This weblog submit is written in a collaboration with Region Stavanger, however each suggestion on this weblog submit is chosen on my own and it’s my very sincere opinion.
It’s my third time visiting Stavanger in simply 6 months, which additionally signifies that these suggestions are unfold out over 3 totally different seasons. In my opinion, Stavanger is price a go to all yr lengthy. My newest journey was in January 2023 for 3 weeks across the area of Stavanger.
Below you’ll discover an summary of all of the totally different lodges I’ve stayed at, the locations I’ve eaten, and among the native heroes I’ve met all through my journey.
Hotels & Cabins
Stavanger is an enormous area positioned within the southwestern a part of Norway.There are infinite alternatives with regards to discovering an ideal match on your type of journey. Do you favor to shut your eyes and dream about tomorrow’s journey in a treetop cabin? In the previous city of Stavanger or at one of many historic lodges? There is lodging for everybody at Stavanger.
Below you’ll discover a checklist and a small evaluate of all of the totally different locations I’ve stayed throughout my visits in Stavanger.
Eilert Smith
Have you ever stayed, at a resort that felt extra like being at house than being at a resort?The doorways slowly glide open, if you strategy the doorsteps of the Eilert Smith Hotel in Stavanger metropolis heart, and that is the place your journey begins.You’ll be greeted by the door and already now you’re effectively conscious that you simply received’t be lacking a factor throughout your keep.
The degree of hospitality and repair is in a distinct league at this distinctive boutique resort, which solely has 12 rooms in whole. Eilert Smith is a part of ‘De Historiske’ a networking group for among the oldest and best-kept lodges in all of Norway
The look of Eilert Smith would possibly appear like it’s a very new resort. However, this boutique is positioned in a constructing that dates again to the Nineteen Thirties and is designed by the proficient architect from Stavanger, Eilert Smith. Back within the day, this constructing was utilized by, Felleskjøpet, a Norwegian agricultural cooperative that serves as a retailer of agricultural working gear together with animal meals and seeds.Instead of tearing down this iconic constructing positioned amongst picket homes within the heart of Stavanger, the present house owners The Stensrud Family, determined to rent the architect, Pål Trodahl, to fully renovate this constructing and make it a novel hidden gem of a resort.
Hotel Victoria
One of essentially the most well-kept and beautiful buildings within the very heart of Stavanger is Hotel Victoria.The stunning purple constructing is positioned in what my opinion, is the most effective location in all of Stavanger. It’s within the very heart, near an enormous parking home (with electrical chargers). It’s positioned on the very starting of the procuring streets, subsequent to the water and a fantastic number of nice eating places.
This 4**** opened up its doorways for the primary time in 1900 however was not too long ago renovated. Luckily they’ve stored the previous historic attraction. At Hotel Victoria you’ll be able to take pleasure in a glass of champagne below the identical chandelier as King Haakon VII and Queen Maud did through the signing ceremony in 1906.
The Bolder
Imagine waking up above the clouds and looking out down at one of the crucial beautiful fjords in all of Norway, and the very last thing you see earlier than closing your eyes is the glowing Milkyway above your mattress.
This is what it’s wish to get up at one of many Star and Sky Lodges by The Bolder.Located 10min drives from the closest metropolis on a mountain prime you discover 5 distinctive cabins.
You’ve may need heard of the enduring Preikestolen the place hundreds of vacationers yearly stand in line for hours to seize an image of the view.. effectively on the Sky and Star Lodges you will have an unbelievable view all for your self. There is a non-public highway as much as the lodges, so you’ll be able to park proper exterior, however you’ll not be bothered by folks from the skin since there’s a roadblock with a code.
Trekronå
I’ve traveled the world for a few years now. And not as soon as I’ve had the urge to pack away all digital gear and begin studying a ebook.. this was the primary time.I’ve you’ve adopted TheTravelBook you’ll know that I’m an enormous sucker for nature and distinctive lodging. I had my first treetop cabin keep about 4 years in the past at Bergaliv and since then, I’ve been extraordinarily interested by this type of lodging.
There are two cabins positioned within the wilderness. They are referred to as the ‘yellow’ and the ‘green’ cabins. They are 1:1 the identical cabins, however so friends can discover their booked cabin the doorways and a part of the inside are within the colours yellow and inexperienced.Even although the cabins are positioned in the course of the forest, Henrik and Lene have managed to get electrical energy and water into the cabins. This means which you can simply make meals within the kitchen, take a scorching bathe or activate the sunshine to learn your ebook at night time.
The cabins are equipt with two double beds as a bunk mattress and you’ll even pull out a fifth sleeping spot. However, I might say these cabins are greatest fitted to solo vacationers, {couples}, or a household that’s used to sleeping tight.
The essential function of those cabins is to be near nature, and also you most positively are. The cabins have stunning panoramic home windows together with a window within the roof so you’ll be able to simply spot the celebrities out of your mattress.
Sirdal Cabin
Sirdal is a small municipality in a valley about 1 1/2 hours drive from Stavanger metropolis heart. It’s the closest ski resort to Stavanger, and there are 3 totally different raise techniques for use for downhill snowboarding on this space.If you aren’t a lot of an alpine skier you’ll be able to go cross-country on greater than 200km of prepped tracks.
There are loads of stunning privately owned cabins in all dimensions and shapes in Sirdal that may be rented by means of the type host Kamil from Sirdal Hytteformidling.Sirdal isn’t just a fantastic valley all through the winter, however an ideal all-year-long vacation spot. During off-season you’re capable of discover the identical unspoiled nature on foot, bike, and even by canine sledding.
Skiing is defintley is among the hottest winter sports activities actions in Sirdal. The ski facilities are reachable by automotive and effectively linked with just some meter’s stroll from the automotive park to the primary ski raise. At Sirdal Skicenter they’ve 21 slopes with 8 totally different lifts. The view from the highest is unbelievable and the slopes are very well-kept and effectively taken care of.
One of essentially the most outstanding issues about Sirdal is night time snowboarding. 3 days every week the slopes reopen at 6 pm and the newly prepped slopes turn into a playground for locals of all ages. It’s an exquisite technique to spend among the lengthy and darkish evenings through the winter season.
Grand Hotel Egersund
Grand Hotell is positioned in Egersund, which is among the jap components of the area Stavanger, a bit greater than 1-hour drive away from Stavanger metropolis heart. Grand Hotell at Egersund is a part of ‘De Historiske‘ a networking group for some of the oldest and best-kept hotels in all of Norway.The hotel’s 10 buildings are all a part of the heritage-listed picket construction within the heart. The resort’s buildings are all linked collectively on the within, so that you don’t need to go exterior to search out your room.
So why drive 1 hour away from Stavanger metropolis you would possibly ask? Simply as a result of the area of Stavanger has a lot extra to supply, than simply town heart of Stavanger. Egersund is positioned very near one of many 19 most stunning routes in all of Norway referred to as Jærven, which can lead you to Stavanger City.
Restaurants and cafes
Stavanger is among the meals capitals in all of Norway!I’m an enormous foodie and the quantity of meals choices is infinite in Stavanger, which is why I at all times love to go to.Many of the eating places talked about are centered on utilizing regionally produced merchandise which can be in season, which implies their menus additionally change lots all year long. The sustainable mindset and imaginative and prescient of fixing the menus all through the season, additionally imply you’ll be able to simply go to the identical restaurant once more in a brand new season as a result of the menu will certainly be modified and also you received’t eat the identical meal twice.
Sabi Enso
Stavanger is positioned on the west coast of Norway in direction of the North Sea, which supplies entry to a fantastic number of contemporary fish and seafood. There are a number of choices at Sabi Enso, they usually have two totally different eating places in Stavanger. One is the ‘Omakase’ (chef’s alternative) conventional Japanese menu with Michelin Chef, Roger Asakil Joya.
This 18-course dinner was an unforgettable expertise and may be one of many best dinners I’ve ever had! It was additionally a dinner the place the sensible sou chef Ideree, knowledgeable me that the bluefin tuna I used to be consuming, was a Norwegian bluefin tuna!
If you wish to check out an upgraded model of sushi and nice Japanese meals, however with out going for the dearer Michelin expertise, you’ll be able to strive their Separé Omakase idea or ala carte at Sabi Enso.
Sirkus Renaa
Sirkus Renaa is an idea that may’t be described in a single phrase. It’s a confectionery, bakery, ice cream, chocolate, pizzeria, café, restaurant, and bar – multi function. That would possibly make you consider a few of these “fusion” eating places that supply Mexican, pizza, burgers, and döner.. nevertheless, that’s positively not the case with Sirkus Renaa! The founding father of this unbelievable place can also be the proprietor of Renaa the two** Michelin restaurant in Stavanger, and Torill and Sven-Erik Renaa aren’t doing something with out placing their coronary heart and soul into it.
This makes Sirkus Renaa the right place to go together with anybody and anytime since you’ll be able to select from the large number of totally different meals and drinks, however with out compromising on the standard!
There are a number of Sirkus Renaa positioned in Stavanger metropolis, however the unique one which I visited is the one at Lagårdsveien 61.
Bellies
It’s greater than 4 years in the past since I ended consuming meat and I’ve had difficulties discovering connoisseur eating places with plant-based menus. Lots of nice eating have vegan or vegetarian choices – however it will probably’t be in comparison with the unbelievable 10-course champagne lunch I had at Bellies.This restaurant is positioned about 15 min stroll exterior of town heart, in what appears to be a hip and upcoming industrial space. The previous manufacturing facility buildings are adorned with graffiti and the streets appeared empty. The mountains throughout the fjords are typically seen by means of the alleys.Out of nowhere this shining and newly painted yellow constructing you discover Bellies.
You can check out their 10-course champagne lunch or dinner. Some of the programs are overlapping however the one coming factor is that every one programs are plant-based, produced by seasonal merchandise and groceries and the restaurant tries to make use of as many regionally produced merchandise as potential. Bellies don’t brag about being plant-based, as a result of a part of their imaginative and prescient is to be accessible to everybody.
Slottet Sirdal
‘Slottet’ is the Norwegian phrase for ‘Castle’, which could be very effectively suited to this unbelievable restaurant.
Located on the highest of a hill with a superb view of Sirdal you’ll discover this newly constructed restaurant, that opened through the pandemic. It’s owned by a household who’ve lived in Sirdal for generations. They don’t have any expertise with cooking or operating a restaurant, however with their data of farming, they know how one can get the most effective out of groceries and crops. Their philosophy is to run a restaurant that may use regionally produced groceries and activate as many individuals from the close by group as potential.
This restaurant is a connoisseur restaurant and through the night time time, you’ll be able to have their 6 or 7 programs tasting menu, together with the attractive view of the mountains and valley.
Local Heroes
It might be tough to decide on between the native heroes in a area like Stavanger.The locations I’ve listed beneath did all indirectly make a particular influence on me and in some ways have ended up being among the locations I’ve informed nice tales about to my pals and households again house.
Helmer Tea and Coffee home
We all know the sensation of waking up in a resort room and wanting to begin out the day with a cup of espresso or tea. Most typically I might go for a cup of tea, however the lodges typically put money into manufacturers like Twinings or Lipton, and subsequently I most frequently skip the morning tea. My expertise at Eilert Smith was totally different! I seen the attractive yellow tea field after I checked into my room and proper after check-in, I needed to sit down and revel in a cup of this beautiful tea. and it was good. To my nice shock, it belonged to an area tea home in Stavanger metropolis, Helmer Tea & Coffee.The subsequent morning I went straight right down to the Tea House and spend at the least 1 hour on this stunning retailer. It visited in autumn for the primary time, however I ended up shopping for all my x-mas presents for the stunning ladies in my household from this place – and all people very a lot preferred their current.
They have a fantastic number of teas you’ll be able to scent they usually additionally brew what they name the most effective espresso on the town.Helmer Tea and Coffe home are as a lot of a restaurant because it’s a store.
Ostehuset Øst
Ostehuset might be translated on to ‘The Cheese House’. As you may need found by now I’m an enormous foodie and I really like cheese! Therefore I used to be additionally a bit disenchanted after I arrived at ‘Ostehuset Øst’ and found that solely a handful of various cheese was displayed on the counter together with a ton of different merchandise.
They have a fantastic number of totally different nice high quality merchandise and cheese remains to be one of many essential components of their repertoire this place has existed since 1999 and all of the locals clearly come right here to hang around and revel in some high quality time with their family members.
As talked about they do have some cheese and I acquired served a plate of some beautiful locally-produced sorts of cheese that tasted implausible! They have been additionally saved simply down the road for his or her maturation course of. So possibly I ought to merely simply have carried out my analysis a bit bit higher earlier than visiting ‘Ostehuset Øst’.. as a result of it was truly a very nice place with a fantastic vibe.
Odd Standard
Have you ever been to a restaurant the place you’ve seen the tableware? this has occurred to me a couple of occasions and I’ve at all times puzzled how I might get my fingers in a few of this distinctive tableware. When I had my memorable lunch at Bellies, I needed to ask the place they acquired their stunning tableware from – and to my nice shock, Odd Standard who had produced their tableware had their micro-factory virtually subsequent door to their restaurant.
The artist duo and beautiful women who run Odd Standard have each labored within the porcelain trade for a few years earlier than they determined to begin their micro-factory collectively. Their essential prospects are eating places however each Thursday, they open their doorways to public guests who may cease by and purchase a few of their unbelievable tableware.
The Fevang Brothers Barbershop
It’s my third time in Stavanger in simply 6 months, and this time I discovered the lesson from my earlier journeys. I booked prematurely! Because that is essential if you wish to check out the most effective barbershops within the north. I can actually say that I’ve by no means skilled any remedy and hospitality nearly as good as this one at any barbershop world wide.
3 brothers are operating this 50’s impressed barbershop in reminiscence of their beloved greater brother, Thomas, who very, sadly, died method too younger. Don’t choose the ebook on its cowl, and although these guys have tattoos throughout and golden enamel, they’re heat and pleasant they usually provides you with a shave like by no means earlier than.
Posters of Elvis Presley are hanging on the wall along with black and white private photos of the 4 brothers and the music enjoying on the stereo is matching the time interval of the 50s.
I already booked my subsequent shave at The Fevang Brothers Barbershop and I can’t wait..
Activities
Stavanger is a area positioned on the south western a part of Norway. An enormous benefit about visiting Stavanger is that you’ve got a fantastic shoreline, with stunning seashores and nice waves for water exercise, however you even have the breathtaking fjords with infinite mountaineering alternatives and the mountains with a ton of wintersport actions.So put in another way, Stavanger is the right location no-matter which type of actions you favor doing all of your journey.
Swords in Rock
Located about quarter-hour drive exterior of Stavanger metropolis heart you’ll discover this implausible monument! There are 3 monumental bronze swords, every sword is 10 meters tall and they’re planted within the rock of a small hill in an attractive fjord. The monument is the image of a historic battle that befell in 872 when King Harald gathered all of Norway below one crown. King Harald is represented as the largest sword and the 2 smaller swords are the 2 fallen kings that he defeated. This monument additionally represents peace in Norway and the swords might by no means be eliminated.
Ice hockey Oilers
When I journey I discover it extraordinarily vital to mix in with the locals as potential. Eat the place they eat. Go the identical walks in nature as they do and principally attempt to do what they do. That’s for me one of the simplest ways to get to know the international locations I go to.One of my native followers from Stavanger wrote me that Stavanger Oilers have been enjoying an ice hockey match in opposition to Lillehammer. I’ve solely seen a couple of ice hockey matches in my life and to be sincere I went to this recreation with out realizing anybody or something in regards to the recreation. But it was one of the crucial cheerful evenings I’ve had in Stavanger. Around 4.000 folks gathered collectively within the chilly area on an everyday Thursday night to help their native staff.Within 1 hour I felt like one of many locals “singing” and cheering for the Oilers, a enjoyable expertise for those who don’t have ice hockey as an enormous sport in your personal nation.
Huskyfarm
Located within the valley about 20 min drive from Sirdal ski heart you’ll discover the family-driven Sirdal Huskyfarm. It’s at the moment being run by two generations who don’t have anything however love for nature and the animals on their farm. Odd, the proprietor, used to do hardcore journey exhibitions within the wilderness, however as of late the journeys are very effectively organized and secure.The second you enter Sirdal Huskyfarm, you enter an entire universe like nowhere else. You can hear the passionate and enthusiastic sledding canine prepared for motion. The son-in-law to the proprietor, Flo, is a 30 years previous enthusiastic man, who originates from Germany however has discovered Norwegian. He additionally respects that nature as a Norwegian and it’s straightforward to see how a lot he enjoys taking up the every day challenges on the farm. We had a 4-5 hours unbelievable journey into the wilderness of Sirdal and easily simply acquired “lost” within the woods. Being alone with the canines and surrounded by this unbelievable nature – was one thing that stored me smiling for a lot of days. It’s a very long time in the past since I’ve had such a lot enjoyable!
Jæren
Jæren is a 65km lengthy space positioned simply south of Stavanger metropolis. In Norway, you will have 19 extraordinarily stunning roads referred to as ‘Norwegian Scenic Routes’, one of many ‘Jærvegen’ which is positioned a Jæren. It’s an space with a fast-changing panorama. You are driving by means of small cities, subsequent to small lakes, round cliffs and small mountains, after which abruptly that panorama turns into flat however with stunning seashores. The image above is taken from the shore at Jæren within the small metropolis ‘Ogna’, which is barely 5 minutes from the treetop cabin Trekronå.Part of the panorama across the coast jogged my memory extra of Scotland than of Norway. A really stunning space.
Jæren can also be an space with loads of historical past which might be examine at Hå Gamle Prestegård which is a museum but additionally a stunning cafe, artwork gallery, and showroom for native artists. You may keep an evening at this stunning lighthouse Obrestad Fyr, proper subsequent to Hå Gamle Prestegård.
Jæren can also be one of many Norwegian paradises for surfers. You would possibly suppose the massive waves and temperatures exterior of the coast of Norway, wouldn’t be the best surf atmosphere – however then it’s a must to do not forget that the Norwegians are Vikings! In Norway they’ve two sayings I actually admire:
Ut på tur, aldri sur = Never indignant, exit into the characterDet finnes ikke dårlig vær, naked dårlige klær = There isn’t any such factor as unhealthy climate simply unhealthy clothes.
It looks like most Norwegian individuals are residing after these two sentences as a result of irrespective of how horrible the climate is, you’ll at all times discover the Norwegian folks being open air, and at all times being along with good pals, households, or different family members.
The similar goes for browsing, even through the coldest and darkest hours of the winter, you’ll discover glad surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers across the space of Jæren.
At one of many majestic seashores at Jæren ‘Borestranda’, you’ll discover a beautiful group and eco-friendly lodging Boretunet. Boretunet is up-cycled previous barracks that initially have been utilized by employees round in Stavanger Region.
Boretunet is the right place if you wish to check out browsing since you’ll be able to hire gear and you’ve got direct entry to the seashore from there. They additionally provide lodging the place you’ll be able to keep in both among the barracks or in cabins positioned proper subsequent to Boretunet.
Thank you a lot for studying alongside about Stavanger, and I hope you now have sufficient inspiration to plan your favourite kind of vacation and journey round this area.I’m already now planning on going again through the subsequent couple of months since I nonetheless have loads of locations I didn’t have time sufficient to discover throughout my first 3 visits.
I additionally need to thank the vacationer board of Stavanger ‘Region Stavanger’ for this unbelievable collaboration and I extremely advocate following their Instagram profile for every day inspiration about this stunning area.
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