What to do in Bergen, Norway: Top 10 things to see & eat

Despite being Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen feels like a cozy fishing village. Its nickname, “gateway to the fjords,” is very apt: you can easily visit some famous fjords. Thanks to its location by the sea and surrounded by seven mountains, you are close to nature. Bergen is therefore not only the ideal starting or ending point for a tour of Norway, but also a surprising destination for a city trip. Curious about what to do in Bergen, Norway? In this article, I share our tips for the top 10 sights and where to eat and drink.

Oh, and don’t forget to bring your raincoat. With an average of 240 days of rain per year, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter rain. But don’t let that put you off. As the Norwegians say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

What to do in Bergen, Norway? 

Wander through the historic, colorful harbor district of Bryggen -Bergen’s most famous attraction.

The colorful houses are truly the sight of Bergen. In the past, this historic district was the commercial center of Norway. Now you can shop to your heart’s content here, as there are many shops and galleries where the trading houses used to be. Be sure to stroll through all the alleys to appreciate how beautiful it is. It was not without reason that it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, it can get quite busy here, so try to go as early as possible.

 

Visit the Fisketorget fish market

Because the city is situated on the harbor, a wide variety of fish is always available. The fish market is therefore a must, even if you are not a fish lover. It consists of two parts: one part with mainly stalls where you can buy all kinds of things (including whale). The second part is a covered food market with various dining options available. Be sure to try the fish soup, mussels, or sushi!

 

Wander through Knosesmauet 

This small historic district consists of colorful wooden houses. Because it is located near the fish market, it is easy to combine with other activities. Try to go on a Sunday, when it is nice and quiet.

 

Take the Floybanen funicular to the top of Mount Floyen

Mount Floyen is one of Bergen’s seven mountains. It is one of Bergen’s most famous viewpoints, so you’ll never be alone there. You can take the train to the top or walk up. At the top, there is not only a viewpoint but also some animals and a playground.

Tip: near the entrance to the Floyban is the charming Lillet Kaffekompaniet. Be sure to try the cinnamon rolls and carrot cake. And the coffee, of course!

 

Check out the white houses in Kroken 

Behind Bryggen lies the charming neighborhood of Kroken. The white houses are lined up along steep cobblestone streets with cozy gardens. Here you can escape the crowds for a while!

You can reach a beautiful part of the neighborhood by walking down the small alley on the right side of the Extra supermarket.

 

Walk around the city lake

In the middle of the city lies the green Byparken park, located on Lille Lungegardsvannet Lake. On a beautiful day, it’s a wonderful place to take a walk. It’s also close to the museums.

 

Hike to Bergen’s highest mountain: Mount Ulriken

Like Mount Floyen, Mount Ulriken is one of Bergen’s seven mountains. Mount Ulriken is the highest of these mountains. You can choose the sporty route (and climb 1,333 steps to the top) or the easy route (and take the cable car to the top). This viewpoint is a lot quieter than Floybanen because it is not located right in the center. There are special buses to Mount Ulriken from the city center.

Take a bike or walking tour of the city

Would you like to learn more about the city while getting to know it? Then take a bike tour or a walking tour. During a bike tour, you will explore the city on a comfortable mountain bike. There are some hills, but they are easy to climb.

Prefer not to cycle? Then book a walking tour of the city. You will not only learn more about the history of the city, but also about life today.

A tour is a great way to get to know the city differently. And you will visit places you would not normally go to.

Visit a museum 

There are several art museums to visit in Bergen. Kode has the third largest collection of Munch’s work in the world and is definitely worth a visit. With one ticket, you can visit all of Bergen’s art museums.

 

 

Plan your trip to Bergen like a pro

✈️ Book your cheap flights to Bergen on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Norway at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing

 

These were the best things to do in Bergen, Norway. Just outside Bergen, you can also visit the following places:

Cruise through the Norwegian Fjords

If you visit Bergen on a city trip, you must see the Norwegian fjords. And you can do this on board a fjord cruise. Enjoy the views and waterfalls you pass along the way. In good weather, you can do this from the sun deck, but there is also an indoor area where you can sit warm and dry. Sail to Mostraumen or the beautiful Hardangerfjord.

 

Visit Edvard Grieg’s house

Have you ever heard of Edvard Grieg? Perhaps the name doesn’t ring a bell, but you’ve undoubtedly heard one of his pieces before. He is Norway’s most important composer and lived near Bergen. His house, Troldhaugen, is located on beautiful grounds in the woods on a mountain. Not only can you listen to classical music and learn more about the famous composer, but you can also go for a walk. In the summer, you can attend classical concerts in the Troldsalen concert hall.

You can buy an all-in-one ticket that includes bus transportation from the city center, a concert at Troldsalen, and admission to all Kode museums.

Visit the Fantoft Stave Church

This church is located a 15-minute drive from the center of Bergen and was completely rebuilt after the original church burned down at the end of the 20th century. The church was rebuilt in detail and is open to visitors. You can admire the church from the outside for free.

Tips for good food and drinks in Bergen

• Det Lillet Kaffekompaniet: As mentioned earlier, this is the place to be for a delicious coffee with a cinnamon roll or a slice of carrot cake. It’s not very big, but when the weather is nice, you can sit outside. Otherwise, you can just take your cinnamon roll with you and eat it somewhere by the water.

 

• Apollon: This is a record store and beer café in one. Not only do they have a great collection of records for sale, but they also have a huge selection of beers on tap from all over the world (including Belgian beers).

 

• 3-Kroneren: This is Bergen’s famous hot dog stand. Around lunchtime, there can be quite a queue, but it’s definitely worth the wait. 

 

• Kaffemisjonen: a cozy coffee bar where you should definitely try the cardamom buns 

 

• Pingvinen: Delicious, affordable food. The meatballs are definitely recommended! 

 

Everything you need to know before visiting Bergen

Where to stay in Bergen? 

We stayed at the modern Citybox Bergen Danmarksplass hotel. This hotel is located outside the city center and is easily accessible by tram or on foot. It is one of the most affordable hotels in Bergen. The rooms are modern and sleekly furnished, without many frills. The restaurant next to the hotel offers a simple breakfast buffet.

 

➡️ Click here for a full list of top-rated hotels in Bergen, or check out the map here:

 

When is the best time to visit Bergen?

The best time to visit Bergen is between May and October. It never gets very warm, but you have the least chance of precipitation during this period.

How many days do you need to explore Bergen?

If you are only staying in Bergen, then one day is sufficient. But you can always take a boat trip on the fjords.

How to get to Bergen?

There are direct flights from all over Europe. Wideroe and SAS are the most well-known airlines flying to Norway. You can find the best prices via Skyscanner.

From Bergen Airport, you can take the train (Bergen Light Rail line 1 – Bybanen) to the city center. It costs NOK 49 for an adult and NOK 25 for a child. You can easily buy tickets on the platform with your debit or credit card. After a 45-minute ride, you will arrive in the center of Bergen.

Be inspired by Bergen and Norway

Bergen is undoubtedly one of Norway’s most beautiful cities, where nature and culture go hand in hand. Whether you come for the colorful houses of Bryggen, the impressive views from Fløyen, or the cozy atmosphere in the city center, this city knows how to surprise you.

Hopefully, this article has given you a good idea of what to do in Bergen, Norway, and inspired you for your city trip.

Would you like more travel inspiration or just want to dream away while looking at beautiful images of Norway? Then be sure to take a look at my photo zine full of unique images of Norway, a visual ode to rugged landscapes, charming cities, and magical moments along the way.

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