Norway

Hirtshals

Stavanger

Tryggvi Icelandic Farm, around 20 minutes south of Stavanger, offers guided horseback rides for young and old riders of all experience levels. The rides are adapted to the individual rider, so inexperienced riders will ride in easy forest terrain at a walk, and experienced riders will go on more challenging rides in all five gaits, riding through rivers or up steep trails.

It is possible to book tours from one hour to half a day, and the experienced guides know both the terrain and the horses inside out, which means that you are guaranteed a good, safe environment, whether you are just striding through the idyllic woods or taking a good gallop across a meadow.

Whether you are experienced or a beginner, you can look forward to a pleasant day with lots of great nature experiences in the company of the calm, robust horses!



Read more and book your riding tour on Tryggvi Icelandic Farm's website.

Vestlandet

Tryggvi Icelandic Farm offers guided horseback rides for all. Book tours from one hour to half a day.

Guided rides on Icelandic horses

Stavanger - Guidede rideture

From hikes, bike rides and fjord cruises in beautiful scenery over intriguing history and culture – and to fun and action in amusement parks, sandy beaches and exploratoriums. And best of all: The city is only a night’s sail from Denmark!

To kick off this introduction to Stavanger, here are our Top-3 of things not to be missed on your holiday adventure in Stavanger and the surrounding region:

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of Old Stavanger

The iconic Sverd i fjell monument in Stavanger, Norway, illuminated at night by the peaceful fjord.

If you’re planning on visiting Stavanger, the easiest and most direct way is to sail with us from Hirtshals in North Denmark. If you are driving in a car/motorhome, you can reach Hirtshals by freeway from most of Europe – and if you travel on foot, you can reach our port of departure by train and bus, as the town is only an hour’s bus ride from Aalborg, which is connected to the European rail network.

Find the best prices on boat trips right here.

Stavanger in itself of course has a lot to offer as a holiday destination – but now that you’re visiting this south Norway gem, we recommend at least one day trip or maybe even an overnight stay where you can experience the incredible fjord scenery of the surrounding region.

The breathtaking view from Preikestolen overlooking the serene Lysefjord in Norway. Foto: Outdoor Life

 – the world-famous cliff formation that offers an unforgettable panoramic view of the Lysefjord.

 – enjoy the incredibly beautiful fjord scenery from an electric tour boat.

 – next to Preikestolen, the region’s most famous hiking destination. 

Bike around the Lysefjord – if you go the entire route, it’s a 250-km ride, but you can choose shorter and family-friendly stages if you wish. 

Magma UNESCO Global Geopark – a unique lunar landscape shaped by the ice age and showing the real power of nature. 

Close to Stavanger, you can visit the Solastrand Beach which has been on The Sunday Times’ list of the world’s most beautiful beaches!

A couple enjoying a peaceful walk through the sand dunes on a chilly day.

Stavanger – impressive history and culture

Stavanger’s main attractions are all associated with the city’s impressive history – from Viking Age legends to current industrial history. In recent years, Stavanger has also become a vibrant cultural scene that offers everything from sculpture treasure hunts to world-class museums. Among the highlights are:

, an impressive bronze monument consisting of three ten-metres-tall bronze swords embedded in the bank of the Hafrsfjord.

Old Stavanger, a district consisting of 173 wooden houses built around the year 1800.

 where you can experience the history of oil from its creation millions of years ago to the climate–friendly solutions of the future.

Broken Column, a world-renowned sculpture project that consists of 23 cast-iron sculptures places around the city.

Stavanger Museum of Fine Arts, a unique collection of distinguished Norwegian art from the 1800s to contemporary art.

A mother and daughter enjoying the exhibition of oil platforms at a museum.

Stavanger also offers a wealth of exciting experiences for children – here’s our Top-3 of fun and intriguing attractions for the entire family:

 – a true kingdom of experiences with more than 60 activities that offer visitors of all ages a day filled with fun and excitement.

 – a technology museum where you can explore four floors of interactive exhibitions and experiments.

– a fun and exciting way to explore the beautiful nature near Stavanger.

Stavanger is renowned for its excellent cuisine that is primarily based on local produce – from cattle that runs free on the flatlands of the Jæren region to the fruits of the North Sea in the form of world-class seafood dishes.

Our top-3 tips for incredible culinary experiences in the area are:

 – the first sushi restaurant in Norway to receive Michelin status

 – a two-Michelin-star restaurant in the city centre that focuses on seasonal ingredients and regional flavours

 – a combined restaurant and fishmonger that offers dishes based on the day’s catch from the North Sea

You can of course also explore the multitude of cafés and local eateries that all take great pride in offering delicious traditional dishes based on local and seasonal produce.

When choosing your accommodation on your trip to Stavanger, all options are open to you. The city and surrounding region offer everything from campsites and holiday houses to hotels of all sizes and standards.

When you travel to Stavanger with Fjord Line, you can take advantage of our package deals and book excellent accommodation at the 

 or, a little ways outside the city (and perfect if you’re planning a Preikestolen hike), the 

Your guide to an unforgettable holiday in Stavanger

Family vacation, hiking adventures or exploring new cultural experiences? – No matter the headline for your next vacation to Norway, you can find it in Stavanger! The city and surrounding region offer a perfect mix of nature, history and culture, with an added dose of learning made fun – and of course family fun in the Kongeparken amusement park!

Read more about what to do and where to stay in Stavanger below – and find inspiration for your Stavanger adventure in our travel articles about the area.

Three women walking down a charming cobblestone street lined with traditional white wooden houses in Stavanger..

Stavanger in southwest Norway is a holiday gem for young and old. From amusement parks and exploratoriums to stunning nature just outside the city.

Visit Stavanger in Norway – Fjords, beaches and fun for all!

If you visiting Stavanger on foot, or if you wish to stay in the heart of the city, you have a wide range of hotels, hostels, bed & breakfasts and guest houses at your disposal. Many of them are located right in the city centre with only a few minutes’ walk to all that this charming city has to offer – from cosy streets and snug cafés to vibrant nightlife and beautiful evening strolls along the waterfront.

Stavanger city centre is just a short bus ride from the ferry terminal, so even if you are arriving to Stavanger on foot, it is no hassle at all to reach your overnight accommodation.

If you are touring the area in your car or motor home, the region offers a number of beautifully located campsites that offers nature surroundings from every taste.

Visit, for instance, the idyllic Preikestolen Camping right at the bank of the Lysefjord, Mosvangen Camping by the lake Mosvatnet or Bore Strandcamping right by one of Norway’s longest sandy beaches.

Find more excellent campsites near Stavanger here.

When you travel to Stavanger with us, you can take advantage of our package deals with two of Stavanger’s most popular hotels, which offer excellent service and a prime location close to some of Stavanger’s best sights and experiences: 

If you are planning a hike to Preikestolen – or just wish to spend your vacation in the beautiful nature near the Lysefjord, we also offer a package deal with the charming 

 which, as the name indicates, has the added benefit of a brewery right around the corner!

Looking for a place to stay in Stavanger? Accommodation in this southwest holiday gem comes in many forms – from world-class hotels to primitive campsites. 

Accommodation in Stavanger: From hotels to campsites

Stavanger has played a key part in Norwegian history for several centuries, and today, the city contains an intriguing mix of charming historical activities and innovative museums and exploratoriums with a look to both current climate challenges and future solutions.

From the spectacular historical monument 

 to the 23 cast-iron figures of the Broken Column sculpture project – and from Old Stavanger’s charming, white-painted wooden houses to the colourful and vibrant ‘Fargegata’ – the Street of Colours – Stavanger offers a variety of sights that are not to be missed when you visit the city.

Stavanger is the gate to a number of world-class nature experiences. Go on a hike to 

, climb up the world’s tallest wooden staircase at Flørli 4444 (yes, it does mean that there are 4444 steps!) – or embark on a fjord cruise on the Lysefjord to experience the beautiful sights from below. Or how about a visit to a one-of-its-kind lunar landscape in the nearby Magma Geopark?

And if you’re bringing children (of all ages) along on your Stavanger adventure, great experiences await you all in the 

 (and the 11 (!!) other museums under the umbrella organization ‘Jär Museum’), the Norwegian Children’s Museum and, of course, the famous amusement park 

Get our insider tips for what to do in Stavanger. From sights you’ll remember forever to fun activities for everyone in the family. 

Insider tips: Top Stavanger sights and activities

We've teamed up with a number of Norway experts and locally renowned guides to share advice, recommendations and tips on everything from world-famous sights and attractions to"hidden treasures".

We hope our online travel guide can help you and your family and friends have a fantastic holiday in Stavanger!

Planning a visit to Norway’s ‘oil capital’, Stavanger? Find inspiration for what to do and see in our online travel guide. 

Guided rides on Icelandic horses

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