Stavanger’s Highlights
Step back in time and discover two of Stavanger’s most interesting highlights.
Step back in time and discover two of Stavanger’s most interesting highlights.
At the Iron Age Farm in Ullandshaug, imagine life as it was 1,500 years ago in one of the reconstructed houses. Have your camera at the ready for the magnificent view from Ullandshaug Viewpoint over Hafrsfjord. This is where the Viking-king, Harald Hårfagre (the Fairhair), defeated the last of the regional princes in 872 and united the 29 small kingdoms under one crown - thus founding the Kingdom of Norway.
Built around 1125 by Bishop Reinald of Winchester, Stavanger Cathedral is the only church in Norway constructed during the Middle Ages to have retained its original features.
At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to take an optional walk around the cobbled streets of Old Stavanger. This is a charming area with picturesque, wooden houses in narrow lanes, built originally for seafarers and craftsmen.
Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock - BEST SELLER
Cruise along the Lysefjord to see one of nature’s wonders – the mighty ‘Pulpit Rock’.
Cruise along the Lysefjord to see one of nature’s wonders – the mighty ‘Pulpit Rock’.
Experience a boat trip along Lysefjord, a fjord that cuts almost 25 miles deep into the country. You’ll be surrounded by steep mountainsides, polished by waterfalls and dotted occasionally with small farms. The fjord is up to 1,384 feet deep, but shallows to only 42 feet near Oanes and Forsand. Lysefjord is thus a typical sill fjord in which the sill itself was created by the ice approximately 10,000 years ago. You’ll make a stop for tea or coffee and freshly-made waffles en route.
The ‘Pulpit’, on the northern side of the fjord, is a well known protruding rock formation. You’ll pass directly under this wonder of nature to view the mighty rock (weather permitting).
Introduction to Stavanger - BEST SELLER
A perfect introduction to Stavanger, offering an insight into the town and its surroundings.
A perfect introduction to Stavanger, offering an insight into the town and its surroundings.
Hear how the Viking King, Harald the Fair-haired, defeated the last of the regional princes and formed the Kingdom of Norway at Hafrsfjord. The tour passes agricultural landscapes to the old residential part of Stavanger. Pretty villas line the narrow route and you’ll also pass Ledaal Manor, residence of the king when he visits this area.
Your guide will point out the Cathedral, the colourful market square and the harbour, where various ships are moored against the backdrop of the characteristic Petroleum Museum building. Across the bridges towards Engøy and Buøy, situated in the fjord off the city, there is a fascinating array of architecture – nearly all the houses are built in wood and painted in vivid colours. En route back to the ship, you’ll pass ‘Old Stavanger’, a charming area where picturesque, well-preserved houses, dating back to the 18th and 19th century, line narrow lanes. This particular area is unique and is the city’s most important regeneration project.
Stavanger on Foot
Acquaint yourself with ‘Old Stavanger’, where pretty wooden houses and narrow lanes present a charming picture.
Acquaint yourself with ‘Old Stavanger’, where pretty wooden houses and narrow lanes present a charming picture.
Your exploration begins in ‘Old Stavanger’, a lively area that hosts well-preserved 18th and 19th century wooden houses, mostly built for seafarers, craftsmen and traders. An important rehabilitation project has meant that this is now northern Europe’s largest and best-preserved ‘wooden house’ settlement.
Your stroll through Stavanger continues to the market square at the head of the harbour bay. A colourful scene greets you where fruit and vegetables, flowers and seafood are laid out on sale. The impressive Cathedral forms a backdrop; built in 1125 by Bishop Reinald of Winchester.
Looking towards the harbour is the statue of the former mayor and well-known writer, Alexander Kielland. The pedestrian street leads you to the Valberg Tower, situated on a small hill and overlooking the central part of the city and harbour. It was once used at a watchtower in case fire broke out in the wooden buildings of Stavanger.
Home Visit - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
A unique experience to meet one of the locals. Visit a Norwegian home for a true insight into life in this country.
A unique experience to meet one of the locals. Visit a Norwegian home for a true insight into life in this country.
The people of Stavanger are proud of their city and are keen to share it with you. On this tour you’ll be in the company of one of Stavanger’s residents, who generously invites you into their home.
The Norwegian people are known for their friendly and outgoing nature and your host is no exception. This is something that ‘regular’ holidaymakers seldom have the opportunity to do – to visit a private home and sit down and talk about the Norwegian way of life and customs. As you can imagine – subjects range from personal anecdotes, to how Norwegians furnish their homes, to what plants grow well in the garden! We are sure that the conversation will be stimulating for all involved.
Enjoy true Norwegian hospitality as you chat about different life-styles over coffee or tea and a Norwegian snack.
Countryside and Surroundings
Leave behind the bustling city of Stavanger and become acquainted with the charming and peaceful countryside south of the city.
Leave behind the bustling city of Stavanger and become acquainted with the charming and peaceful countryside south of the city.
Heading southwards past the small towns of Sandnes, Ganddal and Bryne, you’ll reach the rather flat, fertile Jæren area where dairy products are the main source of income. Soon, you’ll come to the municipality of Hå, where Norway’s largest concentration of cattle, hens and pigs are found.
Built in 1637, Hå Old Vicarage was the vicar's home up until 1919. It was then used as a farm until 1983, at which time it became a cultural centre, where art exhibitions and cultural activities are now held. Afterwards, you’ll venture onwards to see the Gloppedalsuren Boulder Field, Norway's largest field of boulders, some as big as houses!
The re-constructed cheese factory of Byrkjedalstunet dates back to 1920. It now houses a restaurant and a candle-maker’s workshop. Enjoy some traditional 'lapper' (thick pancakes) with jam and sour cream. Take some time to visit the colourful candle workshop and see the wide variety of candles produced here.
Following the Dirdal River and valley, you’ll pass the communities of Oltedal and Ålgård before completing your tour back in Stavanger.
Salmon Safari - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
A ‘once in a lifetime’ experience to swim with wild salmon!
A ‘once in a lifetime’ experience to swim with wild salmon!
Float downstream with the current of the River Suldalslågen and view wild salmon as they swim up the river! Be prepared to see some fish through your diving mask, some salmon are known to weigh up to 20 kilos! Your adventure starts with an 1½ hour-long express boat ride to Sand, where a bus transfers you to the Mo Salmon Farm.
Here, experienced instructors will give a 30-minute safety briefing on what to expect. Kitted out with survival suit, mask and snorkel, you’ll have a practise run in the pool before entering the river. One instructor will follow your group by boat; the other will accompany you in the water for the 2½-km-long ‘float’. The ‘safari’ ends at Garanese and a short transfer returns you to the starting point. Relax over a drink and a baguette, before taking the express boat back to Stavanger.
Flor and Fjære Exotic Garden
Enjoy a blossoming garden full of exotic plants and palm trees on the island of Sør Hidle.
Enjoy a blossoming garden full of exotic plants and palm trees on the island of Sør Hidle.
The scenic boat trip through the Gandsfjord in Stavanger to Flor and Fjære Garden on the island of Sør Hidle is dotted with several picturesque islands. Flor and Fjære Garden is set in a protected harbour making it a place of peaceful tranquillity, colourful flowers and great sea views.
Explore the exotic gardens along romantic pathways. See the world’s most northerly plantation of tropical palm trees, bamboo and banana trees; smell the fruit trees and bountiful flowers all set against the backdrop of majestic mountains and deep fjords.
![Stavanger Old and New]()
Stavanger Old and New
Stavanger, Norway’s fourth largest city, is a charming blend of old and new.
Stavanger, Norway’s fourth largest city, is a charming blend of old and new.
Stavanger and its surrounding areas have for centuries played a leading part in Norway’s maritime history, as well as being the most important oil city in Norway due to its geograpical position.
Pass agricultural countryside as you travel to Ullandhaug, with panoramic views of Jæren and the Ryfylke Mountains to the east, and of Hafrsfjord to the west. Visit the reconstructed farmhouses from the Iron Age, learning about the living conditions around the year 500 AD. Pass the sword monument – three giant, crossed Viking swords commemorating King Harald Fair Hair’s unification of Norway in 872.
Pass over bridges to some of the islands, which today form part of modern Stavanger. The discovery of North Sea oil in 1969 transformed Stavanger. During your visit to the Petroleum Museum, experience what life is like on a North Sea oil platform. With the interactive experience, trace the development of the oil industry in terms of Stavanger’s maritime history.
If you wish you can return to the ship by walking through ‘Old Stavanger’, with picturesque, well-preserved wooden houses in narrow lanes dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.