About Stavanger

Tips for travellers

In 2025, Stavanger will celebrate its 900th anniversary. The city offers a wonderful blend of natural beauty, history, culture and outdoor adventure. Below we have selected some of the places worth visiting.

Old Stavanger

Old Stavanger is a charming and well-preserved residential neighbourhood that offers insight into the city's history and heritage. Here you can explore cobblestone streets, 173 small wooden houses from the 17th-18th centuries, museums, galleries and craft shops.


Colour holes

Colour street

Stavanger's Øvre Holmegate, locally known as Colour street, is a very popular area for locals and tourists alike. The street is filled with colour, unique shops, outdoor cafés, bars and restaurants.

Photo: Visit Norway


900 years in 2025

Stavanger Cathedral was built in the first half of the 12th century, marking the start of the city's history and diocese. 1125 is considered the year of construction, and Stavanger celebrates its 900th anniversary in 2025. The cathedral has 750 seats.


Oil capital

The first oil discovery in the North Sea was in 1969, and in 1972 Stavanger was named the country's oil capital by the Norwegian parliament. Norwegian Oil Museum opened in 1999, and provides a good introduction to the history of Norway's most important industry.


Swords in the mountains

Swords in the mountains

The monument Swords in the mountains commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where the Viking Harald Hårfagre united Norway into a kingdom in 872. The monument is about 5 minutes' drive from Clarion Hotel Stavanger.

Photo: Stavanger Municipality


Sola beach Sola

Sand beaches

Just outside Stavanger lies the beautiful The beaches of Jærenwhich stretches over 70 kilometres of coastline. The sandy beaches are popular for hiking, water sports, sunbathing and swimming. Solastranden is located close to Stavanger Airport.

Photo: Visit Norway


Lysefjord

Lysefjord is a 42 kilometre long fjord east of Stavanger, surrounded by high mountains on both sides. The fjord is 456 metres deep at its deepest point. There are daily Fjord cruises from Strandkaien in the city centre at 10:00 (3-3.5 hours).


Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock is an almost flat mountain plateau measuring 25 x 25 metres, located 604 metres above the Lysefjord. It is a very popular attraction, with over 300,000 visiting tourists a year. A hike to the top takes 2-3 hours.

Scenes from the film Mission: Impossible Fallout is recorded here.