Stavanger

Two things that spring to mind when visiting Norway:

1. According to the United Nations Standard of Living survey, Norway is still one of the world’s best countries to live in
2. Norway’s famous saying is “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!” so be warned, a bit of rain or snow will not stop anything here. 

Stavanger is a city situated around a beautiful harbor “Skagen”, located in the West of Norway with a population of approx. 130,000 inhabitants. A city that often hits lists of expensive cities in the world, Stavanger has even been ranked as the world’s most expensive city by certain indexes; however, you cannot fail to be impressed but its natural beauty and delightful charm. Whilst Norwegians are often referred to as laid back and generally, quite modest Stavanger is also known as the “Oil Capital of Europe” boasting great wealth and an ever-increasing vibrant city filled with new bars, restaurants, and entertainment.

As Stavanger is located on a peninsula on the southwest coast of Norway, the climate is greatly influenced by the Gulf Stream which creates warmer temperatures throughout the year compared to other cities at similar latitudes. According to Köppen climate classification, Stavanger experiences an oceanic climate (Cfb) with five months with a mean temperature above 10 °C (50 °F). The city has also a slight continental climate influence which can create subzero lows during winter. The city is relatively wet with an annual average of 1,180 millimetres (46 in) of precipitation, however, you can also experience some very beautiful summer days from May through to October.

Travel And Transport

The local airport is Stavanger Airport, Sola, and offers direct flights to over 50 different cities. In terms of taxis, you can pay in cash (kroner only) or by credit card. If you wish to pay by card, inform the driver at the start of the trip, the majority accepts the most common cards. NB – Upon arrival at the airport, there is always a long line of taxis waiting outside arrivals (taxis won’t accept bookings to pick up from the airport) and you can expect to pay approx. NOK400-500 from Sola Airport to the City Centre. You can take a taxi from the many taxi ranks throughout the city, plus you are free to use whichever taxi company/driver you wish and do not have to choose the first in line at the rank.  You can also hail a taxi in the street or simply phone for one, however, some companies charge for a call-out fee and start the meter the moment they arrive at your location, plus they are very expensive! NB – Safety Tip – swipe (not pay) your credit card upon entering the taxi into the pay machine so you are registered in the system. I suggest using www.stavangertaxi.noto book either online or call 0047 5190 9090.

The most common method of transport within the city is walking so don’t be shocked when you get a “strange look” from the hotel receptionist if asking for a taxi to the nearby local restaurant. A cheaper option is to take the www.flybussen.no/en, approx. costs NOK150 and takes approx. 20 mins, plus we have a very good train network www.vy.no and bus www.kolumbus.no network.

Local Business Etiquette And Customs

Family and home/work-life balance are very important to Norwegians, the working day usually starts at 08.00 and ends at 16.00 (prompt!) and weekends are for family and friends. Norway boasts a “40% women on the board or dissolve” sanction, whilst both parents share the child care for the first year; with fathers taking up to three months off work (paid) to look after their child.

The dress is very comfortable and casual (office workers even wear jeans to work), so most people venture out in waterproof/windproof clothes and as the center is full of cobbled streets, so high shoes or “taxi shoes” are not recommended, plus “Luxury” items such as hairdressers and beauty treatments can be very costly.

The culinary region

Restaurants and food ingredients in these parts of Norway have received excellent reviews from national food critics, as well as from the Michelin guide. Stavanger became in 2016 the first Norwegian city, except for the capital, to have this highly sought-after Michelin star. Stavanger is the only place in Norway to find three Michelin stars.

Bars and Restaurants

There are very many popular bars situated around the waterfront (Skagen), plus we have the delightful “Fargegaten”, the colourful candy coloured buildings which house everything from gorgeous niche shops, cool hairdressers, delicious restaurant and cozy cafes and bars and the up and coming “Pedersgata” area with an exciting variety of food, drinks, sales, services and art & culture from all corners of the world, Pedersgata is simply a small town in the city, and the only place in Stavanger you can get a sense of Copenhagen , Greenland and exciting neighborhoods in big cities, like Williamsburg/Brooklyn.

Suggestions for restaurants – Fresh fish atFisketorget, authentic South East Asian atNoodlenoodle, traditional Italian at ITALO

Stavanger – the innovative business region

The City of Stavanger supports initiatives that can create sustainable and highly productive jobs. Companies in the region are profitable, and the business community is growing. 

Stavanger has embraced the smart city concept and offers opportunities for companies, local government, and knowledge institutions. Our lighthouse status created results through the Triangulum project. We have co-created a Smart City Roadmap – guiding our priorities and actions.

Safety And Emergency Services

In the event of an emergency, please call: 110 – Fire, 112 – Police, 113 – Ambulance.  Seat belts are compulsory, plus there is the “Right Hand Rule” where means all drivers must give way to traffic from the right (typically on smaller roads). Drivers must always yield to pedestrians at zebra crossings (even without traffic lights) and this rule is strictly enforced.

Smoking restrictions

It is not permitted to smoke in public buildings and other places open to the public.

Crime

Whilst crime is very low here, it pays to be observant at all times plus like any other bustling, affluent city midnight around the bar areas is very loud and full of activity.  I would suggest a visit, not in terms of danger just due to your typical youngsters enjoying life!

Leesa Sikveland Originally from Manchester, I moved to Stavanger in 2009 with my Norwegian husband and live here as a “local foreigner”. I have two children and work full time as an Executive Assistant within the oil industry. I have over 20 years of PA/Event Management experience within various industries and love trying out new places and sharing the information (however more importantly I hate not knowing about new places!).

I am delighted that Norway is tapping into the networking bug. I run a Facebook group called “Moving to and Living in Stavanger” with almost 4000 members, plus a network group for PA/EA’s of the main Oil Industry Leaders within the Stavanger region. Please feel free to contact me personally with any questions you may have or you can and out more about the beautiful region onhttp://www.regionstavanger.com/en and/orwww.visitnorway.com.