Norway's fourth largest city, Stavanger, is bursting with fun and exciting things to do. Whatever your interests, there are plenty of new things to discover once you've seen the main attractions. But not all the most exciting places are as easy to find, so here is a list of ten of the best places for seeing new and unusual things in Stavanger and the surrounding area. Please note that some require access by car or public transport from the city centre.

  • 1

    Stavanger street art

    Artists with free rein

    Stavanger street art
    • Photo

    "Free rein" is perhaps a slight exaggeration: Stavanger's large treasure trove of street art is a result of the street art festival NuArt, held in the city every year. Artists from home and abroad get to unleash their creativity on the walls and outdoor spaces, which are specially set aside for them and partly adapted to the area in which they operate.

    There is street art all over the city, but some works are removed after a few years. So it pays to stay up to date with what you can see where - the festival's websites have maps that are relatively current, and which provide information about the artists behind the individual works.

    Location: Salvågergata 5, 4006 Stavanger, Norway

    Map
  • 2

    Magma UNESCO Global Geopark

    Best way to get close to geology

    Magma UNESCO Global Geopark
    • Adventure
    • Families

    Egersund, the proud host of the Magma Geopark, is far from the only place in our country where you can see nature and geology from new angles and with a guide. But the town, only an hour by car south of Stavanger, probably boasts the country's largest collection of different localities and varied parks.

    Magma Geopark arranges everything from city walks in Egersund to climbing and bouldering, for those who really want to challenge their fear of heights. Not all their trips are for beginners, so it's worth contacting them directly to identify needs and levels of difficulty.

    Location: Elvegaten 23, 4370 Egersund, Norway

    Open: Monday-Friday: 10.00-16.00. Saturday-Sunday: closed.

    Phone: +47 917 82 594

    Map
  • 3

    Midgardsormen

    The bridge that snakes through the landscape

    Midgardsormen
    • Adventure
    • Photo

    Frøylandsvatnet is a beautiful lake located between Kvernaland and Bryne, and the middle is crossed by the Midgardsormen bridge. It is said that Olav Tryggvasson was born on Lalandsholmen, which is located in the middle of the sea. This island is also one of the natural formations located closest to this beautiful bridge.

    Not only is it convenient to be able to shorten a trip around the water from four hours to an hour and a half, the Midgardsormen also gives you the opportunity to take pictures of the magical atmosphere in the middle of the lake.

    Location: Reevegen 8, 4340 Bryne, Norway

    Map
  • 4

    Sun Mirror on Klungholmen

    Norway's version of Stonehenge

    Sun Mirror on Klungholmen
    • Adventure
    • Photo
    • Unusual

    Whatever time of year you drive past here, the Sun Mirror on Klungholmen is always clearly visible. The pyramid-shaped building was made by the artist Stian Skjæveland, who drew inspiration from the Neolithic stone circles of Stonehenge in England. The artwork is eight metres high and decorated with historical symbols. As the sun crosses the sky, the light is reflected in the installation and inland.

    You can easily combine a trip to Solspeilet with a visit to Pulpit Rock. Or combine it with a visit to the pleasant small town of Jørpeland, which is half an hour's drive from Stavanger city centre.

    Location: Klungholmen, 4100 Jørpeland, Norway

    Phone: +47 911 75 087

    Map

    photo by Eriksjorgensen (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 5

    Flor & Fjære

    A colourful and tasty coastal experience

    Flor & Fjære
    • Food
    • Photo

    Welcome to a sensory experience at Flor og Fjære! This private country house is located on an idyllic island just outside Stavanger. A trip to this garden is a total experience that includes a boat trip, visits to the beautiful gardens and delicious food. The collection of gardens is arranged in a way that allows you to enjoy beautiful plants throughout the summer.

    After wandering through this cornucopia of colours and scents, make room for a delicious meal, prepared with local ingredients and a heavy dose of love. The place is reached by ferry, which departs twice a day and takes about half an hour from Stavanger city centre. Advance bookings are necessary.

    Location: 4123 Sør-Didle, Norway

    Open: May-September: Monday-Saturday. Sunday: closed.

    Phone: +47 51 11 00 00

    Map
  • 6

    Ledaal

    A stately, listed home in the heart of the city

    Ledaal
    • History

    The Kielland family, who once owned Ledaal, is perhaps best known for the author Alexander, who is considered a key figure in Norwegian literary history. He came from Stavanger, and wrote several of his famous works in this house, which is right in the middle of Ledaal.

    But it wasn't Alexander who had the house built, it was his relative Gabriel Schanche Kielland, a merchant and consul in Stavanger in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the building is part of the Stavanger Museum, but is also used as a residence when members of the royal family visit the city. On a tour of Ledaal you can see a number of the state rooms used by the royals.

    Location: Eiganesveien 45, 4009 Stavanger, Norway

    Open: From 1 June - 31 August: daily 11.00-15.00.

    Phone: +47 51 84 27 00

    Map
  • 7

    Norwegian Canning Museum

    Norway's most unique museum?

    Norwegian Canning Museum
    • History

    The Norwegian Canning Museum covers the period before the Norwegian oil adventure began in the 1970s, when it was the fishing industry that provided most of the jobs in Norway. It was on the coast in particular that the only employment available for able-bodied men was fishing. When canning was invented, it revolutionised the fishing industry, and this is the story that the Norwegian Canning Museum wants to tell.

    A story of industry, hard work, fortunes made and lost and of how the canning industry helped women into working life. The Norwegian Canning Museum is located under the Stavanger Museum, and a ticket purchased here gives you free access to all the collections during the same day.

    Location: Øvre Strandgate 88, 4005 Stavanger, Norway

    Open: New opening in the spring of 2021 - check the website

    Phone: +47 407 28 470

    Map

    photo by Tobias Spaltenberger (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Flørlit steps

    Over four thousand steps to the top

    Flørlit steps
    • Adventure
    • Photo

    In the area surrounding Stavanger, few outdoor activities are as exciting as the Lysefjord, because this is home to the world-famous Pulpit Rock, the almost equally famous Kjeragbolten and also the Flørlit steps. The latter was part of the former building site for the power plant, but has since become a popular day out.

    These are the highest steps in the world, with 4444 steps rising 740 metres above sea level. Nevertheless, this trip is still suitable for both children and adults, but it is strongly advised not to climb them in the winter.

    Location: 4128 Fløyrli, Norway

    Phone: +47 902 65 133

    Map
  • 9

    Rogaland Arboretum

    See all types of plants in their natural habitat

    Rogaland Arboretum
    • Families
    • Photo

    Just a short half hour by car from Stavanger lies one of only a handful of arboretums found in Norway: the Rogaland arboretum. With 700 acres of nature, it is among the largest arboretums we have.

    Remember to bring a camera, because the arboretum has a variety of common and unusual species from all over the world that you won't see anywhere else in Stavanger. It is relatively easy to get around here as long as you can get around on foot, but certain parts of the Rogaland arboretum are also wheelchair accessible.

    Location: Espelandveien 240, 4337 Sandnes, Norway

    Phone: +47 51 67 21 07

    Map

    photo by Jarvin (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 10

    Sandved Park

    Sandnes’ greenest park

    Sandved Park
    • Adventure
    • Families

    Sandved park is not the only park here, but it is the greenest area close to the city centre for Sandnes inhabitants. A great park area is something all cities need, no matter how much access inhabitants have to local countryside.

    The park has plenty of places to walk your dog, go for a run, lie on the grass or do some fitness training on the equipment there. It is just short distance from Skeiane station, so even if you come by public transport from Stavanger, it is easy to find Sandved Park, and easy to get back after a day spent in the outdoors.

    Location: Kvellurveien 32, 4319 Sandnes, Norway

    Phone: +47 51 33 60 00

    Map

    photo by Jarvin (CC BY 3.0) modified