Things to do in Stavanger
Sort
Lysefjord RIB Safari from Stavanger: Pulpit Rock & WaterfallsYou board a RIB speedboat in central Stavanger and spend two hours navigating Lysefjord at speed, passing beneath Pulpit Rock, swimming under Whiskey Falls, and spotting wildlife in the archipelago. The captain handles the route and timing; you bring a camera and a willingness to get wet. All taxes and entry fees are included, and you're back in town by early afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers in Stavanger with a couple of hours free and a tolerance for speed and cold water. The RIB format means you feel every turn and wave, which is exactly what makes the cliffs and waterfalls land so hard—plan for damp clothes and a racing heartbeat, not a leisurely cruise.
Langfoss waterfall shore excursion from Haugesund Norwegian fjordYou drive inland from Haugesund to Langfoss, a 612-meter waterfall ranked among the world's most beautiful, with time to walk close and photograph it. The tour includes a professional guide explaining local history and culture, a stop at Haraldshaugen monument, and a logistics break with fjord views. The schedule is set by the operator and timed to get you back to the ship on time.Is it for me?Built for cruise passengers with a few hours in Haugesund who want to see one of Norway's most spectacular waterfalls without arranging their own transport. The schedule is planned around your ship's departure, which is what makes the drive inland and back possible in the time you have.
Lysefjord RIB boat tour from Stavanger: Pulpit Rock by waterA two-hour RIB boat tour of Lysefjord departing from Stavanger harbor takes you past Pulpit Rock, into the Vagabond Cave, and to the base of Hengjanefossen waterfall on a high-speed guided run through one of Norway's most famous fjords. Your captain navigates the boat close to each landmark, shares the stories behind them, and watches for seals, porpoises and sea eagles along the way. The tour runs in English or Norwegian; children from age 6 are welcome. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup and drop-off at Sandnes port are available options at checkout.Is it for me?Book the standard meeting point if you're staying in or near Stavanger and want to start and end in the city harbor. If you're arriving by cruise ship at Sandnes, choose the cruise port pickup and drop-off option at checkout so the return time is locked around your ship's departure and you don't have to arrange separate transport.
Pulpit Rock Hike from Stavanger: Guided Trek & Fjord ViewsYou hike to one of Norway's most photographed cliffs with a local guide who handles navigation and timing, starting from your Stavanger hotel. The trek takes roughly four hours round-trip including rest time at the top, where you stand on a stone platform 604 meters above Lysefjorden with unobstructed views across the fjord. Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport by minivan, and professional guidance are included; you bring water, snacks, and weather-appropriate clothing.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to reach Pulpit Rock without arranging your own transport or navigation — the guide handles the route and timing, and pickup from your hotel removes the logistics of getting to the trailhead. The hike demands moderate fitness and comfort with exposed heights, and operates regardless of weather, so come prepared for wind and rain.
Haugesund: RIB Safari & White-Tailed Eagle SpottingYou board near the cruise terminal, get fitted with a wetsuit and life jacket, receive a safety briefing from an experienced captain, then spend an hour on the water navigating Haugesund's historic straits and island passages while watching for white-tailed eagles. The two-hour total includes prep and cooldown, so plan accordingly if your ship has a tight turnaround.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers who want speed and wildlife in a short window, and who can handle a fast boat in open water. Expect spray, acceleration, and the physical sensation of the sea—that's what makes the eagle spotting and the strait passages feel real.
Stavanger: Kjerag & Kjeragbolten Guided Hike with PickupYou hike to one of Norway's most famous boulders with a local guide who handles the route and timing, while you focus on the landscape. The day includes round-trip private transfer from your hotel or cruise port, entry to the trail, and views over the Lysefjord that shift as you climb. You'll need moderate-to-high fitness and appropriate weather gear, and the hike operates rain or shine.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Kjerag without arranging your own transport, finding the trailhead, or navigating the route alone—the guide and the private pickup remove all the logistics, leaving you to focus on the hike and the fjord views.
Stavanger: Preikestolen Hike & Undersea Tunnel with Local GuideYou get picked up at your hotel, driven through an engineering marvel, guided up a 604-meter cliff with a local who knows the trail's rhythm, fed a Norwegian snack at the summit, and returned to your door — all in one day, with the pace matched to your group's fitness and the option to explore a hidden trail if conditions allow.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Stavanger who want to see Preikestolen without arranging transport or worrying about the route — the guide handles timing, pacing, and safety. Plan for a full day out and moderate-to-good fitness; that's what makes the hike and the drive feel unhurried rather than rushed.
Karmøy guided bus tour: Skudeneshavn, St. Olav's Church & beachesA 4-hour guided bus tour of Karmøy stops at five landmarks: a miniature Statue of Liberty in Visnes, the Blue Flag beach at Åkrasanden, the historic village of Skudeneshavn, and St. Olav's Church, built in 1250 and still a waypoint on the St. Olav pilgrimage. A local guide in English or German narrates the route; the bus is air-conditioned and has a restroom on board. Lunch and refreshments in Skudeneshavn are at your own cost.Is it for me?The tour departs from and returns to the cruise terminal, so if you're arriving by ship, you don't need to arrange your own transport around Karmøy—the bus and guide handle the route and the timing. If you're staying elsewhere on the island or in the region, confirm your pickup point when you book.
Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock cruise from Stavanger: Hybrid boatA 3.5-hour sailing cruise from Stavanger through Lysefjord on a hybrid boat, passing under Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), Vagabonds Cave and a tall waterfall while a guide shares the fjord's stories and points out wildlife. The boat is wheelchair accessible, has WiFi and an onboard café, and departs directly from Stavanger.Is it for me?You're on a boat the whole time watching the fjord unfold, not hiking to Pulpit Rock yourself — this suits anyone who wants to see the landmark without a steep climb or multi-hour trek, or who has limited time in Stavanger and wants the fjord and the rock in a single afternoon.
Haugesund: EL-Bike City Tour & Rising Tides SculpturesYou’ll ride an electric bike through Haugesund’s lively streets with a local guide, stopping at Viking statues and ancient stone crosses. Feel sea air as you reach “The Rising Tides” horse sculptures on the coast before returning along island-dotted shores. Expect laughter, history, and moments that stick with you long after.
RIB boat tour Stavanger: Lysefjord, Preikestolen & Whisky FallsA 2-hour RIB boat tour departing from a historic boathouse in central Stavanger that takes you into Lysefjord at high speed to see Preikestolen (The Pulpit Rock) towering 604 meters above, Vagabond Cave, and Whisky Falls up close. Local captains share the geology and history as you pass seals, porpoises and sea eagles; the boat gets close enough to Whisky Falls that you can touch the spray. Warm suit, life jacket and goggles included; children from age 6 welcome.Is it for me?The tour departs from Strandkaien 34 in central Stavanger, a short walk or bus ride from the city center, so you don't need a car or a long transfer to get on the water. If you're staying in town without transportation, this is how you reach the fjord's most dramatic sights—Preikestolen, the waterfalls, the caves—in a single morning or afternoon.
Stavanger Electric Fjord Cruise: Preikestolen & LysefjordA 3.5-hour electric catamaran cruise from Stavanger through Lysefjord, passing the 604-meter Preikestolen rock formation, Vagabond's Cave, and Hengjanefossen waterfall. The fully electric boat runs silent, letting you hear the water and the audio guide's stories about the fjord's history and local legends. Onboard café, panoramic windows, and sun deck access included.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want to see Preikestolen and the fjord from the water without arranging your own boat—the silent electric catamaran and fixed schedule mean you're on the water at a set time, with no planning beyond showing up at the Stavanger departure point. It suits mixed groups and solo travelers equally, since you're on a shared boat but free to move between decks and set your own pace around the onboard spaces.
Pulpit Rock RIB & Hike Combo: Lysefjord from sea and summitA 7-hour combo tour from Stavanger pairs a RIB speedboat ride through the Lysefjord with a guided hike to the summit of Pulpit Rock. You'll pass Fantahålå cave and Hengjanefossen waterfall by water, then climb the famous trail to the 600-meter plateau, with minibus transfers and a packed hiking snack included. The guide speaks English and Norwegian, and children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?Choose this combo if you want both the water perspective from the RIB and the summit view from the hike in one day—the two angles show Pulpit Rock completely differently.
Stavanger: E-Scavenger Hunt City Game at Your PaceYou play an e-scavenger hunt on your phone across Stavanger's medieval old town, petroleum museum, harbor, and historic quarters, solving clues and competing for the top score at your own pace. The game includes all access and works for up to six people. You choose when to start, pause, and finish — no guide, no fixed schedule, no group timing.Is it for me?This works well if you want to explore Stavanger on your own terms without booking a guided tour or committing to a fixed schedule — the app structure keeps you moving and curious while the flexibility lets you stop, rest, or linger whenever you need to.
Lysefjorden boat cruise from Stavanger: Pulpit Rock viewsA guided boat cruise from Stavanger into Lysefjorden, visiting Pulpit Rock, Fantahåla, Jettegryta, waterfalls and other fjord landmarks from the water over three to four hours. The tour includes a live guide in English or Norwegian, coffee and tea, and pickup is arranged. You see the steep cliffs and the fjord without leaving the boat.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Norwegian, so you pick the language you follow comfortably. The boat stays on the water the whole time, which suits anyone who wants to see Pulpit Rock and the fjord without hiking or climbing.
Pulpit Rock hike from Stavanger: 6-hour Lysefjord tourA 6-hour guided hiking tour from Stavanger takes you by minivan through the Ryfast Tunnel to the Pulpit Rock trailhead in Lysefjord, where you hike about two hours each way to reach the 604-meter summit. Hotel pickup and a professional English-speaking guide are included; the hike demands moderate fitness.Is it for me?Book this tour if you are comfortable with a sustained uphill hike and want to reach the summit yourself rather than view Pulpit Rock from a boat or a distance—the two-hour climb is what makes standing on the 604-meter plateau possible, and a guide handles the navigation and pacing so you can focus on the walk.
2-day Preikestolen hike and fjord cruise from StavangerThis 2-day tour from Stavanger combines a fjord cruise and overnight stay at a traditional farmhouse cabin with a guided hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), the 604-meter cliff overlooking Lysefjorden. Day one includes the cruise, a short scenic walk to the cabin, and meals; day two is a 12km hike past mountain farms and forests, culminating at Pulpit Rock and its hidden nature trails. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout; the guide speaks English and Norwegian. Children from age 13 are welcome.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Norwegian, so you follow the commentary and the stories about the region comfortably in either language. The 12km hike on day two requires moderate fitness and a full day of walking, but the overnight cabin means you start rested and the pace is set by the guide, not by keeping up with a larger group.
Stavanger City Island guided cruise: Slow-paced harbor tourA guided cruise tour through the city-islands off Stavanger, departing from the Routeboat terminal with a live guide in English or Norwegian. The boat moves at a slow speed, keeping the atmosphere social and relaxed; coffee and tea are included, and you can order shellfish or tapas to eat on board before the guide sets you off where you wish. The whole trip runs one to two hours.Is it for me?The one- to two-hour window leaves room for dinner or other plans the same evening, making this a good fit if you want time on the water without it taking over your whole day. The slow pace and social setup suit a group outing with colleagues or friends more than a solo traveler looking for a structured sightseeing experience.
Stavanger walking tour: Old wooden houses and Preikestolen viewsA private guided walking tour of Stavanger covers the city's landmarks on foot over four hours, starting from hotel or cruise ship pickup. Your guide leads you past the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, up the 1853 fire watchtower at Valberget, through the colourful street of painted houses, past Stavanger Cathedral, and into Old Stavanger's stone-paved lanes lined with northern Europe's largest wooden house settlement. The tour ends with your guide helping arrange a taxi or directing you to a dinner spot they recommend.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary without translation or a headset—good for anyone who wants to ask questions and hear the stories as they unfold at each stop. The private format means the pace and stops adjust to your interests, and pickup from your hotel or ship removes the logistics of finding the meeting point yourself.
