Stavanger

Stavanger is a city where dramatic nature and fascinating history sit side by side on Norway’s southwestern coast. It plays a huge role in powering much of Europe, as the surrounding North Sea made Norway one of the world’s great oil-producing nations, and Stavanger sits right at the heart of that story. Yet walk a few streets in the right direction and you find yourself among rows of beautifully kept white wooden houses from two centuries ago, so charming and unchanged that the modern world seems to simply disappear.

Outside the city, nature turns truly jaw-dropping. A hike above the Lysefjord rewards you with one of the most spectacular views imaginable, where ancient rock plunges hundreds of metres straight down into glittering blue water far below.

Stavanger is a place of real contrasts — old and new, rugged wilderness and cosy cobbled streets. Whether you love history, adventure, or simply stunning scenery, this Norwegian city has something that will stick with you long after you leave.