Between the cliffs and the North Sea’s dramatic coastline lies the Norwegian city of Stavanger. Founded in 1125, the city has seen more than its fair share of ups and downs, having played an important role in the nation’s history, from its involvement with the shipping and canning industry to its eventual hand in the 1960s oil boom.

Today, Stavanger is Norway’s third-largest city and a popular stop-off for those cruising along the fjords. However, the city is worth more than a quick stretch of the legs. Peer beyond the typical port side view, and a city brimming with life will come into view. From its colourful city streets to quirky museums and outdoor activities, this maritime centre is a city for all seasons.

Where History and Colour Collide

Despite lacking the size and notoriety of the capital, Oslo, Stavanger’s historic heart is the perfect mix of eclectic and eccentric. Start by getting your bearings with a walk along the harbour side, taking time to soak in the sounds and smells of the sea as you watch working trollers and gigantic cruise liners sail side-by-side.

Walking along the harbour naturally leads to the oldest part of the city, Gamle Stavanger. Here, paved roads turn to cobblestone, and the city takes on a more village-like feel. Undeniably Instagrammable, the area is comprised of a series of white, wooden cottages that once served as homes for the city’s industry workers. Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll also find the picturesque area of Byparken marked by a 10th-century cathedral.

Inward from the harbour, the city takes on a different feel altogether. The city’s main shopping quarter is always busy with hustle and bustle. Filled with plenty of independent shops, this is also where you’ll find the infamous Øvre Holmegate – a street filled with timbered buildings of all colours of the rainbow.

Separating the Petrol from the Diesel

Stavanger’s long history has seen the city play a crucial role in many groundbreaking industries, and you’ll find several quirky museums dedicated to telling their story.

Tucked between Gamle Stavanger’s white cottages, IDDIS: The Norwegian Canning Museum is a Mecca for all things canned food. Based in a former canning factory, the museum takes visitors on a journey to discover every process that goes into preserving perishable goods. The museum also has an example of a white cottage, providing insight into historical life in the area.

On the waterfront, meanwhile, the city pays homage to a very different style of industry. A mix between bedrock and offshore oil installations, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum is impossible to miss. The museum offers an immersive experience exploring Norway’s oil boom and the scientific processes behind oil refining. Its interactive exhibits and views across the bay are sure to be the highlight of anyone’s trip to the city.

A View from Beneath the Pulpit

Having explored all the city has to offer, no trip to Stavanger is complete without exploring the region’s natural wonders.

While there are many ways to discover these geographical spectacles, going by boat offers the best way of seeing everything in a short space of time. Cruising down the Lysefjord will find you face to face with sights such as the jaw-dropping sheer cliff of Pulpit Rock and the calming beauty found at Hengjanefossen.