When the spring light hits the colourful houses of Fargegata, Stavanger comes alive. The street – officially called Øvre Holmegate – is a little fairytale of pastel colours, flowers, and street art. Here, cafés, bars, and small shops sit side by side, and on sunny days the pavements fill with people and laughter.

In the morning, you can enjoy a coffee while watching the city wake up, while the evenings offer a buzzing atmosphere and music from the outdoor venues. Fargegata is more than just a street – it is the heart of modern Stavanger, where creativity and community meet in a vibrant blend of culture and everyday life.

Gamle Stavanger (the old town) is like stepping into a living postcard. In spring, the white-painted houses blossom with lilacs and roses winding their way along narrow cobbled lanes. The area is one of Northern Europe’s best-preserved wooden house districts, where people live their everyday lives steeped in history.

Along the streets you’ll find small galleries, workshops, and the Norwegian Canning Museum, which tells the story of the city’s sardine and maritime heritage. Gamle Stavanger sits by Vågen, on the west side of the city centre – just a stone’s throw from urban life, yet with a tranquillity all of its own.

By the shores of Hafrsfjord stand three mighty swords embedded in the rock – a monument to the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where Harald Fairhair united Norway into one kingdom around the year 872. The monument was unveiled in 1983 and symbolises peace, unity, and freedom.

In spring, the area is bathed in soft light, and the sea shimmers between green hills and smooth coastal rocks. The path along the fjord is easy to walk and offers fine views towards the monument and the water. Sverd i fjell (Swords in rock) is a place that invites calm and reflection – a blend of nature, history, and symbolism.

Lifjell is one of the hikes in Sandnes that offers great views without taking all day. Several trails lead up the hill, many of them starting in woodland before the terrain opens and the fjord landscape comes into view. From the top, you get lovely views towards Gandsfjorden and the town below – a viewpoint considered a favourite.

Spring is a time many choose this walk, when the paths begin to dry. The most common routes take roughly one to two hours for the round trip, making Lifjell a great experience for families, walkers, and anyone wanting a short but rewarding hike with a view.

Photo: Foto@Daniel Møller/Ut i Sandnes

Preikestolen is one of Norway’s most iconic viewpoints – a flat ledge towering 604 metres above the Lysefjord, a dramatic fjord. The hike begins at Preikestolen Basecamp and takes you through woodland, mountain terrain, and Sherpa-built stone steps. Along the way, the landscape opens, and once you’re standing on the plateau, the fjord stretches out beneath your feet like a postcard.

The trail is well marked and usually takes about four hours for the round trip, depending on pace and conditions. Summer often brings longer days and good hiking conditions, making the most popular time to visit – but the weather can change quickly, so check the forecast and dress for the conditions. It’s often best to start early or late in the day for a quieter experience and beautiful light over the fjord.

Borestranda is one of Norway’s most famous surf beaches – a wide, golden stretch of sand where the North Sea meets open horizons and powerful waves. Its long shoreline makes the area ideal for walkers, surfers, and anyone who enjoys being close to the sea.

In summer, this is one of Jæren’s finest places to feel the sand beneath your feet, watch the waves roll in, and enjoy the fresh sea air. The beach has a raw, natural character that makes it just as suited to quiet moments in the sun as to active days by the water’s edge.

Flor & Fjære (“Flowers & Shore”) is a blooming garden island set in the fjord landscape of Ryfylke. A short boat trip from Stavanger brings you to palms, exotic plants, and vibrant flowerbeds – a green oasis that feels almost tropical.

The guided tour takes you through different garden areas with ponds, pathways, and views towards the fjord. The island is family-owned, and the floral displays are renewed each year, making every visit a little different. Flor & Fjære is one of the loveliest summer excursions for anyone who wants to experience nature, tranquillity, and a burst of colour.

Photo: Region Stavanger. Foto Flor og Fjære.

Gladmat Festival transforms Stavanger into a vibrant food market every summer. The streets fill with local producers, chefs, and restaurants serving everything from seafood and street food to sweet treats. The festival has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the Nordic region, drawing visitors from across Norway.

The atmosphere is relaxed and summery, with tastings, cooking classes, and small stages throughout the city centre. It’s just as enjoyable for families as it is for groups of friends – and the perfect opportunity to taste your way through the region’s finest produce in the warmth of summer.

Photo: Tord Paulsen/Gladmatfestivalen

The Viking Farm at Avaldsnes offers a vivid encounter with the Viking Age in one of Norway’s most important historical areas. Here, you can wander among reconstructed longhouses, see how people lived more than a thousand years ago, and learn about Avaldsnes as the royal seat of Harald Fairhair. The site lies in beautiful cultural landscapes by the Karmsundet strait – the historic Nordvegen, the “North Way” that gave Norway its name.

The Viking farm is open during the summer months and offers storytelling, activities, and an exploratory experience for both adults and children. A visit here provides valuable insight into everyday life, crafts, and traditions from the Viking Age – surrounded by the coastal nature that has shaped the area for centuries.

Photo: Visit Haugesund

Stavanger has one of Europe’s most exciting street art scenes, with works by both local and international artists. Around the city centre – especially in the areas of Østre Bydel and Pedersgata – you’ll find large murals, small details tucked into the streetscape, and artworks that change from year to year.

The city’s art scene grew through the NuArt Festival, which for more than 20 years put Stavanger on the map as a global destination for street art. Although the festival is currently on pause, its spirit lives on in the urban spaces. Exploring the streets is a perfect autumn experience – soft light, vivid colours, and new motifs around every corner.

Photo: www.fjordnorway.com / Fjord Norway

Dalsnuten is one of the region’s most popular summits – an easily accessible hike that gives you great reward for your effort. The trail winds through woodland before the landscape opens up, and from the top you get panoramic views over Sandnes, the Gandsfjord, and all the way out towards the Jæren coast.

The walk suits families, friends, and anyone wanting a quick nature experience. Autumn is an especially lovely time to go: cool, crisp air, warm tones in the scenery, and clear visibility at the top. The starting point at Gramstad is a short drive from Sandnes city centre, and the hike takes about two hours for the round trip.

Photo: Foto©Marie von Krogh/vinterfilm/Ut i Sandnes

The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is one of Stavanger’s most exciting indoor attractions, and an architectural landmark along the harbour. The museum tells the story of how the oil and gas industry shaped Norway, through interactive exhibitions, films, and models suitable for both children and adults.

Here, you can explore everything from offshore platforms to diving equipment and the technology that turned the North Sea into one of the world’s most important energy fields. The combination of play, learning, and large-scale installations makes the museum a perfect stop when the weather changes – or whenever you want to understand a central part of Norway’s modern history.

Vitengården (“the Science Farm”) in Nærbø is a place where nature, technology, and farm life come together. Here, you can explore everything from agriculture and food production to experiments and interactive activities both outdoors and indoors. The exhibitions change with the seasons, and autumn provides an especially beautiful backdrop with Jæren’s golden landscapes and crisp air around the farmyard.

The site is designed for curious children and adults who want to learn through play, move around, and get close to animals and nature. Vitengården has large outdoor areas, creative stations, and engaging activities that make it just as suitable for families as for friends on a day trip. It’s a place that combines knowledge, hands-on experiences, and authentic Jæren atmosphere – and one that feels alive all year round.

Photo: Jærmuseet

Vitenfabrikken (“the Science Factory”) is a modern science centre in the heart of Sandnes, where technology, physics, and curiosity take centre stage. Here, you can test gravity in practice, experiment with energy, explore robots, or take a seat in the planetarium and watch the universe unfold above you. The exhibitions are interactive and engaging, inviting both children and adults to learn through play and hands-on experiences.

The building is large and bright, filled with models, machines, and installations that make it easy to explore at your own pace. A visit here offers an exciting and educational experience that suits families and friends alike — especially on days when you’re looking for an indoor activity.

Photo: Jærmuseet

Rogaland has gained a new winter ritual in recent years: warm saunas with views of fjords, sea, and cliffs. Across the region, you’ll find both floating and land-based saunas where you can alternate between hot steam and a refreshing dip in the sea – a combination that brings calm, energy, and a unique sense of wellbeing.

DAMP Sauna is helping shape this sauna culture, offering modern saunas where large windows let in light, sea views, and the shifting sky. Here, the pace slows, giving you a relaxing experience whether you come alone or with others. Warm timber, fresh sea air, and the surrounding tranquillity make this the perfect winter activity in Rogaland.

Photo: Amalie Kivijarvi/Damp Sauna

Stavanger Concert Hall is one of the region’s most important cultural venues, with two modern halls hosting everything from classical concerts and opera to stand-up, pop, jazz, and family performances. The building sits by the harbour basin in Bjergsted and is known for its architecture, excellent acoustics, and a programme that changes throughout the year.

On winter evenings, this is a place where you can warm up with music, performing arts, and experiences that bring together both locals and visitors. Whether you choose a large concert in the Zetlitz Hall or an intimate performance in the Fartein Valen Hall, the concert hall offers a cultural break in the middle of the city – with views of the sea just outside.

Photo: Stavanger Konserthus

Djupadalen is one of Haugesund’s most popular hiking areas, and winter gives the place a special sense of calm. The paths wind through dense woodland and along still waters, and the gentle winter light softens and quietens the landscape. Even on grey days, you can follow the marked trails and find small viewpoints over the valley – a lovely break whenever you need fresh air and a moment to breathe.

Its closeness to the city centre makes Djupadalen easy to visit, but once you enter the woods, the city feels distant. It’s this combination of accessibility and serenity that makes Djupadalen one of Haugesund’s most atmospheric winter walks.