To those who know, the fjord is the soul of Norway. National Geographic traveler magazine rates the Fjords of Western Norway as the best cared for UNESCO world heritage site of them all. The Fjords are nature’s own work of art, formed when the glaciers retreated, and sea water flooded the U-Shaped valleys. They were dug out by successive ice ages and all have unique characteristics, shapes and tempers. From the air you see how unspoiled Fjord Norway really is. Most is still Wilderness.
Are you ready for a close encounter?
Stavanger invites you on an adventure, with the Lysefjord being one of the main highlights. Of Norway’s breathtaking Fjord views, Lysefjord maybe the most awe-inspiring of them all, as it passes between towering cliffs and mountains. The presence of the Pulpit rock, with its sheer 600 meter drop bears witness to a dramatic natural history of the region, with a much longer time frame. The brisk hike takes you to the top – where an overwhelming vertigo awaits you at the edge. It gives you an astonishing view of the Lysefjord from 597 metres above sea level.
Kjeraj – the other majestic mountain peak rises 1000 meters above the the innermost part and southern shore of Lysefjord. The plateau at the top gives a stupendous view of the Fjord. The Kjerag boulder, is a dramatic attraction of the place, with a boulder wedged into a crack into the mountain. You can also stand on this boulder, high above the abyss! Kjerag also attracts base jumpers and rock climbers. The experienced travelers describe it as the most stunning landscape and best cared for attraction in the world.
Here is something not to miss – the unforgettable experience of enjoying the Fjords from the deck of a coastal steamer. For the non-adventurous ones, this is a great option. On board, you can enjoy the thrill of unspoiled Fjords and glaciers, and think of the express boat or the ferry ride as a bargain cruise 
Waterfalls cascade down the dark mountainsides, roaring as you approach. The mountainside that plunges vertically down into the fjord is an impressive sight. Most of the landscape has changed little since Viking longboats set sail for distant shores. The ragged Fjords with their brightly painted,lonely houses echo with Viking legends of dramatic journeys, loss and survival. The fjords are nothing if not awe-inspiring, imposing and designed to make you feel small and insignificant. The sightseeing tours by Tide Reiser(public transport ferries) and Rodne Fjord Cruise show the famous Pulpit Rock from the bottom, along with an impressive supporting cast of waterfalls, idyllic islands and magnificent scenery.
The south of Stavanger is known for its Sand dunes and endless beaches. Hundreds of mounds in the region date back three thousand years. The winding roads to the region force you to slow down and look more closely at its stark beauty.
Key Chapters of Norwegian history were written in the county of Rogaland. This is where one of the first settlers came in rawhide boats, as the ice retreated. The city of Stavanger, in Rogaland County dates back to 1125, but it is after the oil was discovered offshore in the 1960s, that Stavanger blossomed into a true city. The petroleum museum and The Cannery Museum yield insights into these prosperous times. At Hafrsfjord, three giant swords set in a stone are a monument to Herald the Fair haired, who united Norway into one kingdom. These three swords mark the place where Harald finally conquered all of Norway in 872 A.D. This battle was fought in Hafrsfjord outside of Stavanger with Harald’s army against the armies of three local kings. The monumental swords are large replicas of viking swords found in grave sites around Norway.
In old Stavanger, houses huddle along narrow cobblestone streets. Most houses in the Gamle village in old Stavanger are more than 300 years old. Stavanger has the largest concentration of wooden buildings in Northern Europe. No wonder the city leaves a bustling and positive impression surrounded as it is with so much natural beauty, its peaceful harmony, and stave churches. The friendly invitation of the charming villages & Islands in Stavanger region and the bustle of lively town make you feel at home, far away from home!
If you plan to stay longer in Stavanger, you will never run out of things to see. You can take the boat to the Norway’s only palm Island, Flor and Fjaere. Manafossen falls in Gjesdal has a free fall of 92 metres. The Gloppedalsura boulderfield, consists of Avalanche boulders that are piled on top of an end moraine. Gloppedalsura is the Biggest Boulder Field in Europe. It is the spot where an earthquake blocked a river by bringing down the sides of two granite mountains. Some of these boulders are larger than houses. On April 22, 1940, some 250 Norwegian resistance fighters ambushed and defeated a German battalion of 800 men at this pass.
Whether you want to drive, or bike, this region is great for both. Fjords and mountains, a myriad of islands, beaches and polished rock surfaces, lighthouses, heather-covered hill sides, raging rivers and cascading waterfalls, golden grain fields, sheep and cows grazing on green pastures, ancient grave mounds, and a pulsating city life…Stavanger Region has it all!!
Don’t plan too many details ahead. Half the fun of traveling Lysefjord is allowing yourself to be seduced 
with detours that bring you hidden treasures.
For detailed information on suggested tours and itineraries, tips on hiking the Lysefjord, accomodation, transportation, and Culinary guide on Stavanger, and most importantly to know how to do it “on a dime!” subscribe to Globetrotting on a dime! Click here
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Happy Globetrotting!
Cheers,
Deepti
An adventure awaits in Stavanger for all, you just need to find it! Don’t deprive your friends of a rewarding journey like no other! Share this link with them.
STAVANGER FACT FILE
Country Norway
County Rogaland
District Jæren
Administrative centre Stavanger
Area
- Total 71 km2 (27.4 sq mi)
- Land 68 km2 (26.3 sq mi)
Population (2009)
- Total 121,325
- Density 1,650/km2 (4,273.5/sq mi)
- Rank in Norway 4
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Official language form Bokmål
Distance to some cities from Stavanger, Norway
- Bergen 155 kilometres (96 mi)
- Kristiansand 170 kilometres (110 mi)
- Oslo 300 kilometres (190 mi)
- Ålesund 390 kilometres (240 mi)
- Trondheim 560 kilometres (350 mi)
- Tromsø 1,350 kilometres (840 mi)
Transport
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, London, Aberdeen, Manchester and Copenhagen. Also, located outside Stavanger, there is a port serving international ferries to Hirtshals, Denmark. Local ferries go to Tau and Kvitsøy, while fast passenger boats go to many villages and islands between the main routes from Stavanger to Haugesund and Sauda.
The city has a number of bus services and taxis. There are two tunnel projects planned: Ryfast and Rogfast.
| Country | Norway |
|---|---|
| County | Rogaland |
| District | Jæren |
| Municipality ID | NO-1103 |
| Administrative centre | Stavanger |
| Government | |
| - Mayor (1995-) | Leif Johan Sevland (Høyre) |
| Area (Nr. 406 in Norway) | |
| - Total | 71 km2 (27.4 sq mi) |
| - Land | 68 km2 (26.3 sq mi) |
| Population (2009) | |
| - Total | 121,325 |
| - Density | 1,650/km2 (4,273.5/sq mi) |
| – Change (10 years) | 9.5 % |
| – Rank in Norway | 4 |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Official language form | Bokmål |
| Demonym | Siddis [1] |
| Website | www.stavanger.kommune.no |
Globetrotting on a dime!
Stavanger looks like a nice place. Thanks for the info!