Where past meets present
If you are an urban soul and don't know how to sit still, you are going to love Stavanger. This charming town on the west coast of Norway has so much to offer.
Stavanger is the European petroleum and energy capital and an international town that attracts visitors from all over the world. Good food is a huge part of Stavanger, and the town can offer an impressive variety of great places to eat. Stavanger is also a University town. The students and the town’s rich cultural life and great cafés give the town a genuine urban vibe.
Stavanger is one of the oldest towns in Norway and is a wonderful combination of past and present. The town has delightful pedestrian streets lined with specialist and luxurious stores to keep shopping enthusiasts happy for days.
And if you feel the need to walk off a good meal or stretch your legs after a round of shopping, the area surrounding Stavanger has numerous popular outdoor attractions. These include Solastranden beach, the Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock or Preikestolen – which just so happens to have been named the “Most Breathtaking Viewing Platform” in the world by Lonely Planet.
Back in the town, a visit to Øvre Holmegate street is a must. Stroll down the street to fully enjoy the vibrant colours of the buildings, which house unique boutiques, art galleries and cafés. This very special little street is not surprisingly a popular attraction for keen photographers.
Stavanger is not a large town and you can easily make your way around by foot. Both the Norwegian Petroleum Museum and the Old Town, with one of the best preserved collections of wooden buildings in North Europe, are well worth a visit. The Old Town has 173 protected and restored wooden buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and Stavanger has won several awards for its work on preservation.
Gladmatfestival at the end of July is a festival for lovers of good food, and in Stavanger you are guaranteed to find something to tempt your taste buds no matter when you decide to visit.
