Stavanger
Stavanger town centre is small and easy to walk around. Gamle (old) Stavanger is separated from the more modern part of town by a strip of harbour where huge cruise ships, tankers and even submarines often park. The town is pretty and there's no shortage of interesting shops and museums to wander around as well as plenty of great places to eat and drink. As Norway's oil capital there are a lot of ex-pats of all different nationalities living in Stavanger - you'll usually run into them in the Irishman and Newsman pubs.
Highlights
Although there are some very interesting museums, monuments and galleries around Stavanger, for me the best part is getting out and enjoying the countryside. Whether it's by car, boat, bike, horse, foot or ski, I'd really recommend exploring Stavanger's surrounding area for a day or two, no matter what the season.Walking
From a half hour stroll in the city centre to a hilly day hike in the countryside, Rogaland has some of the most spectacular walks ever.
Downhill Skiing
The nearest ski resorts (one and a half to two hours drive from Stavanger) are Ålsheia, Fidjeland and Ådneram in Sirdal and Stavtjørn in Bjerkreim. None are particularly large, just t-bar lifts, a few runs and a vertical drop of less than 1000 m, but all are popular in the winter.
Further afield are Hovden and Røldal, both only really practical for a weekend trip but with much better facilities than the closest resorts.
Cross-country skiing
In the winter there's sometimes enough snow on the ground to ski to work, but all year round you'll see locals whizzing along cycle paths wearing modified roller skates and carrying ski poles.
For cross-country skiing on snow, most people head to Hunnedalen and Sirdal where there are lots of marked skiing tracks and you can easily go on a multi-day trek by using the hytte network.
Surfing
Along Jæren's coastline are a succession of good, uncrowded breaks, the closest about 40 minutes drive from Stavanger. Water temperature is quite pleasant in the summer due to the gulf stream but it can get a bit chilly in winter. Surfsentrum in town hires out gear.
Climbing
There's an indoor climbing centre in Stavanger and plenty of outdoor climbing not too far away. In Dale, less than an hour's drive away, are bolted routes and some trad climbing on granite. Sport climbing is popular and the easier bolted routes can get crowded on fine evenings and weekends. It's a beautiful spot though and the view from the top is worth a wait if you can't get there early.
Water sports
Sailing is very popular, with a regatta held every Wednesday afternoon in the harbour. There are kayak and rowing clubs at Stokkavatnet, both are friendly and the lake is a reasonable size and interesting enough to potter about on. Both sports are summer only, but each club seems happy to lend out their gear to people with the right attitude and a bit of experience. I used to take a single scull out quite often for a late evening paddle when the place was quite deserted and a group of us borrowed an extra kayak for an excursion down Lysefjord one weekend.
Eating
There are so many excellent restaurants in Stavanger that I can't mention them all. Instead I've listed a few places which offer something a bit different.
Flor og Fjære
On Hidle island halfway between Stavanger and Tau, a lunch or dinner reservation here includes boat transfers and a tour of the gardens as well as a buffet meal. The island has its own micro-climate and the owners strive to grow as many unlikely things as possible. It's quite an amazing place; a fantastic day out and lovely food.
The oil museum
Good food - especially lunch or brunch - and a great location for watching the boats go past. The museum is also excellent and even the shop has some great gadgets and gimmicks.
Solastrand Hotel
Near the airport but facing onto beautiful Sola beach, we often used to come here for afternoon tea and cake. The service is very variable but the apple cake is delicious. Very popular for wedding and confirmation parties, you'll often see groups wearing the bunad, traditional Norwegian dress.
Gladmat
If you're lucky enough to be in Stavanger for the annual food festival you can take a wander round the harbour and try something from whichever stalls take your fancy. Whether you want oysters and champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries or traditional foods like kumle or lutefisk, there's plenty of choice and small "taster" portions.
Byrkjedal candle factory
On the way to Sirdal, this is a good touristy place to stop for nice hot chocolate, great pancakes and hearty meals. I'd recommend the elk meatballs.
Øygardstøl
A café at the start of the Kjerag walk, perched on stilts over the drop to Lysefjord, it's the only place for a few miles to get anything to eat. It's worth going in for a cake and to admire the view.
