When we think of some holiday in Norway Probably the first thing that comes to mind is a fjord cruise. But there are other ways to approach this Nordic land (why not say it, cheaper), and today I want to talk about the Stavanger Region that I just met in part and that I loved.
Now that I have made a trip without girls I imagine what the tour with them would be like, I filter all the possibilities that the destination offers for family enjoyment. On this occasion I have the conviction that The Stavanger Region in Norway is a very pleasant and comfortable destination to go with family.
It is also an ideal place to escape the heats we have in these southernmost parts ... The Stavanger Region, in southern Norway, is connected to Spain through direct flights from Barcelona to Stavanger Sola Airport, 20 minutes by bus from The beautiful city of Stavanger. This is our first stop in the Region, and it won't let us down.
It is a small city, very affordable to travel with babies and children, and we will love to discover that it is the city with the most wooden houses in Europe (about 8000). Touring the Gamle Stavanger, the old quarter with 173 wooden houses perfectly restored with its beautiful gardens or Holmegate Street with the explosion of colors in the wood is an experience.
We must also visit the watchtower, Lake Breiavatnet (the "bright eye" of the city), the beautiful Stavanger Cathedral (one of the few stone-built churches in the area) and also the cultural offer is interesting.
I will mention you the most interesting museums, without going into details because I had no chance to meet them. Next to the port in an avant-garde building we have the Petroleum Museum, with special sections for children (very close to him, a "recycled" playground, the Geo Parken); in the Gamle Stavanger is the Canning Museum; and we can also choose to know the Norwegian Children's Museum ...
The Kongeparken is a theme park for the whole family (10 minutes from the town of Sandnes, 20 minutes from Stavanger), where we can enter the Chocolate Factory or climb the largest roundabout in Norway. Children measuring less than 90 cm. They enter for free. Also between Sandnes and Stavanger is Norway's largest toy park, Leo's Lekeland.
The ornithological park of Nærbøparken, the Sandtangen in Bryne ... are other interesting places to visit as a family, more in contact with nature. Which allows us to move on to another of the great attractions of the Region: its landscapes and nature.
Boat trip from StavangerNatural attractions of the Stavanger Region
One of the star attractions of the Region (and of the country, and of Europe ...) is climb the Preikestolen, the famous Pulpit, the most beautiful viewpoint in the world. Here we tell you how it is possible to climb the Pulpit with babies and children. But if you are not accustomed to doing this type of mountain hiking tours or consider it a too long climb, there are many other possibilities to enjoy the landscapes of the place.
We are in the Norway of the fjords, and we have to explore these impressive landscapes. A boat trip on the Lysefjord fjord ("Fjord of light"), 42 kilometers long, precisely the fjord on which the Pulpit appears, will take us to the feet of this famous promontory between waterfalls and spectacular landscapes. There are several possibilities for boat trips from the port of Stavanger.
The area offers multiple possibilities for walks with children and outdoor activities (such as the Natural Center of Alsvik), and if you go in winter you can not miss skiing. Canoe trips, fishing or animal farms await us at Stavanger Friluftssenter.
But since we are in summer let's go to the beaches of the Stavanger Region. I had no chance to see them but I already knew about their existence before going to Norway, because these beaches of golden and fine sand had caught my attention in an environment of fjords, cliffs and waterfalls.
In the Region we can choose between the beaches of Jæren or those of Sola, the first one is one of the longest sandy beaches in Norway (11 kilometers in total) and on occasion described as one of the best beaches in the world. People are encouraged to swim in summer if the wind allows it, and if there are no other possibilities for sports and leisure. Around the beaches there are hiking trails.
To stay we can choose between the different cities of the Region, Stavanger and Sandnes mainly, very close to the points of interest. There are hotels of various categories, apartments and houses for rent, campsites ... and even the lighthouses that dot the coast are open to tourists, and some of them offer accommodation and food.
Another reason to enjoy our trip to Norway (I will ignore the world-famous gastronomic factor) is that, as I was able to comment with the locals, there the children are the kings (is it that Norway is the best country to be a mother?) . All establishments are very willing to welcome children and their families well, and there are many playgrounds for your enjoyment.
In short, if we have the possibility of having a few days of vacation and we want to know part of Norway, the Norway of the fjords, we can go as a family to know the Stavanger Region. I assure you that you will want to continue discovering the Nordic country again. Soon we will return with more holiday proposals with children.
Photos | Eva Paris in Babies and more, erikso on Flickr-CC More information | Visit Norway, Region Stavanger In Babies and more | Children welcome… until 6 pm, Travel to Dublin with children, what visits are recommended?
Note | We have visited this destination thanks to an invitation from Visit Norway without any commitment of opinion or publication.
