Where to stay in Stavanger?

Stay in the historic center of Stavanger

The historic center is the best-known and most emblematic part of Stavanger. It stretches along the seafront from the harbour, the Vågen cove and the old town, known as the "Gamle Stavanger".

Staying in the heart of Stavanger means you're close to most of the city's attractions, including

• the shopping street of Fargegaten - Øvre Holmegate, lined with colorful facades and home to stores, bars and restaurants
• the Gothic cathedral, the oldest in the country
• the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, whose building is reminiscent of an oil rig
• the narrow streets of Gamle Stavanger, with its typical white and wooden houses

There are a number of accommodation options in this area, from hotels to rentals. However, the offer is relatively limited, and only on the eastern part of Vågen cove, which is the busiest. On the quieter Gamle side, you'll find only rentals or guesthouses, sometimes in traditional wooden houses.

The establishments sometimes offer a parking space, but this is not really the norm. If you have a car, you'll have to park elsewhere, such as in the "P-Valberghallen" parking lot, which is the most convenient (expect to pay around 20 euros a day).

Last but not least, staying in this area means you'll be as close as possible to the boarding area for the ferries serving the island of Vassoy. But above all, the small town of Tau, on the other side of Horgefjord, also linked by an underwater tunnel. You'll pass through here on your way to Bergen or the Preikestolen!

Accommodation around the city center

While still well located in Stavanger, but moving a little further away from the historic center, there are other places to stay in Stavanger. A few rentals or bed & breakfasts, but also large modern hotels. And often big chains like Radisson Blu. Or Thon and Scandic, very common in Scandinavian countries.

Less lively than the old town (which can be reached on foot in less than 15 minutes), there are still a few restaurants in this area. Especially along Pedersgata Street.

From a tourist point of view, this area is of little interest. There is, however, a large park in the middle of which lies Lake Breiavatnet.

Here too, if you have a car, you'll need to leave it in a paying parking lot, often close to the hotels.

Accommodation in the Stavanger area

Stavanger is the region's major city. But if you go there mainly to do the main hiking in the area, or to sail on the Lysefjord, staying in the heart of the town is not necessarily a necessity.

Certainly, as you move away, you lose the urban bustle, but you gain access to a greater diversity of accommodation. This is an advantage, as accommodation in Stavanger is relatively expensive and is often booked well in advance. In any case, if you book last-minute, you're unlikely to find accommodation outside Stavanger, to the south.

On the other hand, apart from the site of Hafrsfjord, known for its 3 large swords set in the rock, commemorating a battle that took place several centuries ago, the tourist interest of this area is almost non-existent. The main reason for staying here is to take advantage of a wider choice of accommodation than would be the case if you focused solely on Stavanger itself.

The advantage of staying in this area, however, is that it's closer to the airport, which can be handy for a very short stay. Another advantage is that you can park your car more easily than in the city center, and at no extra cost.