Cidade Turismo
Norway

Before you go

Your trip to Stavanger.

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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Stavanger – Rogaland Capital

How to get there

  • Stavanger lufthavn, Sola (SVG) Sola · 14 km
  • Stavanger stasjon 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before booking. Sola airport is about 14 km away, with buses to the centre. From Oslo, the train via Kristiansand takes around eight hours; from Bergen, the coastal bus and boat take four to five hours.

How many days

Two days for the centre, the old town and Preikestolen. Three days to include the Lysefjord boat trip and the swords of Hafrsfjord. Kjerag requires an extra day in summer.

When to go

From May to September the days are usually long, with dry trails and boats on summer timetables. Winter is often wet and dark, though milder than inland; trails can be icy and are typically done with a guide.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not for the centre, which is walkable. There are buses to Preikestolen in season. For Kjerag and the road to Lysebotn, a car or an organised tour is more practical.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Stavanger
  1. Morning
    Old town

    Walk through Gamle Stavanger and visit the Museu das Conservas.

  2. Afternoon
    Cathedral and Petroleum Museum

    See the cathedral and walk along the harbourfront to the Petroleum Museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Øvre Holmegate

    Cross to the colourful street, with cafés and bars.

  4. Evening
    Vågen harbour

    Dine at the waterfront restaurants.

2 days in Stavanger

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Historic centre

    Gamle Stavanger, the Museu das Conservas and the cathedral.

  2. Afternoon
    Lysefjord by boat

    A three-hour cruise on the Lysefjord to the Hengjanefossen waterfall.

  3. Late afternoon
    Petroleum Museum

    Visit the museum on the way back, by the harbour.

  4. Evening
    Øvre Holmegate

    Have dinner or a drink on the colourful street.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Preikestolen

    Set off early for the Preikestolen hike via the Ryfast tunnel.

  2. Afternoon
    Pulpit

    Reach the top, climb the slope for the view from above and descend carefully.

  3. Late afternoon
    Hafrsfjord

    On the way back, stop at the swords of Sverd i fjell in the low light.

  4. Evening
    Center

    Dine in the centre, near the harbour.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Stavanger a good base for Preikestolen?

Yes. The trailhead is about 40 minutes by car, and there are buses in season.

What to eat in Stavanger?

Fish and seafood, smoked sardines from the canning tradition, and dishes from the Jæren coast. The city has many restaurants along the harbourfront.

Does Stavanger have a beach?

Yes, on the coast of Jæren to the south, with long sandy beaches such as Sola and Solastranden, used in summer. The water is usually cold.

How do you get from Stavanger to Bergen?

By bus along the coast, with ferries, or by fast boat in four to five hours, or by domestic flight.

How long to stay?

Two to three days for the city, the Preikestolen and the Lysefjord.

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