Stavanger
Stavanger is the fourth largest city of Norway .
Get in
By Plane
You land at Sola Airport, 20 minutes from Stavanger with car. It is a medium sized airport, but it is going through upgrading at the moment, and when the work is finished, it will be a modern airport.
By Train
About 9 hours from Oslo station. Reservation is obligatory.
By Car
By Boat
Get around
By Bus
The public transportation in Stavanger is excellent, however it is costly by most standards. A ticket will cost around 22 NOK although it can be used again within a time limit. Buses can be caught at the main bus terminal and at stops around the central lake.
The airport shuttle bus is very expensive and if you are heading to a location outside the very centre it may be more worthwhile to take a taxi.
Buses are modern and most have areas for wheelchairs and baby carriages.
By Car
International drivers licenses are accepted as well as many national licenses. Cars drive on the right hand side of the road and all speed limits are in kilometres. Fuel is very expensive in Norway.
When driving in Norway it is vital to obey the speed limit. Speeding offenses are rigorously enforced and speed checks are very common. Speed limits in residential areas are only 30 kmh, but speeding in these areas incur the highest penalties. The maximum speed limit on the motorway is 90 kph (56 mph). Norway has some of the strictest drink-driving laws in the world, 0.1 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood. As a general rule of thumb it is best to drink nothing at all before driving.
Winter tyres are not legally necessary for foreign drivers but driving without them can be risky especially if you are headed for the hills.
Dipped headlights are mandatory at all times of the day.
By Rail
The train station is located next to the bus terminal. Long distance tickets can be bought at the counter while shorter distances can be bought from the conductor. The trains are modern and spacious. Due to Norwegian mountainous geography the trains to Oslo follow the coast. Most trips to, or from, Oslo will require a sleeper train.
By Taxi
It is not uncommon to travel in Mercedes's and BMW's when using taxis. This is a good thing once you consider the price an average 15 minute journey can cost over 150 NOK. Night-time and weekends have special rates. You can use credit cards to pay through the taxi meters.
See
- The Stavanger Oil Museum is a very interesting building with fascinating information on Norway's oil industry. Displays of submersibles, drilling equipment, a mock oil platform, and audio-visual presentations make for a good few hours. The museum caters for all ages.
- The Canning Museum may not seem like the most interesting place to visit but it is a surprisingly good little museum with a lot of hands-on exhibits.
- Gammel Stavanger (Old Stavanger) is a well preserved slice of Norwegian history. Old winding streets and wood houses are representative of accommodation from Stavangers days as a fishing town.
- Preikestolen (the pulpit rock) can be seen by boat or hiked up. It is an impressive geological feature that is prominent on almost every Stavanger postcard. It protrudes from the rock about 604 metres above the fjord and is almost totally flat on top. The view from the boat is less satisfying than the hike and a round trip takes several hours. Boats leave from the Vaagen (the harbour in the centre of town.) The hike is moderate and the trail is well used especially during the summer.
- A good place for a photo opportunity are the Three Swords, a monument outside the centre of Stavanger, beside the Hafrsfjord. The swords themselves are massive and in the background is the fjord.
- In 2000 the British sculptor Anthony Gormley placed dozens of cast iron, life-size, figures on Sola beach and in the water. They were eventually removed and placed around the city. Their locations range from public squares to private gardens.
Do
The seasons control what to do in Stavanger. Summers can be very warm, although sometimes rainy, and the long days keep the temperature up. Winters usually mean snow or rain in Stavanger although going into the mountains will ensure snow.
- Hiking and climbing around Stavanger is the best way to see the fantastic landscape. Many of the trails have been marked out by the Turistforening with rocks bearing a red "T". Turistforening hyttes (cabins) provide simple accommodation in the mountains. Also mountain bikes can be hired and taken on the trails.
- Solastranden (Sola Beach) is a long sandy beach by the airport. It is very popular in the summer and allows for some small waves for surfing. Along the beach, in the dunes, are the remains of defences from the 1940-45 occupation. Other less populated beaches are all along the coastline although they are sometimes hard to find.
- Skiing and snowboarding are the best winter activities. It is necessary to travel into the mountains where there are slopes designed for day-trippers, and full resorts. Snow reports can be found in the local papers.
- In the depths of winter the government tests the ice on its lakes. Once the official word is given many Norwegians will head for the largest lake, Stokkavannet. The lake itself is located near to Madla about 20 minutes bus ride outside of Stavanger. Should the ice not be safe, and you have a compulsion to skate, another option is to visit the Siddishallen, an indoor ice-rink.
Get out