Stavanger Sightseeing: Cathedral, Old Town

November 5, 2026

Stavanger’s central sights are small and walkable, so a good day of sightseeing mixes the old town, the cathedral and two or three museums. Prices are in Norwegian kroner (NOK).

Stavanger Cathedral

The cathedral was founded around 1125 and reopened in August 2024 after about four years of restoration, with the first service on 25 August 2024. Visitor entry is 75 NOK according to the Fjord Norway listing, and it closes to visitors during services and events. Check domkirkenogpetri.no for current hours before you walk over.

Gamle Stavanger

Gamle Stavanger is Norway’s best-preserved wooden house neighbourhood, with about 170 small houses painted white, mostly dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses are private homes, so stay on the lanes and keep noise down. The colourful street nearby is Fargegaten on Øvre Holmegate, a separate place. IDDIS, the Norwegian Canning Museum and Printing Museum, stands within the old quarter.

Museum Stavanger (MUST)

One adult day ticket at 170 NOK covers every open MUST museum on that day, and under 18s, students and conscripts enter free. The sites include Stavanger Museum on Muségata 16, the Maritime Museum on Nedre Strandgate 17 to 19, IDDIS, Breidablikk and Ledaal in Eiganesveien, and Utstein Kloster. See museumstavanger.no for details.

Stavanger Art Museum was closed from March 2026 for roof work and reopens on 14 November 2026, so check the museum site before you plan a visit.

Norwegian Petroleum Museum

The museum at Kjeringholmen 1a explains the North Sea oil industry and costs 180 NOK, with reduced tickets for pensioners, students and children. In summer it opens daily 10:00 to 19:00, and from September to May it opens Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. Its tickets are separate from the MUST ticket.

Sverd i fjell

Three bronze swords about 10 metres tall stand in the rock at Møllebukta on Hafrsfjord. Fritz Røed’s monument was unveiled by King Olav V in 1983 and commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord around 872, traditionally linked to the unification of Norway. It is free and open air, and a Kolumbus bus goes there. A path of nearly 9 km runs along the fjord.

Utstein Kloster

On Mosterøy, about 30 minutes by car, Utstein is Norway’s best-preserved medieval monastery complex. From 15 May to 31 August it opens Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 17:00, and it is included in the MUST ticket. Hours are on utsteinkloster.no .

Browse Stavanger city tours for guided options.