistorisk Museum Sola) is located close to Stavanger Airport. Here you will see an impressive and unique collection of aeroplanes, helicopters and objects.

Familiedag

Adventure parks and family parks

Vitenfabrikken

Sandnes

Discover this popular science museum in Sandnes. There are four levels of exhibitions and activities. Topics are natural science, mathematics, energy and astronomy, regional industrial history and Sandnes' city history.

Play and learn!

nyklekket kylling

Adventure parks and family parks

Vitengarden (science farm)

The Jæren beaches

Vitengarden at Nærbø: Learn about Jæren's agriculture, food production, technology and nature through interactive exhibitions. Meet animals and jump in the hay.

Jøssingfjord Vitenmuseum sett utenfra. Med bratte fjellvegger like ved.

Art and museums

Jøssingfjord Science Museum

Jøssingfjorden

Jøssingfjord Science Museum is an exciting and future-oriented initiative of great national and international importance. The Science Museum will be the only one of its kind in Norway focusing on the connection between geology and mining.

Take an art break

Kunst i Lysebotn i Lysefjorden

Architecture and heritage

Street Art in Lysebotn

Lysebotn

Experience street art in Lysebotn, the small village in the end of Lysefjorden. On the walls of Lysefjorden tourist cabin you will find a number of art motifs.

Inngangen til glassbygningen som huser Stavanger kunstmuseum

Art and museums

Stavanger kunstmuseum

Stavanger

Stavanger Museum of Fine Arts offers a collection of distinguished Norwegian art ranging from nineteenth century to contemporary art.

gatekunst

Art and museums

Street Art Nuart Stavanger

Stavanger

Nuart street art festival has left treasures all over the Stavanger region in the last few years. Stavanger is Norway's street art capital. Find art made by international street art artists in cities and the countryside.

Hå gamle prestegard

Art and museums

Hå gamle prestegard

The Jæren beaches

Experience modern art and culture in historic surroundings on the very edge of Norway.

In the footsteps of literature

Garborgheimen er typisk jærhus med skut i begge ender

Art and museums

Garborgheimen

Bryne

Garborgheimen is the childhood home of the poet Arne Garborg and is a very well-preserved Jæren house. Arne Garborg left home at the age of 16.

Garborgsenteret

Art and museums

Garborgsenteret

Bryne

The Garborg Centre promotes interest in the author couple Arne and Hulda Garborg. A centre for social engagement, knowledge, democracy, reading and creation.

Mountain hikes and walks

The Garborg trail

Bryne

Use your smartphone or tablet and dive into the life and literature of Arne Garborg, one of the most important Norwegian authors at the turn of the 19th century. Through film and sound, you will meet Arne Garborg himself as well as characters from his novels.

If walls could talk

Ledaals flotte fasade.

Art and museums

Ledaal

Stavanger

Do you like to dream about times gone by? Ledaal lets you do just that! You can only imagine how the upper class lived here in the first half of the 19th century. The house has elements of furniture in Rococo, Louis XVI, Empire and Biedermeier.

Holmeegenes

Art and museums

Holmeegenes

Stavanger

Holmeegenes in Stavanger was built by Axel Christian Kielland (1827-1894). The estimated year of construction is 1864. Danish and North German architectural styles inspire the building.

Breidablikk, stavanger

Art and museums

Breidablikk

Stavanger

The mansion Breidablikk was built in wood by the architect, Henrik Nissen, in 1881. The owner was the merchant and shipowner Lars Berentsen, one of the leading businessmen in Stavanger at that time.

The famous and the lesser-known natural attractions

Whether you're finally taking that trip to Preikestolen that everyone's talking about or tackling the 4,444 steps in Flørli, the territory is new to you. Explore places and viewpoints in the region and experience something new. If you need hiking equipment for the journey, you can rent it from Frilager.no.

The well-known icons

Flere folk som er på platået til Preikestolen.

Mountain hikes and walks

Hike to Preikestolen in the Lysefjorden

Preikestolen

Preikestolen (the Pulpit Rock) rises 604 metres above the Lysefjord in Ryfylke, and is one of Norway's biggest attractions. The view at the top is stunning.

Mountain hikes and walks

Hike to Flørlitrappene and Rallarstien in the Lysefjord

Flørli

In Flørli in the Lysefjord, Ryfylke, you'll find the world's longest wooden staircase (Flørli Stairs) with 4,444 steps. A demanding but family-friendly hike.

nature, mountain formations in norway, famous kjerag mountain and kjerag boulder

Mountain hikes and walks

Hike to Kjerag in the Lysefjord

Lysebotn

Kjerag is called the majesty of the Lysefjord, Ryfylke. Most people are content to enjoy the fjord view, but for many, Kjeragbolten is the highlight.

Trollpikken

Mountain hikes and walks

Trollpikken

Egersund

Trollpikken near Egersund is a phenomenon created by the ice during the last ice age. You too can explore the hike to the peculiar Trollpikken in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark.

Lysefjordcruise

Boat trips and fjord cruises

Fjord cruise to the Lysefjord and Preikestolen from Stavanger

Stavanger

Rødne Fjord Cruise offers a must-try fjord cruise to breathtaking Lysefjord from Stavanger. Highlights include Preikestolen and Hengjanefossen waterfall.

Månafossen Waterfall, viewed from viewpoint from the forest

Mountain hikes and walks

Månafossen waterfall and Friluftsgården Mån

Byrkjedal

Short yet challenging hike to Månafossen. The effort pays off for the breathtaking view of the waterfall plunging 92 metres through a narrow gorge.

Dalsnuten solnedgang

Mountain hikes and walks

Hike to Dalsnuten

Sandnes

Dalsnuten: Popular peak by the Gandsfjord in Sandnes. Short and easy hike from Gramstad, suitable for the whole family all year round.

View from the mountain top towards steep mountains rising from the fjord

Mountain hikes and walks

Ramnstoknuten

Dirdal

A hike in Frafjordheiene, with a magnificent view of the Høgsfjord and towards the Frafjord. A new Instagram favourite!

Nesvåghålo

Mountain hikes and walks

Nesvåghålo

Sogndalstrand

The (almost) untouched tourist gem Nesvåghålo.

Ørsdalen tidlig vår

Mountain hikes and walks

Ørsdalen valley in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark

Byrkjedal

Explore this almost hidden valley at the end of the lake Ørsdalsvatnet which was not connected by road until the 1970s. The valley is a great starting point for several spectacular tours.

Turstien vest ut mot havet

Mountain hikes and walks

The hiking area west at Kvitsøy

Kvitsøy

Hiking trail along reefs and old bunkers from Håland to Kvitsøy lighthouse. At the lighthouse you get a good view of the sea, Skudenes, Karmøy and Bokn.

Varberg - vinter

On your own

Varberg in Egersund

Egersund

Easily accessible gem of a lookout point at just the right length from the Egersund centre.

Rennesøyhodnet

Mountain hikes and walks

Rennesøyhodnet

Stavanger

A view such as this is rare! Rennesøyhodnet is in the middle of the Ryfylke islands and gives a tremendous view in all directions.

A sheep on rocks, enjoying the view from Hilleknuten

Mountain hikes and walks

Hilleknuten

Sirdal

Hilleknuten is located In the middle of the Sirdalsheiene. A steep hike, but the reward awaits you at the top, where you have a formidable view.

Vistehola fra utsiden

City sightseeing

Vistehola (Svarthola)

Randaberg

Vistehola, also called Svarthola is one of Norway's oldest Stone Age settlements. Here, among other things, one of the best-preserved skeletons from the Stone Age, the so-called Vistegutten, was found.

Why Edge of Norway, and where?

It's easy to think that the Stavanger region is summed up by Edge of Norway solely due to its geographical location and renowned natural attractions like Preikestolen, Kjerag, and, not least, Jæren, which in old Norwegian means 'edge.' There are several spectacular landscapes and natural phenomena that earn the region its title as the edge of Norway, even the edge of the world.

You'd have to travel to the moon to find a landscape and geology similar to what you find in the Magma UNESCO Global Geopark. And in the sea beyond this lunar landscape, there's the amphidromic point where tidal waves converge and neutralize each other.

The region is Norway's outer edge facing the North Sea. Traces of some of the country's earliest settlements have been discovered here. Norway was united into one kingdom here, and we've ventured out for a thousand years and the world has come to us. We're known for a strong entrepreneurial spirit, for seizing opportunities and leveraging the resources around us. There's no one here saying it can't be done. On the contrary, we celebrate those who take chances, those with an extra gear and great determination.

The atmosphere is refreshingly informal. We know that teamwork wins, and we take pride in what we achieve together. This has given us confidence, prosperity, but also significant setbacks and challenges. We're accustomed to managing change and risk. We push boundaries without being foolhardy or overconfident. It's only natural that people from around the world come here to challenge their comfort zones, test new ideas, and create value. Here, they find like-minded individuals.

People who appreciate freedom, quality, and enjoyment. It's a cliché that there's a short distance from work to the surfers' paradise, the kayak, the hills, the fjords, the mountains, and the cliffs, but it's true.

Edge of Norway encompasses Kvitsøy - Randaberg - Stavanger - Sandnes - Sola - Gjesdal - Klepp - Time - - Bjerkreim - Eigersund - Lund - Sokndal - Sirdal.