Stavanger is the perfect starting point, either for cruising inshore through the fjords, or for a full experience of the dramatic coastline of the south-western Norway. From the sheltered islands and skerries just outside the city to the towering cliffs of Lysefjorden, the region offers an exceptional combination of open-water cruising, sheltered passages and spectacular scenery.

The highlight for many visitors is Lysefjorden. Sailing into the fjord brings you beneath the sheer walls of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), rising 604 metres above the water, while further into the fjord lies Kjerag, with its dramatic mountain walls reaching more than 1,000 metres above the fjord. The anchorage in Lysebotn puts you right on the landing spot for the base jumpers jumping off Kjerag.

But there is much more to discover beyond the famous landmarks. Stavanger sits at the edge of a remarkable island world, where hundreds of islands, small communities and sheltered waterways create endless possibilities for day trips and longer cruises. Head north towards Haugesund and the islands of Fitjar and Bømlo, and spend days exploring the coastline and the endless number of islands and natural bays.

For a longer adventure, continue north towards Rosendal and the Hardangerfjord. Here the landscape changes from the open coastal archipelago to deep fjords surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls and the Folgefonna glacier. Rosendal makes a particularly rewarding stop, with the fjord, mountains and Folgefonna National Park all within easy reach.

From Hardanger, the journey can continue towards Bergen, Norway's historic gateway to the fjords. The waters between Stavanger and Bergen offer an extraordinary variety of landscapes — from exposed North Sea coastline and islands to narrow sounds, deep fjords and dramatic mountain scenery.

For experienced boaters, this is Norway at its most rewarding. Start in Stavanger, choose your own route, discover quiet anchorages and coastal villages, and let the weather, sea and landscape shape the adventure. Stavanger to Bergen is not simply a route. It is an opportunity to experience the Norwegian coast from the water — on your own terms.