Stavanger - municipality in Rogaland, Norway

Stavanger is Norway's fourth largest city, at 145,000 citizens (2021). It is the largest city in, and the administrative centre of, Rogaland county in West Norway. Stavanger is the centre of the Norwegian oil industry and has the only petroleum museum in Norway. It also has a preserved old town on the west side of a charming waterfront. Stavanger cathedral is largely unchanged since early 12th century and the best preserved cathedral in Norway.

Understand

Stavanger sits on the northern part of the Jæren flatland just south of the wide Boknafjord. Stavanger has a mild, humid Atlantic climate. There is less rain (1180 millimeter annually) but more wind than in Bergen. All months are on average above 0°C, January and February around 0.5°C on average. Snowfall occurs, but snow rarely stays for a long time. There is rarely deep frost.

Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway, and third largest metropolitan area when nearby Sandnes, Randaberg and Sola are included with a total of some 240,000 people. Stavanger is Norway's most densely populated city. Until around 1950 Stavanger was a typical industrial city with ship yards and Norway's canning capital. During the 1960s Stavanger became an economic backwater and one of the poorest cities in Norway. When the large Ekofisk offshore oil field was discovered in 1969 South-West of Stavanger a new era for the city and for the country began. Ekofisk was at that time the world's largest offshore oilfield. The influx of oil workers, engineering firms and the establishment of headquarters for Norway's oil industry changed the city into Norway's richest.

Development of offshore oil production in the North Sea involved many engineering achievements in Stavanger, notably the huge condeep platforms (concrete deep water structure). These condeep platforms are the biggest objects moved by humans. The Troll A platform is almost 500 m, notably bigger than the Empire State building in New York and taller than the Eiffel tower.

Stavanger is one of Norway's oldest cities and Stavanger or nearby area was a centre of power during the Viking ages. Stavanger became a catholic diocese around 1120 (when the southern part of Western Norway split from Bergen diocese) and the cathedral was founded. The first bishop was probably Reinald, a monk from England.

Get in

By plane

• Stavanger Airport, Sola (IATA: SVG), 58.876667°, 5.637778°. Stavanger airport is the third largest in Norway and located at Sola some 15 km from central Stavanger. There are frequent domestic services to other major cities in Norway, as well as some services to minor cities and towns. Discounted domestic plane tickets are usually available at reasonable prices if booked well in advance, even during the summer vacation (although frequencies may be reduced). SAS and KLM serve Stavanger multiple times daily from their hubs at Copenhagen and Amsterdam respectively. AirBaltic flies to their hub at Riga twice a week. SAS and British Airways each operate 2 daily flights to Stavanger from London-Heathrow. Norwegian Air Shuttle has 1 daily flight to London-Gatwick. SAS and Norwegian Air Shuttle also operate less frequent flights to a number of other European destinations, including Berlin, Warsaw and leisure destinations in Southern Europe, popular among Norwegians, such as Alicante and Malaga.

Airport Shuttle Buses (online 120 kr one way, 180 kr return, 90 kr child/student/senior/military personnel, 23 minutes) (dead link: January 2023) run to downtown Stavanger every 20 minutes (30 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays). Bus line number 42 with one transfer to 7 at Sande terrasse or 2 at Jåsund (35 kr, 40 minutes to 1 hour) runs every 30 minutes (60 minutes during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays) weekdays daytime and is cheaper, but slower. Only ONE piece of luggage allowed. Make sure to board the bus in the right direction. Search the schedule for the ones that do .

Haugesund Airport, Karmøy (dead link: January 2023) (IATA: HAU) (dead link: January 2023) (occasionally referred to as Helganes instead of Karmøy) is served by some charter flights and seasonal Ryanair flights from a couple of international destinations.

Public transport to Stavanger is available through Nor-Way Kystbussen (see section "By bus") which corresponds with the airport coach that departs Haugesund Airport after every Ryanair arrival. Through ticket 180 kr. Travelling from Haugesund Airport to Stavanger should take around two hours (private car)/three hours (airport coach + Kystbussen). There is a ferry crossing on the way, charging 95 kr if you bring a private vehicle up to 6 m.

By train

In addition to providing a scenic route, train travel may be a cheap alternative to flying with prices starting from 249 kr one way for discounted tickets booked well in advance. Tickets are made available for sale three months before departure. About 8 hours with NSB's train from Oslo via Kristiansand. Reservation is not obligatory on long distance routes.

• Stavanger Main station, 58.966944°, 5.731944°. Long distance tickets can be bought at the counter or over the internet, while tickets for local trains can be bought at the main station in Stavanger, at vending machines, or from the conductor. There is a 40 kr surcharge when buying ticket from the conductor if you board the train from a station with a vending machine. The trains are modern and spacious. The trains to Oslo follow the coast. Sleeping compartments with two beds are available on the night train for a fee of 930 kr.

By bus

Long distance bus services depart from the downtown bus station. Unless you qualify for certain discounts (student, senior, military, etc.) or travel at times when discounted air or train tickets are hard to come by, bus travel is relatively expensive compared to travel by plane or train. It is however often the best alternative for getting "off the beaten track" without renting a car.

Lavprisekspressen have a route along the coastal highway to Oslo(8 hours), calling at Kristiansand, Arendal, Sandefjord and others along the road. Booking in advance is mandatory for Lavprisekspressen. Nor-Way Bussekspress operates two routes from Stavanger: Kystbussen runs to Bergen and stops in Haugesund. Departures many times a day. Sør-Vestekspressen runs to Kristiansand. It is possible to catch a connecting bus onward to Oslo

By car

European route E39 from Kristiansand or Bergen.

Road 13 from Voss and Hardanger via Ryfylke. This is the slower but more scenic route.

By boat

A daily ferry service run by Fjordline between Bergen and Hirtshals in Jutland calls in Stavanger, on its way from Jutland to Bergen in the mornings, and on its way back in the evenings. The ferry docks at Risavika Port, which is some 30 minutes away from the city centre of Stavanger, and a bus service is provided for foot passengers (i.e. not arriving with a vehicle on the ferry). The journey between Risavika and Bergen, where the ferry lands at Hurtigrutenterminal in the centre, takes 5h30min and the fare is surprisingly affordable, at only about 250 kr per person. A reserved seat on the top deck and the Risavika-Stavanger bus cost 100 kr each,

Since overland travel by bus or car between Bergen and Stavanger is not any faster, and domestic airfares in Norway are not particularly low, the ferry may be a good option for those who want to visit both cities and experience the fjords on their way. In Bergen, it is also possible to connect to the Hurtigruten, which starts there, and continue further north towards Trøndelag and Northern Norway. Hirtshals can be a good option for those who want to take their car from Denmark to Norway and stop in Stavanger before exploring Western Norway further afield.

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Stavanger, which has four berths, piers 1 (Strandkaien) and 2 (Skagenkaien) in the inner harbor and piers 3 and 4 in the outer harbor. The harbor area is right in town, only a five- to ten-minute walk to most downtown attractions. Some smaller places in the inner fjords in Rogaland also have regular boat service from the inner port.

Get around

By foot

The most scenic and interesting part of Stavanger for visitors is the waterfront area of town surrounding the inner harbor like a big "U", all of which is quite walkable. On the west side of the inner harbor is the old town with two museums. Also the Tourist Information Office in Stavanger is located at Strandkaien, next to the harbor between the cruise pier and the historic Old Stavanger. The TI office, open 08:00 - 18:00 in the summer, is a good source of free advice, brochures, maps, and wifi. On the east side is also lots of shops and restaurants, as well as the Petroleum Museum. At the bottom of the "U" is the market plaza and the Stavanger Cathedral. South of the Cathedral is the man-made Lake Breiavatnet, which separates the harbour area from the train and bus stations and more museums. To go much farther afield, some form of transportation might be useful.

By bus

The local bus system in Stavanger is part of a Rogaland county bus system and works smoothly. The web page of the company that manages the bus system (Kolumbus) has a very helpful journey planner. Buses in the city center can be caught at the main bus terminal and at bus stops around the city lake, Breiavatnet (dead link: December 2020). Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages.

Rogaland county is divided into five zones (Nord-Jæren, Jæren, Dalane, Ryfylke, and Haugalandet), and Stavanger is in the Nord-Jæren zone. A single ticket will cost 33-73 kr depending on how many zones you traverse, although it can be used again within your last zone within a certain time limit. A better option might be to buy a day-pass for 85 kr (90 kr with necessary card), which can be used unlimited until midnight. In addition, you can buy the 3-day pass which costs 145 kr. One- and two-week passes are also available. The airport shuttle bus is very expensive (120 kr one-way, 180 kr return) and if you are heading to a location outside the centre it may be more worthwhile to take a taxi. However, on workdays, bus no. 9, which travels half-hourly between the airport and the city centre, is a much cheaper option than the airport shuttle bus (33 kr one-way) if you have only one piece of luggage.

By train

Local trains connect the city center to the southern parts of the city and to the towns and villages further south. There are departures to Sandnes (49 kr, 16 minutes) every 15 minutes during daytime.

By taxi

Stavanger has different taxi companies, all charging high rates. A typical daytime rate is 35 kr flagfall, 7 kr/started 500 m and 8 kr/started minute, minimum 110 kr total payable. Expect a surcharge of about 25 % in evening/night/Saturday and a surcharge of about 45 % for Sunday. You can use credit cards to pay through the taxi meters. During weekends there can be long lines for taxis in downtown area. Try walking out of the city centre and hailing a vacant cab on its way back to downtown.

• Norgestaxi. Smart phone app offers address based routing and calculates price according to them. 2020-08-21
• MiljøTaxi Stavanger, +47 51 58 66 66, post@mtaxi.no. 2020-08-21
• Jip. Smart phone app offers address-based routing and calculates price according to them. 2021-02-17

See

• Stavanger Cathedral (Stavanger domkirke), 58.9697°, 5.7329°. Stavanger Cathedral (Romanesque style from about 1125, with later Gothic additions) is the best preserved medieval cathedral in Norway and well worth a visit. The church patron saint is Saint Svithun. The pulpit was made by Andrew Smith in the 1650s and the stained glass by Victor Sparre in 1957.

• Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger). Gamle Stavanger is a well preserved slice of Norwegian history. Old winding streets and wooden houses are representative of accommodation from Stavangers days as the canning capital of Norway. Most houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and well kept. 2017-07-16

• Norwegian Canning Museum (also part of MUST), Øvre Strandgate 88 (west of inner harbor in Old Stavanger), +47 51 84 27 00, post@museumstavanger.no. Summerː open daily 10:00 - 16:00. Housed in an authentic cannery that was in operation from 1916 until 1958, the Canning Museum may not seem like the most interesting place to visit, but it is a surprisingly good little museum with a lot of hands-on exhibits. Next to the museum is the Worker's cottage, an authentic 1800s house built in regency style architecture, with the first floor interior decorated c.1920 and the second floor c.1960. Tickets are valid to all open Museums the same day in MUST, which includes the Stavanger Maritime Museum and the Norwegian Canning Museum in Old Stavanger. Stavanger Museum and the Norwegian Children’s Museum, Stavanger Art Museum next to the lake Mosvatnet, and Stavanger School Museum in Hillevåg. Adult 90 kr, children 4-18/student 50 kr, pensioners 50 kr 2017-07-16

• Stavanger Maritime Museum (part of MUST), Strandkaien 22 (west of inner harbor in south end of Old Stavanger). Summerː open daily 10:00 - 16:00. Free audio guide to take you through the entire museum, available upon request at the reception in German, English and Norwegian. Adult 100 kr, children 4-18/student free, pensioners 70 kr 2017-07-16

• Norwegian Oil Museum (Norsk Olje Museum), Kjeringholmen in central Stavanger waterfront (east of inner harborː Follow Skagenkaien and the Blue Promenade along Vågen to Børevigå.). 1 Jun-31 Augː daily 10.00-19.00; 1 Sep-31 Mayː Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 10.00-18.00. The Norwegian Oil Museum is a very interesting building with fascinating information on Norway's oil industry, which got its start on Christmas eve 1969. Displays of submersibles, drilling equipment, a mock oil platform, and audio-visual presentations make for a good few hours. The museum caters to all ages. Adults 120 kr, children NOK 60 kr, families (two adults and three children) 300 kr, students NOK 60 kr; pensioners 60 kr 2017-07-16

• Museum of Archeaology (Arkeologisk Museum, University of Stavanger), Peder Klowsgate 30 A (from the train station, continue up Muségata and turn right at Stavanger museum onto Peder Klowsgate; you will then see the flag of The Museum of Archaeology on your left). 1 Jun - 1 Sep: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 10:00-16:00. Collection of archaeological and natural history objects from the county of Rogaland. Gives an introduction to Rogaland’s prehistory from the Stone, Bronze and Viking Ages, and up to the end of the Middle Ages. Café and museum shop. Adults 50 kr, children under 16 and students/seniors 20 kr 2017-07-28

• Stavanger Kunstmuseum (art museum, part of MUST) is on Mosvatnet Lake, only 2 km from the city center. The museum has a permanent exhibition of Norwegian art, and a rotating exhibition that is sometimes quite spectacular. Be sure to see the Lars Hertervig paintings; you'll see the landscape of the islands just north of Stavanger reflected in his work.

• Three Swords 📍 (Sverd i fjell, literally Sword in Mountain) A monument outside the centre of Stavanger, beside the Hafrsfjord. The swords themselves are massive and in the background is the fjord. The monument commemorates the battle of Hafrsfjord in the late 800s where Harald Hårfagre beat his eastern opposition and became the first King of Norway.

• Fargegaten (the coloured street), Øvre Holmegate (east of inner harbourː walk straight out from the back of the cinema/library for a couple of minutes). Street with vitally coloured houses, having some of Stavangers best cafes and shops.

• Tou Scene (Tou scene), 58.968957°, 5.758597°. Old beer factory renovated as a cultural centre. They hold art exhibitions, concerts and any other culture event. Check their website for upcoming events.

• Sculptures - In 2000 the mobile installation Another Place by British sculptor Anthony Gormley was placed on and off Sola beach. A few years later a new and permanent installation Broken Column, by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.

• Stavanger Botanic Garden (dead link: January 2023), a botanic garden and parkland.

Do

The seasons control what to do in Stavanger. Stavanger has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Summers features periods of warm and nice weather, although they sometimes can be rainy. Winters usually mean more rain than snow in Stavanger, although going into the mountains will ensure snow.

• Hiking and climbing around Stavanger is the best way to see the fantastic landscape. Many of the trails have been marked out by the Turistforetning with rocks bearing a red "T". Turistforening hyttes (cabins) provide simple accommodation in the mountains. Also mountain bikes can be hired and taken on the trails.

1. Bus to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), 58.9684632290749°, 5.73096611272362°. The Preikestolen Plateau (the Pulpit Rock) is one of the most famous attractions in Norway
2. Bus to Kjerag, 58.966954385560484°, 5.733502891008657°. Wedged in a mountain crevice sits the Kjerag Boulder, suspended nearly 1,000m above sea level

• Hiking trail from Rosenli Beach to Godalen Beach, 58.963706°, 5.767659°. The east coastline in Stavanger is a large recreation area. It's an 2.8-km-long trail that is considered perhaps the finest in Stavanger – it passes bays and promontories, sheltered coves with sandy beaches, rock slopes and popular bathing areas.

• Swim at Godalen Beach, 58.954071°, 5.756808°. Popular bathing area including a beach, barbecue facilities and play area for children. Kiosk open on warm days. It is part of the hiking area near Gandsfjorden. About 40 min walk from the centre, 20 min from Stavanger Øst.

• Swim at Rosenli Beach, 58.961629°, 5.767758°. Less crowded beach, also with BBQ facilities.

• Swim at Lervig's Park, 58.966952°, 5.760331°. (The area is under development as of 2022).

• Island hopping (Byøyene). You can take a ferry from Fiskepiren to some of the islands around Stavanger. There are marked hiking trails in some of them, and it's popular among locals for swimming and BBQ. Some of the nicest islands are Lindøy, Langøy or Kalvøy.

• Sola Beach is a long sandy beach by the airport. It is very popular in the summer and allows for some small waves for surfing. Along the beach, in the dunes, are the remains of defences from the 1940-45 occupation. Other less populated beaches are all along the coastline although they are sometimes hard to find.

• Surf - The beaches around Stavanger have some of the best surfing conditions in Norway. Relatively warm water and small wave sizes are good reasons to try it for the first time. Especially good beaches are Sola, Hellestø, Bore and Brusand. Check out the surf school (dead link: January 2023).

• Kayak - It's possible to kayak all around the east side as well as the area where the three swords are. Rogaland Aktiv (dead link: January 2023) organizes some trips.

• Ice skating on Stokkavannet - In the depths of winter the government tests the ice on its lakes. Once the official word is given many Norwegians will head for the largest lake, Stokkavannet. The lake itself is located near to Madla about 20 minutes walk/5 minutes bus ride outside of Stavanger. Should the ice not be safe, and you have a compulsion to skate, another option is to visit the Siddishallen, an indoor ice-rink.

• Football: Viking FK play soccer in Eliteserien, Norway's top tier. Viking Stadion (aka SR-Bank Arena, capacity 15,900) is 6 km south of city centre next to Jåttåvågen railway station; it was built in 2004 and has hosted junior internationals. The football season is April-Nov.

Buy

Pewter serving utensils at several shops in town that will also sell other tourist things. They are pretty to look at, coming in several different designs, and practical to use. The cheese slicer (ostehovel) is most traditional, and the fish server (fiskespade) is something rarely seen outside of Norway.

There is a Sunday-open grocery store, "Bunnpris", in Nedre Holmegate 11, nearby the Petroleum Museum and Fargegaten ("The coloured street").

Eat

Stavanger is considered a great place for foodies, with a range of good restaurants and an annual food fair that fills up the harbour area for a week-end each summer. Eating out is generally not cheap, like everywhere in Norway. If you're on a budget you should go for the smaller ethnic restaurants (Chinese, Thai). Several excellent places exist for the traveller on an expense account - or if you want to spoil yourself or a loved one: Try Tango, NB Sørensens (upstairs restaurant) or Renaa.

• Sabi Sushi, Pedersgata 38, 58.97000°, 5.74327°, +47 90 40 60 70. M-Sa 11:00-22:00, Su 13:00-22:00. Probably the best sushi in Stavanger. Take-away and restaurant.
• Straen Fiskerestaurant, Nedre Strandgate 13, +47 51 84 37 00. 18:00-01:30. Considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Norway. However, they only have seafood, you will not be served meat or poultry.
• No 28 Pizza Pub, Øvre Holmegate 12, +47 51532828, stavanger@no28.no. It seats 200 people and has an additional bar. They make everything themselves, even the dough is made in house. They also serve babyback ribs. 200 kr 2015-07-30
• Casa Gio, Pedersgata 48, 58.96991°, 5.744404°, +47 924 38 227. Very good quality and cosy Italian restaurant.
• Bellies, Støperigata 6, 58.971228°, 5.752084°, +47 51 32 88 95. Seasonal food, checkout the video in their website.
• Fortou, Kvitsøygata 25, 58.969522°, 5.758150°, +47 923 28 862. Take-away "asian fusion" food. You can take the food, sit at Øst and order a hand-brewed beer 100-150 kr
• Tako by Fortou, Ryfylkegata 22, 58.968971°, 5.754949°, +47 476 12 616. High-quality tacos and other Mexican food by the same guys of Fortou 200-300 kr
• The Garden (EastSide), Ryfylkegata 11, 58.969106°, 5.753298°, +47 951 10 011. Indoor and outdoor with food, drinks, music and other events. Checkout their website for the upcoming events.
• Kanelsnurren Øst, Ryfylkegata 22, 58.968845°, 5.754824°, +47 413 78 032. Good place to have a coffee/tea and fresh bread, pastry or sandwiches.
• Garcia, Ryfylkegata 33, 58.968153°, 5.756208°, +47 479 32 000. Food and beer from Spain, Italy and France.
• Ostehuset Øst, Ryfylkegata 30, 58.968378°, 5.756172°, +47 518 64 010. Spacy and cosy place with good quality food, drinks, coffee, bread and cheese.
• Jakob's Brød og Kafé, Kvitsøygata 30, 58.970037°, 5.758139°, +47 458 70 007. Excellent bakery and cafe in a cosy place.

Drink

Stavanger has a varied and exciting nightlife, concentrated around Vågen (the bay) or a stones throw away. Even weekday nightlife is more vibrant in Stavanger than in most towns in Norway. The eastern rim of the bay gets the afternoon sun, and is the prime setting for an outdoor beer -weather allowing.

• Folken (Student house), Løkkeveien 24, +47 51654444. 11:00 - 01:30. Folken is by far the cheaper place to drink if you bring your Student Card. The music varies in both genre and loudness. Enjoy the summer in Folkens backyard! low

• Bøker og Børst (Books and Booze) (Café), Øvre Holmegate 32, +47 51 86 04 76. 10:00 - 02:00. Definitely the most charming little café in all of Stavanger. Really nice atmosphere and interiors. The eccentrics' favorite.

• On the western side you will find Checkpoint Charlie, a legendary hangout for rockers and students. It is also home to CCAP, a record label that hold Thomas Dybdahl and Popface in their expanding stable. Though its clientele has gradually gotten younger over the years (now around 18-22), it retains much of its old feel. 2 beers for the price of 1 on Thursdays (Lars Hertervigsgt. 5 4005 Stavanger, +47 51532245 ).

• Another bar well worth the visit is Cementen. Situated on the third floor of a concrete building alongside the bay, it has a great view of inner city Stavanger. It is easy to find, just look for the cement mixer hanging from the outside wall 7 m above its entrance. Dance floor. (Nedre Strandgt.25, 4005 Stavanger)

• For the see and be seen crowd, Taket is the place to go (Nedre Strandgt. 15, 4005 Stavanger +41 51 84 37 01 ).

• With Hall Toll the Stavanger night scene has finally gotten a taste of cosmopolitan jet set, complete with drunken bimbos, obnoxious bouncers with headsets and a separate VIP line at the entrance.

• Clubbers are advised to seek out Sting, next to Valbergstårnet. It is a bit cramped, but they keep great DJs and the atmosphere is inviting. The first floor is cafe style, and basement is a night-club. The rooms to the right when you enter the cafè is traditionally for gay people. If you get tired from dancing there is a lounge area, Indian style, with lots of pillows to lie down on. (Valberget 3, 4006 Stavanger, +41 51 89 32 84 , c-sting@online.no )

• Munken (The Munk) is a traditional bar that serves beer, wine and spirits. Crowd varies a great deal in age (22-72), often many English speakers. Usually not very loud music. Free entrance. Prostebakken -in the Alley by the Dressmann haberdashery.

• Nåløyet Bar, Nedre Strandgate 13, +47 51 84 37 00. Nåløyet is the closest thing to an everyday pub. The bar is open all days, and get packed on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Bar Bache, Øvre Holmegate 5. Perhaps the cheapest Happy Hour in town! Tiny English style pub.

• Cardinal, Skagen 21, +47 98204200, post@cardinal.no. Su-Th 15:00-01:30, F Sa 12:00-01:30. One of the best beer pubs in Norway, with a selection of about 500 beers in bottles, and 25 beers on tap. On the second floor cocktails are also available. 2016-03-30

• Øst, Kvitsøygata 25, 58.969439°, 5.757914°, +47 934 31 691. Hand-brewed beer. They have about 10 different types of excellent beer written in a blackboard which they change every few days. You can order half glass if you want taste different types. A little pricey but really worth it!

• Gimlet, Ryfylkegata 33, 58.968012°, 5.756523°, +47 913 21 082. Cocktail bar, specialized in nordic liquors and gins.

• T-Time Vinbar, Kvitsøygata 25, 58.969010°, 5.757913°. Wines and vinyls.

Sleep

Budget: under kr 600, mid-range: kr 600-1100, splurge: over kr 1100 (standard double room).

Budget

• Mosvangen camping, Tjensvoll 1B, +47 51 53 29 71. Check-in: 16:00-20:00, check-out: 07:30-11:00. Tent + car 200 kr, tent 150 kr, cabins 450-650 kr
• Centrum Romutleie, Baldersgata 7 (1.4 km (0.9 mi) walk from bus/train station, 2 km/1,25 miles walk from city centre), +47 97 96 67 57 (17-20 GMT+1). Check-in: 17:00-21:00, check-out: 07:00-09:00. Clean, very basic room rental, one single and one double room available, sharing a bathroom, basic guest kitchen available for preparing breakfast. Single 400 kr, double 500 kr

Mid-range

• Mosvangen vandrerhjem, Henrik Ibsens gate 19 (4 km/2,5 miles walk from train/bus station, or bus no 9 daytime every 30 minutes), +47 51 54 36 36. Check-in: 16:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-10:00. Hostel of rather high standard, all bedrooms ensuite, basic guest kitchen. No alcohol allowed. dormitory bed 315 kr, single room 495 (low season only), twin-bedded rom (bunk bed) 825, four-bedded room (two bunk beds) 1415, prices per Dec 2011 and incl bed linen, towel and basic breakfast buffet. Showing your own bed linen (Norwegian-sized blanket/pillow cover/duvet cover) + towel at check-in allows a discount (45/bed), also a 10% discount to members of HI International.
• Rogalandsheimen Gjestgiveri, Muségata 18 (0,4 km/0,25 mile walk from bus/train station, 1 km/0,6 mile walk from city centre), +47 51 52 01 88. Check-in: 16:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-11:00. Typical **(+)-hotel. All rooms with sink, no rooms ensuite, TV lounge with free wireless internet zone. No alcohol allowed. single 700 kr, double 825, prices per Dec 2011 and incl Norwegian breakfast buffet.
• Stavanger BB, Vikedalsgata 1A (0.6 km (0.4 mi) from bus/train station, 1.2 km (0.75 mi) from city centre), +47 51 52 25 00. Check-in: 16:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-11:00. Typical hotel. No rooms ensuite, all rooms with small TV sets. Single 750-850 kr, double 850-890 kr
• St Svithun vandrerhjem, Armauer Hansens vei 20 (2.5 km (1.6 mi) walk from train/bus station, or bus no 11 (Monday-Saturday two departures/hour, Sunday hourly departure) direction), +47 51 51 26 00. Check-in: 16:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-10:00. Hostel of very high standard, totally comparable to ***-hotel except making your own bed is required. All bedrooms ensuite. Nice cafe and basic guest kitchen. No alcohol allowed. single bed in four-bedded room 495 kr, twin-bedded room 1095, four-bedded room (two bunk beds) 1695, prices per Dec 2011 and incl bed linen, towel and large breakfast buffet. 10 % discount to members of HI International if pre-booked by phone
• Stavanger Lille Hotell, Madlaveien 7 (0,6 km/0,35 miles walk from bus/train station, 1.2 km (0.75 mi) walk from city centre), +47 51 53 43 27. Check-in: 15:00-21:00, check-out: 08:00-11:00. Typical ***(+)-hotel. Rather large rooms with TV/DVD and high quality beds. Economy rooms smaller, not ensuite, standard **+. Single economy 770 kr, double standard for single use 1420, double economy 940, double standard 1490, double superior 1690, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet

Splurge

• {{sleep | name=Havly Hotell | alt= | url=http://havly-hotell.no/en/ (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=Valberggata 1 | lat= | long= | directions=heart of city centre, five minutes walk from bus/train station | phone=+47 51 93 90 00 | tollfree= | fax=+47 51 93 90 01 | checkin=15:00 | checkout=12:00 | price=single standard 1260 kr, twin standard 1360, double standard 1360, prices pr Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet | content=Typical ****(-)-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer, work desk, high quality beds. No alcohol allowed. }}
• Hotel Maritim, Kongsgata 32 (three minutes walk from bus/train station, eight minutes walk from city centre), +47 51 85 05 00. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Typical ****-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk double standard 1625 kr (single use 1325), double business 2125 (single use 1825), prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet
• Park Inn, Lagårdsveien 61 (local train to Jåtta (5 minutes, train departure every 15 minutes) + 7-8 minutes walk), reservations.stavanger@rezidorparkinn.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Typical ***(+)-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, work desk. single standard kr 1495, single business 1795, double standard 1695, double business 1995, prices pr Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet lat=
• Hotel Scandic Forus, Bjødnabeen 2 (11 km outside city centre, close to the inter-town business area), +47 21 61 48 00. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. New (2011) ****-hotel. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk. standard single/double 1690 kr, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet in reception area
• Hotel Atlantic, Olav Vs gate 3 (two minutes walk from bus/train station, five minutes walk from city centre), +47 51 76 10 00. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. ****(+)-hotel, best available in town. Rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk etc. Single standard 1995 kr, single business 2495, double standard 2295, double business 2695, prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet

Hotels in class **** generally allow a 15-25% discount when booking a room with check-in Friday/check-out Sunday or a booking for minimum three nights during July.

Close to the airport/the Sola Beach should be mentioned:

• Himmel og hav, Solastrandveien 114 (1,6 km/1 mile walk from the airport, close to the Sola Beach), +47 51 65 04 60. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Typical ***-hotel. No alcohol allowed. single standard 1100 kr (F Sa 790), twin standard 1300 (F Sa 990), prices per Dec 2011 and incl breakfast buffet
• Sola Strandhotell, Axel Lunds vei 27 (1,6 km/1 mile walk from the airport, close to the Sola Beach), +47 51 94 30 00. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. ****-hotel. Cosy rooms with cable TV, telephone, hair dryer, work desk - and a great sea view. Restaurant with high quality and price level, expect about 650 kr/person for a three-course meal (ex beverages) + coffee/tea. single standard 1850 kr, twin-bed standard 2050, prices pr Des 2011 and incl breakfast buffet and wireless internet

Stay safe

Stavanger is generally considered a very safe city. The local police force are efficient, usually speak good English and have a strong presence in the downtown area at weekends. Call 112 in an emergency.

During weekends, the small downtown area tends to fill up with intoxicated people. Be careful when wandering around this area late at night, as a some people may have had a few too many to drink.

Night buses run after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, but have higher fares than during the day.

Cope

• Laundry - Renseriet Løkkeveien 73 (near Radisson Blu Royal) 51 52 30 05; Kongsgata 40 (near Thon Maritim and Lake Breiavatnet) 51 89 56 53.

Go next

• Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) is a massive 600 m vertical cliff that sits on the edge of the Lysefjord. Its top is a natural lookout of several hundred square metres, almost perfectly flat, and the rock is the region's main tourist attraction, and one of the nation's landmarks. To get to the top, follow the marked path for 2 - 2.5 hours from the Preikestolhytta, where food and accommodation is available, 1.5 - 2 hours for the return walk. Buses meet many of the Stavanger to Tau ferries during the summer, through ferry+coach tickets available from Tide Reiser (dead link: December 2020) (can be bought onboard the ferry), or buy your own ferry ticket and then for the local Boreal bus to the lodge. Costs around 250 kr. Total travelling time one way (less the climb) from Stavanger harbour is 1 hour 10 minutes. If you opt to go by your own car, there is a 100 kr parking fee.

• The Kjerag is almost double the altitude of Preikestolen but the access is more difficult. It is further into the Lysefjord. There you can find the Kjeragboltn. There is a bus that can take you there runs from Stavanger and Sandnes by Tide Reiser (dead link: December 2020). It operates from mid June to the beginning of September. It is not possible to see both Kjerag and Preikestolen in one day.

• The Lysefjord runs 45 km deep underneath both these plateaus. Several options for cruising this fjord, among others Tide

If the climb sounds too rough, you can take a fjordcruise, leaving the harbour most days at noon and returning 3.5 hours later, 450 kr. If you want to both cruise and hike, there's also a 10:00 summer cruise + hike option which first cruises through Lysefjord then a bus takes you to hike Pulpit rock, 850 kr.

• Go south, to rural areas in Jæren. Take a fast-boat to some of the islands like Usken. Go to the family theme park Kongeparken close to Ålgård.