Bergen is Norway’s second biggest city and an ideal stop for combining natural beauty with cultural integration. It is known as the gateway to the fjords, and its maritime history goes back to 1070.
After living in Stavanger, Norway, for nearly three months, Bergen quickly became my favourite city to visit. I returned several times to hike the Vidden trail between Mount Floyen and Ulriken, eat at the city’s famous fish market, take fjord tours through Mostraumen, and climb to the top of the Clarion Collection hotel tower for the best views over the harbour. This guide will take you through the top things to do in Bergen and some hidden gem experiences. You’ll want to squeeze the most you can out of this fascinating Norwegian destination.
Cover image: Bergin City Centre. Image by Lars Korvald, courtesy of Visit Bergen, visitBergen.com
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How many days should you spend in Bergen
You need at least two full days in Bergen to experience some of its main highlights. However, allocating four days in Bergen will allow you to see all of the city’s best sights and hidden gems. Four days will allow you to dedicate a couple of days to sightseeing, a day to hiking Bergen’s mountains, and a day for exploring the nearby fjords. The additional days also add a weather buffer, because it’s almost always raining in Bergen.
When to visit Bergen
Visit Bergen in late spring/summer between May and September for the best temperatures and the most sunlight. Summers in Bergen get up to 18° C, with over 18 hours of sunlight. Technically, the rainiest season runs between October and January, but Bergen is infamous for its rain, no matter the time of year. The city gets an average of 240 days of rain because of its position on the coast and the mountains. Rain is just a condition you’ll have to pack for and accept.
20 Famous attractions and hidden gems
1. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
If you’ve done any research on Bergen, you’ve definitely seen photos of Bryggen. It is the centrepiece of the city’s historic waterfront, with a row of colourful wooden buildings. Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage site and dates back to the 1700s. This was the main wharf used by the Hanseatic League, a group of merchants that played an important role in solidifying Bergen’s place as a significant trade hub. Today, the site displays the charm of Norway’s local culture. Bryggen is photogenic and lovely to wander through or spend time in its museums, artisan shops, and cafes.
2. Boat tour to Mostraumen
Mostraumen is a narrow strait in the larger Ostefjord. It is also the easiest accessible fjord from Bergen, with fjord tours leaving right from Bergen’s harbour. The fjord cruises last about 3.5 hours and bring you to the towering fjord cliffs, waterfalls, and tiny colourful towns within the fjord. I loved moving around the deck to catch different vantage points. We even got close enough to the edge of a cliff to feel the mist of a waterfall. Guided tours are the best way to see the fjords in and around Bergen.
3. Fløibanen funicular & Mount Fløyen
Mount Floyen is one of the seven mountains that surround Bergen. It is the most popular mountain to visit because the trails and the funicular are directly in the tourist centre. The top has a fantastic lookout point over Bergen’s harbour. A hike to the top takes about 45 minutes. The funicular operates year-round and takes about 8 minutes to get to the top. During summer, they run every 15 minutes between 10 am – 7 pm, and every half hour between 7:30 – 10 AM or 7 PM – midnight. The top of Mount Floyen has a couple of cafes, washrooms, a souvenir shop, and more hiking trails.
4. Mount Ulriken & Ulriksbanen cable car
Mount Ulriken is the tallest of the seven mountains in Bergen. It has the highest viewpoint over the city, which shows more of the entire city rather than just the harbour. You can take a 1.5-hour hike to the summit, but keep in mind it is steep and has a lot of stone steps. Or you can take the Ulriksbanen cable car and ride the scenic journey to the top. At the top of Ulriken is the Skyskraperen Restaurant. The glass walls of the restaurant offer a spectacular view while you dine on the mountain top.
5. Bergen Fish Market
Bergen’s Fish Market is a must for both food and local culture. The market has been around for centuries, with vendors selling fresh seafood like fish, crab, and lobster. You can also find Norwegian specialities like cured meats and cheese. Walk the market booths, enjoying the atmosphere and sample local dishes. Some of the vendors sell prepared food like hot dishes, sushi, and ready-to-eat seafood.
6. Magic Ice Bar
As the name suggests, Magic Ice Bar is a bar made entirely out of ice. It has intricate statues and designs carved into the walls and a cool atmosphere. The bar is illuminated with colourful lights, adding a magical, Instagram-worthy experience. Upon entering, you are given a warm poncho and gloves to stay comfortable. Your entrance ticket includes a drink served in an ice glass.
7. Bergenhus Fortress & Rosenkrantz Tower
Right near the Bryggen wharf, Bergenhus Fortress is one of Norway’s oldest and best preserved fortresses. It was built in the 13th century and eventually protected against invading forces like the English in the 17th century. Bergenhus is open to the public and free to explore. You can wander the grounds or pay to climb the narrow staircase to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower. It has great views of the harbour.
8. KODE Art Museums
If you love art and culture, visit one of Bergen’s KODE museums. KODE has four museum locations and three historic homes highlighting musicians. The four museums are:
- Rasmus Meyers: A cute building from 1924 that hosts the collection of a rich businessman, Rasmus Meyers. There are two floors with Norwegian art from 1880 to 1905. It has the third largest collection of the famous artist Edvard Munch in the world.
- Stenersen: The newest of the four locations, it features the collection of Rolf Stenersen. It also has rotating exhibits.
- Permanenten: It’s in a beautiful neo-renaissance building with rotating exhibits, a craft and design collection, and the Chinese art collection.
- Lysverket: Currently closed for refurbishment
9. Marken Street
Marken Street is a pedestrian area located right near Bergen’s tourist centre, across from the bus station. The street is great for photos with cobblestone streets and colourful buildings lined with boutiques, cafes, and small art galleries. From here, you can capture great photos of the mountains rising from behind the buildings, dotted with tiered houses.
10. Clarion Collection Hotel
This is one of Bergen’s best-kept secrets, with excellent views over Bergen. The Clarion Collection hotel is right near the Bryggen wharf and has a tall observation tower. And the secret? You don’t have to be a guest to climb to the top and enjoy the view. Simply ask the front desk if you could go to the top of their tower. They will make you an elevator card and share directions. At the top are amazing views of the city, which you will likely enjoy solo.
11. Wander the Nordnes District
The Nordnes district is a charming and less touristy part of Bergen. It’s a short walk from the tourist centre but provides an authentic glimpse into local life. You’ll see the typical Norwegian style wooden houses, colourful streets, and narrow alleys. A great way to learn about the district’s history is with a walking tour. Nordnes is also home to the lovely Nordnes Park. Situated right by the water, it has a calm atmosphere away from the bustle of the tourist hub.
12. Bergen Maritime Museum
Bergen’s maritime history is significant as a major trading hub in Europe and this is showcased in Bergen’s Maritime Museum. The museum highlights the city’s role in shipping and trade over previous centuries. You learn about the lives of sailors and how the technology behind ships has changed. If you’re interested in a significant part of Norway’s past, it’s a must.
13. Trollskogen (Troll Forest)
Trollskogen is a Troll Forest at the top of Mount Floyen. The forest has over 30 wooden troll statues made by local artists. The atmosphere fits the theme, with the ground covered in a bright green moss adding to the mood. There is an easy 1.2-mile (2 km) trail that weaves through the forest, a great activity to do with children.
14. Gamle Bergen Museum
Gamle is also known as the Old Bergen Museum. It’s an open-air exhibit with over 40 historic wooden houses, shops, and bakeries to simulate what life looked like in Bergen in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum has live actors with period costumes to add an immersive touch. It’s a great way to learn about old-school Bergen compared to what it looks like today.
15. Hanseatic Museum
Located in Bryggen’s old wooden buildings, the Hanseatic Museum is dedicated to the history of the Hanseatic merchants who dominated Bergen’s trade centuries ago. The museum was established in 1872. You get to see real merchant offices, communal halls, and living quarters to glimpse into what life was like there in the past. They also have old artefacts and original furniture preserved to show what Bergen’s medieval trading era was like.
16. Hike the Vidden Trail
The Vidden Trail is a 15 km hike connecting Mount Ulriken to Mount Fløyen. It takes about 5 hours to complete and has amazing views over Bergen and its surrounding fjords. You’ll pass lakes, sheep grazing, and hike atop the mountain’s ridge with views on either side. The trail is well-marked with cairns and can be extended by adding the hike up Mount Floyen and down Mount Ulriken. I did it this way and it took me about 8 hours.
17. Norway in a Nutshell Tour
Norway in a Nutshell is a company that runs tours for those looking to see Norway’s highlights in a shorter amount of time. They have a fantastic day tour to explore the fjords just outside of Bergen and the scenic Flam railroad.
The first stop is at Gudvangen, a town in a narrow portion of one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, Naeroyfjorden. It has a hiking village with displays, food, and axe throwing. Next, you take a scenic boat cruise through Naeroyfjorden to the town of Flam. The cruise lasts about 2 hours, and you’ll see cliffs rising steeply out of the water.
After making a short stop in Flam, you’ll board the famous Flam railway. It is one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. It lasts about an hour, weaving through the mountains in a vintage train compartment. The train ride ends at the Myrdal station, which has direct lines back to Bergen.
18. Norwegian Sauna experience
Norway and Scandinavia as a whole are known for their saunas. One of the coolest places to visit in Bergen is the Marineholmen location of Heit Bergen Sauna or Nordnes Sea Bath in Bergen city centre. They have saunas right in the harbour with big windows to enjoy the view while you sweat. Just a step outside of the sauna is a ladder that you can use to cold dip into the marina water.
19. Fantoft Stave Church
Fantoft Stave Church was originally built in the 12th century, but was reconstructed after a fire in 1992. It is a great example of what medieval churches in Norway looked like, with a wooden tiered roof and carvings. Fantoft Church is just outside of Bergen and has peaceful woods surrounding it, ideal for an afternoon stroll or a picnic.
20. Theta Museum
The Theta Museum is a tiny one-room museum named after a Norwegian resistance group. The group, called the Thetas, sent secret radio messages to England when they were occupied by the Nazis in World War II. The museum is built to replicate one of these secret communication spots, with real old radio equipment, photos, maps, and a machine gun on the wall. It’s also known as Bergen’s smallest museum.
Guest author: Hailey from The Restless Adventurer
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Hailey is the owner/operator The Restless Adventurerof The Restless Adventurer, a travel blog that inspires those who find themselves restless in anticipation of their next adventure. She is a digital nomad who loves to trek up mountains, sleep in hammocks, and feels rejuvenated by uncertainty.
