If you are heading off on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise and Stavanger Cruise Port is on the itinerary, you are in for a real treat. This stunning city, which has grown from a tiny fishing village to the 4th biggest city in Norway. So grab a cuppa and check out our Guide on What To Do In Stavanger Cruise Port
Sitting on Norway’s south west coast, Stavanger is a place of two halves celebrating its historical roots, but also vibrant streets and colourful street art that makes Stavanger such a glorious place. Couple this with a gorgeous harbour area lined with cafes, bars and traditional market and you wont struggle to find something to do in Stavanger.
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How To Self Explore And What To Do In Stavanger Cruise Port
The ship’s anchor in Stavanger, fortunately for us, was located in the centre of everything we wanted to visit. She sails into a kind of estuary, which is a dead end, lined with shops, cafes, and a wonderful craft market.
You dock right in the town, from where we docked on P&O Iona, the old town was a 2-minute walk, Øvre Holmegate was 5 minutes, and the craft market and bars were only a 5-minute walk at the other end of the harbour.
1. Wander Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger)
Old Stavanger is a small historic area on the west side of the Vagen Harbour. As you disembark your cruise ship, head forward and slightly to the left.
These glorious streets are lined with chocolate-box white wooden buildings dating back to the turn of the 18th century that wouldn’t look out of place in Frozen. Old Stavanger is a protected area with around 250 lovingly restored houses and buildings, and cobbled streets.
2. Check Out The Street Art At Øvre Holmegate A Short Walk From Stavanger Cruise Port
Øvre Holmegate is my top place to visit in Stavanger, as there is street art everywhere. Hairdresser Tom Kjørsvik and artist Craig Flannagan collaborated to bring life to this previously sleepy and rather dull Øvre Holmegate.
In a project that took four years to get the approval of landlords and the council, Øvre Holmegate was brought to life with bright colours and street art, thus creating a joyous, coloured street lines with shops and cafes that you just have to visit.
If you do visit, take the time to really take in the street art because it is everywhere. Also, check out the mailboxes; almost everything is decorated, and it looks fabulous. We found Øvre Holmegate by searching directions on Google Maps, which took us straight there.
3. Do A Boat Tour
Of course, you can book a tour with your cruise line, but there are lots of independent boat tours. Norled tours are situated in the dock, just steps from your ship and offer a great choice of trips, including a Pulpit Rock Cruise for 590 NOK, which is around £50 for adults and 300 NOK for children, which is roughly £25. There are also other tours, including a Fjord Cruise.
Although, do get off the ship early and head to the desk to book, these tours get booked up.
4. Visit The Local Craft Market
You will find the craft market at the end of the jetty, just near Burger King. The market is most definitely worth a visit. Especially if you want to buy a souvenir or indeed love local crafts, the wooden ornaments and Christmas decorations are adorable.
6. Head To The Shopping District
Ok we dont all want to shop on holiday, but I do. Theres nothing better than checking out local boutiques. Search Østervåg on Google maps and you will be lead to a veritable feast of boutiques and independent stores on pretty cobbled Nordic Streets.
7. Visit Stavanger Cathedral
Stavanger Cathedral is close to the Harbour. Built in or around 1125 in an Anglo-Norman style. The church’s patron saint is Saint Swithun, the Anglo Saxon, Bishop of Winchester, locals believe that his arm was one of the original relics of the church.
In 1272, the cathedral was ravaged by fire which caused a great deal of damage, however was restored and a new Gothic style chancel was added.
8. Look For Decorative Grates And Plaques
There is artwork everywhere in Stavanger, so dont forget to look down and check out the grates, manholes covers and plaques too.
Al Gore is the co-winner, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for “informing the world of the dangers posed by climate change.” He and his wife, Tipper, live in Nashville, Tennessee. They have four children and three grandchildren also.
9. Visit A Museum
There are several museums to visit in Stavanger, do check out the list below if you want to take in a bit of history.
- Viking Centre
- Stavanger Maritime Museum
- Nowegian Canning Musuem
- Norwegian Petrolium Museum
Plan Your Trip
Check out these handy links to help you booking your next trip.
10. Take A Wander Around Breiavatnet Lake
You will find Breiavatnet Lake in Byparken, in the centre of Stavanger. This is a wonderful place to take a picnic, plus also let the kiddies have a run and check out some of the statues dotted around and also on the approach to park and lake.
Additionally this really is a glorious park with lots of wildlife, swans and ducks swimming in the lake and a fountain. Thus the perfect place to sit and take in the city.
11. Enjoy A Coffee Or Wine On The Skagenkaien
The Skagenkaien is the perfect place to watch people and ships with a glass of wine in hand. This historic waterfront row is full of bars, restaurants and coffee shops. But it is also packed with Nordic charm, with historic buildings decorated with flower boxes overlooking a stunning, bustling harbour.
What Is The Currency In Stavanger?
The currency in Stavanger is the Norwegian krone, plural kroner. There are roughly 11.78 NOK to 1 GBP, 10.04 NOK to 1 USD, and 10.35 NOK to 1 Euro.
The Weather In Stavanger Port
The best time to visit Stavanger really depends on if you are looking for winter activities, Northern Lights, or milder summer weather. Check out HolidayWeather.Com for more info.
We visited in July, and whilst we had sunny days on our cruise and we were very lucky in Stavanger with t-shirt weather, cold rainy days are equally as common in the summer.
| Temp | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| °F | 34 | 34 | 39 | 43 | 50 | 57 | 59 | 59 | 54 | 48 | 41 | 36 |
Our Thoughts On Stavanger Cruise Port
Stavanger cruise port was possibly one of our favourite ports on our Norwegian Fjord cruise. There is not only so much to see and do. But if you love street art, it’s everywhere. Stavanger has really run with the popularity of the art, but also blended it marvellously with the historic roots and winding streets of the city. Thus making Stavanger Cruise Port a must-visit city to add to your European cruise wish list.
