Visiting Sverd i Fjell (Swords in Rock) in Stavanger
All the info you need before your visit to this iconic Stavanger monument.
North European travel guide
Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city and is the centre of the oil industry.Â
Latitude: 58.5 degrees north
Population: 144,699
Hottest month:Â August
Coldest month:Â February
Wettest month:Â October
Windiest month:Â January
Annual precipitation:Â 855.2mm
Stavanger Municipality
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Stavanger
This museum is all about the discovery of oil in the North Sea and how it changed Norway.Â
Stavanger Cathedral is a medieval stone church and the most interesting historic building in the city.Â
The Norwegian Canning Museum is about the first major industry to come to Stavanger – canning!
Find guides to Stavanger on our online store.Â
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are our recommendations!
Please note – the links provided are affiliate links. I only recommend experiences that I have researched and/or tested and focus on providing unique, local things to do!
Kjerag is a famous rock lodged in the mountains and is a popular place to go hiking. You can go independently or join a guided tour.
Lysefjord is one of the most scenic fjords in Norway and is located just out of Stavanger.
Join a RIB (Zodiac) boat tour to Lysefjord!
Click here to see the guided tour.Â
Or you can take a fjord cruise (for something a little slower paced).
Pulpit Rock is one of the most famous hikes in Norway. It is a day-trip from Stavanger that you can do independently or join an experienced guide on a tour.
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Stavanger
No self-guided walks are currently available for Stavanger
Here’s our self-guided walk for the city centre of Stavanger.Â
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Stavanger
Here are some things that you must do and try in Stavanger
Stavanger is home to a large number of 18th and 19th century wooden houses that are today considered part of the city’s cultural heritage. They can be found in the Gamle Stavanger neighbourhood.Â
Sverd i Fjell is a unique monument commemorating one of the most important Viking battles.Â
Stavanger was founded around the year 1125, the year Stavanger Cathedral was completed. Stavanger was likely an important religious centre, but this declined after the Reformation.
We have a whole page dedicate to the history of Stavanger, which you can find below.Â
Stavanger is the Oil Capital of Norway, with Norway’s state-run company Equinor having its headquarters here.Â
There are multiple educational institutions in Stavanger, including the University of Stavanger.
Military installations are located in Stavanger, including the NATO Joint Warfare Centre.Â
Fly: Stavanger has an international airport with regular flights to the major Norwegian cities as well as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and other European destinations.
Drive: Stavanger is located on the E39, which is the highway running along Norway’s west coast.Â
Train: Stavanger has a train station with trains running to Oslo via Kristiansand.Â
Ferry: No ferry access
Stavangers inner city centre is very walkable.Â
Cafes & Bakeries
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Quick Bites
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Reasonable Restaurants
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High End & Unique Eats
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All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences.Â
Camping & Hostels
Central Economic Stavanger is the top-rated hostel in town.
Cabins & B&Bs
RoaldsPiren Stavanger offers accommodation with a private pool, a patio and sea views. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking. The BnB is a little out of town, but well worth it!
Click here to view rates & book
Villa Eckhoff is in a historic wooden building.
Chains & Mid-Range
Thon Hotel Maritim: Click here to view rates & book
Radisson Blu (one of the best rated hotels in Stavanger): Click here to view rates & book
High End & Unique Properties
Hotel Victoria is in a historic building from around the year 1900. Click here to view rates & book
Sunrise: 9:17am
Sunset: 4:15pm
Average Temperature: 2.6C (37F)
Sunrise: 8:12am
Sunset: 5:30pm
Average Temperature: 2.1C (36F)
Sunrise: 6:54am
Sunset: 6:38pm
Average Temperature: 3.7C (39F)
Sunrise: 6:24am
Sunset: 8:51pm
Average Temperature: 6.9C (44.4F)
Sunrise: 5:07am
Sunset: 10:01pm
Average Temperature: 10.2C (50.4F)
Sunrise: 4:24am
Sunset: 10:50pm
Average Temperature: 13C (55F)
Sunrise: 4:49am
Sunset: 10:35pm
Average Temperature: 15.3C (59.5F)
Sunrise: 5:55am
Sunset: 9:26pm
Average Temperature: 15.7C (60.3F)
Sunrise: 7:05am
Sunset: 7:58pm
Average Temperature: 13.2C (55.8F)
Sunrise: 8:13am
Sunset: 6:31pm
Average Temperature: 9.2C (48.6F)
Sunrise: 8:28am
Sunset: 4:14pm
Average Temperature: 5.7C (42.3F)
Sunrise: 9:24am
Sunset: 3:39pm
Average Temperature: 3.4C (38.1F)
All the info you need before your visit to this iconic Stavanger monument.
Everything you need to know about Stavanger, including history, present-day, work life, immigration, transport and more.
An overview of the history of Stavanger, from religious beginnings to an explosive canning industry!
My overview of everything you need to know about Gamle Stavanger!
The oil museum covers the history of the discovery of oil in Stavanger, plus what the future holds for the industry against issues like climate change.
Explore the charming alleys of Stavanger in this self-guided walking tour.