SHORE EXCURSIONS

Discover the lush natural beauty and marine life of Stavanger's archipelago during this scenic boat cruise to Lysefjord. It's a brief walk along the pier to one of the sightseeing boats where upon embarkation you will take a guided boat trip in the Stavanger archipelago. Here, you might see quite a few residents spending a summer day on board their pleasure boats. You will then cruise through an area dotted with numerous small, idyllic islands and view the homes along the coastline. Cruise on to Lysefjord to view one of Norway's most spectacular wonders, the Pulpit Rock, which juts out over 1,500 feet above the sea. You will then slow down near a steep hillside where goats usually come close to the boats and are given bread by the crew. Before returning to Stavanger, you’ll enjoy a stop for coffee and waffles served with sour cream. Sit back and relax on the return journey as you take in splendid views of the city en route to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through Lysefjord on a Veteran ship that served for more than two decades as a night ferry between several key Norwegian ports. The veteran boat M/S Sandnes was the largest and finest vessel of its kind until retiring as a night ferry in 1974. Although the ship was used for other purposes over the following decades, in 2007 it was returned to its former glory – right down to its original paint colors – for cruises through Lysefjord, the southernmost large fjord in Norway. The waterway stretches for 26 miles and the scenery is majestic the entire way. You will pass glacier-sculpted mountains, waterfalls plummeting over near-vertical cliffs and occasional farms on small pockets of arable land. Other highlights include an overhanging cliff known as Helleren and the Pulpit, a massive flat-topped rock that is so stunning, it was chosen as a film location for the 2018 movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the majestic landscape as you cruise through Lysefjord, the area’s largest fjord.
• Sail the M/S Sandnes, a vessel that was once the largest and finest night ferry in Norway.
• Pass sheer cliffs, towering mountains, roaring cascades and epic rock formations.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore Norway's past and present during this picturesque sightseeing tour that highlights historic Stavanger, a charming harbor city founded in 1125 A.D. Although relatively quiet until 1900, Stavanger became known as the Oil Capital of Norway by the mid-1960's, and has since evolved into a prosperous modern city. A scenic drive takes you past the harbor area's quaint fish and farmer's market and residential sections, observing how the city has retained its centuries-old roots through the preservation and renovation of its infrastructure and distinct old architecture. Make your way to Ullandhaug hill, where you will be treated to a magnificent view over the area. Later, near the little beach at “Moellebukta”, you'll see an impressive monument has been raised that commemorates the battle that unified the whole Norway: three 30 ft. high swords that have been forced into the ground, symbolizing the fighting was over. Your route eventually brings you past agricultural land. In Stavanger, you'll see Northern Europe's best-preserved wooden house settlement, which is filled with charming, late 17th and early 18th-century wooden houses tucked away in narrow lanes. Back in the center of the city, you will drive by the little lake where the Cathedral is situated; the only one that has kept its original features. In front of the cathedral is the colorful market square and beyond that, the Petroleum Museum. Before long, you will find yourself back at the pier where your tour concludes.

OVERVIEW

Visit historical and cultural attractions that define Stavanger with the option of exploring Old Town with your guide. For the ultimate view of the city and the fjord that rims it, you will drive to Ullandhaug, the hilltop where in 872 A.D. Viking chief Harald Fairhair won a decisive naval victory and united the surrounding regions into one kingdom. Nearby, at the water’s edge, you will pause for photos of the Swords in the Rock monument that commemorates Harald’s victory. The monument is comprised of three giant Viking swords – representing peace, unity and freedom – anchored in solid rock. You will delve even deeper into the past by browsing the Museum of Archaeology in Stavanger. Exhibits feature locally excavated artifacts such as jewelry, flint daggers and animal figurines. Behold the exterior of the Anglo Norman-style cathedral, the only one in Norway that has been continuously used since the Middle Ages.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the spot where in 872 A.D. a Viking chief united the region into one kingdom.
• View a striking monument of three Viking swords on the edge of Stavanger’s fjord.
• Browse an archaeological museum full of prehistoric and Middles Ages artifacts.
• Behold Norway’s only cathedral that has been used continuously since the Middle Ages.
• Stay in Old Town Stavanger to explore further on your own, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Immerse yourself in the local culture by tasting a Norwegian-style pancake, visit a traditional candlemaker’s shop, and passing by Europe’s largest boulder field. After departing from the pier, you will settle in and enjoy a leisurely drive inland, passing through one picturesque village after another on the way to the fertile Dirdal Valley. Upon reaching the village of Byrkjedalstunet, you will stop in a former cheese factory that has been converted into a restaurant and workshop for candle makers. As an introduction to the local cuisine, you will be served a hot beverage and a Norwegian lapper, a flat pancake of sorts that is typically topped with berry jam and sour cream. Unlike American pancakes, these traditional griddlecakes are typically eaten later in the day rather than for breakfast. After snacking on the lapper, you will enter the chandlery for the chance to browse through handmade candles and other handcraft. More than 200 different kinds of candles are produced to be offered here, usually through an old-fashioned hand-dipping technique or by using molds. You will also have time to browse the gift shop for candles and woolens. You may even spot a few goats around the property, whose ancestors supplied milk for the cheese that was once produced here. While returning to the pier, you will pass the Gloppedalsuren Boulder Field, the result of an earthquake that brought down the sides of two mountains in an avalanche. It’s an amazing sight, as some of the boulders are larger than houses.

Follow a rugged mountain trail to majestic Manafossen, the highest and most spectacular waterfall in the region, and a sight well worth the effort.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely drive through the lake-dotted countryside and on to a relatively isolated natural area in the shadow of spectacular fjord. Here you will follow a rugged, sometimes steep trail that has metal steps in places and chains attached to stanchions to make the going easier.

While the hike may seem somewhat rigorous, it’s well worth the effort when you first catch sight of Manafossen, the highest waterfall in the region. Manafossen spews out of a cleft in a sheer cliff and then free falls more than 300 feet into a misty pool below.

It is a magnificent sight from any vantage point, as you will see from the several designated lookouts near the top of the trail. If the sun is shining, you may even catch sight of a rainbow in the mist. You will also enjoy a glimpse of Fidjaddalen, the emerald-green valley above the waterfall that is shaded by stands of birch trees.

During free time at Manafossen, you may explore other parts of the trail or simply relax on one of the rocky plateaus and take in one of the greatest natural spectacles in this part of Norway. Afterwards, you will retrace your steps back to the trailhead and then follow a scenic route back to the pier in Stavanger.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a delightful meal of homemade waffles before meandering through the rose garden at Villa Rosehagen, a beautiful Art Nouveau-style restaurant that was once the residence of a steel company executive. The setting overlooking Jørpeland Bay is paradisical throughout the year. After dining, you may wander about the tiered garden, where more than 100 varieties of roses flourish among a collection of steel sculptures by international artists. Another spectacular vista awaits you at Høllesli, an elevated lookout that offers a panoramic view of Lysefjord, the southernmost large fjord in Norway. You will also stop at the Swords in the Rock monument that commemorates the naval victory of Viking chief Harald Fairhair in 872 A.D., which enabled him to unite the surrounding regions into one kingdom. The monument’s three swords represent peace, unity and freedom which is available to visit through mid-summer of 2025.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dine on Norwegian-style waffles at the historical waterfront restaurant Villa Rosehagen.
• Stroll through the restaurant’s rose garden, where more than 100 varieties of roses grow.
• Gaze out over majestic Lysefjord from atop an elevated vantage point.
• View a striking monument of three Viking swords on the edge of Stavanger’s fjord.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Reap the benefits of Nordic walking on a delightful hike across the Storhaug peninsula to the beaches on its southern shore. Nordic walking uses a specially designed pole that helps to maximize the benefits of the movements. It can tone the body, burn nearly 50% more calories and put less pressure on the knees and joints. Best of all, Nordic walking is easy to do. You will follow a historical, around 6.5 miles route through the city center of Stavanger, across the Storhaug peninsula and on to Godalen. The walk is only about 6.5 miles written double, but it is extraordinarily picturesque. Chances are, you will see bicyclists, other Nordic walkers and joggers, as the trail is as popular as it is scenic. In time, you will pause for a quintessential Norwegian snack. The route back will be different but equally breathtaking.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Stavanger, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Plus, selfie sticks, and selfie photo frames are available. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Stavanger, you will pause for external visits at designated selfie stops that include:
• Swords in Rock Monument
• St. Petri Church
• The Street of Colors
• Vågen Harbor District
• Historic Gamle Stavanger

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Stavanger.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Stand next to the giant Viking swords at the Swords in Rock monument.
• Capture Stavanger’s quirky side on Øvre Holmegat, the boldly painted Street of Colors.
• Browse the historic area Gamle Stavanger following free time in the Vågen harbor district.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Zip through Lysefjord – the southernmost large fjord in Norway – on a RIB, a rigid inflatable boat known for its speed and stability. It will be an exhilarating, adrenaline-charged ride as you first race through the expansive waters of island-dotted Hogsfjorden. The small farming village of Oanes and the somewhat larger village of Forsand lie across from each other at the entrance to Lysefjord. You will soon pass under a modern suspension bridge that spans the steep-walled fjord. The further you cruise into Lyseford, the more spectacular the scenery. Majestic mountains loom in the background and occasional farms cling to postage stamp-sized plots of less hilly land. The open-air RIB will provide uninterrupted views of the natural beauty in every direction. The highlight will surely be the Pulpit, a dramatic rock that rises straight up nearly 2,000 feet above Lysefjord. Chances are, you will see hikers looking down from its flat summit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the majestic landscape as you cruise through Lysefjord, the region’s largest fjord.
• Ride in an open-air, high-speed rigid inflatable boat known as a RIB.
• Pass sheer cliffs, towering mountains, roaring cascades and epic rock formations.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.