Currency: Norwegian krone NOK
Language: Norwegian
Visas: You can travel in the Norway for up to 90 days as part of the Schengen area rules.
Money: Credit cards are widely accepted with ATMs also available.
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) +1
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Stavanger is the fourth largest city 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 and is twinned with Houston and Aberdeen. Norwegian energy company Equinor, the largest company in the Nordic region, has its headquarters in Stavanger.
The climate of the city is very mild and 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.
Weather
The weather in Stavanger tends to be influenced by its proximity to the North Sea and the Gulf Stream, which can result in relatively mild winters and cool summers compared to other parts of Norway. Winters are typically mild, with temperatures rarely dropping significantly below freezing. Summers are also relatively cool with average temperatures ranging from around 15 to 20 degrees Celsius (59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rainfall is common throughout the year in Stavanger, with the city experiencing a fair amount of precipitation. It's a good idea to be prepared for wet weather if you're planning a visit to Stavanger, regardless of the season.
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Cruise port
The port of Strandkaien is in the heart of Stavanger and it is a short walk to Gamle Stavanger and the city centre.
Google Maps port location: https://goo.gl/maps/xmE3jKwRwZBjjNgv8
Port website: https://www.stavangerhavn.no/en/maritim/cruise/
Things to do
Gamle Stavanger (Old Stavanger) is a historic area of the city of Stavanger in Rogaland, Norway. The area consists of restored wooden buildings which were built in the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century.
In the aftermath of World War II, a new city plan was created for Stavanger. It included removing most of the old wooden buildings in the city centre and replacing them with new modern structures in concrete. The then City Architect of Stavanger Einar Hedén spoke up against this plan, and in 1956 the city council voted to conserve part of the old city centre.
The city has several museums and collections that are both local and national. The city's most visited museum is the Norsk Oljemuseum (Norwegian Petroleum Museum), opened in 1998. In its 10 years of visitation records, from 1998 to 2008, almost 95,000 people visited the museum annually.
The city's oldest museum is Missjonmuseet, established in 1864. The museum has about 5,000 exhibits consisting of several objects of ethnographic and historical interest from the various mission fields of study.
Stavanger Museum, founded in 1877 and thus one of the oldest museums, includes several historic buildings and collections.
Rogaland Art Museum, located by a park, has paintings by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, Christian Krogh, Eilif Peterssen and Harriet Backer, and also has the largest collection of Lars Hertervigs work.
Pulpit Rock, also known as Preikestolen, is a famous natural landmark located in Norway. It is a steep and flat-topped cliff that rises 604 meters (1,982 feet) above the Lysefjorden fjord in the southwestern part of the country. Pulpit Rock is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway and is renowned for its breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Pulpit Rock was formed by glacial erosion during the last Ice Age. The flat surface at the top of the cliff measures approximately 25 meters by 25 meters (82 feet by 82 feet), providing ample space for visitors to enjoy the panoramic vistas.
From the top, visitors can gaze upon the Lysefjorden fjord, the surrounding mountains, and the picturesque Norwegian wilderness. Alternatively take a secnic Fjord cruise to take in the view from below. The sight is especially popular during the summer months when the weather is milder.
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Recommended excursions
Stavanger: Scenic Fjord Cruise to Lysefjord and Preikestolen - Book here
Stavanger 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass - Book here
Customised Stavanger Private Tour with a Local - Book here
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