Stavanger: Top Reasons to Visit this Charming City in Norway

Stavanger is an incredible city in southwestern Norway. It is the third largest city in Norway and is popular as a hub to reach some of Norway's most iconic sights. The city has unique landmarks such as the historic Stavanger Cathedral along with endless nature escapes around the area. There's plenty of great things to do in Stavanger that warrant spending a little extra time here.

1. Stavanger Cathedral

The Stavanger Cathedral is a beautiful piece of architecture in the city and is Norway’s oldest cathedral with a rich history of Christianity of this area. Inside the building you'll find remarkable features such as illuminating and beautifully carved Baroque pulpit, a stone displaying and representing Gothic period and artistic colored glass to describe the new testament periods. Enjoy the gorgeous scenic view of the church overlooking a small lake near the city center. You can walk direct to the harbor from this area to spice up your fun and tour. Get to run the periodical and see the history of the church represented by different bishops such as Bispekapellet.

2. Stavanger Museum

Get to interact with the collection natural and cultural-historical exhibitions in this fascinating museum in Stavanger. It is more than just one museum with subsections divided into more specific displays such as a children museum. The museum offers a lot of incredible items to see such as arts, furnishings, cultural costumes and other heritage items for the city. The environment around this museum is welcoming with well-maintained pathways and with a lot of ample space to rest and have fun. Listen to exciting stories about the see that has impacted the people of this area over decades.

3. Lysefjord

Lysefjord fjord is situated in the Ryfylke area in southwestern Norway. It lies about 25 kilometers east of Stavanger with gorgeous views across the rocky fjord landscape. The waters in this tourist attraction site have the unbelievable colour of bright-green. The rock walls are majestic rising to a height of 1005 meter above the fjord. The landscape of nature is the main attraction in this area which is breathtaking and unforgettable.

4. Museum of Archaeology

The Museum of Archaeology has an incredible collection of tourist interest. These items include the replicas of the Vikings ships and boats, historical costumes, precolonial weapons, tools, and artifacts. When on the sightseeing tour in this place you get to enjoy learning the exciting things about Vikings. The well-known attraction in this site is the popular Finnøy Polar Bear skeleton which has been in existence for 12,400 years. Enjoy the moment of exploring as you learn about the discovery of the Finn’s and how it compares with modern day polar bears. This archaeological museum is open throughout the year for sightseeing and learning.

5. Flyhistorisk Museum Sola

The Flyhistorisk Museum Sola is a museum dedicated to showing the aviation collections and the technology behind the aircraft industry. It was founded in 1984 and located at the seaplane port near Stavanger airport. It is actively run by volunteers who are open for guided tours and showing the advancement of the aviation industry. A must for anyone interested in flying, it shows numerous and variety of different aircraft such as restored aircraft, aircraft parts from the world war two to the current invented. See the historical aircraft while on sightseeing tour such as the civilian, military, model. Also, explore in different rooms to see the exhibits of the military uniforms and historic photographs stacked to the wall.

6. Stavanger Art Museum

The Stavanger Art Museum is the place to go for art lovers while in Stavanger. It is situated in a gorgeous park surrounding lake Mosvannet a few kilometers from the city center. It boasts one of the best collections of Norwegian and international art dating back to 1800s. In particular the museum holds a fascinating collection by Norwegian artist Lars Hertervig. The fantastic pictures inside the walls are sound reflections of romance and unique landscapes that are an attraction to the visitors.

7. Preikestolen

Preikestolen (Preacher's Pulpit) is one of Norway's most famous views located in the Forsand in Rogaland county in Norway. It's a well-known tourist spot that offers a beautiful hike up to a cliff which rises to 604 meters high. Take a ride below via a ferry, a bus or a two-hour hike up to the top. It is essential to put on boots to walk comfortably and safely during the hike. The natural surrounding and views are jaw-braking giving unforgettable moments. Witness the fantastic natural rock formation displayed around this area creating a dreamland.

8. Norwegian Petroleum Museum

Learn the significant oil discoveries and the amazing stories behind oil exploration when you visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. It is made of mixture things to learn such science behind oil drilling, technology in oil distillation of various oil products, history, environment and social norms. Have fun watching and listening to the video presentations and interactive sessions showing the geology of petroleum. Every visitor gets an opportunity to see different sections involved in oil drilling and see the process of separation of various products. The learning is fun and educative and fits all the age groups. Get to climb to the diver’s suit to engage in some pleasing activities such drilling machine interactions.

9. Norwegian Canning Museum

The Norwegian Canning Museum is one of the best places to learn about fish production in different stages of sardine production. It is interesting how machines coordinate one section to another in fast and efficient manner. Tourists get to see the processing up to packaging of sardines. The other exhibits in this place display collection of fish caught and processed since 1879. You can see remarkable German manufactured machines that put all the contents in the tins, packs it and adds a label on top, fully automated. It is open to all ages with visitors getting an opportunity to sample various products in sections. The building is well designed and enjoyable and worth touring around different floors.

10. Stavanger Maritime Museum

Stavanger Maritime Museum offers a wonderful insight into the city's origins and history as a coastal fishing town. The museum focuses on the incredible history of the local fisheries and shipbuilding industry dating back to 1800s along with the role of Norway’s oil production. See a display of well-designed and modern luxurious models of boats, transatlantic liners, art galleries that capture the story of this site.

One of the best places in Europe to visit for outdoor lovers, Stavanger also offers plenty of things to do in the city limits as well. In Stavanger you'll find historical sites, museums, beautiful lake, trails, caves and iconic buildings from the 1800s.