Hotels in Stavanger, Norway

A little about Stavanger...

Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway. Stavanger was established as a municipality January 1, 1838. The rural municipalities of Hetland and Madla were merged with Stavanger January 1, 1965.

Stavanger is the 4th largest city in Norway, with a population of 117,315 (2007) and approximately 181,300 people in the conurbation, making the Stavanger-Sandnes city area the third largest in Norway. The city has been called the Petroleum Capital of Norway.

The city is a combination of new and old influences. There is a significant foreign influence with the nearby Joint Warfare Center, a base where rotating NATO forces (but not permanently stationed foreign forces) are stationed, as well as foreign oil interests. Norway's oldest cathedral, Stavanger domkirke, is situated right in the city centre. Stavanger has several beautiful lakes, which are popular recreation areas. Breiavatnet is located in the heart of Stavanger, while Mosvatnet and Stokkavatnet are situated right outside.

Stavanger Airport is located 14 km from the city centre, in the municipality of Sola.

Transport: Access to Stavanger is provided through the road E39 from Kristiansand and north on the west coast, Sola airport with connection to domestic and international destinations, including Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, a port serving international ferries to Newcastle, UK and Hirtshals, Denmark and domestic ferries to Tau and train from Oslo.

The city has a number of bus services and taxis. The public transportation system dœs not use subways or small trains. There are two tunnel projects planned: Ryfast and Rogfast.

Stavanger has one university, the University of Stavanger with about 8,000 students. The university was formerly a university college. It was granted status as University on January 1, 2005.

Outdoor Activities:
Lysefjorden is popular for hiking. Not too far from Stavanger, alpine centers are ready for skiers and snowboarders throughout the winter season.

Prekestolen (aka the Pulpit Rock) is a massive rock overhanging the fjord known for its hiking. Kjeragbolten is a rock wedged in the cliff 604 meters above the fjord. The free fall makes Kjerag a very popular location for BASE jumping.

City Centre: the harbour and Breiavatnet.For the more urban minded, Old Stavanger (Gamle Stavanger) is located right next to the city centre. This collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth century wooden structures is one of the finest in Northern Europe.

Stavanger domkirke (St. Svithun's cathedral) was built between 1100 and 1125 by the English bishop Reinald in Anglo-Norman style, and in the late 13th century a new choir was added in Gothic style, with a vaulted roof.

Museums: The Stavanger Museum is also located in Old Stavanger, commemorating the city's past glory as the herring capital of Norway.

The museum of Archaelogy is one of five archaeological museums in Norway. According to the Museum itself it, follows a profile of environmental archaeology and interdisciplinary study, with a scientific staff that includes representatives from archaeology, the natural sciences and modern cultural history.

The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is located at the harbour. The museum reflects the fact that Stavanger has been Norway's oil capital since oil drilling activities started in the North Sea in 1966.