Places in Stavanger

Much of this section is adapted from an article on Stavanger from the Observer newspaper…

Old Town Stavanger
Old town, or “Gamle Stavanger”, as it’s known, is built on a hillside to the west of the harbor. The 18th century, regulation-white wooden houses are criss-crossed by cobblestone alleys where we’ll find artist’s shops and studios. There are lovely views across the harbour.

Stavanger Harbor
We can spend a few hours moseying around the harbor, looking at wooden boats, cruise ships,people-watching and exploring the boutiques in the area. The oil museum and Sardine Canning Museum are both in the city centre. The Canning Museum (Øvre Strandgate 88) is apparently quite entertaining, although I’ve never been. Before Stavanger became the Saudi Arabia of the North, the economy was based around its exports of sardines in oil.

The Sardine Canning Museum may be worth a visit!

The Oil Museum might be as well. There is a lovely café we could grab a coffee there at as well.

City Center

Shopping:
The traffic-free city centre, with its narrow streets and open spaces, is where most of the action in Stavanger is, from English-language bookshops and chic interior design boutiques to clothes stores and record shops. But beware: Norway is one of the world’s most expensive countries, so shopaholics should be selective.

Food:

For a bite to eat, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. We will want to take you to Tango, Stim, Harry Pepper, Ostehuset, Food Story and Sting!

Tango Bar & Kjøkken (Nedre Strandgate 25) is a restaurant we have to try once. By Stavanger standards it´s fancy, as it serves modern cuisine in sleek and minimalist surroundings, and a mean ‘champagne lunch’ on Saturdays. The food menu changes daily.

Other fancypants resto’s include Jans Mat og Vinhus and Craigs Kjøkken og Bar which serves French-inspired dishes that would make a vegetarian squeal with anxiety. I’ve never been to either for lack of penger (money).

There is a new Ostehuset which has just opened near our place. We can definitely check that out for great sandwiches and salads. Yes, it´s expensive, but in the case of eating out in Norway, it´all relative.

Stavanger Dom Kirke

A beautiful church in the Stavanger city centre that you’ll want to check out. It’s perfectly placed by the harbour and pond, between good restaurants and all of the cute shops, overlooking the waterfront.