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Stavanger is the fourth largest city of Norway with a population of 117 315 as of January 1, 2007. It is located in the south-western coast of the country.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Sola Airport (IATA: SVG) is a 20 minutes drive from Stavanger. It is a medium sized airport, but it is currently being upgraded. Tel:+47 51 658-000 To & From the Stavanger Region Map Airport Shuttle Buses [1] run to downtown Stavanger every 20 minutes, somewhat less frequent to Sandnes. Bus number 9 runs every 30 minutes weekdays daytime and is cheaper, but slower. (29 kr. 35 minutes).

[edit] By train

About 9 hours from Oslo. Reservation is obligatory. The train station is located next to the bus terminal. Long distance tickets can be bought at the counter while shorter distances can be bought from the conductor. The trains are modern and spacious. The trains to Oslo follow the coast. Many trips to, or from, Oslo will require a sleeper train.

[edit] By Bus

Two companies, Nor-Way [2] and Lavprisekspressen [3], have routes along the coastal highway E-18 all the way to Oslo(8 hours), calling at Kristiansand, Arendal, Sandefjord and others along the road.

[edit] By car

E39 from Kristiansand or Bergen.

[edit] By boat

About 4 hours from Bergen, twice daily with Tide. Tickets can be bought on the boat, but may be cheaper if bought in advance.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Public transportation in Stavanger is mainly by bus and works smoothly. A single ticket will cost from kr 23-57 depending on how many zones you travel although it can be used again within a certain time limit. A better option might be to buy a day-pass for kr 72, which can be used unlimited until midnight. In addition, you can buy the 3-day pass which costs kr 123. One and two-week passes are also available. Buses in the city center can be caught at the main bus terminal and at stops around the city lake, Breiavannet. The public transportation system, including the local trains connecting Stavanger to the greater region, is currently being expanded and incidences of temporary schedule and route changes in this period is to be expected. The airport shuttle bus is very expensive (kr 70 one-way, kr 110 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 center, is a much cheaper option than the airport shuttle bus (kr 28 one-way). Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages. More information about public transportation in Stavanger and the region on the Kolumbus Website

[edit] By taxi

It is not uncommon to travel in a Mercedes or BMW when using taxis. This is a good thing once you consider that an average 15 minute journey can cost over kr 150. Night-time and weekends have special rates. You can use credit cards to pay through the taxi meters. There are several taxi companies for e.g. Stavanger Taxi and Norges Taxi (Norway's Taxi)

[edit][add listing] See

• The Stavanger Oil Museum is a very interesting building with fascinating information on Norway's oil industry. Displays of submersibles, drilling equipment, a mock oil platform, and audio-visual presentations make for a good few hours. The museum caters for all ages.
• 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.
• Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger) is a well preserved slice of Norwegian history. Old winding streets and wooden houses are representative of accommodation from Stavangers days as a the canning capital of Norway. Most houses in Old Stavanger are privately owned and well kept.
• A good place for a photo opportunity are the 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 800's where Harald Hårfagre beat his eastern opposition and became the first King of Norway.
• 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[4], by the same artist, was placed at various locations surrounding the centre of Stavanger.
• The Rogaland Kunstmuseum (art museum) 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.

[edit][add listing] Do

The seasons control what to do in Stavanger. Summers can be very warm, although sometimes rainy, and the long days keep the temperature up. Winters usually mean snow or rain 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. Maps
• Solastranden (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.
• 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 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.

[edit][add listing] 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.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Ekofisk, Nedre Strandgate 13 (Across from the fish market), ☎ +47 51525409 (fax: +47 51529922). Sells fresh fish. They make excellent fish soup; eat it there, at the little tables, or take it home for dinner. kr 55 per serving. Try the "fiskegrateng" -- a casserole with fish, macaroni, cheese, etc.  edit

[edit][add listing] 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, ☎ 51654444, [5]. 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.  edit
• 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 clientel has gradually gotten younger over the years (now around 18-22), it retains much of its old feel. (Lars Hertervigsgt. 5 4005 Stavanger, tel: 51532245[6])
• 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 seven meters above its entrance. The recently added dance floor has resulted in increased popularity. (Nedre Strandgt.25, 4005 Stavanger)
• For the see and be seen crowd, Taket is the place to go (Nedre Strandgt. 15, 4005 Stavanger Tel: 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 , located 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, Tel: 51 89 32 84, c-sting@online.no[7])
• 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.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Under NOK 600
Mid-range	NOK 600-1000
Splurge	Over NOK 1000

[edit] Budget

• Folken Bed & Breakfast, Løkkeveien 24, ☎ 515644444, [8]. checkin: 1200; checkout: 1200. Folken Bed&Breakfast is by far the most social way of spending a night or six in Stavanger. Located just a few hundred meters from the city centre, Folken Bed & Breakfast is one big dormitory with 40 beds spread around in what usually serves as Stavangers #1 venue for live music. But don't worry, the beerspills and the sweat from the last semester is cleaned up. June - August only! kr 250.  edit
• Combined youth hostel and camping site by Mosvannet.
• Det lille huset, [9]. Singles 450, doubles 500.  edit
• Thompsons Bed and Breakfast, [10]. Singles 300, doubles 480.  edit

[edit] Mid-Range

• Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, Vikedalsgaten 1A (Just uphill from the train station), ☎ 51 56 25 00, [11]. Recently refurbished, slightly cramped, little noise isolation. Some rooms without shower and/or toilet. Light evening meal included. Singles 800, doubles 900.  edit
• House Ryfylke, Ryfylkegata 2, ☎ +47 48122688, [12]. 10 min walk from the city center. 100% advance payment by booking. Flat 2 is situated on the second floor, has two bedrooms, spacious living-room, one bathroom, wi-fi. The owner of the house is a very nice and atentive lady kr 1300/night for a flat for Flat 2 (June 2008).  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Thon Hotel Maritim, Kongsgaten 32 [13]. Ideally situated in down town Stavanger with a view of Lake Breiavannet, and a short two- minute walk to the city's commercial and entertainment centre. A short walk to the main bus and train stations.
• Park Inn, Lagårdsveien 61, ☎ +47 (51) 76 20 00 (reservations.stavanger@rezidorparkinn.com, fax: +47 (51) 76 20 01).  edit

[edit] Cope

• Laundry at the corner of Kongsgata and Breibakken, at the eastern edge of the city lake Breivatnet.

[edit] Get out

• 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.

• Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) is a massive 600 metres 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 1-2 hours from the Preikestolhytta[14], where food and accommodation is available. Three ferries a day corresponds with buses[15] here, -total travelling time one way (less the climb) from Stavanger harbour is 1 hour 10 minutes. Ferry NOK 50, bus NOK 65. If you opt to go by your own car, there is a NOK 80 parking fee.

If the climb sounds too rough, you can take a fjordcruise[16], leaving the harbour most days at noon and returning 3,5 hours later. NOK 350.

• Further into the Lysefjord you can climb the Kjerag and see the Kjeragboltn.

Routes through Stavanger

Bergen ← Leirvik ←

N  S

→ Sandnes → Kristiansand

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