The best things to do in Stavanger are in the compact centre: Old Stavanger’s white wooden houses, the colourful Øvre Holmegate, the cathedral and the Oil Museum by the harbour. Most museums cost NOK 100–180 for adults. From the same harbour, a Lysefjord cruise passes below Preikestolen in about three hours, all year.
We checked prices and winter hours in October 2026. Several museums close on Mondays, and some are closed until the new year. We list those below so you do not walk there for nothing.
Getting around
In the city: Almost everything in this guide is within walking distance of the harbour. A Kolumbus single ticket for one zone costs NOK 49, and a 24-hour ticket NOK 133.
From the airport: Flybussen runs from Sola to the centre.
The old town and the centre1. Gamle Stavanger
Old Stavanger has 173 white wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. People live in them, so keep your voice down and stay off the steps. Look for the “Stavanger arches” over the doors.
2. Øvre Holmegate, the colour street
This short street was painted in strong colours on the idea of a local hairdresser, Tom Kjørsvik. The colour scheme came from the artist Craig Flannagan, and it has been a pedestrian street since 2005. Come for a coffee, not a long visit.
3. Stavanger Cathedral
The medieval cathedral usually opens Monday to Saturday 10–15. On Sundays it is only open for services, and it sometimes closes for events. Visitors pay NOK 75.
4. Breiavatnet and Byparken
The small lake next to the cathedral is the city’s living room. Walk around it between two museums. In December the Christmas market sets up in the park here.
5. Vågen harbour in the evening
The inner harbour is lined with old warehouses, now restaurants and bars. Walk Strandkaien on one side and Skagenkaien on the other. It is at its best after dark.
Museums
6. The Norwegian Petroleum Museum
The Oil Museum explains how oil changed Norway. From September to May it opens Monday to Saturday 10–16 and Sunday 10–18. Adults pay NOK 180, children 4–16 NOK 60, and a family NOK 420. It is closed 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
7. The Norwegian Canning Museum
Canning sardines was once a major industry here, and this museum at Øvre Strandgate 88 tells that story. It opens Tuesday to Sunday 11–16 and is closed on Mondays. It is about a ten-minute walk from the centre, through Old Stavanger.
8. One ticket for the MUST museums
An adult ticket of NOK 170 covers all the open Museum Stavanger sites on the same day. Under-18s and students get in free. Start with the Canning Museum and walk on to the Maritime Museum.
9. Stavanger Maritime Museum
The museum is in old harbour warehouses at Nedre Strandgate 17–19. Until 31 December it opens Tuesday to Sunday 11–16. It is included in the MUST ticket.
10. Stavanger Museum
The natural and cultural history museum is at Muségata 16. In autumn and winter it opens until 19 on Thursdays, which makes it a good evening plan. It is closed on Mondays.
11. Stavanger Art Museum
The art museum is closed until 13 November for roof work and reopens on 14 November. After that it follows the same pattern as Stavanger Museum.
12. The Museum of Archaeology
Run by the University of Stavanger, it shows how people lived in the region from the Stone Age on. From September to April it is open Tuesday 11–20, Wednesday to Saturday 11–15 and Sunday 11–16. Adults pay NOK 100, and students and children are free.
Outside the centre
13. Sverd i fjell
Three huge bronze swords stand in the rock at Møllebukta by Hafrsfjord. They were made by Fritz Røed and unveiled by King Olav in 1983. They mark the battle that is said to have united Norway, often dated to 872.
14. A walk along Hafrsfjord
Hafrsfjord is about 9 km long, and the shore by the swords is a good place for a winter walk. Bring a windproof layer.
15. The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug
The rebuilt farm is part of the Museum of Archaeology. It is closed until 2 May 2027, so save it for a spring trip.
The fjord, without the hike
16. A Lysefjord cruise
Rødne’s cruise leaves from Strandkaien and takes 3–3.5 hours. It passes below Preikestolen at 604 metres, plus the Fantahålå cave and the Hengjanefossen waterfall. Adults pay NOK 890, and children 4–15 NOK 445. From October to March it runs Thursday to Sunday at 11:00, and daily from 25 to 31 December.
17. A winter Preikestolen hike with a guide
Rødne also runs a winter package with the cruise, a guided hike and a minibus back. It takes 8–9 hours and crampons are included. Adults pay NOK 2,790, and it is not for children under 8. It runs Thursday to Sunday at 11:00 in November, December and from January to March.
18. Preikestolen on your own
The hike is 8 km return with 500 metres of climbing, and takes about four hours. It is open all year, but in winter you need spikes, and children under 5 should not go. Daylight is short from September to March. In an emergency, call 113.
In December
19. The Christmas market in Byparken
The market sells local crafts and food on four weekends in 2026: 28–29 November, 5–6 December, 10–13 December and 17–20 December. It opens Thursday and Friday 14–19, and Saturday and Sunday 11–18.
20. Know what is closed
Utstein Kloster is closed from 1 November to 31 December. The Breidablikk and Ledaal manor houses are closed from 16 August to 31 December. Plan around them, or come back in spring.
Our verdict
With one day in Stavanger, walk Old Stavanger, see the Canning Museum and spend the afternoon at the Oil Museum. With two days, add the Lysefjord cruise and see Preikestolen from the water. Hike it only with a guide or proper winter gear.
More city guides are in our Norway hub. Coming from the north, read things to do in Bergen, and for a wider plan see best places to visit in Norway. Norwegian readers can use our version for Norwegians.
A Kolumbus 24-hour ticket costs NOK 133, and the Lysefjord cruise NOK 890 for adults.