Location: Stavanger
Top Things to do in Stavanger
Top Restaurants in Stavanger
Top 10 Things to do in Stavanger, Western Norway
With about 120,000 people, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth-largest city and a fascinating mix of old and new. Its history stretches back deep into the Middle Ages. Stavanger was once a tranquil coastal market town and then later an important fishing port. But it was the 1969 discovery of oil offshore that forever changed the now bustling city’s fortunes and landscape. Don’t miss the well-preserved old town (Gamle Stavanger), the unique Canning Museum or the 12th-century Stavanger Cathedral.
Restaurants in Stavanger
1. Flor og Fjaere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 746 reviews
Reviewed By surangawick
We have heared about Flor og Fjær many time through friends bit never had time or opportunity to visit this beautiful garden. It is unnelieveable! The gardner took us through the garden expaining various aspects of the garden. He let us enjoy the garden as children and completely letting us enjoy it. The whole garden enjoyment topped with a superb meal introduced by chef Andre! Superb presentation! Thank you. We got the opportunity to enjoy the dessert and coffee wherwever we felt like sitting down and enjoying the pure beauty of the Eden! Endre the gardner’s son i would politely call him :) made is believe that everyone can create something magical. Thank you so much for the presentation!!! We certainly come back soon!
2. Norwegian Petroleum Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,331 reviews
A Dynamic Museum for a Dynamic IndustryNorwegian Petroleum Museum is a museum for everyone. Its exhibits explain how oil and gas are created, disovered and produced, and what they are used for. The museum also provides informastion about technological advances and the way petroleum influences Norwegian society. Original objects, models, films and interactive exhibits illustrate everything from everyday life offshore to technology and dramatic incidents. The curious cat Petro serves as a guide through the museum's science centre.The museum was designed by architects Lunde & Løvseth, and is an attraction in itself. Its architecture is a scenographic interpretation of the Norwegian bedrock, the open coastal landscape and the offshore oil installations. Architechtural reviews have said that there is hardly a building in Norway which signals its function as obviously as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. The museum was opened in 1999.
Reviewed By pederthess - Landstuhl, Germany
An absolut worthy venue to spend some hours if you are in Stavanger. A historical journey through the oil exploration in Norway and Scandinavia, which shows the troubled road from the very first endeavours to today modern platforms. Amazing setup, with show rooms and videos, even things you can try on your own, so live and near that you almost feel being there for real.
3. Lysefjord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,555 reviews
Reviewed By drm1958 - Exeter, United Kingdom
A great cruise out from Stavanger along the Lysefjord to view the Pulpit Rock. A lovely modern boat, purpose designed to make the most of this experience, lots of viewing deck space accompanied by warm enclosed cabins if the weather is inclement. The Pulpit Rock has its own story and is magnificent to see from below, I might just climb up there one day! Our cruise included a stop for waffles, sour cream and jam at one of the most inaccessible places on the fjord, great fun! The scenery is simply stunning, totally off the scale in any language. If you only have a short day in Stavanger and want to see the fjords then take this trip. Everything is weather dependent everywhere so be prepared for that, otherwise, just enjoy.
4. Old Stavanger
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,344 reviews
Reviewed By 611JaneS - Loughborough, United Kingdom
Beautifully preserved and renovated white wood houses, cobbled streets, white picket fences and gardens/hanging baskets full of colourful bedding plants
5. Norwegian Canning Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
This place is temporarily closed We much regret that, owing to major construction work, the museum will be closed from closing time Sunday 18th. August until c. October 2020. We will respond to emails and other Communications.
Reviewed By TartuMindy
A canning museum would not normally be our family's first choice for fun things to do on a vacation; however, this place had excellent reviews and almost everyone said the same thing: surprisingly enjoyable. And it was!!! My husband and I enjoyed learning the history of the canning factory, but our kids LOVED this place! They loved seeing all the machines and learning how they worked, they loved the arts and crafts station upstairs, but they especially loved practicing canning with the rubber fish! And they decided to spend their own money to buy rubber fish and cans to bring home as souvenirs. We visited almost a year ago, and the canning museum is still remembered as a highlight of our trip (and the souvenirs are still played with regularly, too!) Thank you! :)
6. Ovre Holmegate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
A colourful street in the centre of Stavanger where all buildings have been painted in fresh colours.
Reviewed By Greedyfox01 - Farnborough, United Kingdom
Beautiful shops , you can visit old part of this town. With beautiful flowers , shops and no litter . Most people in shops speak english but its nice to say thank you in nordic
7. Museum of Archaeology (Arkeologisk Museum)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 156 reviews
Cultural and natural history over 15,000 years. Prehistoric articles from Rogaland and exhibitions on varied themes. Public archives of prehistoric sites. Models show prehistoric life, exhibits of natural historic highlights. Children's activities, CD games etc. Library, bookshop, museum shop. Lunch café.
Reviewed By 743jacquelinet - Newry, United Kingdom
We enjoyed our visit to this museum as a family, my teenage son really loved it as did my husband.Great pieces of history on show and we got to hold chain mail vests and axes. Also some nice presents to purchase in the shop
8. Stavanger Tourist Information Office
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 210 reviews
The tourist information office in Stavanger is located right at the harbour at Strandkaien 61. Here you can find information about what to see and do in the Stavanger region. You can also buy tickets for many different sightseeing trips, souvenirs, post cards and stamps. Note: Closed on public holidays, but open every day during high season.
9. Iron Age Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 100 reviews
Farmstead from the Migration Periode (350-550 AD)on the very top of Ullandhaug. The farm is reconstructed on the original archaeological site. Dressed in the style of the time, the mistress and men on the farm demonstrate and describe day-to-day life. Ypu are vely welcoem at Iron Age Farm where you can do several family activities. Children can try their hand at making fire with a fire-steel and flint or at spinning wooll on a spindle. And if you are lucky, you can taste The Lady of the House's freshly baked Iron Age bread.
Reviewed By nilslyseng - Oslo, Norway
If you want a unique experience and go back in time. This is a destination for the ones who want to go back in time and see how people where looking. The only place in Norway, where they have built homes like in the iron-age. Where you see the fire-place, how they made butter and bread. You can really see how they lived. The guide is explaining and there is two open houses. One which is newly rebuilt with light and shows all the parts of the house. The old one is from the 1970s and is in a different state. So, you can see how scholars are considering people used to live. Which is a refreshing. We can recommend to spend time here. The cafe also have good food, even a traditional soup to a good price. The museum has a big shop and also a modern house to give more knowledge to houses. If you have bought tickets to the Arkeologiske museum in central. Then this was free and it is lasting for 48 hours. So, you can go one day in the one in central and travel to Iron Age farm the next day. Something we did.
10. Swords in Rock
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,006 reviews
At Hafrsfjord we find the monument Swords in Rock. It was here Harald Harfagre fought a battle that united Norway into one kingdom in 872 AD. The monument represents peace, unity and freedom. The Viking swords' hilts are modelled on swords found in various parts of the country. The monument was made by Friz Roed (1928-2002) and unveiled by King Olav in 1983. The monument can be reached by bus nr. 29 from the centre of Stavanger.
Reviewed By 761eirikh
This beautiful art installation of three large viking swords embedded in the rock is set there to commemorate a large viking battle that took place in 872, which Harald Harfagre won and thereby united Norway into one kingdom.
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