Stavanger in 48 hours: Norway’s most underrated city
Stavanger, in the south of Norway, is the country’s third-largest city and best known as the gateway to the breathtaking Lysefjord and the iconic Preikestolen. But there’s far more to Stavanger than beautiful landscapes. Think cute streets, excellent food spots, and surprisingly fascinating museums. Curious how to make the most of a short stay? Here’s exactly what to do with 48 hours in Stavanger.
How to get to Stavanger: flights and ferries
There are multiple ways to get to Stavanger. The first is by plane: you can fly into Stavanger from multiple European cities or within Norway. You can use public transport to get into the city. You can also take the train from Oslo, the ferry from Denmark, or drive from Bergen.
Where to stay in Stavanger for every budget
There are numerous places to stay in Stavanger, from luxury hotels to cute apartments. You can find the best hotels on Booking.com or apartments on Airbnb.
When is the best time to visit Stavanger?
The best period to visit Stavanger is late spring and summer (May to August). The weather is warmer, and there is less chance of rain. The summer months can be busy with tourists, but they also offer long days with plenty of daylight.
What to do in Stavanger in 48h
Wander through the cute Ovre Holmegate
Olve Holmegate is the most colorful street in Stavanger. It’s also where you will find shops, cute bars, and good restaurants. When the sun is out, the terraces are packed, but also when it’s raining, there is a certain atmosphere. Go into one of the bars and enjoy a nice cinnamon roll and coffee.
Visit Gamle
Wandering through the oldest neighborhood of Stavanger, Gamle, is so relaxing. You will find beautifully preserved white wooden houses from the 18th to 19th centuries. The cobblestone streets with flowers and benches make it even cuter.
See the cute harbour of Stavanger
Little fishing boats and large cruise ships are all docked at the harbour. It’s also the place to be if you like fish: there are numerous fish restaurants.
Visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum
The oil museum (Oljemuseet) gives an overview of how oil is formed, how it is used, and the history of the oil industry in Norway. You will learn not only the positive economic effects of oil in Norway but also its impact on every aspect of life. There are maps, quizzes, timelines, little experiments, and a lot of objects related to the oil industry.
On the upper level, you learn more about the drilling and how they search for oil. But it also focuses on the impact of climate change and Norway’s role.
All signboards are in English and Norwegian, and there is even a little play area for children. Visiting the museum is, I think, a must to learn more about the history of oil and, more specifically, its impact on Norway. You can buy your tickets in advance or at the museum itself.
Hike Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Most people visit Stavanger to hike Preikestolen. It’s a moderate hike for everyone in decent physical shape. In this blog post, you can read all the tips for hiking Preikestolen.
Do a boat tour in Lysefjord
We didn’t have time for this, but you can always do a boat tour on the beautiful Lysefjord. You will see the impressive Preikestolen from the fjord. You can opt for a relaxing cruise or a more adventurous RIB boat. In both cases, you will make several stops along the way to enjoy the beauty of the fjord and the waterfalls.
Where to eat and drink in Stavanger
Pasta at Adriatico: delicious pasta in a cozy, small restaurant in the center. If you can, make a reservation because there are only a limited number of tables.
Beers at Lervig Local: if you like beers, you need to come here. It’s a microbrewery that produces only 15 kegs of each beer. But keep in mind that alcohol is pretty expensive in Norway.
Boker & Borst: we only had drinks here, but they also serve a variety of foods
Plan your trip to Norway like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Norway on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Norway at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, Travel Eat Enjoy Repeat will earn a small commission. This will cost you nothing extra.
