Cities

Stavanger

Stavanger city is one of the oldest cities in Norway and we expect the city to be founded by Sigurd Jorsalfarer in 1125 the same year as Stavanger Cathedral.

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Stavanger from fishing harbour to food and culture city

Stavanger was a small and poor city for a long time. Population growth started in the early 1800s when herring fishing picked up off the coast. From then on, the city became expanded several times. After the herring industry, ship traffic followed before the canning industry came and made its mark on the city. Since then, oil-related activities dominated the city and the region for several years.

Stavanger as a tourist city

In addition, in recent years, there's been a great increase in interest in Stavanger as a holiday destination. More and more guests are vacationing in Stavanger and the region.

Stavanger as a food city

The city has positioned itself as a culinary city and the entire region is known as the food region in Norway. This is both because of the mild climate, giving good growth conditions, but also because you'll find the best chefs and the best restaurants in all of Norway in Stavanger. Stavanger alone has several MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, and most restaurants serve high-quality cuisine.

Transport link and hub

Stavanger had a railroad in 1878 when the Jærbanen rail between Egersund and Stavanger was opened. The Jærbanen rail was expanded to double tracks between Sandnes and Stavanger in 2009. The Jærbanen rail was linked to the Sørlandsbanen rail in 1944 and thus Stavanger had a train connection to Oslo. Stavanger has the country's oldest civilian airport. Stavanger International Airport, Sola was opened by King Haakon in 1937.

Fun fact:

Stavanger International Airport, Sola is the first airport in Scandinavia to produce its own honey! Another fun fact - in 2026, it will perhaps be possible to fly an electric aircraft between Stavanger and Bergen!

Tunnels link the mainland with Ryfylke

Development of subsea tunnels has been a major development in the region as well as bridges, and it's possible to drive from Stavanger to the Ryfylke Islands via the Rennfast tunnel systems, as well as to drive from Stavanger to Solbakk via the Ryfast tunnel systems.

Boat and ferry

Boats and ferries are still important modes of transport for the city and the county. There are speed boats from the city centre to the surrounding islands and mainland of Ryfylke several times daily. Moreover, there are daily car ferries to Bergen and Denmark from Risavika.

Education and research

Stavanger has a university hospital, colleges and a university. The University of Stavanger was established in 2005 based on Stavanger University College. Stavanger is an international city with both a British school and an international school.

Pedestrian streets with cobblestones and trade

Parts of the centre have medieval features with small and charming pedestrian streets. There is a good selection of shops and several good restaurants. Along the waterfront of Stavanger, are restaurants and bars in the former seahouses. #Fargegaten (Øvre Holmegate) is one of the famous tourist streets, in addition to the area referred to as Old Stavanger.

Facts

The town is small in area, well over 71 km2 and Norway's most densely populated city with more than 135,000 inhabitants (2019). The city has 16 inhabited islands and most of these have a bridge connection to the mainland. The islands in Stavanger go under the common name Byøyene.

Do not miss the sights of Stavanger!

Fargegaten

Culture

Fargegaten - Øvre Holmegate - The colourful street

Stavanger

Fargegaten is arguably one of the most colourful streets in Norway. Find out for yourself! Ideal for shopping, coffee, drinks and for your holiday pictures!

gatekunst

Culture

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.

Hvite hus i Gamle Stavanger

Culture

Old Stavanger

Stavanger

Old Stavanger is located on the west side of Vågen in the city centre and comprises 173 wooden buildings.

Local grazing animals in the mountains on a hike to Lima to mountain Eikefjellet

Outdoor activities and nature

Guided hike in the Lima area

Stavanger

Stavanger Adventure offers guided tours to the tranquil and beautiful nature of Lima, an unspoilt area southeast of Stavanger in Gjesdal. The tour includes a visit to Eikefjellet mountain.

Kvitevik

Adventure parks and animals

Kvitevik bathing spot

Stavanger

Kvitevik is an area with two good beaches, picnic area and good places for fishing.

Mann på tur i solnedgang

Shopping

Helly Hansen Stavanger

Stavanger

Helly Hansen Stavanger is a Norwegian outdoor and lifestyle shop in the heart of Stavanger city centre.

Barnebasseng

Bathing and wellness

Gamlingen outdoor swimming pool in Stavanger

Stavanger

Gamlingen in Stavanger is a heated outdoor swimming pool that is open the whole year. Just next to the Stavanger Mosvangen Camping.

Small child climbing with harness in inside playpark Playground

Adventure parks and animals

Playground Stavanger

Stavanger

Playground is the Nordic region's toughest action sports park run by professional enthusiasts. You're welcome here, whether you're a beginner or have done action sports before.

Adventure parks and animals

Vaulen beach

Stavanger

At the idyllic Vaulen bathing area, you will find six small sandy beaches facing the Gandsfjord. Vaulen is one of Stavanger's most visited bathing spots.

Flott turvei langs historiske Hafrsford.

Outdoor activities and nature

Bike tour to Madla via Ullandhaug and Hafrsfjord

Stavanger

A varied and slightly hilly cycle route southwest of Stavanger city centre. You pass through residential areas, then through forest, after a while along the sea, and in the end along a peaceful hiking path at Madla.

Stavanger Street art: "“Jævla Homo!” – The Pansy Project"

Culture

Stavanger Street art: “Jævla Homo!” – The Pansy Project by Paul Harfleet

Stavanger

Stavanger, the Norwegian street art capital of Norway! Paul Harfleet is a London-based artist, writer and designer who has been planting pansies, a garden flower that shares its name with a homophobic slur, at sites of homophobic abuse for 15 years.

Adventure parks and animals

Sørmarka Arena climbing wall

Stavanger

Norway's toughest climbing wall is at Sørmarka Arena. Beginners and experts will be stretched at our 'monsterwall' which is 17m high and has about 1000 m² of climbing surfaces. The wall has a great variety of angles and steepness allowing the wall to cater to all levels of climbers. If you have a Brattkort you can climb with your partner when you like, or if you have a sikringskort you can climb on toprope when our instructors are present. Beginners can try our offer 'prøv å klatre' or 'try climbing' where no experience or equipment is needed. All our different courses and climbing offers can be booked on our website under Hva skjer, kurs og aktivitetskalender.

How to get here

How do you travel to Stavanger and the surrounding region? It doesn't matter how you get here, as long as you get here. We are not that far away, whether you’re travelling by plane, bus, ferry, car or train.

Getting to and around the Stavanger region

Sleep and eat well in Stavanger!