Where to Stay in Stavanger?

Renowned for its stunning landscapes dotted with fjords, Stavanger is a beautiful destination to discover if you're unsure where to go in Norway It is the 4th largest city in the country and offers beautiful activities to do, provided you know where to stay in Stavanger... If this is what you are looking for, then welcome !

Being a true gateway to explore southwestern Norway, the city of Stavanger charms with its beautiful colorful houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and unique landscapes. It is especially well-connected and has quite a few accommodations available, but which neighborhood is the most pleasant to stay in?

Finding accommodation here can be complicated, and surprisingly, staying in the historic center of Stavanger is not as simple as it seems... So let me shed some light on this for you!

If you come to Stavanger to discover Norway and visit the fjords, you may know that Nordic countries contain some of the most expensive cities in the world. To ensure you're settling in the right spot and under the best conditions, the budget you allocate for accommodation plays a crucial role in your decision

For travelers who are just passing through the city or for those who plan to participate in many excursions around the region, I strongly recommend staying in the historic center so you can easily reach the port where all the ferries depart ⛴️, especially for visiting the fjords.

Conversely, if you are coming to Norway for a long stay, then it would be much more interesting to distance yourself from downtown Stavanger and stay in neighborhoods that are a bit more outlying or nearby. In such cases, a rental car will provide you with much more freedom and autonomy concerning your place of stay.

Finally, it is highly recommended to book your accommodation as soon as possible. Prices are relatively high in Norway, as are in Finland and Sweden. Due to the limited availability of accommodations in the city center, you will need to plan several months in advance to secure your spot to stay warm.

Krüger's Crib By Staysville offers fully equipped and cozy apartments close to downtown. Expect to pay from €89 per night.

Thon Hotel Maritim is located in the city center by the shore of Lake Byparken. The rooms are warm and start from €124 per night, including breakfast.

Ydalir Hotel is a non-profit establishment located on the campus of the University of Stavanger. It offers rooms and apartments starting from €125 per night with breakfast.

If you are spending a vacation in Stavanger, Norway, it is likely that you will spend most of your time in the historic center. The downtown area, commonly referred to as Gamle Stavanger, is bordered by Vagen Bay and the harbor, with a wide variety of cultural sites and points of interest to discover!

As mentioned in the previous section, staying in the historic center is a great option if you aspire to take excursions and boat rides on the fjords. However, sleeping in the city center can be complicated since hotels are in short supply and prices are very high, so you will need to book as soon as possible.

Once you are well settled, you will have the chance to discover interesting places, starting with the Gothic cathedral of Stavanger, the oldest religious building in Norway. It stands out due to its decorations with baroque influences and was partially destroyed following a fire that occurred in 1272

Fargegaten street, a small shopping artery, is clearly the most frequented spot by tourists due to its charm! It is characterized by charming and picturesque colorful houses, housing various boutiques, shops, restaurants, cafés, and bars. I also recommend discovering the white wooden houses, typically Norwegian, as well as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, located at the harbor.

If you are looking to stay in Gamle Stavanger, you will find hotels, vacation home rentals, as well as guesthouses. Although options are limited in this part of the city, it is a good starting point to discover Vassoy Island for hiking in Norway.

Cozee Central Apartments has a central position in the old town of Stavanger, ideal for quickly reaching points of interest. This comfortable apartment has a double bedroom, a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a relaxation area. Available from €94 per night, you will also enjoy a balcony overlooking the city and a bike rental service available upon request.

Thon Hotel Stavanger is a 4-star establishment that offers modern, comfortable rooms starting from €137 per night with a buffet breakfast included. Located 300 meters from the cathedral and a 5-minute walk from the station, the hotel features a gym, a bar, and offers airport shuttle service.

Krüger's Crib by Staysville is a charming building with Nordic architecture that houses several fully equipped apartments where you can enjoy a dream stay near the old town of Stavanger. Expect to pay from €89 per night.

To the south of downtown, there is Byparken, a large park that features a beautiful lake in its center. It is also to the north of this park that you will find the cathedral, close by. Staying around downtown is a great option to consider if you have a limited budget or if the downtown hotels are fully booked

This part of the city is much less touristy compared to the historic center. However, it is here that you will find a greater variety of accommodations at more attractive prices. Besides the predominantly paid parking areas, it is a convenient base that easily connects you to Gamle Stavanger.

The area around Byparken is very well served by public transport, with numerous stops that will allow you to quickly reach downtown. There are many green spaces, museums, restaurants around the lake, and some shops and small supermarkets.

Clarion Hotel Stavanger is a 4-star establishment offering beautiful, modern, elegant, and comfortable rooms. Starting from €155 per night with breakfast included, you will stay to the southwest of Lake Byparken, with a view of the fjords, and an on-site restaurant. The staff is very warm and welcoming!

Thon Hotel Maritim is located on the right bank of the lake, close to downtown Stavanger. This hotel offers very pleasant, spacious, and tastefully decorated rooms! Available from €124 per night including breakfast, you will have access to the gym, a lounge area, and a bar.

Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel is an excellent address if you have a substantial budget! Starting from €146 per night, you will enjoy a very elegant room and a sumptuous and varied breakfast. This establishment features a restaurant, a bar, and a gym! You will be staying 700 meters from the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, a 3-minute walk from the central station, and a 5-minute walk from the old town.

For practical and perhaps strategic reasons, staying near Stavanger airport might be an interesting solution if you are only here for one or two nights. There are quite a few hotel offers, so you will have a better chance of finding something that suits you.

The airport is located 14 kilometers south of downtown. Count about a 20-minute drive to get to the center by car and 25 minutes if you take the FB40 FlyBus line. In my opinion, staying in this area or nearby is not interesting if you haven't rented a car. Outside of the express shuttle, public transport trips are quite long: averaging 40 to 45 minutes.

Staying in this area will mainly allow you to lodge in Stavanger before starting, for example, a road trip along the southern coast of Norway

Ydalir Hotel is located near a bus stop, 5 kilometers from the center and 11 kilometers from the airport. It offers comfortable double rooms available from €125 per night with breakfast. Free parking, a bar, and a gym are provided on-site.

Quality Hotel Pond is ideal for better proximity to the airport, just 5 kilometers away. This hotel offers nights starting from €188 with a buffet breakfast included. The rooms feature modern decor and the staff is particularly friendly. You will be about a 13-minute drive from downtown.

Ideally, it is best to visit Norway between May and August when the temperatures are a bit warmer and the lands are clear enough for beautiful walks. The days are longer and even endless during the midnight sun, opening up many possibilities

If you have a fairly limited budget, the best time to visit Norway at a lower cost is generally in May and June. Prices are a little more attractive and accommodations are more available.

Many people think it is difficult to get to Stavanger, while on the contrary, this city is particularly well-served as it has an airport!

Even better, many airlines offer direct flights to Sola Airport from Paris. The journey takes about 4 hours, but I highly recommend comparing prices to find the cheapest flight to Norway ✈️

As mentioned in the previous section, you can easily reach downtown Stavanger by taking the express shuttle FB40, which will get you to your destination in 20 minutes.

Now that you know where to stay in Stavanger, it would be highly advisable to start planning your sightseeing days by checking out the complete article what to do in Norway! In this guide, I share with you the museums, monuments, as well as the most beautiful hikes and excursions to take in the Norwegian fjords.