Population 144,699 / 58.5 degrees north

Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city and is the centre of the oil industry. 

Fun Facts About Stavanger

Latitude: 58.5 degrees north

Population: 144,699

Hottest month: August

Coldest month: February

Wettest month: October

Windiest month: January

Annual precipitation: 855.2mm

Stavanger Municipality

In this Travel Guide...

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Stavanger

Oil Museum

This museum is all about the discovery of oil in the North Sea and how it changed Norway. 

Oil museum Stavanger

Stavanger Cathedral

Stavanger Cathedral is a medieval stone church and the most interesting historic building in the city. 

Canning museum

The Norwegian Canning Museum is about the first major industry to come to Stavanger – canning!

Stavanger Guides

Find guides to Stavanger on our online store. 

Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences

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!

Hike Kjerag

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.

Click here to see the guided tour. 

Explore Lysefjord

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. 

Or you can take a fjord cruise (for something a little slower paced).

Click here to see the tour. 

Pulpit Rock

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.

Click here to see the guided tour. 

Road-Trips

Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Stavanger

Self-Guided Walks

No self-guided walks are currently available for Stavanger

Stavanger City Centre

Here’s our self-guided walk for the city centre of Stavanger. 

Stavanger Self-Guided Walk

Gamle Stavanger

Follow our self-guided walk around Gamle Stavanger. 

Gamle Stavanger

Stavanger on YouTube

Watch my YouTube videos featuring Stavanger

Uniquely Stavanger

Here are some things that you must do and try in Stavanger

Wooden Houses

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. 

Sverd i Fjell

Sverd i Fjell is a unique monument commemorating one of the most important Viking battles. 

Sverd i Fjell

History of Stavanger

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. 

History of Stavanger

Stavanger Today

Stavanger is the Oil Capital of Norway, with Norway’s state-run company Equinor having its headquarters here. 

There are multiple educational institutions in Stavanger, including the University of Stavanger.

Military installations are located in Stavanger, including the NATO Joint Warfare Centre. 

Travel Information

Getting Here

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. 

Train: Stavanger has a train station with trains running to Oslo via Kristiansand. 

Ferry: No ferry access

Getting Around

Stavangers inner city centre is very walkable. 

Shops

Places to Eat

Cafes & Bakeries

 

Quick Bites

 

Reasonable Restaurants

 

High End & Unique Eats

 

Places to Stay

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. 

Camping & Hostels

Central Economic Stavanger is the top-rated hostel in town.

Click here to view rates & book

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.

Click here to view rates & book

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/Sunset & Weather Averages

January

Sunrise: 9:17am

Sunset: 4:15pm

Average Temperature: 2.6C (37F)

February

Sunrise: 8:12am

Sunset: 5:30pm

Average Temperature: 2.1C (36F)

March

Sunrise: 6:54am

Sunset: 6:38pm

Average Temperature: 3.7C (39F)

April

Sunrise: 6:24am

Sunset: 8:51pm

Average Temperature: 6.9C (44.4F)

May

Sunrise: 5:07am

Sunset: 10:01pm

Average Temperature: 10.2C (50.4F)

June

Sunrise: 4:24am

Sunset: 10:50pm

Average Temperature: 13C (55F)

July

Sunrise: 4:49am

Sunset: 10:35pm

Average Temperature: 15.3C (59.5F)

August

Sunrise: 5:55am

Sunset: 9:26pm

Average Temperature: 15.7C (60.3F)

September

Sunrise: 7:05am

Sunset: 7:58pm

Average Temperature: 13.2C (55.8F)

October

Sunrise: 8:13am

Sunset: 6:31pm

Average Temperature: 9.2C (48.6F)

November

Sunrise: 8:28am

Sunset: 4:14pm

Average Temperature: 5.7C (42.3F)

December

Sunrise: 9:24am

Sunset: 3:39pm

Average Temperature: 3.4C (38.1F)

All Posts About Stavanger

Stavanger Photo Diary