Winter on the Edge: Discover Stavanger’s Coastal Beauty

Seafood at its best in winter

Imagine the cold, dark North Sea in winter, this is home to all the delicacies you can imagine; prawns, crab, cod, halibut, salmon, lobster and scallops, to mention just a few. It is simply a treasure trove in terms of top-notch seafood. Visit a selection of restaurants on your visit to Stavanger and discover why the region is the food county number 1 in Norway!

Crisp and cold fjord adventures

Stavanger offers fjord cruises to the renowned and astonishing Lysefjord all year. The fjord has breathtaking views in winter. On a fjord cruise, see the highlight Preikestolen, a mountain plateau widely known for its stunning natural beauty. Among the main attractions on this boat cruise are the Hengjanefossen waterfall and the Vagabond’s cave.

Explore the winter splendours in the mountains

When in Stavanger, some endeavours are a must, such as experiencing the viewing point from the summit of Preikestolen. It takes some extra effort to reach in winter. We therefore recommend a guided hike with an experienced nature guide. The guide will lead you safely and advise you on proper clothing and equipment. When you arrive at the top of the mountain and the fjord reveals itself to you in all its splendour, with snow-capped peaks and the fjord almost glistening in the low winter sun, you won't regret the effort.

The city highlights

Street Art in Stavanger, Fargegaten - the street of colours, Old Stavanger, Swords in rock, the Stavanger Cathedral and more! What not to miss in Stavanger. Read all about it here: edgeofnorway.com/en/articles/highlights-in-stavanger

Top cultural attractions

Whether it’s a winter festival, a concert or an art exhibition, the calendar is packed with things to explore. Stavanger kickstarts its 900th anniversary with a light festival in January. The festival will show magnificent light installations throughout the city that light up the winter darkness.

• Glød light festival
• Museums
• What's on - the full calendar

Surf and ski

Surfing the winter waves on the conceivably best surf beaches in Norway is 20 minutes or so from Stavanger. Nothing is keeping you from trying - except maybe your inner fear... We are confident that you can do it! Take a surfing course and push some boundaries why don’t you?

Skiing might seem like a long shot in the mild coastal climate of Stavanger, however, the winter mountains are not far away. Sirdal, one of the most popular winter destinations in southwestern Norway is merely 90 minutes from Stavanger by car.