Stone monastery

Norway’s only preserved medieval monastery was built from the 1260s, but Utstein appears in historical sources already in the 1000s, and then as a royal estate for Harald Hårfagre. In the Middle Ages it was a monastery for Augustinian monks and later the monastery itself was the main house on Klostergarden. Today it is managed by Museum Stavanger (MUST), which sets up concerts and events. There is also a monastery garden here with beautiful roses, ornamental shrubs and herbs.

By the way, did you know that four plants from Utstein are included in Royal Copenhagen’s Flora Danica tableware? In 1758, the royal Danish botanist Georg Christian Oder and his illustrator traveled to Klostergården, among other places, to study the local plant life. This led to Ålegress, Fagerperikum, Kystbergknapp and Vestlandsvikke adorning what is one of the world’s most expensive tableware.

Utstein Kloster Hotel

The hotel meets the summer guests with an atmosphere that will give an impression. Even with modern interiors and design, you are invited back to a bygone era. Here the small moments become big, whether you enjoy a short-distance meal surrounded by calm colors and honeysuckle wallpaper, or watch the sea roar from a warm room in glass and solid wood. The combination of coast, light and nature outside and inside welcomes you in a way that shrugs your shoulders. The hotel has 38 rooms and can via partners arrange activities such as fjord rafting, water sports, kayak rental and guided tours of the monastery or Fjøløy fort . They also offer bicycle rental.

NEWS! Accommodation at the monastery

Ready for an overnight stay completely out of the ordinary? This summer you can book a room in the monastery . The offer is organized by Utstein Kloster Hotell, which can also assist with tailor-made arrangements for groups.

Fjøløy fort – stroll, bike stop or discovery trip

A 15-minute bike ride (approx. 3 km) from the hotel is Fjøløy fort, where you can experience Norwegian war and post-war history. It was built by the Germans during World War II, taken over by the Norwegian Armed Forces in 1945 and opened to the public in 2011. See bunkers, old cannon positions, a real cannon and parts of a military obstacle course. There are nice hiking trails in the area, one of them leads to the lighthouse from 1849. Feel free to also stop at Storevarden on the way away or back to enjoy the view from the signal station.

More activities in the archipelago of Rennesøy and Finnøy can be found in this article.