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Stavanger, Norway, is a popular stop on many Northern European and Norwegian Fjords cruise itineraries. In this guide I’ll provide you with all the information you need to plan and make the most of your time in Stavanger on a cruise.
Welcome to my Stavanger cruise port guide. In this guide, I’ll give you an overview of best things to do in Stavanger and must-see things in Stavanger for first-time visitors. If you have visited Stavanger a few times already on a cruise, I’ve also included a few activities or interesting places to visit you may have missed your previous visits or not known they existed.
Stavanger’s Street art greets you as soon as you step off the ship.
I have visited Stavanger many times on a cruise with different cruise lines and I’ll share all my tips I’ve picked up from my previous visits. So read on for my recommendation of the top sights in Stavanger for cruise passengers.
A quick overview of Stavanger
Located in Southwest Norway, 154 km south of Bergen and 585km west of Oslo, Norway’s fourth largest city is a charming blend of old and new. Stavanger has been described as a living museum with picturesque white wooden houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Interesting fact: Stavanger is on the same latitude as Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands.
Stavanger has close connections with the sea and its fortunes have been formed on the basis of fisheries, shipping, the canning industry, and in more recent times the oil industry. Which is why it is also known as the energy capital of Norway.
Stavanger Harbour
Stavanger has many attractions for cruisers visiting for a day in port. Most places are near the tourist office and can be easily reached explored within a morning or afternoon. The city is great for exploring on foot, but there are also plenty of interesting activities a little further beyond Stavanger.
Many first-time visitors to Stavanger make the mistake of booking a cruise line shore excursion. However, Stavanger shore excursions can be costly and those who have visited Stavanger previously know that there is usually a local alternative you can book yourself at a much cheaper price. There are also plenty of free things to do in Stavanger.
Finding your way around Stavanger from a cruise ship
Like many Norwegian cruise ports, the Cruise terminal in Stavanger is located in the centre of the port. If you are staying around the centre of Stavanger centre for the day, then you will rarely lose sight of or stray far from your cruise ship.
I’ve put together an interactive map which gives you an overview of the locations.
Bookmark this blogpost so that you have easy access to the Stavanger Cruise port map when you’re in port.
Many of these places are free to visit. Some have a small entrance free. I’ve split the attractions into headings rather than provide you with a rigid itinerary – after all everyone is different and there is nothing more perfect that just wandering and discovering new places for yourself.
Stavanger Hop On Hop Off Bus
If this is your first time in port, the best way to explore Stavanger is to take the Hop on Hop Off bus for a convenient Stavanger city tour.
A Hop on Hop off Bus can be a great way to get your bearings and see the main sights
There seem to be two Hop on Hop off (HoHo) operators in Stavanger – and both (unhelpfully) look very much the same. One route stops mainly in and around the city centre (10 stops) while the other (slightly cheaper one) ventures further out (and has 15 stops) and there is also a stop near to the three swords.
If you do want to visit the three swords then chose this operator below to check availability.
Top things to see and do in Stavanger.
Here are some of top Stavanger attractions for cruisers and must-see places in Stavanger if it’s your first time exploring Stavanger on a cruise.
Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger):
Old (Gamle) Stavanger is the instantly recognisable picture postcard image of Stavanger you will often see in guidebooks. This area of Stavanger has the largest concentration of 18th century wooden buildings in northern Europe (173 at the last count).
The whitewashed wooden Houses on Øvre Strandgate in Gamle Stavanger
Gamle Stavanger will provide you with plenty of picture postcard shots
All the buildings are under preservation orders and the whole area is packed with narrow cobbled streets, old fashioned lamp posts and little, white, wooden houses. This is a part of Stavanger not to be missed and offers plentiful photo opportunities. Head up to the entrance near the Thore Horve Statue and you’ll find a board with more information about the area.
Norwegian Petroleum Museum:
If you want to dive into more detail of why Stavanger is known as Norway’s energy Capital, then a visit to the Norwegian Petroleum Museum in Stavanger will give you some great insights.
Norwegian Petroleum Museum – not as boring as it sounds
While a visit to a museum about North Sea oil and gas might not immediately fill you with excitement – don’t be so quick to judge – it regularly gets 5-star ratings on Google for its highly interactive exhibits, the right balance of information and details to keep kids interested but not overwhelmed, and how well its laid out.
Adults 180 NOK, Children (4-16 years) 60 NOK there are also discounts for student pensioners and Families.Website: https://www.norskolje.museum.no/en/
Stavanger Cathedral (Stavanger Domkirke):
Stavanger is home to Norway’s oldest cathedral. Built in the 12th Century a visit Stavanger Cathedral visit is a great option when in port for the day. The Cathedral is located in the centre of the city of Stavanger and only a 10 min walk form the cruise ship. It is also on one of the stops on the Hop on Hop Off Bus
The Cathedral is undergoing restoration and will open again on 25th August 2024.Website: https://domkirkenogpetri.no/
There’s also another striking church worth visiting – the St Petri Church on Bergelandsgata
Ovre Holmegate
While Gamle Stavanger is a sea of whitewashed houses, Ovre Holmegate on the opposite side of the harbour, holds all the colours of the rainbow.
Øvre Holmegate on the opposite side of the harbour, holds all the colours of the rainbow.
Øvre Holmegate – Guaranteed to brighten even the dullest days
Known as the “Colourful Street,” this is a lively area filled with colourful buildings, cafes, and unique shops. Get your camera out for some memorable photos and stay for a while to grab a drink and something to eat.
The Valberg tower (Valbergtårnet)
Head up to one of Stavanger’s highest points for great views of your ship and the harbour from the Valberg Tower. The tower that stands today was built in the years 1850-1852 and was built as a a lookout tower for the city’s watchmen. The watchtower is open Monday – Saturday, 11:00 – 15:00 and the entrance fee is 25 NOK
Valberg Tower, Stavanger
If you’ve already been to Stavanger, there are many more sights and activities to explore on a day in port. Here are some of my recommendations of what to do after you’ve ticked off the main sights.
Stavanger Museums (MUST)
There are so many museums to choose from in Stavanger. Museum Stavanger (MUST) is a unique combination of museums that covers such a wide variety of disciplines as art, natural history, cultural history and maritime and industrial history.
Iddis Café & Brasserie and the Norwegian Canning Museum in Gamle Stavanger
One ticket allows entrance to all our open museums on the same day which represents excellent value for money. Most of the museums are located in or near Stavanger’s city centre. MUST Main Website: https://www.stavangerkunstmuseum.no/enTicket Prices: Adults 140 NOK, Children & Students – Free
Stavanger Museums in or close to the city Centre: Stavanger Maritime Museum Norwegian Children’s Museum Norwegian Canning Museum Stavanger Art Museum Breidablikk Ledaal
The Viking House
Viking House is a Virtual Reality attraction located in the heart of Stavanger city. Just a 5 minute walk from your ship and near to the Maritime museum. With the use of VR-technology and video imagery, you climb on board a Viking ship and join the adventure as you travel back in time and experience the magical world of The Vikings. The experience lasts approx 20 minutes.
iking House is a Virtual Reality attraction located in the heart of Stavanger city
Adults: 175 NOK, Family ticket: (2 Adults, 2 Children) 550 NOKWebsite: https://www.vikinghouse.no/en/home#Home
Sverd I Fjell (the Three Swords)
This impressive and imposing commemorative monument is located in the Hafrsfjord about a 5km/ 20-minute bus ride out of the centre of Stavanger. The monument commemorates the historic Battle of Hafrsfjord which took place there in the year 872, when King Harald Fairhair gathered all of Norway under one crown.
Sverd i Fjell: The three Swords. This impressive and imposing commemorative monument is located in the Hafrsfjord about a 5km/ 20-minute bus ride out of the centre of Stavanger.
While people come just to take photos with the monument – on a fine day it’s worth staying around a little longer to paddle on the sandy beach or have a coffee and snack from the small café – Is Paradis – on site. There are also toilets nearby.
You can visit this on the hop on hop off bus, (Bus Stop 10) however you will have to walk a while to reach the three swords. As an alternative you can visit independently by taking a direct bus.
Iron Age Farm
The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug is a living, open-air museum that is open all year round. Activities such as sword fights, javelin throws, and tours take place daily. The Museum of Archaeology is currently closed for renovations and will reopen in Fall 2024. However, you can still visit the Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug.Website: https://www.uis.no/en/museum-of-archaeology/welcome-to-the-museum-of-archaeology
Stavanger day trips for cruisers
Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen):
There are a few ways to experience Lysefjord and the pulpit rock from Stavanger – from the leisurely to the strenuous. If you want the most leisurely option, then I’d advise booking a Lysefjord cruise from Stavanger on the Rodne Ferry in advance. This always sells out in busy months.
Rødne Fjord Cruise leaving Stavanger
Rødne Fjord Cruise at Pulpit Rock.
For the more adventurous, Stavanger fjord tours offer a much faster RIB safari along the Lysefjord.
And for the ultimate adrenaline junkies, then you can hike to Pulpit Rock from Stavanger.
If you want to completely splash out, you can also take a helicopter tour.
Flor & Fjære garden tour
Flor&Fjære is a privately owned family property, open for pre-booked visits during the summer months, all visits must be booked in advance. You need to take a boat over to the property which departs from Bekhuskaien, near Fiskepirterminalen (the boat terminal) in Stavanger, near to the Petroleum Museum.
The price include a return boat trip, the visit to the gardens and a meal.Open: Monday-Saturday 11th May 11 – September 21st 2024Adults: 1,690 NOK, Children 6-12 years: 890 NOK, Children under 5: 250 NOKWebsite: https://florogfjare.no/en/
Stavanger walking tours
As so much of Stavanger can be explored on foot, there are plenty of walking tours to choose from – including some which are self-guided.
Path of peace walk
There’s also an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Nobel Peace Prize winners in Stavanger. Around the harbour in Stavanger you’ll find plaques of footprints (a bit like the Hollywood walk of fame).
On closer inspection you’ll see that these are are the footprints of several Nobel Peace Laureates and peace advocates. The Path of Peace and is an ongoing project by the Point of Peace Foundation, a human rights organization based in Stavanger.
“Broken Column” Walk
Other interesting things to see ask you walk around Stavanger are the ‘Art Hike’ of Antony Gormley’s 23 Rusting Sculptures entitled “Broken Column” There are leaflets available in the tourist information office that give details of the art trail.
Street Art in Stavanger
As soon as you step off ship you will be visually bombarded by the fantastic array of street art in Stavanger. While some pieces of street art are hard to miss, there are many more you may have walked past without notice. This fantastic map tells you where they all are.
Found near the tourist Information centre
Found on the Tourist information centre
Found near the Valberg Tower
Found next to the Clarion Hotel
If you visit the St Petri Church on Bergelandsgata and look closely on the building, you’ll get a glimpse of some of Stavanger’s amazing street art. Look at the grey building opposite the striking red church and look up above the notice board and you might spot this little chap.
If you take a little walk further on Brødregata you’ll see even more street art installations.
Eating out in Stavanger
Stavanger has more than 100 restaurants and bars offering an arrange of cuisine from traditional Norwegian, to Thai food. You’ll find many of the restaurants clustered around the city centre and main harbour. Many restaurants specialise in seafood and while the food is of exceptional high quality, it also is expensive. Local specialities include Rogaland Lamb, Smoked sardines, and cloudberries.
I’ve added some recommended cafe bars and restaurants on my interactive map.
Stavanger for families
Stavanger has plenty of free parks and attractions for families, green spaces to run around in and there are also a host of museums with interactive activities for kids, and there’s even a chocolate experience. The Hop on Hop off Bus is a great way to see the main sights if you have toddlers who aren’t fond of long walks and the best bit is children under 5s travel for free.
There’s a list of parks and green spaces an museums on my interactive map. The closest park to the cruise ship is in Gamle Stavanger.
There are plenty of parks and green spaces in Stavanger for Kids and families. Some very close to the ship – such as this one in Gamle Stavanger.
Lake Breiavatnet – some of the many green spaces and parks in Stavanger.
Shopping in Stavanger for cruisers
The main shopping streets in Stavanger are on Kirkegata, Søregata and Laugmannsgata but you will find many other shops in the meandering side streets area. There is a nice mix of well-known chains and local independent shops to choose from.
Like all other tourist areas (and cruise ports) in Norway, you will find a wealth of shops selling mass produced Norwegian trinkets, postcard and clothing, so this won’t be your only chance to stock up on Norwegian souvenirs. Perfect gifts to take home from Stavanger are knitted jumpers and gloves, pewter and wood carvings.
Stavanger travel tips for cruisers
Always Plan Ahead: You can save a lot of time (and disappointment) by researching what to do with your day in port and booking any excursions or activities in advance. This way, you’ll make the most out of your time in port.
Dress Appropriately: My one tip for what to pack for a cruise to Norway is – layers! The weather can be unpredictable, layers will help you effortlessly transition from a torrential downpour to warm sunshine. Remember to take a lightweight waterproof jacket, a hat, sunglasses and comfortable shoes.
Stay Informed: Sync your watch with the ships clock before you step ashore and make a note of all aboard time. Take a note of the ships contact details and port agent just in case you are delayed and ensure you return to the ship well before departure.
Try not to do too much in a day: there are a LOT of different things you can do in a day in Stavanger, try to pick an area or a type of activity to plan your day. Try to explore areas or activities further away in the morning so that you have plenty of time to get back to the ship.
Don’t forget to take essential items: Pack the sunscreen and a bottle of water. Norway can be expensive, so you don’t want to have to buy duplicate items in port. Even though you can pop back to the ship – it still takes up precious time going through ships security, heading to your cabin, then waiting for the lifts and heading back out -time which could be spent exploring port.
Have lunch on the ship: If you are on a budget then as the ship docks in the centre of Stavanger you can easily return to the ship to fuel up before heading out to explore in the afternoon.
Gamle Stavanger
Useful information
Currency: Euro (EUR)Emergency services: Police 112Ambulance 113Fire 110Police station: +47 51 89 90 00 Lagårdsveien 6Tourist information office: Stavanger turistinformasjon, Strandkaien 61, +47 51 85 92 00Pharmacy: Olav V s gate 1, Vitusapotek Løven Stavanger, +47 51 91 08 80Taxi: Sandnes Taxi: +47 51 66 16 00
This guide just gives you some ideas of where you might like to start. If you’d like to see what we visited on a couple of calls to this port, then this video might be helpful and bring things to life a bit more.
Happy exploring, enjoy your time in Stavanger and if there’s anything else you’ve discovered you think might be worth adding to the list let me know on my facebook page