Accommodation
Stavanger is known for oil and sardines! however there is more than meets the eye in this West Coast Norwegian City.
Stavanger in the area of North Jæren, is with its 122 000 inhabitants the fourth largest city of Norway. It is also the administrative center of Rogaland County. The city is one of Norway’s most important maritime cities, but is today best known as the country's "oil capital" and as a centre of culinary excellence.
With good climatic conditions Rogaland is the leading agricultural county of Norway as well as an important district for fishery. These good agricultural conditions are of vital importance to the gastronomy in Stavanger. As a result, the city has several highly acclaimed restaurants, as well as an annual “Happy Food Festival” (Gladmat Festivalen). The purpose is to present and share the food traditions of the region. There are also a number of other festivals on a yearly basis in Stavanger. The city holds the Great Norwegian Humor Festival, the Chamber Music Festival, May Jazz and not to forget The World Tour Sand-volleyball.
In addition to culture and cuisine, the region of Stavanger offers great natural surroundings. Among the most famous areas is The Pulpit Rock, The Sola beach and the enormous mountain wall named Kjerrag. You are welcome to take a trip along the coast for a leisurely walk along the dunes, and when the weather permits, you can use the wind to kite and the waves to try you on the surf board. You may also take a hike in the woods and hills, to a still water, or a rippling brook, and some fishing. The sightseeing boat will take you to the wonderful Lysefjord. Here you find popular tourist destinations as the Pulpit Rock, with its 604 meters above sea level stands out as an impressive pulpit over the fjord.
Statoil and several of the largest international oil companies have their Norwegian headquarters in the city. With this follows an extensive offshore industry, which also include production of oil platforms, witch alone make up 40 percent of the oil industry.
Stavanger- Article as featured in the Daily Telegraph 2009
At the very heart of the fjords, Stavanger manages to be both a cosmopolitan metropolis and an exquisite, unspoilt getaway. The narrow streets have mountain views in almost every direction, with deep, blue waters lapping against the quaint quayside which celebrates almost 900 years of maritime tradition. Sitting on a peninsula on the fjord, Lysefjorden warmed by the Gulf Stream the climate is mild and the summers wonderful.
This is a centre for exploring the fjordland, yet has plenty of attractions itself . The narrow lanes of Old Stavanger are awash with white clapboard and 18th century fishermen’s cottages, while the Jaeren beaches, Norway’s longest sandy shore, with dunes and protected wildlife are just outside town.
Exploring the Lysefjord, the longest and most striking fjord in the Stavanger region with its towering cliffs and rock formations, makes a stunning boat trip. The best views are from the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a 604m rock, which is well worth the boat and coach trip – as well as the and two-hour hike. There are also endless opportunities to visit other fjords, either with hired car or by coach, and the hike up into the unspoilt peaks. Valberg Tower, a 19th century watch tower in the heart of Stavanger, has stunning vistas of the city and its watery surroundings.
Stavanger, as an oil industry centre, is full of good hotels. There are also excellent restaurants using the local fish and seafood, as well as a big cafe society spilling out on to the glorious seafront. With Stavanger less than two hours from Britain by plane, it’s possible to come here for a fjord weekend, and with the city being so small you can see the place to the full (and it was a European Capital of Culture in 2008, so there’s plenty going on) in a short break.
Stavanger
