I love Norway. Seriously, my most recent trip with P&O Cruises to the Norwegian Fjords was epic. I fell in love with the Nordic country instantly and would go back a hundred times over. Our first stop was Bergen and after that we travelled a little bit south to Stavanger. There are so many things to do in Stavanger, and I feel as if we only scratched the surface. So if you’re looking for places to explore and activities to partake in during your time in the city, I’ve got you covered.
Things to do in Stavanger, Norway
Getting There
First things first, decide on whether or not you want to arrive by air or by sea. I highly suggest hopping on board a P&O Norwegian Fjords cruise (and if you’re lucky enough to book a place on the Iona, do it). It’s the best way to really see and experience the fjords since you’re literally cruising through them. Plus, cruising there allows you to unpack your bags, settle into your stateroom, and explore new places each day. Sounds like a win to me!
1. Cruise Deep into the Fjords
Sure, if you’re already cruising through the Fjords you may be wondering why you would choose to embark on a fjord cruise during your visit to Stavanger. But, its one of the best things to do in Stavanger, so hop on board and make your way to the Lysefjorden. During your three hour cruise you’ll cruise through the fjord (which is the which is the water, not the mountains), take a pit stop for waffles, taste water directly from a waterfall, hang out with some mountain goats, and more! It’s not to be missed!
2. Dine on the Freshest of Mussels… and Cheese
I had no idea that Norway was such a foodie destination. But, with several Michelin star restaurants dotting the Fjords, eating (and eating well) is definitely something you should do in Stavanger. Head to Re-naa for some fresh mussels or one of their lunch platters. Make sure you start your meal off with the cheese and olives. You’re in for a treat if you do because the cheese being served is called the Rosalita, because it was made from one cow named, you guessed it, Rosalita.
3. Fly High Above the Fjords and the City
Helicopters are an incredible way to see a place from a different persepective. If the weather is working in your favor, hop on a helicopter and fly high over the city of Stavanger and the Fjords. Most flights will take you to Pulpit rock but unfortunately for us the weather just wasn’t cooperating. Instead, we soared over Stavanger and the harbour, which was still absolutely beautiful!
4. Hike up to the Manafossen Waterfall
Put on your hiking gear and climb the steep steps up to the Manafossen Waterfall. I imagine on a dry day this isn’t too bad but we climbed up in the rain so it was quite slippery. There is a rope to hold onto but I’d still suggest wearing hiking boots or sneakers/trainers with a good grip on them! If you have a lot of time, you can do a longer hike, but we just did the one that took about 20 minutes. The view is insane, so it’s definitely worth the uphill climb!
5. Paddle Board Through the Fjords
Grab your wetsuit and start paddling! If you’re intersted in experiencing an adventurous activity like paddle boarding in the cold fjord, you’ve come to the right place. Located just under an hour from Stavanger is the Frafjord. Sign up for a paddleboarding tour with Frafjord SUP and Kayaking and prepare to be amazed as you paddle through the towering mountains. It’s something you won’t want to miss out on.
This post was sponsored by P&O Cruises. I was paid in exchanged for this post, but as always all opinions are my own.
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