top of page

Sverd i fjell, Stavanger: tickets, directions, history, and visitor tips (2026)

  • Writer: Thor
    Thor
  • 23 hours ago
  • 7 min read
Sverd i fjell (Swords in Rock) monument in Stavanger, Norway, three tall bronze swords standing in rock by the calm waters of Hafrsfjord under an overcast sky.

Sverd i fjell (Swords in Rock) is a public monument at Hafrsfjord in Stavanger, Norway, featuring three large swords fixed into the bedrock. For the official destination overview, see Swords in rock on Visit Edge of Norway. The monument commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord, traditionally dated to 872 and associated with Harald Fairhair’s unification of Norway. It was unveiled in 1983 and created by sculptor Fritz Røed.


Last updated: 2026


Opening hours & best time to visit


Regular & seasonal hours

Sverd i fjell is an outdoor monument with no gates or ticket office, so you can visit 24 hours a day, all year. Because it sits right on the shoreline at Møllebukta, the practical limit is daylight, weather, and sea conditions rather than opening times.

If you visit in winter, expect stronger wind off Hafrsfjord and a higher chance of slippery rock after rain, frost, or sea spray. The trade off is that you often get the place almost to yourself.


Best time to visit & crowd tips

For the easiest visit, go from late May through August when daylight is long and the path and rocks are typically drier. The trade off is higher visitor volume on warm days and a real parking squeeze at Møllebukta.

If you are building a full Stavanger plan around daylight, crowds, and seasonal costs, use the GlobalTravelsInfo seasonal guide Best time to visit Stavanger, Norway and schedule Sverd i fjell in an early morning window when parking is most forgiving.

For photos, aim for the last 60 to 90 minutes before sunset on a clear day, when the swords and fjord pick up softer light. The trade off is that this is also when locals arrive for an evening walk or

swim.


Tip: If you want the cleanest photos with minimal people, arrive before 10:00 on a summer weekday and walk straight past the swords to the shoreline first. You often catch the calmest water and avoid the mid day family peak at Møllebukta.

Tickets & prices


Ticket types & what they include

There is no admission ticket for Sverd i fjell.

  • General access: NOK 0 (EUR 0)

Because it is a public monument, there are no add ons like fast track entry or premium time slots. Your main “cost” is transport and time.


Where to buy & booking policies

You do not need to book a time slot or reserve entry. There is no official ticket portal and no refund policy because you are not purchasing access.

You may see the monument included as a stop on paid sightseeing products (for example hop on hop off bus tours). Those products are optional and do not change access to the monument.


Discounts & free entry

Sverd i fjell is free for everyone, all year.


Guided tours & audio guides


Official guided tours

A dedicated “official guided tour” for Sverd i fjell is not reliably published. In practice, the monument is commonly included as a short stop on Stavanger city sightseeing tours, especially during cruise season.

If you want a guided format, look for city sightseeing tours that explicitly list Sverd i fjell as a stop and verify the route and stop duration before you pay.


Audio guides & mobile apps

There is no official on site audio guide for the monument that is reliably published by an attraction operator.

Some Stavanger sightseeing products provide an audio guide as part of the tour (languages and availability vary by operator). Treat these as third party services and confirm language support and offline playback before arrival.


What to expect & itinerary planning


Time needed & visit planning

Most visits take 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how long you spend taking photos and walking the shoreline.

A practical flow that works well:

  1. Arrive and walk the short path to the swords.

  2. Take photos from multiple angles (front on from the path, then from the shoreline).

  3. Continue along the waterline at Møllebukta for views over Hafrsfjord.

  4. If you visit on a warm day, factor in extra time for a swim or a picnic on the grass.

The trade off is simple: staying longer improves the experience, but it increases the chance you meet peak crowd levels and lose your parking window.


Accessibility & facilities

The approach to the viewing area is short and generally flat, but the final area around the swords is natural rock. If you use a wheelchair, stroller, or have limited mobility, you can get close for views and photos from the path and grass, but stepping onto uneven rock can be difficult.

Detailed step free route guidance is not reliably published for this specific monument. If you need a fully step free surface to the photo spot, plan to view from the paved or compact paths around Møllebukta rather than the rock edge.


On site services

Møllebukta is used as a local recreation area, so you typically find:

  • Grass areas and benches for breaks

  • A small beach suitable for short swims on calm days

  • Seasonal refreshments from Is Paradis at Møllebukta (see Is Paradis on Visit Norway and check opening days before you rely on it)

Public toilet availability at Møllebukta is not reliably published in a single authoritative place with year round hours. If toilets are a must for your visit, use the Stavanger municipality public toilet guide and plan a backup stop.


Rules & safety


Security checks & prohibited items

There are no formal security checks at Sverd i fjell. Your main safety issues are natural:

  • Rock surfaces can be slippery after rain or sea spray

  • Wind can be strong even on sunny days

  • The shoreline edge is not fenced, so keep children close

If you bring food, plan for wind and seagulls. The trade off is that a picnic is easy here, but it requires basic outdoor awareness.


Photography & drones

Handheld photography is generally straightforward at public outdoor monuments.

For drone use, follow Norway’s national drone rules and always check airspace restrictions before takeoff using the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway no drone zones guidance and the practical traveller summary on Visit Norway drone rules. At minimum, expect to comply with registration and competence requirements where applicable, keep the drone within visual line of sight, and stay under the national altitude limit of 120 metres.

If you plan to use photos or video of the monument commercially, note that the artwork is protected by copyright and commercial reproduction may require licensing. Visit Edge of Norway explicitly highlights copyright protection for Sverd i fjell and points to BONO for licensing on its legal terms page. This is especially relevant if you publish the monument as a primary subject in advertising or monetised media.


Dress code & behaviour

There is no dress code. Wear closed shoes with grip if you plan to step onto the rock near the water.

Behave as you would at any public outdoor site in Norway: respect other visitors, keep noise reasonable, and avoid blocking the narrow photo angles during peak moments.


Nearby attractions & combos (optional if relevant)


Attractions within walking distance

Within the same immediate area you can combine your visit with:

  • Møllebukta shoreline walk and beach time (free)

  • Short fjordside walks along Hafrsfjord (free)

If you want a half day Stavanger heritage pairing, consider these nearby, verified visitor attractions in the Stavanger area (opening hours and seasons vary). For broader city context, start with Stavanger travel information:

  • The Iron Age Farm at Ullandhaug (seasonal open air museum)

  • The Museum of Archaeology (UiS)

  • The Norwegian Petroleum Museum (compare with the GlobalTravelsInfo overview Norsk Oljemuseum guide)

  • Stavanger Cathedral in the city centre (use the GlobalTravelsInfo guide Stavanger Cathedral visitor guide)

A popular full day add on is Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), which is hikeable year round, but typically recommended from May to October unless you go with a guide and proper winter equipment.


Frequently asked questions


Is Sverd i fjell free to visit?

Yes. Sverd i fjell is a public outdoor monument with NOK 0 (EUR 0) admission.


Do you need a ticket or reservation?

No. There is no ticket portal and no timed entry system.


Where is Sverd i fjell located?

It is at Møllebukta on Hafrsfjord in Stavanger, commonly listed as Møllebukta, 4044 Hafrsfjord, Stavanger, Norway.


Which bus should you take to Sverd i fjell?

A common public transport option is Kolumbus bus line 16 toward the Madla area, getting off at Madlaleiren, then walking a short distance to Møllebukta. Confirm the current route and stop list in the Kolumbus travel planner before you depart.


Is there parking at Møllebukta?

Yes, but parking is limited and becomes the main pain point on warm days. The trade off is convenience versus reliability: driving can be fastest, but public transport avoids the risk of circling for a space.


How long should you plan to spend at Sverd i fjell?

Plan 15 to 45 minutes for the monument itself, plus extra time if you want to walk the shoreline or swim at Møllebukta.


What is the best time of day for photos?

Late evening light often works best. Aim for the last 60 to 90 minutes before sunset for softer light and calmer water, but expect more visitors during that window in summer.


Is Sverd i fjell suitable for kids?

Yes, but you need close supervision near the water and on wet rock. There are no fences at the shoreline edge.


Is it wheelchair friendly?

Partly. You can reach viewing areas on paths and grass, but the final photo angles by the swords involve uneven rock. A fully step free route to the rock edge is not reliably published.


Are there toilets at or near Sverd i fjell?

Toilet availability at Møllebukta is not reliably published with reliable year round opening times. Use the Stavanger municipality public toilet guide and plan a backup stop in the city.


Can you fly a drone at Sverd i fjell?

Possibly, but you must comply with Norway’s drone regulations and check no drone zones and local restrictions before you fly. Avoid flying close to people, keep line of sight, and stay under 120 metres.


Is there food or coffee nearby?

In season, the on site kiosk Is Paradis at Møllebukta sells ice cream and simple refreshments. Outside peak season, service hours can be limited, so bring water if you visit in cooler months.


Useful links Sverd i fjell Stavanger


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page