Long weekend getaways in Fjord Norway

This article is especially relevant for tour operators and travel agents with clients based around London, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Alicante, Manchester, and Aberdeen, with frequent direct flights to/from Stavanger Airport Sola.

Forbes: 1 of 6 Undiscovered European Travel Destinations for 2024

Stavanger was earlier this year named as 1 of Forbes top 6 undiscovered European destinations 2024, highlighted as a «Top foodie destination» and «surprisingly arty». Read the full Forbes article here.

Museums
Culinary hub
Colourful streets

Stavanger region is mostly known for the Preikestolen pulpit rock, majestic fjords, mountains, and nature. For this reason, there are many European cars, campervans, and bus tourists, especially in summer.

However, the fjords are here to be visited all year, and it’s easy to do it in 1 day from Stavanger while adding some museum visits, culture, and food experiences to a perfect Norwegian city break.

 An affordable way to explore Norwegian fjords and culture

Norway is perceived as an expensive destination, but with the currency exchange rates now in favor of international visitors, combined with the insight of knowing where and when to go, you now get good value for your money.

Rødne Fjord Cruise
Fjord Events RIB Safari
Excursions to Lysefjord from the city harbour of Stavanger is popular adventures for visitors.

Another common assumption is that Fjord Norway requires a considerable amount of time and planning. This is not always the case, as the Stavanger region is very accessible when travelling at the right time, and can offer just about everything tourists are looking for when visiting Norway.

The energy capital and its influence on tourism

Stavanger has for many years been a booming international hub within the energy and petroleum sector. This has resulted in large international conventions hosted annually, many good hotels, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife in the city centre. However, the hotels are experiencing less demand on weekends when business tourism is low.

The energy sector has in the last 50 years made an incredible impact on Stavanger and Norway as a country. Learn about the global impact, importance of the energy sector and the sustainable future at the Norwegian petroleum museum in Stavanger city.

Weekend adventures

– Travel when the rates are low

The reason why ¨undiscovered¨ is emphasized is due to the relatively unknown availability of daily flights between Stavanger Airport and Frankfurt, London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Aberdeen. There are also direct flights to/from Manchester on Fridays and Mondays + frequent flights from Alicante.

Stavanger is a lively, cultural and charming city surrounded by a region full of beautiful contrasts. Fjords, mountains, beaches, islands, small towns and villages. The opportunities are vast, yet so untouched. The region has something for everyone and is very accessible from some of Europe’s largest cities.

Per Morten Haarr, Director of Tourism

Below is map of flight connections to and from Stavanger Airport. Many of these flights are overrepresented by Norwegian outbound travelers and less by international travelers arriving into Stavanger Airport, especially around weekends.

Avinor map of flight connections to and from Stavanger Airport Sola for 2024

Hotel Statistics

The total average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in the Stavanger region in 2023 was NOK 1288 / EUR 109, and it’s primarily the weekends that push down the ADR, while midweek and large events push the ADR up.

Below you can see that the average daily rates are significantly lower in the darker columns, representing the weekends. Hence, an excellent opportunity for affordable leisure trips and long weekend getaways in Fjord Norway.   

This model shows ADR for a 3-month period between 1 feb – 1 may, however, the pattern is consistent throughout the year. ADR is usually around NOK 1000 in weekends and closer to NOK 1500 midweek, way below most European major cities.

The month of July another opportunity

Upon holiday season, the Stavanger region welcomes many campers and nature-lovers on a budget, yet many hotels are experiencing low demand. Especially the hotels situated on the outskirts of Stavanger and Sandnes city. These are ideal for tour groups with large conference and business hotels just a few kilometres from the Stavanger city centre, and airport hotels 14 km.

Clarion Hotel Energy
Hotel Victoria
Thon Partner Stavanger Forum Hotel
There are more than 5500 comfortable hotel rooms to chose from.

Strawberry is a leading hotel chain in the Stavanger region with 8 hotels. Also found in the region are Thon Hotels, Kronen Hotels, HEIMR Collection, Scandic and many other independent accommodation suppliers.

The destination is attractive, hotel standards are good and the hospitality is fantastic. Hotels in Stavanger are very motivated to welcome more leisure guests.

It’s not a secret that weekends are usually in favor of the buyers, and we encourage tour operators to take advantage of this opportunity.

Gjermund Dahl, General Manager Clarion Hotel Energy

Occupancy rates

The hotel occupancy rates in midweek usually varies between 70-90%. For weekends however, the occupancy is between 30-50%. Total average occupancy throughout the year is about 60%. There are more than 5500 hotel rooms in the Stavanger region, and like any other vibrant city, some weekends are in high demand with popular events.

Region Stavanger Visitors & Convention Bureau can assist DMCs and tour operators avoid the ¨blackout dates¨, with good knowledge about future large events.

Although high demand on some dates, occupancy and demand is generally lower during the weekends. Total occupancy for this period was 60%.

Example from Regent Holidays UK

The UK based tour operator Regent Holidays offers exactly this kind of trip to their clients, and their Stavanger City Break is the most affordable offer they have to Norway.

Why Stavanger region?

So why not make the vibrant and charming city of Stavanger the base of adventure and exploration in Fjord Norway? Or perhaps a starting point for an extended trip to other parts of Norway. Plenty of great experiences awaits, with some examples below:

Why not rent a car and go for a road trip in the amazing landscapes of Magma UNESCO Global Geopark?

Random price examples – long weekend getaway

Building on the claim that Stavanger is a great long-weekend opportunity, we did some quick and random searches. Below are some price examples for flight tickets to Stavanger from Frankfurt and London Gatwick:

Airport shuttle bus between Stavanger Airport – Stavanger city: Total cost for a return ticket when booked in advance is approximately 21EUR.

Bed & Breakfast rates at Thon Hotel Stavanger in the city centre, 25-28 Oct.: From EUR 116 per night.

Total cost for flights + airport transfer + hotel for 1 person traveling from London 25-28 October: EUR 456

Restaurants, museum entrance fees, attractions, activities etc. are also more affordable than before, due to the weak Norwegian currency.

For tour operators wanting more info, please contact myself.

Morten Andreas Puntervoll,
Sales manager Leisure
  • morten.puntervoll@regionstavanger.com
  • +47 41691440

We hope this was useful information and encourage followers to our social media pages:

Surfing on the Edge of Norway, beaches of Jæren is popular all year round.

Photo credits:

Preiksestolen by Go fjords Stavanger city harbour by Region Stavanger | Shutterstock. Stavanger Art Museum by Jon Inge Haga. Culinary hub by Marie Von Krogh. Colourful streets by Brian Tallman Photography. Rødne fjordcruise by Fabel Media. Fjord Events by Fjord Events. Norwegian Petroleum Museum by Stig Haavard Dirdal. Per Morten Haarr portrait by Tord Paulsen. Morten Andreas Puntervoll portrait by Tord Paulsen. Road trip in Magma UNESCO Global Geopark by Eudardo Grund. Surfing at Bore Beach by Fabel Media

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Morten Andreas Puntervoll

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