Stavanger: My Adventure Capital
We walked off straight into Gamle Stavanger – 173 perfectly preserved 18th-century white houses with roses climbing the walls and cats sleeping on every doorstep. The petroleum museum is surprisingly cool – interactive oil-platform exhibits that make you feel like a roughneck. We had lunch at Fisketorget – fish soup so rich it should be illegal, eaten on the harbor while gulls circled overhead.
The real magic was the three-hour fjord cruise to Lysefjord – the captain nosed right up to Vagabonds' Cave and cut the engines under Pulpit Rock towering 604 m straight above us. The cliff face is so sheer it looks Photoshopped. We saw mountain goats on impossible ledges and waterfalls that fall for hundreds of meters. The pros: perfect mix of cute town and dramatic nature. The cons: Pulpit Rock hike itself is too long for a port day, but the boat view is arguably better anyway.
Getting Around Stavanger
Ship docks 10-minute walk from old town and harbor. Fjord cruises leave right in front of the ship.
Positively Worded Word of Warning
The wind in Lysefjord can be fierce – a warm layer and windproof jacket make the dramatic scenery even more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Stavanger worth it?
A: Best fjord access without overnighting.
Q: Best thing?
A: Lysefjord cruise with Pulpit Rock view.
Q: How long for fjord cruise?
A: 3–4 hours is perfect.
Q: Walk from port?
A: Yes – straight into Gamle Stavanger.