Whenever you image the Nordics, you’re most likely pondering Stockholm’s ocher-colored Gamla Stan and winding canals, Copenhagen’s brilliant waterfront and that Little Mermaid everybody snaps a pic of, or Helsinki’s spa scene and its monumental whitewashed cathedral.
Fairly as these spots are, nothing says “Scandi winter” fairly just like the under-the-radar, however fast-rising Stavanger in Norway.
No, it is not a capital metropolis like the remaining, and no, it doesn’t host nonstop Transatlantic flights, however journey specialists at The Times have handpicked it as the greatest metropolis break this season, and loving conventional structure and fjord views ourselves, we’re inclined to agree:
A Hidden Gem Of Scandinavia
A vibrant port metropolis with over 146,000 inhabirants, Stavanger might not be the common vacationer’s first alternative when planning a Norway getaway, however it’s up there with Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim as one of many nation’s main cultural hubs.
It lies on the southwestern coast of Norway, and regardless of its rapidly-growing city zone, it is nonetheless obtained that laid-back, small-town really feel, with loads of Previous World appeal to go ‘spherical.
The Previous City, recognized regionally in Norwegian as Gamle Stavanger, is a little bit maze of cobble-paved alleys lined with white-painted picket townhouses from the 1700s and 1800s, plus cozy cafés with decked-out patios serving fresh-out-the-oven pastries.
On the heart of the historic core, you will discover Stavanger Cathedral:
The architectural centerpiece of Gamle Stavanger, combining each the Romanesque and Gothic kinds, it dates again to the yr 1125, when town was based, and it’s thought to be considered one of Norway’s best-preserved medieval cathedrals.
A Full of life Waterfront
From the Previous City, you are solely a brief 8-10 minute stroll to Vågen, Stavanger’s energetic harbor.
It’s recognized for its brightly coloured picket homes, a pointy distinction to Gamle Stavanger’s pale tones, and with the fixed shuffle of boats, basic Norwegian eateries alongside the water, and quirky boutique retailers, it’s the beating coronary heart of Stavanger’s social scene.
When you’re questioning the place the colourful avenue from the image is positioned, that is Fargegaten. Nice picture ops throughout, and an excellent higher spot for foodies eager on sampling Norwegian goodies:
For fair-trade espresso, scrumptious cinammon rolls and heart-warming mugs of sizzling chocolate, try Bøker og Børst. Belief us, it is much more welcoming on a wet day, once you settle right into a e book, or seize a board sport, and revel in your kaffepause because the raindrops trickle down the window.
You additionally do not need to miss out on the Fish Market (Fisketorget), the location for recent seafood and a few seafaring historical past. Choices are plentiful, however Fisketorget is your tackle in the event you’re craving every day catch introduced in by fishermen themselves.
A fast stroll up a average hill, Valbergtårnet is to not be skipped, both: an previous watchtower overlooking Vågen, it is the place locals go to catch the sundown, on the uncommon event the solar makes a late-afternoon apparition within the colder months.
Fjords Views For Days
No journey to Stavanger is full with out exploring the character surrounding it. In any case, southwestern Norway is stuffed with the most dramatic, breathtaking nature.
Image waterfalls tumbling from cliffs, winding fjords flanked by snow-capped peaks, and gliding by means of serene, glass-like bay waters that can, from time to time, be breached by a solitary whale.
For individuals who do not need to stray too far into the wild, a easy bike journey to Sverd i fjell, or ‘Swords in Rock’, will do: a trio of large bronze Viking swords, the tallest of which is about 33 ft tall, planted into laborious rock, they overlook the scenic Hafrsfjord, the place Norway was born.
For context, that is the place an vital battle was fought, between Harald Fairhair and rivaling chieftains. The end result? Fairhair’s military defeated each different warring clan, and he then proceeded to unite Norway right into a single kingdom for the primary time in its historical past.
That is not the one fjord within the metropolis’s neighborhood, although: The Instances recommends you are taking a two-hour Rib safari throughout the equally-scenic Lysefjord. These may be expensive, costing round NOK 1,190, or about US$145 per particular person, however the views are completely price it.
What can we are saying? Stavanger could also be off-the-beaten-path for the common vacationer, however it’s nonetheless Norway.
While in Lysefjord, remember to take a look at the Pulpit Rock, a flat-topped cliff commanding a phenomenal panorama of the water inlet. For that, you will need to put together prematurely: the roundtrip is between 4-5 hours on foot, and it is a regular climb to the perspective.
However hey, at the least it is a free exercise!
Why Go to Stavanger Proper Now
The Instances stories that 2025 is Stavanger’s ‘second to shine’, because it’s entered its 900th anniversary.
Celebrations have been happening around-the-clock all yr lengthy, from music festivals, to bop performances, to revolutionary artwork installations amid the epic Norwegian nature, and a lot extra.
The yr is already coming to an finish, however the celebratory really feel is certain to hold on this winter with Christmas markets, and the festive lights that can quickly adorn the picturesque streets of Gamle Stavanger.
Essentially the most handy option to get to Stavanger this winter is to fly to Stavanger Airport (SVG), positioned roughly 7 miles outdoors the downtown zone. It’s well-connected to a lot of main transit hubs, together with Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt.
Alternatively, in the event you’re touchdown in Oslo or Bergen, you may get a prepare to Stavanger—simply watch out for the lengthy distances. Norway’s a biiiiig nation, and a prepare journey from Oslo to Stavanger will take 7-8 hours.
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