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Historic neighborhood · Stavanger, Rogaland
Gamle Stavanger
The old town of Stavanger: about 170 white wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries on cobbled streets on the west side of the harbor, with the Museu das Conservas in a former sardine factory.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Gamle Stavanger
Gamle Stavanger, the old town, occupies the slope of the west bank of the harbor of Vågen, a few minutes from the cathedral. There are about 170 wooden houses, almost all white, built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the town lived off herring and maritime trade. In the 1950s the city planned to replace them with new buildings; a local architect persuaded the councillors to preserve them, and the ensemble remains as it is, one of the largest clusters of wooden houses in northern Europe.
The streets, such as Øvre Strandgate and Nedre Strandgate, are narrow and paved with stone, with iron lampposts, white fences and small gardens with flowers in summer. The houses are private residences, and the stroll is along the street, looking at the façades, gates and views over the harbor.
In a former canning factory is the Norsk Hermetikkmuseum, the Museu das Conservas, which shows how sardines were canned—the brisling that was the basis of the town's industry for almost a hundred years. The colorful labels from the cans are a collection in their own right, and on some days the museum smokes fish in the old ovens.
On the other side of the harbor, Øvre Holmegate, with façades painted pink, green, yellow and blue, is the colorful counterpart to the old town and fills up with cafés and bars.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 2 hours, including the Museu das Conservas.
Best time
From May to September, with flowering gardens and daylight late into the evening. Early in the morning the streets are empty; on cruise ship days there is more activity around midday. Check the opening times of the Museu das Conservas.
How to get there
It is on the west side of the harbor, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral and the ship terminal. Øvre Holmegate is on the east side, a 10-minute walk.
Tip
Enter via Øvre Strandgate and walk down to the lower streets near the water. Respect the privacy of the residents: the houses are lived in. Finish at Øvre Holmegate, on the other side of the harbor, for a coffee.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gamle Stavanger
Can the houses of Gamle Stavanger be visited?
Not inside: they are private residences. The visit is along the streets, and the Museu das Conservas shows the interior of a former factory.
How many houses are in the old town?
About 170, almost all wooden and painted white, from the 18th and 19th centuries.
What is the Museu das Conservas?
A museum in a former sardine canning factory, about the industry that supported Stavanger before oil, with a collection of labels and the smoking ovens.
Where is the colorful street in Stavanger?
Øvre Holmegate, on the east side of the harbour, with façades painted in strong colours, cafés and bars.