Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway. Stavanger is the 4th largest city in Norway and has been nominated as 'European Capital of Culture 2008'.

Attractions in and near Stavanger include Preikestolen, or 'the pulpit rock'. It's one of Norway's most famous sights, and the region's most popular attraction. Set on a hill to the west of the Vågen harbour, is the picturesque Old Town, with its white wooden houses and narrow cobbled streets. Here you will find the Canning Museum which offers a fascinating insight into the history of the city. Another interesting attraction is the the high-tech Norwegian Petroleum Museum, built to look like an offshore platform on the harbour.

Other activities include a salmon safari where you can swim with wild salmon in their natural habitat. Visitors can shop in Kvadrat, Norway's biggest shopping centre or visit Kongeparken amusement park, or the much-loved Butterfly Park.

Things to See & Do

* Old Stavanger
* Stavanger Museum
* St. Svithun's cathedral
* Stavanger Oil Museum
* Preikestolen (the pulpit rock)

General information

Cruise Season - Feb - Dec
Currency - Norwegian krone (NOK)
Language - Norwegian
Land Area - 68 km²
Population - 186,000 approx
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code - + 47

Port Location - The port is located in Vågen harbour in the city centre of Stavanger.

Transport Links - Access to Stavanger is provided through the Sørlandsbanen railway, and the road E39 from Kristiansand and E39 north on the west coast.

Stavanger Airport, Sola with connection to domestic and international destinations, including Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

The port serves international ferries to Newcastle, UK (planned to close September 2008) and Hirtshals, Denmark. Local ferries goes to Tau and Kvitsøy, while fast passenger boats goes to many villages and islands between the main routes from Stavanger to Haugesund and Sauda.