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How many days in Stavanger? 3 days for Preikestolen, the Lysefjord and the old town
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Stavanger is Norway's oil capital and one of its oldest towns, with a medieval cathedral and one of the best-preserved quarters of old wooden houses in northern Europe, Gamle Stavanger. Most people come for Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock, a flat-topped cliff about 600 metres above the Lysefjord. Plan three days: one in town, one for the hike, one for the fjord by boat or the coast to the south. The weather decides the order: hike on the driest day.
Short answer
Two days is enough for the town and Preikestolen. The third day adds a Lysefjord cruise, which shows the rock from below, and the Viking-era Swords in Rock monument.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Old Stavanger, the harbour and the cathedral
Morning. Walk the lanes of Gamle Stavanger, on the west side of the harbour Vågen: about 170 white wooden houses, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, with flower boxes and cobbles. Inside the old town, the Norwegian Canning Museum (Norsk Hermetikkmuseum) tells the story of the sardine factories that once employed much of the town.
Afternoon. Visit the Stavanger Cathedral (Domkirke), begun in the early 12th century and often described as Norway's best-preserved medieval cathedral; check opening times, as restoration work has affected visits in recent years. Then walk to Øvre Holmegate, known as Fargegaten, a short street of houses painted in bright colours and lined with cafes.
Evening. Visit the Norwegian Petroleum Museum (Norsk Oljemuseum) on the harbour, built to look like an oil platform (entry roughly NOK 180-200; check closing time). Eat on the Skagenkaien and Strandkaien quays; a main course costs about NOK 300-400 and a beer about NOK 110-130.
Climb the Valbergtårnet, an old fire-watch tower above the harbour, for a free view over the rooftops and Vågen.
Day 2: Preikestolen, the Pulpit Rock
Morning. Drive or take a summer bus to Preikestolen Fjellstue, the trailhead, about 45-60 minutes from Stavanger through the Ryfylke tunnel, one of the world's longest undersea road tunnels. Start walking by 8:00. The trail is about 4 km each way with roughly 350 metres of climbing, on stone steps and bare rock; most people take 2 hours up.
Afternoon. Spend time on the plateau, about 25 by 25 metres, and walk a few minutes higher for the classic view down onto it. Descend by the same path, about 1.5-2 hours. Parking at the trailhead costs roughly NOK 300 a day for a car; summer buses cost roughly NOK 400-500 return.
Evening. Back in Stavanger, take a sauna at one of the floating or harbour saunas, or eat at the Fisketorget fish market restaurant on the harbour, where fish soup costs about NOK 200-250.
The rock has no railings. Stay well back from the edge, keep children close, and turn back if wind and rain are strong. Wear hiking boots and carry a waterproof and food; there is nothing to buy on the trail.
Day 3: Lysefjord cruise and Swords in Rock
Morning. Take a Lysefjord cruise from the harbour, about 3 hours return (roughly NOK 700-900). Boats pass the Hengjanefossen waterfall, the cave of Fantahålå and sail under Preikestolen, about 600 metres above. On some summer days, you can also take a car ferry along the fjord to Lysebotn, below the Kjerag hike.
Afternoon. Take a bus or drive about 15 minutes to Sverd i fjell (Swords in Rock) at Hafrsfjord, three 10-metre bronze swords marking the battle traditionally said to have united Norway under Harald Fairhair in 872. Continue south to Solastranden (Sola beach), a long sandy beach with dunes next to the airport.
Evening. Return for a last dinner around Vågen or in the old Pedersgata area, where restaurants serve Asian, Middle Eastern and Norwegian food. A glass of wine costs about NOK 140-170.
On the cruise, sit on the open deck on the side facing the cliffs (usually starboard on the way out), and bring warm clothes even in July; it is cold on the water.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do the town on your arrival day and Preikestolen on the second. If the weather is bad on hiking day, take the Lysefjord cruise instead and see the rock from below.
Got extra days?
Strong hikers can add Kjerag, a boulder wedged in a crevice about 1,000 metres above the fjord, a demanding 5-6 hour hike reached via Lysebotn (road open roughly June to September). Or spend a day on the Jæren coast south of town, with long beaches and lighthouses.
Where to stay in Stavanger
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Near the railway station | Hostels and simple hotels, 5 minutes' walk to the harbour and buses. | NOK 900-1,300 |
| Mid-range | Vågen harbour | On the waterfront, a short walk from Old Stavanger and the cruise boats. | NOK 1,500-2,300 |
| Mid-range | Storhaug / east of the centre | Quieter, near Fargegaten and Pedersgata restaurants. | NOK 1,300-2,000 |
| Comfort | Design and harbour-view hotels | Larger rooms with views over Vågen and the old town. | NOK 2,500-4,500 |
Getting around
The centre is walkable: Old Stavanger to Fargegaten is about 10 minutes. Kolumbus buses cover the region; a single ticket is about NOK 45-50 and a 24-hour ticket roughly NOK 130, bought in the Kolumbus app. The Flybussen airport bus from Sola takes about 25 minutes. For Preikestolen, summer buses run from the centre, or drive through the Ryfylke tunnel (toll applies). Fjord cruises leave from the Skagenkaien and Strandkaien quays. Trains run south along the Jæren coast and north-east towards Kristiansand and Oslo (about 8 hours to Oslo).
What to eat in Stavanger
Stavanger has some of the best restaurants in Norway, but eating out is expensive. For value, buy fish cakes and shrimp sandwiches at fish counters, or order fish soup on the harbour. Try brown cheese (brunost) on waffles and the cinnamon buns (kanelboller) sold in every bakery. A casual lunch costs NOK 180-250, a dinner main NOK 300-400, and alcohol is heavily taxed: shops sell beer only until 20:00 on weekdays (18:00 Saturdays), and wine only in the state Vinmonopolet stores.
Best time to visit
June to August for long days (up to 19 hours of daylight), warmest weather (often 15-22°C) and reliable Preikestolen buses and fjord cruises. May and September are quieter and often good for hiking, but some services run less often. Stavanger is rainy all year; check forecasts daily. From November to March, Preikestolen can be icy and should be done only with a guide and proper equipment.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | NOK 550 | NOK 950 | NOK 1,800 |
| Food & drink | NOK 450 | NOK 850 | NOK 1,400 |
| Sights & tickets | NOK 200 | NOK 550 | NOK 1,000 |
| Local transport | NOK 130 | NOK 300 | NOK 600 |
| Total per person, per day | about NOK 1,330 | about NOK 2,650 | about NOK 4,800 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Norwegian kroner (NOK); Norway was preparing a tourist tax for some municipalities, so check whether Stavanger applies one when you book.
Before you go
Common questions
How hard is the Preikestolen hike?
It is moderate. The route is about 8 km return with roughly 350 metres of climbing, mostly on stone steps and bare rock. Fit walkers manage it in 4 hours return plus time at the top. You need hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, water and food. Children from about six years old often do it with their families.
Can I do Preikestolen without a car?
Yes, in the main season. Summer buses run from central Stavanger to the trailhead at Preikestolen Fjellstue, usually several times a day, and tour operators sell packages with transport. Out of season, services are limited, so check before planning. A taxi is possible but expensive.
Should I do the cruise or the hike?
If you can, do both: they show the Lysefjord in different ways. The hike gives you the famous view from the top; the cruise shows the scale of the cliffs and waterfalls from the water. If you have only one day and the weather is wet or windy, the cruise is the safer choice.
Is Stavanger very expensive?
Yes, like the rest of Norway. A coffee costs around NOK 45-55, a beer in a bar NOK 110-130 and a main course NOK 300-400. To save money, buy food in supermarkets, carry a refillable bottle (tap water is excellent), use hostels or apartments, and plan one big restaurant meal rather than several.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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