Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norway and is also known as the oil city due to the nearby oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea. The historical center of the city is Old Stavanger, where you can find 173 wooden houses from the 18th-19th century in their original form. The city is also home to the oldest cathedral in all of Norway – Stavanger Domkirke. And the highlight of the trip is undoubtedly the 600-meter cliff Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).
Detailed Google map with attractions
[caption]Detailed map of our points of interest
Summary of prices per person
Flight Ticket Price: €25 | Flight Duration: Budapest – Stavanger: 2h 30min (Follow cheap flights here)
Accommodation: €100 / 3 nights | Preikestolen transportation: €35 | Food and drinks: €140 | Total per person: €300
What to see in Stavanger?
- Gamle Stavanger – “Old” Stavanger consists of 173 restored houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, lining the western shore of the Vågen harbor. It is currently the largest preserved colony of wooden houses in Northern Europe
- Stavanger Cathedral – The Stavanger Cathedral, built in 1125, is the oldest Norwegian cathedral and also the seat of the local bishop. It is the only medieval cathedral in Stavanger that is still in use
- Øvre Holmegate – a colorful street that you shouldn’t miss
- Valberget Viewpoint – a tower in the center of Stavanger
- Mosvatnet Lake – a leisure lake with a forest trail for jogging
- Sverd i fjell – three ten-meter-high bronze swords thrust into rock, symbolizing the unification of Norway after the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872
- Gådjå Etiopisk Restaurant – our recommendation for a delicious Ethiopian restaurant
- Norwegian Petroleum Museum (150NOK) – a modern building housing the Norwegian Petroleum Museum. Since 1999, it has been guiding visitors through the entire oil processing process, from oil discovery and drilling to the production of gasoline and diesel. As a bonus, you can experience the evacuation shaft journey
Hiking to the Preikestolen Cliff
Visiting Stavanger wouldn’t be complete without seeing its biggest natural attraction – the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). We booked a round-trip bus from Stavanger through the website Pulpit Rock Tours for 349 NOK. We recommend booking the first early bus at 9:00 from Stavanger. There used to be an advantageous combined ticket from Stavanger airport + Pulpit Rock, but I don’t see it on the website anymore.
The bus will take you to a parking lot by the lake, where a approximately 4.5km long hike with a 350m elevation gain begins. Be prepared for a steep climb on rocky terrain at the start. Then you’ll encounter flat stretches with rocky plateaus and small lakes. Finally, there’s a gentle ascent where you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view of Lysefjord before reaching the legendary Preikestolen rock after a few minutes.
At first, we had to get used to those breathtaking cliffs downward, but after a few minutes, it becomes manageable. You have to wait in line for a photo on the rock, because who wouldn’t want such a picture 🙂 Anyway, be careful at the edge of the cliff, as the height of 604 meters is truly impressive. The rock plateau measures 25x25m and is considered one of the great natural wonders of Europe. Preikestolen translates to “The Pulpit Rock” in English.Route map: https://www.strava.com/activities/2653113386
TIP: After taking the photo, I recommend following the path to the right along the edge of the cliff to climb even higher to another huge rock, from where you will have even more beautiful views not only of the rock but also of the fjord
