When you picture the Nordics, you’re probably thinking Stockholm’s ocher-colored Gamla Stan and winding canals, Copenhagen’s bright waterfront and that Little Mermaid everyone snaps a pic of, or Helsinki’s spa scene and its monumental whitewashed cathedral.
Pretty as those spots are, nothing says “Scandi winter” quite like the under-the-radar, but fast-rising Stavanger in Norway.
No, it’s not a capital city like the rest, and no, it does not host nonstop Transatlantic flights, but travel experts at The Times have handpicked it as the best city break this season, and loving traditional architecture and fjord views ourselves, we’re inclined to agree:
A Hidden Gem Of Scandinavia
A vibrant port city with over 146,000 inhabirants, Stavanger may not be the average tourist’s first choice when planning a Norway getaway, but it is up there with Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim as one of the country’s main cultural hubs.
It lies on the southwestern coast of Norway, and despite its rapidly-growing urban zone, it’s still got that laid-back, small-town feel, with plenty of Old World charm to go ’round.
The Old Town, known locally in Norwegian as Gamle Stavanger, is a little maze of cobble-paved alleys lined with white-painted wooden townhouses from the 1700s and 1800s, plus cozy cafés with decked-out patios serving fresh-out-the-oven pastries.
At the center of the historic core, you’ll find Stavanger Cathedral:
The architectural centerpiece of Gamle Stavanger, combining both the Romanesque and Gothic styles, it dates back to the year 1125, when the city was founded, and it is regarded as one of Norway’s best-preserved medieval cathedrals.
A Lively Waterfront
From the Old Town, you’re only a short 8-10 minute walk to Vågen, Stavanger’s lively harbor.
It’s known for its brightly colored wooden houses, a sharp contrast to Gamle Stavanger’s pale tones, and with the constant shuffle of boats, classic Norwegian eateries along the water, and quirky boutique shops, it’s the beating heart of Stavanger’s social scene.
If you’re wondering where the colorful street from the picture is located, that’s Fargegaten. Great photo ops all around, and an even greater spot for foodies keen on sampling Norwegian goodies:
For fair-trade coffee, delicious cinammon rolls and heart-warming mugs of hot chocolate, check out Bøker og Børst. Trust us, it’s even more welcoming on a rainy day, when you settle into a book, or grab a board game, and enjoy your kaffepause as the raindrops trickle down the window.
You also don’t want to miss out on the Fish Market (Fisketorget), the location for fresh seafood and some seafaring history. Options are plentiful, but Fisketorget is your address if you’re craving daily catch brought in by fishermen themselves.
A quick walk up a moderate hill, Valbergtårnet is not to be skipped, either: an old watchtower overlooking Vågen, it’s where locals go to catch the sunset, on the rare occasion the sun makes a late-afternoon apparition in the colder months.
Fjords Views For Days
No trip to Stavanger is complete without exploring the nature surrounding it. After all, southwestern Norway is filled with the most dramatic, breathtaking nature.
Picture waterfalls tumbling from cliffs, winding fjords flanked by snow-capped peaks, and gliding through serene, glass-like bay waters that will, every now and then, be breached by a solitary whale.
For those who don’t want to stray too far into the wild, a simple bike ride to Sverd i fjell, or ‘Swords in Rock’, will do: a trio of giant bronze Viking swords, the tallest of which is about 33 ft tall, planted into hard rock, they overlook the scenic Hafrsfjord, where Norway was born.
For context, this is where an important battle was fought, between Harald Fairhair and rivaling chieftains. The outcome? Fairhair’s army defeated every other warring clan, and he then proceeded to unite Norway into a single kingdom for the first time in its history.
That’s not the only fjord in the city’s vicinity, though: The Times recommends you take a two-hour Rib safari across the equally-scenic Lysefjord. Those can be costly, costing around NOK 1,190, or about US$145 per person, but the views are absolutely worth it.
What can we say? Stavanger may be off-the-beaten-path for the average tourist, but it’s still Norway.
Whilst in Lysefjord, don’t forget to check out the Pulpit Rock, a flat-topped cliff commanding a beautiful panorama of the water inlet. For that, you’ll want to prepare in advance: the roundtrip is between 4-5 hours on foot, and it’s a steady climb to the viewpoint.
But hey, at least this is a free activity!
Why Visit Stavanger Right Now
The Times reports that 2025 is Stavanger’s ‘moment to shine’, as it’s entered its 900th anniversary.
Celebrations have been taking place around-the-clock all year long, from music festivals, to dance performances, to innovative art installations amid the epic Norwegian nature, and so much more.
The year is already coming to an end, but the celebratory feel is sure to carry on this winter with Christmas markets, and the festive lights that will soon adorn the picturesque streets of Gamle Stavanger.
The most convenient way to get to Stavanger this winter is to fly to Stavanger Airport (SVG), located roughly 7 miles outside the downtown zone. It is well-connected to a number of major transit hubs, including Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt.
Alternatively, if you’re landing in Oslo or Bergen, you can get a train to Stavanger—just beware of the long distances. Norway’s a biiiiig country, and a train ride from Oslo to Stavanger will take 7-8 hours.
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