Wondering what you shouldn't miss in Bergen on your trip to Norway? Which places are must-sees and what is there to see around Bergen? We had the same questions when planning our stay.
Nestled between mountains and fjords, Bergen is a city that instantly wins you over. You can wander through the colourful lanes of Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or rise above the city on the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen..
To help you plan, we're sharing all our tips for exploring Bergen and making the most of everything it has to offer, along with our hidden gems and recommendations for enjoying the local food and choosing the best places to stay..
Our thoughts on Bergen
After Oslo and Stavanger, we weren't sure whether to stop here before continuing our journey through northern Norway. Curiosity led us to explore the country's second-largest city, which feels more like a small village. We were won over by its charming residential neighbourhoods and the funicular ride up to Mount Fløyen..
Despite its reputation as one of Norway's rainiest cities, we were lucky enough to have sunshine and clear blue skies during our visit. It makes all the difference.
Bear in mind, though, that it's a major port of call for cruise passengers. This certainly boosts local tourism, but if, like us, you arrive at the same time as a cruise ship, you'll have to share the harbour area and Bryggen with hundreds of other visitors…
➡️ Further down, we share a tip for enjoying a lovely view of these areas without too many people around.
How long should you stay in Bergen?
Half a day is plenty of time to explore Bergen's very small city centre. We recommend staying for 2 days to explore the surrounding area.
- Day 1: explore Bergen in the morning and take a 3-hour 30-minute cruise on Osterfjorden in the afternoon, weather permitting. We recommend booking your cruise online in advance (around €70 per person).
- Day 2: explore the surrounding area with a hike to the iconic Trolltuga. It's an accessible hike with incredible panoramic views. Alternatively, you can hire a car to visit the following places: Tvindefossen waterfall, the village of Undreal and the Stegastein viewpoint (all in the same area north of Bergen).
➡️ We recommend choosing accommodation right in Bergen's city centre and booking it online in advance, as early as possible, for the widest choice. Our pick is Veversmauet Apartments, which offers fully equipped apartments..
Things to do in Bergen: our must-sees
1. The historic district of Bryggen
Bryggen is a remarkable district that you simply can't miss during your visit. Wandering along its cobbled streets, we immediately felt transported to another era. These colourful wooden façades, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, tell the story of centuries of trade. The district has been devastated by fire several times. The houses have been completely rebuilt to match the originals.
The houses now contain museums, shops, a hotel and restaurants with harbourside terraces, which were packed on the day we visited.
The only slight downside was that we arrived at the same time as a huge cruise ship, bringing crowds of passengers with it, just as on our visit to Stavanger. We had to share the neighbourhood with lots of other tourists.
➡️ To learn more about this neighbourhood's incredible history, we recommend exploring it with a guide.
2. Fish market
Next, we recommend walking along the quays to the fish market. It's a lively place to discover Norway's rich food culture, with salmon, crab and shellfish straight from the fishermen. For our part, we were surprised by how high the prices were for the quality on offer…
➡️ We then recommend heading to the covered market, also on the harbour, to enjoy a wonderfully photogenic panorama (with hardly anyone else around) of Bryggen and the houses clinging to the hillside in the background. It's a picture-postcard view of Bergen. We loved this moment during our stay in Bergen.
3. The residential neighbourhoods of Nordnes and Fjellsiden
We highly recommend leaving the touristy harbour area behind to explore the residential neighbourhood of Nordnes, sometimes also called Nøstet, to the west of the harbour, as well as the charming residential neighbourhood of Fjellsiden, perched on the hillside above Bryggen (around the Floyen funicular), which we really fell in love with..
Few tourists venture into these areas, and we were completely won over by their white or colourful wooden houses. We loved this peaceful, flower-filled neighbourhood. It's the perfect setting for a tasty treat away from the hustle and bustle, so we took the opportunity to enjoy our cinnamon buns. We're planning to try them all!
In Norwegian cities, we generally recommend wandering through the residential neighbourhoods, which are often very colourful. This is also true in Trondheim, in the centre, for example. The architecture is nothing like ours back home.
4. Head up to the heights
- Option 1: Mount Fløyen, the summit of one of the 7 hills surrounding the city, is a must-see and is easy to reach from the city centre. The funicular took us above the city in just a few minutes, and the viewing platform offered breathtaking panoramic views over the city and harbour.
The best time to go is towards the end of the day, once the cruise passengers have returned to their ships. You can then enjoy a beautiful sunset.
If you have time, this is also an ideal spot for a walk: a 6 km circular route takes you to Lake Storediket. As always in Norway, the trail is well signposted. We recommend walking back down to Bergen, as the path is pleasant and offers lovely views.
One-way ticket: NOK 60 per adult (around €5)
- Option 2: Mount Ulriken is the highest of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen.
For an effortless trip to the summit, take the Ulriksbanen cable car, which climbs to over 640 metres above sea level in just a few minutes. Even on the way up, you can enjoy impressive panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords.
5. Bergenhus Fortress
Just a short walk from Bryggen stands Bergenhus Fortress, one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved castles.
We recommend taking a look before or after your visit to the Bryggen district. With its thick walls and imposing towers, the fortress has watched over Bergen for centuries.
Fjords to visit around Bergen
Bergen is surrounded by water and nicknamed ‘the capital of Norway’s fjords’, as it lies beside Osterfjorden and between the country’s 2 largest fjords (Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord).
Osterfjorden and Sognefjord
Exploring a fjord is definitely a must-do experience in Norway. We still treasure the memories of all that beautiful scenery.
But what exactly is a fjord? We asked ourselves the same question when planning our trip. A fjord is an inlet of the sea hemmed in by mountains or cliffs (so yes, it is salt water). It is the result of thousands of years of glacial erosion, a masterpiece shaped by ice and time.
After exploring Lysefjord in the south, we were delighted to discover another fjord, as this is, of course, the thing to do in Norway. So here’s how to visit the fjords from Bergen.
Exploring Osterfjorden
This is the most accessible fjord from Bergen, with many cruises departing from Bergen harbour for the village of Mostraumen at the far end of the fjord.
A favourite of ours ❤️: Departing from Bergen harbour (by the fish market), we stepped aboard a small boat and enjoyed a lovely view of the Bryggen district before setting off to explore Osterfjorden. As always, entering a fjord by boat is impressive: you feel tiny surrounded by the towering cliffs.
For 3 hours and 30 minutes, we cruised along the fjord's calm waters, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The company Rødne Fjord Cruise, which operates the cruise, has an excellent reputation.
We recommend choosing Rødne Fjord Cruise, a company with an excellent reputation, for a scenic cruise along Osterfjorden to the village of Mostraumen, departing from Bergen harbour (next to the fish market).
➡️ A quick tip: don't forget to book your tickets online in advance (around €70 per person), especially during the tourist season, as these trips are very popular and places are limited.
Exploring Sognfjord
Bergen is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Sognfjord, Norway's deepest and longest fjord, which offers magnificent views. Its calm waters reflect the snow-capped peaks and picturesque little villages nestled along its shores, creating an almost unreal scene of tranquillity and grandeur.
The Aurlandfjord branch is home to the picturesque villages of Unredal and Flam. A viewing platform has been built here to make the most of the views: the Stegastein viewpoint, which you can reach along a beautiful road with plenty of hairpin bends.
From Bergen, you can opt for a guided full-day tour with return transport to explore this corner of Norway, including a stop in the village of Flam.
What is there to do around Bergen?
Troldhaugen
For music lovers, Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg's home, is an essential stop, just 10 km from Bergen. This is where the famous Norwegian composer lived, worked and drew inspiration from the breathtaking scenery surrounding Bergen.
A visit to his house, now a museum, offers an intimate glimpse into Grieg's life and an insight into the influence of nature on his work.
Hiking on Mount Ulriken
For keen hikers, Bergen and the surrounding area are an ideal playground. Mount Ulriken, the highest of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen, is particularly popular for its hiking trails, which offer spectacular views over the city and beyond.
It is a less touristy option than Mount Floyen. The Ulriksbanen cable car, to the south of the city, takes you to the summit.
Activities on the water: Viking ship / kayaking
Several companies offer kayaking tours or trips aboard a Viking ship from Bergen.
Trolltunga hike
This is Norway's most famous hike after the Preikestolen hike, and is located 3 hours south of Bergen. Matthieu did this hike on his own. We have devoted a whole article to planning your Trolltunga hike, as finding all the (right) information takes a little time and research. It covers everything you need to know, including how to avoid the crowds and where to park…
Undredal village and Stegastein viewpoint
On the shores of the Aurlandfjord, the little village of Undredal (3 hours north of Bergen) is a lovely place to stop for a short stroll, with the world's smallest stave church at its centre! A beautiful river runs alongside the village and flows into the fjord. Naturally, we stopped to taste the delicious goat's cheese at the Undredal Stølsysteri cheese dairy. We recommend choosing this village over nearby Flam, which is a stop for many cruise ships.
A stop not to be missed if you are in the area, the Stegastein viewing platform offers lovely panoramic views over the fjord. We loved all these free facilities in Norway. The access road is very narrow, so you will need to pull over and wait to let oncoming cars pass. After your stay in Norway, you really will be able to drive anywhere.
Tvindefossen waterfall
Before reaching the village of Unreal and Stegastein viewpoint, we recommend stopping at Tvindefossen waterfall, a beautiful natural site along the route between Flåm and Bergen. It is a dramatic, thunderous sight, especially in spring when the surrounding glaciers begin to melt.
The water flows with greater force and volume, creating an impressive roar and a veil of refreshing mist.
Practical tips
Where to stay in Bergen
In Bergen, as in the rest of Norway, accommodation prices can come as a surprise. It is worth noting that the cost of living in Norway is around 30% higher than in France.
For decent accommodation in a good location in Bergen, you will generally need to budget around €150–€200 per night.
People often write to us asking for tips on keeping costs down on a trip to Norway. We recommend renting an apartment. This also lets you cook your own meals, saving money during your stay in a country where the cost of living is high.
Where to eat in Bergen
We don't have any restaurants to recommend in Bergen, but we do have 1 good bakery to share with you.
- Good bread Marken: this is an excellent bakery selling organic sweet and savoury treats. It is a small Norwegian chain with shops only in city centres. We also visited its branches in Stavanger and Tromheim.
It's a great option for good-quality food at a lower cost, right in the city centre. You can also buy their focaccia to make your own sandwiches. We also recommend the Kanelboller, or cinnamon buns, or the cream buns (I have a slight preference for the latter).
Best time to visit Bergen
Bergen is reputed to be Europe's rainiest city (not ideal). Remember to pack a waterproof jacket and an umbrella. The summer months, from June to August, offer the longest days and the most pleasant temperatures. We were lucky enough to visit Bergen under clear blue skies, but it was very windy (don't forget those waterproof jackets).
Take a look at our complete guide to your winter stay in Bergen.
What should you wear?
We recommend dressing warmly even in summer and, above all, bringing waterproof clothing, a K-Way jacket and waterproofed shoes.
How do you get to Bergen?
- By plane: Bergen Airport is a 30-minute bus ride from the city. A shuttle bus takes you into the city for NOK 155 return (around €16). If you have hired a car, the pick-up point is usually Bergen Airport.
- By car: If you like having the freedom to explore, hiring a car is an excellent option. Norwegian roads are well maintained and offer spectacular views. It also gives you the flexibility to explore the area around Bergen at your own pace.
Do not plan to cover long distances in one go: speed limits are fairly low (60 km/h on average), and the roads are often so narrow that you will need to pull over to let oncoming cars pass. The constant climbs and descents also demand plenty of concentration.
- By coach: Long-distance coach services operated by the following company connect Bergen with other major Norwegian cities, such as Stavanger and Oslo: Nor-Way Bussekspress.
- By ferry: to save you many kilometres of driving on winding roads, ferries connect Bergen with Oslo and Stavanger with Bergen. You can compare prices on Direct Ferries.
From Oslo to Bergen by train
Bergen railway station is in the heart of the city, with direct services from Oslo (around 4 trains a day).
As far as we know, the journey takes 7 hours and is an adventure in itself, renowned for its breathtaking scenery. You can find more information at vy.no/en.
We hope this article helps you plan your visit and make the most of everything Bergen has to offer. And who knows, perhaps, like us, you will fall under the spell of this Norwegian city's unique charm.
What to do in Bergen: our thoughts and must-sees
🎁 A handy tip for including Bergen in a tour of Norway
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We really enjoyed writing this article. If you have any other suggestions for us, feel free to leave a comment below. We spent 2 months in Norway, so do have a look at our other articles about this incredible country.
Feel free to leave us a quick message or 5 stars below. Let us know if you’re planning this trip, and ask any questions in the comments below. We’ll be very happy to answer them. You can watch our Instagram stories from our trip to Norway for a taste of what awaits you!
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