The best time to visit Stavanger for walking and outdoor activities is May to September. Summer days are very long — in June it barely gets dark — and the weather, while never tropical, is mild enough for hiking to Pulpit Rock without serious discomfort. July and August are the busiest months; the Pulpit Rock trail gets crowded and accommodation prices rise.
May and September offer better conditions for the hikes and quieter crowds. Winter in Stavanger is dark and often wet — the Gulf Stream keeps temperatures mild (rarely below freezing at sea level) but the grey, rainy weather is relentless. The city's indoor attractions — the petroleum museum, canning museum, Ledaal, the theatre — hold up well in any season.
The Stavanger Food Festival (Gladmat) in late July is Scandinavia's largest food festival, drawing chefs and producers from across Norway and beyond. It is a genuine reason to time a visit for late July despite the higher prices.