Stavanger sightseeing tour: Swords in the Rock and viewpoint

Stavanger's landmarks and coastline in one morning loop

A minibus tour of Stavanger and its countryside covering the Viking monument Swords in the Rock, the 360-degree viewpoint Ullandhaugstårnet, a vintage-car museum with free entry, and a local fishing harbour with beach and WWII ruins. The route also passes a 1140 stone church, sandy beaches and the King's Residence Ledaal, with an experienced driver and groups kept to 16 passengers or fewer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stavanger sightseeing and highlights tour

• Pass Stavanger Concert Hall
• Photo-stop at King's Residence Ledaal
• Visit Swords in the Rock monument
• Visit old stone church
• Pass sandy beach near Stavanger Airport
• Explore local fishing harbour and beach
• Pass another scenic beach
• Visit vintage car museum
• Visit Ullandhaugstårnet viewpoint
• Stop outside Stavanger cathedral

The experience

Stavanger's centre is where the tour begins, next to the cruise port and Old Town. From there the minibus heads into the countryside, passing the Stavanger Concert Hall and the King's Residence Ledaal before reaching the Swords in the Rock: a striking Viking monument that anchors the tour's historical thread. The route then moves through charming villages and along scenic coastline, stopping at a 2,300-meter sandy beach near Sola Airport and a local fishing harbour where you can walk the beach, explore WWII fort ruins or grab ice cream at the kiosk.

The vintage-car museum visit comes with free entry and holds a large collection of trucks and machines alongside the cars. Ullandhaugstårnet, a local viewpoint, delivers a 360-degree panorama over Stavanger and the surrounding fjords: the kind of vantage point larger tour buses cannot reach. An old stone church from 1140 rounds out the cultural stops. The tour ends near the cathedral, a short walk back to the cruise port, though passengers can depart at any stop along the way.

The minibus format is what makes the smaller stops and tighter viewpoints accessible. Hop-on-hop-off buses and larger coaches skip these sites entirely. With groups capped at 16, the pace stays unhurried and the atmosphere stays intimate. The tour runs 2.5 hours and suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Visit to the historic Swords in the Rock monument.
• comfortable minivan with an experienced driver.
• entry to Ullandhaugstårnet viewpoint with 360-degree views over Stavanger and its fjords.
• free entry to the vintage-car museum.
• a local fishing harbour with beach access and WWII fort ruins.
• scenic stops at sandy beaches and the King's Residence Ledaal.
• and a pass by the 1140 stone church.

Before you book

Days and timesThursdayDeparts at 10:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish and Norwegian

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Fjord Xplore

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided route covering Stavanger's main sights (the Viking monument, medieval church, vintage car museum, and fishing harbor) without deciding stops yourself. The small minibus size lets you reach harbors and viewpoints that larger coaches cannot.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

31 verified traveler reviews

5 ★24

4 ★6

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Norwegian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Swords in the Rock monument?

Swords in the Rock is a historic Viking monument and one of the tour's main stops, a striking tribute to Norway's Viking heritage located in the Stavanger area.

Can I see the city from a high viewpoint on this tour?

Yes, Ullandhaugstårnet is a local viewpoint included on the route where you get a 360-degree view over Stavanger and its surrounding fjords.

Is entry to the vintage-car museum included?

Free entry to the vintage-car museum is included in the tour. It holds a large collection of vintage cars, trucks and machines.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 2.5 hours and covers multiple stops across Stavanger city, its countryside, beaches and harbours.