One Day in Stavanger, Norway: The Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary

Planning on spending just one day in Stavanger? After spending 5 days in the city, here’s what to do if you only have 24 hours. 

Stavanger is one of our favourite places in Norway, not just because of the city itself, but because of all the stunning nature and unique landscapes that surround it. It truly is the perfect way to see a little bit of everything in Norway. 

You have gorgeous fjords, mountain hikes, fascinating history, and a cute old town with cobbled streets and wooden buildings. 

It surprises us that so many people come to Stavanger and only spend a day here. We spent 5 days in Stavanger and could easily have stayed longer.

But it’s a popular cruise ship stop. Plus, Norway has so many beautiful spots; if you’re spending 2 weeks in the country, you may not have time for longer than a day in Stavanger. 

That’s why we decided to write this itinerary. 

So, if you only have 24 hours in this gorgeous southern city, here’s exactly how we recommend spending your time.

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Morning – Fjords or Mountains

For the morning of your first day in Stavanger, you have two options. You could either do one of the most incredible hikes in South Norway or go on a cruise on one of the country’s most beautiful fjords. Both are spectacular and will take the entire morning.

Option 1: Preikestolen Hike

If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, we highly recommend this hike – we did it and loved it. 

I will warn you, it’s one of the most popular hikes near Stavanger – in fact, many people come to the city purely to do it. You’ll likely find a busy trail, especially if you visit in the summer. 

Nonetheless, it’s an absolutely stunning experience, and the views from the top are unmatched. 

To get there is fairly straightforward. It’s around a 45-minute drive from Stavanger, but if you don’t have a rental car, there are several buses that leave the city centre around 9am. This means you’d start the hike by about 10am. 

Personally, if we only had one day in Stavanger, we would hire a car to get to Pulpit Rock. This will allow you to get to the trailhead earlier than 10am, giving you more time to complete the hike, and you’ll have fewer crowds on the trail.

But it’s also quite a hassle to hire a car for one day, so it’s a tough choice.

The hike itself is moderate. It has some steep sections and will take around 4 hours in total, but it’s not technical and doesn’t involve any scrambling. 

My parents, in their 60’s managed it (although my mum struggled a little with the steeper parts) and we saw several children on the trail. So, it’s suitable for all with a reasonable level of fitness. 

It’s 100% a hike that should be on your bucket list if you visit Stavanger!

👉 Check out our full guide to hiking Preikestolen here.

Option 2: Fjord Cruise

Your second option for the morning is to take a fjord cruise through the Lysefjord. This option means you can see the fjords from the bottom instead of the top, and, once again, it is a bucket list thing to do in Norway. 

You won’t have to worry about transport for this option as the boats depart directly from the waterfront in Stavanger. Departure times are typically at 10am and 3pm, so you’ll be able to have a more relaxed morning if you choose this option too. 

The views from the fjord cruise are stunning. You’ll be sailing past cliffs that were carved out by glaciers over 10,000 years ago. 

Plus, even though you won’t have time to climb to the top of Pulpit Rock, you will be able to see it from the bottom. And seeing that 600-metre-tall cliff face is pretty impressive.

The cruise will typically last around 3.5 hours, so you should be back in Stavanger Harbour at 13:30, just in time to grab some lunch.

❤️ After our unforgettable experience, we highly recommend this fjord cruise.

15:00 – Visit the Petroleum Museum

I think it’s so important when you visit a new destination to see all sides of it. Now that you’ve explored the fjords, it’s time to explore another crucial part of Stavanger’s history.

Next on this itinerary is a trip to the Petroleum Museum. This is located by the waterfront and is one of the best museums to visit in the city. 

Stavanger is known as the oil capital of Norway and has been producing oil for hundreds of years. The Petroleum Museum dives into this history. 

You’ll be able to explore models of oil rigs out at sea and learn about the historical and economic impacts of oil production, and even the environmental impact. Plus, there are lots of interactive exhibits here, and you can see some of the technology in action. 

All in all, it’s well worth spending a few hours here as it’s really interesting. 

17:00 – Explore Gamle Stavanger 

From the Petroleum Museum, walk about 15 minutes to Gamle Stavanger. This is an absolute must-see during 1 day in Stavanger, and it’s such a pretty part of the city. 

The area consists of around 170 traditional wooden houses. These are located down little cobbled streets, and it’s another great place to soak in the history of the city. 

Some of these houses date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and were actually packed up and relocated to where they are now. 

Gamle Stavanger is a completely beautiful part of Stavanger, and it really doesn’t feel like you’re in Norway’s third-largest city when you’re here.

18:00 – Have Dinner by the Waterfront

Finally, as the day draws to a close, head back to the waterfront and grab some food. This is such a vibrant part of Stavanger that it’s worth exploring in its own right. 

When we were here, we saw colourful buildings, busy pubs and bars, and some of the best restaurants in Stavanger. We also saw both locals and tourists here. It’s quite a popular spot to simply hang out and enjoy the views. 

Plus, there are a few other great things to see by the waterfront, including the Stavanger Maritime Museum, several shops where you can buy souvenirs, and some funky street art. 

If you love seafood, we recommend Fisketorget, a delicious seafood restaurant. You’ll also find lots of other great options, including Italian trattorias, pizza places, burger joints, and even a rock cafe!

It’s the perfect place to grab a meal and finish your day in Stavanger.

Can you visit Preikestolen in one day from Stavanger?

If you only have a day in Stavanger, it is possible to do this hike. The Preikestolen hike takes around 4 hours to hike, so it’s not a quick trip by any means. It is also one of the busiest hikes in Norway. 

But with the right planning and an early start, you can do this hike in the morning and still have time to see the city in the afternoon.

What’s the best way to get around Stavanger?

Stavanger is a very walkable city. All of the best things to see in Stavanger city centre you can reach on foot.

However, if you want to explore some of the things outside of the city – like Pulpit Rock or the lesser-known Trollpikken – then you’ll have to use public transport or hire a car. 

We personally recommend hiring a car, especially if you’re planning on spending longer than one day in the city. If you spend a weekend in Stavanger or longer, a car is a much more convenient way of reaching the hikes and places to visit outside the city centre.

Plus, since Norway is wonderful to drive around (seriously, the scenery is amazing), it makes the most sense! But the city itself is easy to explore on foot.

What’s the best time of year to visit Stavanger?

Stavanger can be visited all year round. There’s a lot to do in the summer months, and all of the hiking trails will be open. However, it’s also the busiest time of year, so the trails will be crowded and everything will be more expensive. 

There’s a surprisingly large number of things to do in Stavanger in the winter months, including winter fjord cruises and Christmas festivities.

You can even hike Pulpit Rock in the winter! Things are cheaper during this time, too, but you will have much colder temperatures.

In the autumn, you’ll have fewer crowds and cheaper prices. But the rainiest months in Norway are usually between late September and November, so you’ll definitely have to prepare for wet weather during this time. 

Our personal favourite time to visit Stavanger is in the spring. When we visited in late May, the weather was perfect, the crowds weren’t out in full force yet, and it was reasonably affordable. Plus, waterfalls like Manafossen, are more impressive in the spring.

We were also able to hike all the trails we wanted, including the challenging Kjerag hike, which gets snowed under in winter. 

Is a day in Stavanger worth it?

Yes, spending a day in Stavanger is a great way to get an introduction to the city. There’s a lot to see both in and around Stavanger, so there’s no chance you’ll see everything in 24 hours.

Unless, of course, the only thing you want to see is Pulpit Rock!

We spent 5 days in Stavanger, and it was the perfect amount of time – although we could’ve still spent longer there, as there were a few hikes that we missed. 

Overall, if you only have a day to spare for Stavanger, don’t skip the city. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Norway and is well worth a visit.

However, if you can stay longer, we highly recommend spending 3 days in Stavanger or longer since there’s just so much to see.

👉 Wondering where to stay? Check out our 12 favourite hotels in Stavanger!

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