City break in Stavanger – with the iconic Pulpit Rock

Stavanger is where city cool meets wild wonder. Ready to swap your macchiato for Mission Impossible high-octane thrills on the edge of a fjord? Let’s go!

Stavanger is a handshake between past and future – charming, confident, and full of character. It’s the city where Norway’s modern story as an oil nation began. Yet Stavanger’s greatest wealth doesn’t lie beneath the seabed, but rises from its rugged landscapes – bold, dramatic, and unforgettable.

Few places capture that spirit like the legendary hike to Preikestolen. Rising 604 metres above the Lysefjord, this cliff of ancient granite and gneiss ends in a sheer vertical drop, its flat-topped plateau jutting out over the water like nature’s own balcony.

It’s one of Norway’s most photographed landmarks and even played a starring role in Mission: Impossible – Fallout, where Tom Cruise dangled daringly from its edge.

More than a gateway to the fjords

Stavanger is far more than just a launchpad for an epic hike. This coastal city has everything you could wish for as an urban enthusiast. The dining scene is where Nordic flavors flirt with global influences, and you'll conveniently find the best food scene on Peder's Street. If you want to add some color to your stay, head to Fargegata where the houses are painted in all the colors of the rainbow.

Dynamic street art transforms the city into an ever-changing open-air gallery. The perfectly preserved old town features white wooden houses that whisper stories from 900 years of history.

Through our partnership with restaurant RE-NAA, with three Michelin stars, we can offer our guests an exclusive opportunity to dine there without the hassle of joining waiting lists.

As you wander its cobbled lanes, you might imagine the creak of Viking longships in the harbor – before catching sight of the offshore oil rigs that fueled Norway’s modern transformation.

From café culture to cliff edge in a day

The beauty of Stavanger as your base? You can dive into culture, coffee, and conversation by morning, and by afternoon, find yourself standing on the edge of Pulpit Rock, gazing over a fjord so still it feels like time itself has paused.

Want to extend the magic? Spend the night at Preikestolen Basecamp, right at the trailhead to Preikestolen. Enjoy a hearty dinner, sleep under the mountain’s hush, and wake before dawn to see the first golden light spill over Lysefjorden – the fjord of light.

They say the early bird catches the worm – and here, the worm equals skipping the crowds and queues. After all, this is a moment to savour, not share.

If this sounds interesting, we've curated a tour that includes it all.

4 days

Start from: Stavanger

View trip

From 5000 NOK

Worried about the challenge?

The hike to Preikestolen is a perfectly balanced trek – about 8 km (4.9 miles) round trip and usually takes 4 to 5 hours to complete. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, with signs guiding your way like friendly beacons.

Along the path, you’ll find sturdy stone stairways crafted by Nepalese Sherpas, and you’ll find that a little Sherpa magic makes the climb both easier and safer. All you have to do is bring your hiking gear.

See Lysefjorden from the water

The adventure doesn’t stop on land. Lysefjorden itself offers a different kind of spectacle. If you’re craving a thrill, you can skim across the water in a high-speed RIB, the wind tugging at your jacket like an eager friend.

Prefer a gentler pace? Opt for a silent fjord cruise, letting the drama of cliffs and waterfalls unfold slowly around you. And this cruise is silent for a reason: while Stavanger may be Norway’s petroleum capital, it’s also a pioneer in green energy.

To sum it up: this is a city break where your itinerary can include both espresso and epic views, Michelin-starred meals and mountain sunsets. Visiting Stavanger isn’t just a getaway; it’s a front-row seat to two of Norway’s greatest performances: vibrant city life and breathtaking natural wonder.