Looking for the best itinerary to spend 4 days in Stavanger, Norway? I recently lived just outside of Stavanger working at a local hostel and have included a round up of the best things to do in the area, and hidden gems/expert tips I wouldn’t have found without local knowledge.
The charming city of Stavanger is a popular destination on the southwestern coast of Norway. It is the perfect place to experience authentic Norwegian culture and charm, with traditional wooden architecture, water promenades, and historic cobblestone streets.
Aside from the city itself, Stavanger is also surrounded by some of Norway’s most incredible natural landscapes. It is close to two of the three most famous hikes in Norway, Preikestolen (aka Pulpit Rock) and Kjerag. In addition to the incredible hiking, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Lysefjorden and other hidden gems.
In this epic itinerary and travel guide, discover the BEST way to spend 4 days in Stavanger, including a well-rounded mix of sightseeing, the best things to do in and around the city, hiking, and other incredible ways to explore the surrounding natural beauty.
How to Get to Stavanger, Norway
If you’re arriving from outside of Norway:
Stavanger is a great spot to start your Norway travels or spend the entirety of your trip. I personally opted to skip Oslo on my trip to Norway, so I flew directly into Stavanger and worked my way up to Bergen and the Arctic from there. Luckily, the city has an international airport that is easy to fly into. When arriving at Stavanger airport, there is an easy and short bus ride from the airport to wherever you need to go in the city centre. You can find more information to book your tickets here.
If you are traveling from nearby cities:
If you are visiting Stavanger from Oslo, the best way to get there is by train. The high-speed train ride takes about 7 – 8 hours and there are 6 daily departures. You can find more information here.
If you are visiting Stavanger from Bergen, the best way to get there is by bus. Due to the amount of water and fjords along the coast of Norway, the bus actually gets on 2 different ferry rides along the way (included in the bus fare). This is the most direct route. It’s an interesting journey and only takes about 5 hours. You can find the bus information here.
Read Related: How to Spend 4 Days in Bergen, Norway
How Many Days to Spend in Stavanger
It is recommended to stay 4 – 5 days in Stavanger. This will provide you with enough time to truly explore the best of what this stunning city and region have to offer. You’ll notice from the itinerary below that 4 days get easily jam-packed with incredible adventures, so a 5th day could include more activities or act as a buffer day in case Norway’s famous crazy weather makes an appearance (which is very likely). I lived in Stavanger for a month and never ran out of things to see and do.
When to Visit Stavanger
The best time to visit Stavanger, Norway is in the peak summer season from May – September. This is the time of year when temperatures are warmest and you’ll have a lot of sunlight to extend your days. In fact, Stavanger experiences pretty much total daylight between May – July.
How to Spend 4 Days in Stavanger, Norway – Fjords, Famous Hikes, and Hidden Gems
Day 1: Boat Trip Down Lysefjorden and the Famous Preikestolen Hike
Explore Fjords on a Lysefjorden Cruise
If you are travelling to Stavanger, chances are it’s because of Lysefjorden. This is one of Norway’s most picturesque fjords and the city of Stavanger is the spot to access it. To start your first of 4 days in Stavanger, head out on a boat tour of Lysefjorden.
On the boat ride, you’ll glide through quiet waters with cliffs towering above you on either side. You’ll come across cascading waterfalls, such as the Whiskey Waterfall, forest landscapes, and potentially wildlife spottings such as seals, porpoises, and eagles. The highlight of a boat trip through Lysefjorden is to see the famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) from below. This impressive cliff rises 604 metres above the fjord. It is impossible to understand the sheer grandeur of this until you see it in person for yourself but trust me when I say that it is INCREDIBLE.
The Lysefjorden boat trips typically last about an hour on the water and have a morning and afternoon timeslot. I highly recommend the tour below, which takes you out on a RIB boat so that you can get much closer to the towering cliffs and waterfalls for photos. It has a 10 am time slot which perfectly fits into this itinerary and the tour departs from Stavanger so you won’t have to think about transportation to any meeting points.
Book the Tour: Lysefjord RIB Boat Tour to Preikestolen and Whiskey Waterfall
Hike One of Norway’s Most Famous Trails – Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
Pulpit Rock is one of Norway’s three most famous hikes (along with Trolltunga and Kjerag). It is one of the most stunning hikes I have ever completed in my life. One of those hikes that you think you know what to expect from pictures on the internet and yet are still utterly blown away when you see it in person for the first time.
How to Hike to Pulpit Rock:
You’ll have seen Pulpit Rock from below in the morning, so now it is time to see it from above for panoramic views of the surrounding fjord landscape. The trail to Preikestolen begins near Preikestolen Mountain Lodge, which is a 45-minute drive from Stavanger. The hike is 8 km in total and takes approximately 3 – 4 hours. There are 350 metres of elevation gain, however, it is not a particularly difficult hike.
While the entire trail offers spectacular views, the star of the show is when you arrive at the iconic Preikestolen cliff. Your knees will feel a little shaky the closer you get to the edge to peer down at the sheer scale of how high you are in the air.
The Best Time to Hike Preikestolen to Beat the Crowds:
The reason I’ve included this hike in the afternoon is because it is the BEST time to do the Preikestolen hike to beat some of the crowds. I lived and worked at a hostel near the hike and heard from countless guests that it was crowded even shortly after sunrise. We started the hike at 3 pm and passed hoards of people coming down from the viewpoint. By the time we arrived, there was a perfectly reasonable number of people at the top and it did not feel overcrowded at all. I have a more in-depth post on how to beat the crowds here.
Read Related: 7 Ways to Beat the Crowds in Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
The Best Guided Tour Option (With Transportation):
If you prefer to do this hike with a local guide or don’t have transportation to the trailhead, you can book this as a guided tour. They include transfers from your accommodation or the centre of town. You’ll also complete the hike with all the benefits of an expert guide and their knowledge of the area.
Book the Tour: Summit Hike to Pulpit Rock in Lysefjorden From Stavanger
Day 2: Sightseeing Stavanger’s Colourful Wooden Houses and Museums
For day 2 of 4 days in Stavanger, enjoy some sightseeing in this charming Norwegian city. Grab a bite to eat from a local cafe in the city centre and then wander its unique streets. There are specific areas in the centre that are filled with colourful traditional wooden buildings and pedestrian streets to enjoy. Some of the must-see attractions include:
- Øvre Holmegate – aka “Fargegata” which means colourful street.
- The pedestrian shopping streets around Skagen Street (the part of the street that is closer to Byparken).
- The Wharf Houses along Skagen – Picturesque wooden houses painted in Norwegian traditional style. Here is the map location.
- Geoparken – A cool “park” with odd shapes and features on the waterfront
Wander Stavanger’s Old Town Known as Gamle Stavanger
After exploring the city centre, take a stroll through Gamle Stavanger, or “Old Stavanger.” The city’s old town consists of narrow cobblestone streets lined with historic white wooden houses. The street is also lined with flowers that complement the pure white homes. The cobblestone streets of Gamle Stavanger make for the perfect photo op of this adorable part of town.
A Visit to Stavanger Cathedral & Picnic in Byparken
Also known as Stavanger Domkirke, this cathedral is the oldest in all of Norway. It has been in consistent use since the 1300s and is a stunning landmark.
Only a short walk from the cathedral, wander over to Byparken, Stavanger’s biggest park. Pick up some takeout from a nearby restaurant and enjoy a picnic lunch by Breiavatnet Lake if the weather permits.
Visit One of the Stavanger Museums
One of the most popular things to do in Stavanger is visit a museum. Spend a couple of hours wandering an interesting cultural attraction and learning about Stavanger’s past through one medium or another. There are plenty of interesting options to choose from including:
- Stavanger Maritime Museum – Located on the west coast of Norway, Stavanger’s history is closely tied to the development of seafaring and maritime heritage. Learn about the city’s history of shipping, commerce, and shipbuilding from the past few centuries in a 200-year-old harbourside warehouse.
- Norwegian Canning Museum – Located in Stavanger’s old town, this unique museum showcases the city’s canning industry that peaked between the 19th and 20th century. You’ll learn about canning factories over time and what the working conditions were like for those who worked there. You’ll see the process behind canning fresh fish. You may be thinking this sounds pretty dang dull, but I had some friends of mine highly recommend it and say it provided an interesting look into Stavangers history.
- Stavanger’s Museum of Archaeology – This is a really interesting museum if you want to learn about how the region’s cultural and natural history progressed over 15,000 years. You’ll witness archaeological pieces ranging from the Stone Age to the end of the Middle Ages that were all found in Rogaland. They also have an exhibit dedicated to local Viking history.
- Viking House Museum – For lovers of Viking history, this museum is the one for you. The museum attempts to bring visitors close to Stavanger’s Viking past through the use of VR. You’ll be immersed in the world of the Viking age, listen to some of the great sagas, and learn about Stavanger’s battle of Hafrsfjord in 872.
- Norwegian Petroleum Museum – One of Stavanger’s most popular museums, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum is built as a replica of an oil platform. You’ll learn about oil and the importance of the petroleum industry in Norway and the city. The museum offers some interactive exhibits with models of oil platforms, ships, rigs with slides, and an escape room that mocks evacuating a burning rig. Overall, it is a fascinating museum to learn about Norway’s history as one of the richest countries in the world.
Enjoy Dinner by the Waterfront Promenade
After a full day of sightseeing in Stavanger, head to the waterfront promenade (Vagen) for dinner. This is one of the most picturesque parts of town to see colourful wooden Norwegian buildings, boats moored in the harbour, and even jellyfish. There are several fantastic restaurants down this stretch as well. Here are a few dinner recommendations for your evening:
- Villa 22 Trattoria & Bar – Known for the city’s best stone-oven pizzas, this is a casual Italian restaurant with a Nordic twist. They also have a sharing menu available.
- Fisketorget – Known as one of Norway’s best seafood restaurants, this is the place to be for traditional Norwegian cuisine. The restaurant is run by a famous chef and only serves fresh seafood caught by the local fishermen. It also features a local fish market.
- Beverly Hills Fun Pub – If you are looking for a casual pub to eat at near the water, this is the hippest spot in Vagen. The food and drinks are good and people go here if they are looking for a fun vibe.
If you are looking for some local nightlife after dinner, head back to Øvre Holmegate. This is where the best bars are in town.
Day 3: Hike the Famous Kieragbolten
On your third of 4 days in Stavanger, embark on one of Norway’s 3 best hikes. You’ll recognize it from the iconic image of a rock stuck between two cliffs. The hike is a total of 11 km long, but because of how strenuous it can be, it takes an average of about 6 hours. Kjerag reaches over 1000 metres above sea level, making it the highest point in Lysefjorden. You definitely notice this height on the hike, as you feel literally on top of the world. This is one of the best hikes I’ve done in my life.
Where to Start the Hike:
The starting point for the Kjerag hike is at the parking lot in Øygardstøl. It is about 2.5 hours drive to get there, so this activity will take up your entire day. The hike starts with a steep incline using metal ropes to help guide your way up the steep rocks. The entire hike takes place on rock cliff surfaces, rather than soil ground which leaves the surrounding views clear from any obstructions as you ascend higher above the fjord below. Once you reach the famous viewpoint of the hike, you can take photos atop the famous rock or simply enjoy the views from safer ground.
Before heading out on the trail, make sure to check on the conditions with the local staff. If the conditions are slippery, this hike can be a bit dangerous.
** Pro Tip: Do not get your hopes up about getting one of the famous photos atop the rock. It is actually a very sketchy endeavor to get onto the rock, stepping out onto it from a narrow piece of rock with a straight drop off a thousand metres. I did not feel like risking my life for a picture and had no idea that the photos people were taking required this risk.
The Best Guided Tour Option:
If you want to add a local guide to this experience because of its level of difficulty, a guided experience is a great option. The day trips to Kjerag include all the transportation as well as a knowledgable expert to help you complete this challenging hike. They’ll also be able to keep you updated on the conditions to ensure you don’t get all the way there only to find out it has rained extensively and the conditions are dangerous.
Book the Guided Hike: Summit Hike to Kjerag in Lysefjorden
Day 4: Reinaknutan or Kayaking and Exploring the Fjords of Tau
On your last day of 4 days in Stavanger, I have a couple of options for you in the morning.
Morning Activity if You Love Hiking:
If you want to make this a hiking trip, then I have a fricken TREAT for you. One of the most stunning hikes I’ve ever completed in my life is located a short drive from Stavanger and nobody knows about it. I learned about it from the hostel I was working at in a town just outside of the city. In my opinion, it has better views than both Preikestolen and Kjerag.
The hike is called Reinaknuten and is only a 40-minute drive from Stavanger’s city centre. You’ll get to go through the Stavanger tunnel, which is the longest underwater tunnel in the world at 14.4 km long. You’ll pass through some gorgeous Norwegian countryside and drive along one of the fjords to get to the hike.
Reineknutan is a 10 km hike that takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Horgefjorden, a beautiful narrow fjord with towering mountains on either side. It takes about 4-5 hours to complete. The hike is mostly easy for the first 2/ 3 of it, with only minor elevation and great views as you go. The last third of the hike is steep up a rocky section to the final viewpoint. You’ll maybe encounter 1 or 2 other groups of people as you go, even in peak season, so you’ll feel like you have it all to yourself.
If You Want a Break From Hiking on a Different Adventure:
If you’d like to fill your last day with another variety of adventure, then spend the morning kayaking around the small islands in Jørpelandsholmen. Jorpeland is only a 30-minute drive from Stavanger and offers a new landscape to explore. A kayaking excursion lasts about 2.5 hours and you’ll be paddle to see wildlife and beautiful nature. You’ll get a break on one of the islands’ small beaches and witness geological marvels, such as Norway’s own Stonehenge.
Book This Tour: Guided Kayak Tour Around the Jorpeland Islets
Explore the Sights in Tau
Tau is a stunning and quiet town 30 minutes outside of Stavanger, near the Reineknutan hike. Spend the afternoon exploring its stunning countryside with authentic Norwegian homes and a beautiful fjord to enjoy views of.
If you hiked in the morning, head to Hostel Vaulali to rent a canoe and enjoy the fjord from the lake. You don’t need to go far at all, simply paddle into the middle of the lake to enjoy the view. You can even swim in the water here at a small beach if you don’t mind the cold water.
If you kayaked in the morning, simply drive the roads that trace through the fjord, stopping as you go to admire the scenic viewpoints of the fjord and its water.
You May Also Like: How To See Fjords in Bergen, Norway
The Best Places to Stay in Stavanger
If you plan to rent a car, then I strongly recommend booking your accommodation out of the city to enjoy the natural landscape of Rogaland. This is a great option:
- Vaulali – A highly rated and incredibly scenic hotel just outside of Tau, this is the perfect hotel getaway if you want to feel immersed in Norway’s natural envirnoment. The hotel is located right on the waters of a fjord with stunning views. There is a massive property with canoe rentals, a small beach, hammocks, and nearby hiking trails. The rooms are large and comfortable and the staff are knowledgeable on the surrounding attractions. Plus, breakfast is included with your stay.
If you want to stay in Stavanger’s city centre:
- Thon Hotel Stavanger – With the perfect location only a few minutes from Stavanger’s Vagen harbour, this guest favourite is classic and includes breakfast. The hotel is centrally located to the best things to do in town, the bus station, and shuttle buses from the airport. It is quiet, comfortable, and affordable for Norway.
- The Villa by Frogner House – Stunning both on the outside and in, this is another fantastic and slightly more affordable option in the centre of town. The rooms have a beautiful design and they offer a shuttle direct to and from the airport. You’ll only be 6 minutes walk from the Maritime Museum.
- Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel – Another excellent option for staying in the town’s city centre, this is one of the highest rated hotels in the city. It overlooks Breiavatnet lake and is only a stone’s throw from Stavanger’s old town. It is one of the tallest hotels in town so you’ll have great views over the city and its surrounding mountains. There is also some great extra perks such as a sauna and a gym.
Final Thoughts on How to Spend 4 Days in Stavanager, Norway
Stavanger is undeniably one of the best places to experience natural wonders and local culture on your Norway trip. The surrounding Stavanger area is home to the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock hike), Kjeragbolten, Lysefjorden, and hidden gems like Reineknutan and Jorpeland. The city itself is full of amazing attractions to learn more about the history and culture of Norway and see what charming coastal cities are like in the country. Whether you explore these incredible attractions independently or through guided experiences, this itinerary is going to give you the perfect 4 days in Stavanger.
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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