Planning a trip to Stavanger? From historic harbour hotels and modern city-centre properties to budget rooms and a very convenient airport hotel, here are some of the best places to stay in Stavanger.
Stavanger is one of the easier Norwegian cities in which to choose accommodation.
The city centre is compact, most of Stavanger's major attractions are within walking distance of one another, and the city's main train and bus stations are right beside the downtown area.
That means you don't necessarily need to obsess over finding the perfect neighbourhood. For most visitors, choosing somewhere in or close to the city centre is the simplest option.
I've stayed in Stavanger many times over the years, both for work and leisure. My most frequent base has been the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel, while I've also stayed at the Scandic Stavanger Airport when an airport location made more sense.
But there are plenty of other options worth considering, including historic hotels beside the harbour, small boutique properties and more affordable accommodation.
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So, let's take a look at where to stay in Stavanger.
Where Is The Best Area To Stay In Stavanger?
For a first-time visitor, Stavanger city centre is almost always the best choice.
Vågen, the city's harbour, forms one of the focal points of downtown Stavanger. Restaurants, bars and colourful former warehouses line the waterfront, while Gamle Stavanger, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger Cathedral and the main shopping streets are all nearby.
Staying beside Vågen puts you right in the middle of the action, although that may not appeal to everyone. The harbour can be lively, particularly during weekends and major events.
Another good option is the area around Breiavatnet, the small lake beside Stavanger Cathedral. This puts you extremely close to the railway station and bus terminal while remaining just a few minutes' walk from the waterfront. That's the area I often prefer.
Unless you have a particular reason to stay elsewhere, there's little advantage for most tourists in choosing accommodation far outside the centre.
The major exception is Stavanger Airport at Sola. An airport hotel can make sense before an early flight or following a late arrival, but I definitely wouldn't use one as a base for several days of sightseeing in Stavanger.
Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel: My Usual Choice
If you're looking for a comfortable, full-service hotel in a superb location, the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel Stavanger is one of the easiest recommendations to make.
I've stayed here many times. The hotel overlooks Breiavatnet, right in the heart of Stavanger, and its location is the main reason I've returned so often.
Stavanger railway station is just a few minutes away on foot, while the airport bus stops right outside the hotel. That makes arrival particularly straightforward whether you're coming into Stavanger by train or flying into Stavanger Airport.
Once you're checked in, there's little need to think about public transport at all.
Stavanger Cathedral is just across the lake, while Vågen, Gamle Stavanger, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum and the colourful streets of the city centre are all easily walkable.
Despite being right in the middle of Stavanger, the position beside Breiavatnet gives this part of downtown a slightly more open feel than staying among the narrow streets closer to the harbour.
The Atlantic is a large, modern hotel with a range of room types, along with a restaurant, fitness facilities and sauna. But for me, its real strength isn't any individual hotel facility. It's simply how easy the location makes a visit to Stavanger.
You can get off the airport bus virtually at the front door, walk to and from the train station with luggage, and explore almost everything most visitors want to see without needing transport.
For a first visit to Stavanger, it's the hotel I would be most likely to recommend.
Hotel Victoria: For Historic Stavanger
For something with considerably more character, take a look at Hotel Victoria. Sitting right beside Vågen, Hotel Victoria dates back to 1900 and is one of Stavanger's best-known historic hotels.
Its waterfront setting is hard to beat. Gamle Stavanger lies in one direction and the Norwegian Petroleum Museum in the other, while the restaurants and bars surrounding Vågen are quite literally outside the door.
The historic building has been extensively renovated, combining traditional surroundings with a much more contemporary hotel interior.
Because of the age and layout of the building, the rooms aren't as uniform as those in a modern purpose-built hotel. For some people, that's part of the appeal.
I would consider Hotel Victoria especially for a couples' weekend or anyone who prefers staying somewhere with a strong sense of place rather than in an international chain hotel.
The location also makes it an excellent option for a short Stavanger city break, as you'll spend very little time getting to and from the places most visitors want to see.
Home Hotel Skagen Brygge: Right On The Harbour
Another interesting waterfront choice is Home Hotel Skagen Brygge.
The hotel stands on Skagenkaien in a building designed to fit in with Stavanger's traditional waterside warehouses. Some rooms offer views across Vågen towards Gamle Stavanger.
As with Hotel Victoria, you're staying right in the centre of things. The Petroleum Museum, Fargegaten, Gamle Stavanger and the city-centre shopping streets are all within easy walking distance.
But there's another reason this hotel stands out. As part of the Home Hotel concept, the room price includes breakfast along with an afternoon snack and an evening meal. That's worth taking into account when comparing hotel prices in Norway.
Eating out can quickly become one of the biggest costs of a trip, so a hotel that appears slightly more expensive at first glance may actually work out well if you're happy eating at the hotel in the evening.
It won't necessarily be the right choice if exploring Stavanger's restaurant scene is a big part of your trip. But for families, solo travellers or anyone trying to keep control of their overall travel budget, it's an interesting proposition.
Eilert Smith Hotel: For A Boutique Splurge
At the opposite end of the scale is the tiny Eilert Smith Hotel. This is not simply a smaller version of Stavanger's big chain hotels.
The boutique property is housed inside a striking functionalist building originally designed by Stavanger architect Eilert Smith in the 1930s. Today, it offers just a small number of individually designed rooms and suites.
It's one for design fans and travellers looking for something memorable. There's another major attraction downstairs: RE-NAA, Sven Erik Renaa's acclaimed three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Of course, staying at the hotel doesn't mean you're automatically getting a table at one of Norway's most celebrated restaurants, so anyone planning a food-focused trip should organise the two reservations carefully.
The hotel itself is central, within walking distance of Vågen and the rest of downtown Stavanger.
Its interiors lean heavily into understated Nordic design rather than traditional hotel luxury.
This won't suit everyone's budget, but Stavanger has developed one of Norway's most interesting food scenes in recent years. If you're coming to the city for a special occasion centred around food, Eilert Smith deserves a look.
Thon Hotel Maritim: A Practical Central Choice
Stavanger has several Thon hotels, but Thon Hotel Maritim has one of the most useful locations for leisure travellers.
It sits on the opposite side of Breiavatnet from the Radisson Blu Atlantic, very close to Stavanger railway station and bus terminal.
As with the Atlantic, staying here means you get the transport convenience of being close to the railway and bus connections without sacrificing the ability to walk everywhere in central Stavanger.
The hotel is a straightforward modern choice with a range of room types, including options suitable for families. Thon Hotels are also well known in Norway for putting a lot of emphasis on their breakfast buffets, which are included for hotel guests.
Stavanger Bed & Breakfast: A Lower-Cost Option
Norway's accommodation prices can come as a surprise, particularly if you're travelling alone.
So it's worth including Stavanger Bed & Breakfast, which offers a much simpler style of accommodation within walking distance of the city centre.
The property is in a quiet residential area close to the train and bus stations and only a short walk from downtown Stavanger.
Rooms are basic and the bathroom arrangements vary. Some rooms have more private facilities than others, so make sure you read the details carefully when booking.
There are also shared facilities, including a kitchen, which may appeal to anyone trying to reduce the cost of eating out. For solo travellers and anyone prioritising price over hotel facilities, it's an option worth knowing about.
Scandic Stavanger Airport: Best For An Early Flight Or Late Arrival
Finally, there's one hotel I recommend for a very specific reason. Scandic Stavanger Airport is immediately beside Stavanger Airport at Sola, and I've stayed here myself.
Its advantage is simple: convenience. If you have a very early flight, staying beside the terminal removes the need to arrange transport from central Stavanger first thing in the morning.
Likewise, if you're arriving very late at night, checking into a hotel right beside the airport can be far more appealing than continuing into the city.
The hotel is geared towards air travellers, with early breakfast available along with a restaurant, bar and fitness facilities.
But I would only recommend staying here when your flight times make it worthwhile. If you're flying into Stavanger at a normal time and spending a few days exploring the city, go straight into Stavanger and stay downtown.
Sola is outside the city itself, and there is little benefit to staying beside the airport if you're planning to spend your time sightseeing in Stavanger.
Think of the Scandic Stavanger Airport as a very useful solution to an early departure or late arrival, rather than as an alternative base for a Stavanger city break.
Which Stavanger Hotel Should You Choose?
For most first-time visitors, I would begin by looking at hotels around Breiavatnet or Vågen. The Radisson Blu Atlantic is my pick for a convenient all-round city-centre stay.
The airport bus stopping outside, the railway station being just a few minutes away, and almost all of central Stavanger being within walking distance makes it particularly easy for visitors arriving without a car.
If atmosphere matters more, Hotel Victoria has considerably more historic character, while Home Hotel Skagen Brygge puts you directly on the harbour and includes meals that could make a noticeable difference to the overall cost of your trip.
The compact city centre is one of Stavanger's biggest advantages for visitors, and a well-located hotel means you'll be able to explore most of the city on foot.
