Your weekend guide
Adventures in Stavanger and beyond February 20th - March 1st 2026
Hi,
Oh what a milestone weekend for me. Met with both new and old friends. However, the highlight was taking the boys to open hall at Hognestad skule, which they loved. THE moment for me was the drive there (with my favorite music blasting) in sunshine (yes, a miracle before the snow started going nonstop) and seeing the most MAGICAL ocean views at Hellestø. The colors (we are talking Caribbean blues) and beauty (and the newfound freedom of being able to drive with my kids by myself) made me cry happy tears <3 Ah, everything in life happens for a reason!
This coming week is the Vinterferie (winter break) here in Stavanger, so no newsletter next week. Hence a longer one this week and a list of things you can do anytime. The region is your oyster!
As a part of my winter break, I am doing a blåtur (which after speaking to my American friend I understand is a Norwegian concept? In any case, it is a trip where the participants don’t know where they are going. And blåtur (directly translated as “blue trip”) comes from the expression “out of the blue”). As one of the readers here is involved, I can’t share the details here either, but I can’t wait to share some new nuggets in future newsletters.
Oh and thank you so much the ones who have reached out in person about this newsletter. And that you are sharing it! Your feedback means the world to me!
Go make those memories! Enjoy <3
If you’re reading this for the first time - welcome!
This is my weekly newsletter, sent out every Wednesday (nyhetsbrev på norsk her). My philosophy in life: every place in the world has something exciting happening. I believe there is always something to experience, no matter where you are (in fact, I’m willing to bet I can find something for you no matter where in the world you are reading from*). Sometimes it is big events, other times small experiences that make a weekend memorable. Everything I pick out is something I am considering doing myself, with or without two small children.
These are my tips for things to do in Stavanger and beyond this weekend:
Heads up: often the pages are in Norwegian, but you can always use Google Translate to check them out.
Friday
Sans kids
Vinverket - Pintxos, Pata Negra & Palomino: Spanish wines with pintxos on the side. Sounds like a pretty great way to kick off the weekend, right? More info here.
Saturday
Open farm at Solheim Gard: I will always recommend this place. A truly dedicated woman who wants to share the experience of real farm life. Over 150 animals and lots of fun activities. Kids under 1 go free; everyone else is NOK 199 per person. Registration required. More details here.
Kids’ Day at Figgjo: Let your kids decorate their own porcelain mug at the Figgjo Factory. My boys love theirs. NOK 150 per child. Sign-up here.
Pancakes galore: The Quality Hotels in Sandnes, Forus, and Sola have decided to celebrate International Pancake Day (who knew?) with free pancakes (and coffee) for anyone who wants some. You just have to sign up for the event. Such a great initiative! From 11:00 to 12:00. Details: Sandnes here, Sola here, and Forus, here.
Sans kids
Birding walk with an ornithologist at Friluftsfyret Kvassheim: Would anyone ever describe me as interested in birds? No. BUT like everything else in life, I love learning from people who know a lot about something I don’t. Whatever the weather this day, there’s an open invitation to a guided walk with an ornithologist. From 12:00 to 15:00. Free. More info here. (And yes, this is probably the place I’ve mentioned most in this newsletter.)
Sunday
Ørnehaug Visiting Farm: A unique spot on Åmøy with all kinds of animals and activities. I just love when people go for it and create places like this. Open all through winter break. Kids under 2 are free; everyone else is NOK 190 (which includes as much ice cream, soda, coffee, campfire pinnebrød (“bread on a stick”), and baked goods as you want). More info here.
Open workshop in old photographic techniques: Vitenfabrikken promises lots of fun during winter break, including this: “Create images without a camera using only light and shadow. You’ll develop the images yourself using old photographic methods. Afterwards, the images are developed so you can take them with you.” Sounds so cool! From 12:00 to 16:00. Regular admission. More info here.
Open gym at Ålgård: A great place for kids to burn off energy with free play in a big hall. NOK 20 per child. From 10:00 to 12:00. More info here.
Monday
Museum winter break: Many of the museums in the region have extra programming all week during winter break, like Polar Bear Week at the Archaeological Museum, an adventure trail at Stavanger Museum (where they let you bring your own (!) food into their café and even bring kids parties - how generous is that?), or a scavenger hunt at Stavanger Maritime. Check the different links for more info.
Sans kids
English pub quiz: Dean, “The Irish Brick,” invites you to his quiz night at O’Connor’s in Stavanger. More info here.
Tuesday
Marbling workshop: Learn how to make this cool paper art technique and learn a bit about its origins too. From 11:00 to 14:00. More info here.
Sans kids
Mediterranean wine tasting: Taste your way through five wines and dream yourself away from the February cold. Registration required. More info here.
Wednesday
Open café at the Arboretum: Enjoy a walk in beautiful surroundings, then waffles at the café afterwards. From 11:00 to 13:00. More info here.
Sans kids
Listening club at Litthuset: Come listen to (and critique!) fresh music from the local music scene and build your network. Or maybe you have music you want others to hear? From 18:00. More info here.
Thursday
Flame show: With glow-in-the-dark equipment, great music, and flames, the organizer promises a spectacular show for all ages. Sounds magical. From 17:00 to 17:30. Free. More info here.
Friday
Fairy-tale storytelling Bukkene Bruse - Barnemuseum: I love the Children’s Museum (ALL ages benefit from going there and getting in touch with their inner child, plus learning about the wonderful Lenden and all that he stood for), but I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing a show there. From 13:00 to 13:30. No sign-up required. More info here.
Saturday
Men in uniform read: Time Library wants children to have male reading role models, and this time a doctor in uniform will do a read-aloud. From 13:00 to 13:30. Free. More info here.
Eid workshop: Ahmet Bulut, Hamdi and Zeynep Soy, with friends, will show how to make lanterns, paper flowers, and other decorations. 14:00 to 15:30. Free, but registration required. Open to everyone, ages 0-100 (love this!). More info here.
The Golden Bird, performed by Askeladden Friteater: A performance based on an Asbjørnsen and Moe fairy tale at Madla Library. From 11:00 to 11:50. Free, but registration required. More info here.
Sans kids
Emerge 2026: Meet local artists, craftspeople, and designers from the Stavanger region. With exhibitions, a fashion show, DJs, and workshops creating a meeting point for artists and the public. From 14:00. Free entry (workshops requires a ticket). More info here.
Sunday
Outdoor Day at Brekko: Build your own bumblebee box, enjoy nature, and grill campfire pinnebrød (also gluten-free) over the fire. From 12:00 to 15:00. Free. More info here.
Drop-in Orgel: Curious how an organ is played? Stavanger Concert Hall’s resident organist invites you to come and try. NOK 100 per ticket. 14:00 to 15:00. More info here.
Any time stops
Playgrounds:
Did you know there are around 400 playgrounds in Stavanger municipality? The municipality has made a map: see the map here. Here are two of my favorites (I always have to climb a tower, so these are really my favorites 😂):
Playground in Klepp town center, with a hot dog from Pølsebuå at Håland before or after (you can sit inside the grill hut at Håland if the shop is open).
Playground at Lervig School in East Stavanger: Endless playgrounds gathered in one place, and several nearby cafés where you can grab food or coffee.
Nature Experiences
There are plenty, but here are some of my favorites:
The Fairytale Forest in Årdal: A true fairytale forest walk with or without kids. Free and always open. And while you’re there, stop by Ryfylke Bakeri og Konditori in Årdal (yummy!).
Randabergfjellet: A short but absolutely fantastic walk with views over the ocean and beach. A shelter hut halfway along the trail is perfect for a break and daydreaming. Park at the top (Randaberggeilen 20).
The storm hut in Madland Hamn. Probably one of the few places that gets better the worse the weather gets. Drive down to the picturesque harbor and open the stunning hut (there is a electronic button outside). Bring snacks, bundle up and enjoy the views. If bringing kids - let them roam free.
Fjøløy Fort: The stunning ocean views and the short but lovely walk make the drive worthwhile in almost any weather. And if you have energetic kids, the playground by Skorpefjell Kindergarten is worth a stop. Fun for the kids, beautiful sea views for you.
Vassøy: This small island in the fjord has a free car ferry (at least for now). Fifteen minutes each way on deck with views and sea air is balm for my soul. There are great walking paths, a local shop, and a playground. Timetable here (there may be slight changes during the holidays).
Ullandhaugstårnet. Ok, this may be a bit obvious BUT I love a view and there is no better place for it than this. The steep hill from the parking and the stairs reward you at the top. Combine with a walk around in the woods and the Botanical Gardens.
Indoors
Hå Gamle Prestegård: Art, café (with a great playroom), and beautiful nature with walking paths (plus a really nice drive out there). Highly recommended year-round.
TS Museum at Tjelta: Over 180 vintage tractors, cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Considered Norway’s largest and best-preserved collection of vintage vehicles. Free entry, open daily from 10:00 - 16:00.
Jerseymeieriet: The dairy of all dairies, in my humble opinion. Whether it’s ice cream, butter, sour cream, or milk, it’s some of the best you’ll find and well worth a stop. Both to see where it’s made and to grab some goodies from the shop. Info about the farm shop here.
Museums in Stavanger: There are several gems among these 8 associated museums. One ticket allows entrance to all other open museums on the same day. Tons of things happening and all is listed here.
Kvassheim Lighthouse. A fantastic spot with a café and a stunning view. Two floors with activities for both children and adults, and you can even climb to the top of the tower. Free entry. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy!
Orre Friluftshus. Another gem along the coast. Small but fun information center at a fantastic location. Tucked in behind the beautiful Orre beach, you can enjoy a walk to the beach before going inside to eat your lunch or buy something from their cafe. You can also use their BBQ outside that is sheltered from the wind. Free entrance. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00.
Buøy Bakeri. Ok not anytime, as it is not open on the weekends (nor the month of July), but oh so worth it. Get the Skjærsgård bread and please request the discontinued San Francisco bread (maybe if enough of us request it they will bring it back).
Wiig Gartneri. The world’s yummiest tomato award goes to this place. When not in Norway (and also while here haha), I crave the piccolo tomatoes. However, although closed for the season, the exciting news this time is that they have opened their own online shop (click and collect). So now you can shop directly from them, have a great scenic drive and enjoy all their goodies.
Krogedal Gårdsdrift. We met the friendly farmer behind this delicious cheese at a farmers market one time and he said “come visit one time, we are located “just above” Sandnes”. I think that is one way of explaining it but also not (stated in the most kind way possible). If you are looking to drive through beautiful scenery with a destination that sells yummy, local farm food, this is one stop for you. We loved it! Can also be combined with what is said to be a beautiful hike.
NIK. A relaxed vibe restaurant along the main road on Jæren that serves delicious French food with local ingredients. They also have a small play corner for the youngest. Enjoy!!
Hope you are inspired to try some of these things and that you have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for reading my newsletter. My goal is to send this out every Wednesday with my weekend tips (and occasionally weekday ones) for Stavanger and the surrounding area. If you’d like to get it straight to your inbox, hit “subscribe” and feel free to share it with a friend who might need some weekend inspiration.
* If you’re reading this from somewhere outside Stavanger, feel free to challenge me to find something for you :)