Storied Stavanger: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
4.0 / 5 · 4 traveler reviews
On this audio tour through the historical centre of Norway’s fourth largest city, you’ll trace the city’s transformation from a medieval religious center to a canning industry powerhouse and, eventually, the wealthy ”Oil Capital of Norway” we see today. You’ll walk through the winding streets of Old Stavanger. You’ll see Northern Europe’s best-preserved neighborhood, where 18th and 19th-century buildings and wooden houses reveal the city’s working-class roots. The tour weaves together tales of herring booms, witchcraft trials, petroleum discoveries, and even connections to American history, showing you how this coastal community at the edge of the North Sea has repeatedly reinvented itself. You’ll also discover its identity as a street art destination, with plenty of pieces by international artists. By the end of this tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation for a city that has continually adapted, while staying true to its distinctive maritime character and architectural heritage.
Your experience
Stop 1
Starting outside Stavanger Tourist Information, you’ll walk through the winding streets of Gamle Stavanger’s (Old Stavanger).
Stop 2
You'll hear about the city's role in the war as you pass Thore Horve Statue.
Stop 3
You'll have a chance to take in the magnificent Stavanger Concert Hall before making your way further into the old town.
Stop 4
On this self-guided tour, you’ll walk through the winding streets of Gamle Stavanger’s (Old Stavanger) and hear how wealthy Stavanger began as a small Viking settlement.
Stop 5
On this walking tour through the historical centre of Norway’s fourth largest city, you’ll trace the city’s transformation from a medieval religious center to a canning industry powerhouse and, eventually, the wealthy ”Oil Capital of Norway” we see today.
Stop 6
You see and learn how this coastal community at the edge of the North Sea has repeatedly reinvented itself.
Stop 7
On this self-guided tour, you'll see the colorful Fargegaten (Color Street), where a hairdresser’s ambitious Miami Vice-inspired painting created one of the city’s most vibrant attractions.
Stop 8
You’ll visit landmarks, some over 900 years old, including the magnificent Stavanger Cathedral, whose construction in 1125 marked the city’s official founding.
Stop 9
You'll pass by the library and cultural centre, learning about them as you walk.
Stop 10
On this self-guided tour, you'll discover the fascinating tale of Norway’s oil adventure at the waterfront, where the distinctive Norwegian Petroleum Museum stands.
Stop 11
You'll have an opportunity to visit Valberget Utsiktspunkt Tower, a former watchmen’s residence that now offers panoramic views of the harbor.
Stop 12
As you make your way to the Sjofartsmonumentet in Fisketorget Stavanger, the Fish Market where our tour ends, you’ll hear about some of the Michelin-starred restaurants that have earned the city recognition as a culinary hotspot.
What’s included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Transportation
- Food and drink
Meeting and pickup
"This tour starts at the Stavanger tourist Information. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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