Stavanger

Since the discovery of the Ekofisk south oil field in the North Sea 1969, Stavanger has been home to Norway’s petroleum industry, and thus one of the most important cities in the Norwegian economy. A large percentage of the city’s locals are employed in the oil industry, many of them foreign nationals from all over the world, making Stavanger an exciting international melting pot.

Its cozy city center features Europe’s best preserved wooden house settlement, with over 170 historic white wooden houses. The city center also houses a number of fascinating museums, including the Stavanger Art Museum, the Norwegian Petroleum Museum and the Norwegian Canning Museum.

Stavanger is also renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings. A famous natural landmark is Preikestolen (“the Pulpit Rock”), a breathtaking cliff edge rising dramatically 604 metres (2,000 ft) above the Lysefjord, with its unusual square shape giving rise to its nickname. Other attractions include Sola beach, with its beautiful grassy sand dunes.