tunnel
Ryfylke Tunnel (Ryfast)
The world's longest and deepest subsea road tunnel, running 14.4 km beneath the fjord from Stavanger to Ryfylke and reaching 292 m below sea level.
2 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeNorwayRogaland
Stavanger
Rogaland, Norway · Europe
About Stavanger
Stavanger works well as a base: 15 minutes from Randaberg, 26km from Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock).
Stavanger is in Rogaland, Norway, with about 150,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Randaberg, about 7 km away.
Stavanger, officially the Stavanger Municipality, is a city and municipality in Norway. It is the third largest city and third largest metropolitan area in Norway (through conurbation with neighboring Sandnes Municipality) and the administrative center of Rogaland county. The municipality is the fourth most populousRead more
in Norway. Located on the Stavanger Peninsula in southwest Norway, Stavanger counts its official founding year as 1125, the year the Stavanger Cathedral was completed. Stavanger's core is to a large degree 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses that are protected and considered part of the city's cultural heritage. This has caused the town center and inner city to retain a small-town character with an unusually high ratio of detached houses, and has contributed significantly to spreading the city's population growth to outlying parts of Greater Stavanger.
The city's population rapidly grew in the late 20th century due to its oil industry. Stavanger is known today as the Oil Capital of Norway. Norwegian energy company Equinor, the largest company in the Nordic region, has its headquarters in Stavanger. Multiple educational institutions for higher education are located in Stavanger. The largest of these is the University of Stavanger.
Domestic and international military installations are located in Stavanger, including the NATO Joint Warfare Centre. Other international establishments, and especially local branches of foreign oil and gas companies, contribute further to a significant foreign population in the city. The city has a strong international profile and 22.1% of the population has an immigrant background. In 2020, it was rated as the most liveable city for European expatriates in Norway as well as 5th in Europe by ECA International. Stavanger has, since the early 2000s, consistently had an unemployment rate significantly lower than the European average. In August 2022, the unemployment rate was 1.6%. The city also appears on various lists of most expensive cities in the world, and it has even been ranked as the world's most expensive city by certain indices.
The climate of the city is very mild by Nordic standards due to a strong maritime influence. As a result, winter usually remains above freezing whereas heat waves are rare and seldom long. Rainfall is common, although less so than in areas further north on the coastline.
Stavanger is served by international airport Stavanger Airport, Sola, which offers flights to cities in most major European countries, as well as a limited number of intercontinental charter flights. The airport was rated as one of the world's most punctual airports of its category by OAG in 2020.
Every two years, Stavanger organizes the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), which is the second largest exhibition and conference for the energy sector. The Gladmat food festival is also held each year and is considered to be one of Scandinavia's leading food festivals. The city is also known for being one of the nation's premier culinary clusters. Stavanger was awarded the 2008 European Capital of Culture alongside Liverpool.
Where to Stay in Stavanger
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Stavanger?
Within an hour or so of Stavanger: Ryfylke Tunnel (Ryfast) (2 km), Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) (26 km), Preikestolen (Mission: Impossible - Fallout finale) (26 km), Jæren National Tourist Route (30 km).
Are there any good drives near Stavanger?
The nearest famous roads are Jæren National Tourist Route, Lysebotn Road (Lysevegen) and Lysevegen.
Where is Stavanger?
Stavanger is in Rogaland, Norway, about 7 km from Randaberg.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 148,682
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Norway
- Region
- Rogaland
- Timezone
- Europe/Oslo
- Coordinates
- 58.9701, 5.7333
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Norway
Many toll roads use automatic plate recognition (AutoPASS). Headlights required at all times.
Full driving guide for NorwayTags
Worth the detour from Stavanger
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock)
A flat-topped cliff rising 604 meters above Lysefjorden, one of Norway's most iconic and thrilling viewpoints.
26 km · about 30 min drive
film location
Preikestolen (Mission: Impossible - Fallout finale)
The 604m flat-topped cliff above Lysefjord is the cliff-edge fight that ends Fallout; a 4km hike from the car park.
26 km · about 30 min drive
coastal drive
Jæren National Tourist Route
Flat, windswept coastal drive south of Stavanger past endless dune beaches, stone-walled farmland and lighthouses: Norway's softest coastline and a favourite of surfers and sunset chasers.
30 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Lysefjord
A 42km sheer-walled fjord framed by Pulpit Rock and Kjerag, threaded by a serpentine fjord-side road.
39 km · about 45 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Kjeragbolten
A boulder wedged in a mountain crevice 984 metres above the Lysefjord, one of Norway's most thrilling photo opportunities.
49 km · about 55 min drive
mountain pass
Lysebotn Road (Lysevegen)
A spectacular Norwegian mountain road descending 900m through 27 hairpins and a spiral tunnel to the Lysefjord, near the famous Preikestolen cliff.
53 km · about 60 min drive
famous road
Lysevegen
A dramatic mountain road in Norway with 27 hairpin bends providing access to the famous Pulpit Rock viewpoint.
54 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Stavanger
- Right hereRyfylke Tunnel (Ryfast)The world's longest and deepest subsea road tunnel, running 14.4 km beneath the fjord from Stavanger to Ryfylke and reaching 292 m below sea level.
- 30 kmJæren National Tourist RouteFlat, windswept coastal drive south of Stavanger past endless dune beaches, stone-walled farmland and lighthouses: Norway's softest coastline and a favourite of surfers and sunset chasers.
- 49 kmKjeragboltenA boulder wedged in a mountain crevice 984 metres above the Lysefjord, one of Norway's most thrilling photo opportunities.
- 53 kmLysebotn Road (Lysevegen)A spectacular Norwegian mountain road descending 900m through 27 hairpins and a spiral tunnel to the Lysefjord, near the famous Preikestolen cliff.
- 54 kmLysevegenA dramatic mountain road in Norway with 27 hairpin bends providing access to the famous Pulpit Rock viewpoint.
- 71 kmSuleskarvegen (Fv337)A lonely moorland road across the Setesdal uplands between Sirdal and the Lysefjord region, all bare rock and lakes.
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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