The old town was built in tiers on a slope to the west of the old port at the end of the 18C when Stavanger's sardine industry was flourishing. 170 houses dating from the 18C and 19C have been restored. The narrow cobbled streets lit by old-fashioned street lamps make for a walk back in time. The white-painted timber houses (all of which are lived in and some of which have little gardens) are brightened up by the plants at their thresholds.