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Welcome to my Bergen, Norway blog! I am here to tell you why there is beauty in every raindrop of this charming city.

Are you considering Bergen as your future travel destination? Our recent trip to this magical city still has us reminiscing about the unforgettable experience we had to this very day.

If you love a blend of culture and nature for your travels, you’ll want to keep reading. Bergen just might be the perfect location for you as well!

Don’t sleep on Bergen like we did for so long. This city of majestic fjords, woodland trolls, and stunning coastal landscapes should be on your travel radar. You know how the saying goes, “beautiful things don’t ask for your attention”…

That is exactly how I sum up Bergen—quiet but confident beauty.

I recommend spending at least 3 full days in Bergen. If you enjoy hiking and plan to tour the fjords, more than 3 days would be ideal.

Now I will share a little information about Bergen and our recommended activities. Bonus funny story included of me being mistaken for a Norwegian woman on a fjord cruise.

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About Bergen

Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage City. It is the second-largest city in Norway, but could easily be the most endearing in all of Scandinavia.

Bergen is often referred to as ‘the city between the seven mountains’. Those seven mountains as defined by The Bergen Mountain Hiking Association are Damsgårdsfjellet, Sandviksfjellet, Rundemanen, Ulriken, Løvstakken, Lyderhorn, and Fløyfjellet. Names I will NEVER be able to pronounce…

What is the first thing that comes to mind if you know even the slightest about Norway? Fjords, right? Those majestic appearing, glaciated valleys. Well, Bergen is known as the “Gateway to the Fjords”.

For us, fjord gazing was the most attractive feature of traveling to Bergen since it provides close access to epic Norwegian fjords—Aurlandsfjord, Sognefjord, and UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.

A fun fact for fellow Disney lovers is that Nærøyfjord and its nearby village are said to have inspired Disney’s movie Frozen, specifically when designing the kingdom of Arendelle.

Located on the western coast of Norway, Bergen has an oceanic climate that brings lots of rainfall! This is the rainiest city in all of Europe with an average of 239 rainy days each year.

I believe it is important to appreciate the beauty of Bergen for its typical gloomy day as seen in my chosen photo gallery below. There is an inspiring and contagious attitude from locals and tourists alike of embracing the rain. It doesn’t stop anyone from enjoying their day. I personally found the rain to be an endearing characteristic of Bergen that makes it special. Pack accordingly! ☔

Bergen is also home to another famous landmark, a UNESCO-listed historical harbor named Bryggen. This old wharf was built back in the old style after a fire in 1702 and remains a top tourist attraction in Norway.

In addition to the stunning nature and famous landmarks, this city is also a cultural hub. Bergen hosts a diverse range of cultural events such as jazz, literature, dance, and art festivals. The city of Bergen values the arts and proudly promotes itself as a dynamic cultural destination. We loved that vibe!

Whether you seek museums, historical sites, or outdoor activities, Bergen is sure to impress you as a multifaceted destination of your travel dreams!

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Top Bergen Attractions

Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. The first buildings of Bergen were built around the harbor, but had to be rebuilt after the great fire in 1702 devastated the area.

Bryggen once housed central offices of the Hanseatic League, a dominating force in Northern Europe trading industry. Today the wharf remains a well-preserved relic offering a glimpse into its rich historical past dating all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Bryggen is a great area for walking around to explore, shop, and dine. The wooden walkways will lead you to narrow alleys made of cobblestone streets just brimming with charm. I suggest walking to St. Mary’s Church while stopping at shops along the way. The treasures found in the artisan shops of Bryggen are some of the most unique souvenirs I own.

It is fair to say Bryggen is the heart of Bergen and an unwavering top attraction in Norway.

The Fish Market is a 700 year old marketplace located steps away from Bryggen. It is open year-round and contains outdoor and indoor booths that sell fish, fruits, vegetables, and prepared dishes. Although it sounds unusual to suggest perusing a fish market on holiday, it is not to be missed when visiting Bergen.

This lively marketplace attracts food enthusiasts worldwide. It is an amazing opportunity to immerse into the Norwegian culture by sampling local traditional foods. There are seats and tables for dining on-site.

Seafood lovers will be in paradise with the endless variety of local catches and freshly prepared meals. Where else can you sample whale meat?

Friendly price negotiations are customary at Bergen Fish Market!

Fløibanen Funicular is a steep railway connecting Bergen’s city center to the mountaintop area of Mount Fløyen. Various activities await visitors at the top such as a playground, cafe, restaurant, troll forest, famous cashmere goats, and hiking trails. This was easily our favorite day spent in Bergen!

The viewing platform located near the funicular station offers one of the best vantage points of Bergen and surrounding landscapes. If it is cloudy when you arrive, walk around or grab food at the nearby cafe until the clouds roll out. It is worth the wait! Planning this activity based on the forecast is ideal.

Located steps from Bryggen, Fløibanen Funicular can be a quick trip via the 5-8 minute ride to the top. Alternatively, more adventurous travelers can make a day out of hiking to/from Mount Fløyen, or exploring the many hiking trails at the top. We enjoyed the short trail leading to Skomakerdiket lake.

Even if you don’t plan to hike, I recommend walking around the idyllic village and forest areas of Mount Fløyen. The kindergarten school at the top fascinated me as I envisioned what life is like for the young children who ride the funicular each day to this remote and enchanting location in the forest. It sounds like a fairytale life!

Tickets for Fløibanen Funicular can be purchased online or at the lower station machines. We purchased ours on site with no issues, but keep in mind high season or cruise days bring larger tourist crowds.

The cost for Fløibanen Funicular roundtrip tickets (called “return tickets” on official website) are approximately $12-17 USD/adult and $6-8 USD/children between 4-15 and adults over 67. Children under 4 ride for free with an adult. The price range reflects the time of year. Additionally, Bergen Cards (explained in Tips section) give a 50% discount on Fløibanen Funicular!

Attention Hikers, you can reach our next attraction in 4-5 hours by one of the most popular hikes in Bergen called The Vidden Hike…

Ulriken Cable Car takes visitors 643 meters (2109 feet) above sea level to the highest of Bergen’s 7 mountains, Mount Ulriken. This is Norway’s largest Gondola and it is a thrill to ride!

The view from the top is supposed to be unreal, but needs to be planned for a clear day. I repeat, do not buy tickets unless you are confident in the forecast! Once we arrived to the top, there was so much cloud coverage we could no longer see anything. Although disappointing, the gondola ride was thrilling and the early views from the cable car were enjoyable.

At the top of Ulriken, there are additional hiking trails and Skyskraperen Restaurant. This will undoubtedly be the best view you will find while dining in Bergen, so make reservations if possible!

To reach Ulriken Cable Car, take the light rail line #2 to Haukeland Hospital and walk 5 minutes from the stairs to Ulriksbanen. There is also a Ulriken Bus that departs from city center, across the road from the tourist information center.

Hikers, rejoice! It is possible to hike to/from the top from either the Ulriken Cable Car entrance or by taking Bus #12 from the city center to Montana Hostel. Each trail is said to take between 1-2 hours depending on your own speed.

There is also a well-marked hiking trail between Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen called the Vidden Trail, making it possible to plan a full day of hiking that includes two of the most popular Bergen attractions!

I suggest taking the gondola up to Mount Ulriken early to enjoy a clear view of Bergen, grabbing breakfast or coffee at Skyskraperen. Then, hike via Vidden Trail to Mount Fløyen, and take the Fløibanen funicular or walk down to the city center for dinner.

Ulriken Cable Car tickets cost $38 USD for adults, $15 USD for children ages 4-16, and free for children under 4 accompanied by an adult. There is a family package for parties with 2 adults and up to 3 children for $85 USD.

Byparken is also known as “The City Park”, and is a popular location for locals and tourists looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

Established in the 1850’s, Byparken is Bergen’s oldest public park. It is conveniently situated adjacent to the Bergen Railway Station and the city’s main square, Torgallmenningen. An easy stroll from the city center or a quick ride on the Byparken Light Rail is all it takes to enjoy this easily accessible green space, small lake, and lush gardens in Bergen.

Museums of Bergen aren’t to be overlooked when visiting.

Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg Museum is home of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg, and wife/singer Edvard Grieg.

Bergenhus Festningsmuesum is a museum of the resistance movement during WWII. I loved the exhibition featuring women’s contribution to the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Lepramuseet St. Jørgens Hospital was once a hospital for patients with Leprosy, and today a monument of Bergen’s scientific breakthrough leading to a cure. Bergen’s leprosy archives from this hospital are on UNESCO’s program for World Memory program.

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Getting Around in Bergen

Bergen’s city center is very compact making it easy to navigate by foot. We felt extremely safe (even at night) and loved the freedom of walking around to enjoy the city sights.

For tourist attractions outside of the city center, accessible public transportation is abundant.

Skyss is the operator of public transport in Bergen. Bus, light rail, and train tickets are available by downloading the Skyss app. City buses are marked with their route number and destination on the front. Ticket machines are also stationed at many of the bus stops and train stations making navigation in Bergen even easier!

Ferry rides are available across the harbor and connecting to several locations in Denmark and Norway.

Taxis are expensive but can be booked by hailing on the street, dialing 07000, or downloading this app. Rideshares have been a hot and cold service in Norway. Uber, Lyft, and Bolt are said to be active again, but reliability of securing a driver may prove challenging.

Renting a car is possible. Consider the time of year as winter brings inclement weather affecting the local roads and steep hills. Availability of parking is also a potential hassle with a rental car.

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World Famous Norway Fjord Tour

Norway in a Nutshell is the most popular fjord tour in the country. The best part? It has a one-day loop route that leaves from Bergen!

This excursion is beyond incredible—the epitome of a bucket list travel experience! By bus, train, and boat, we enjoyed a scenic tour of the most breathtaking Norwegian landscapes.

Norway in a Nutshell includes a ride on the famous Flåm railway (Flåmsbana), known for its steep inclines, stunning vistas, and unmatched panoramas of the countryside not reachable by car. This train journey is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world.

Along the Flåm railway journey, the train makes a 5-minute stop at Kjosfossen Falls (only accessible by train). We were able to exit the train for photo ops in front of the falls.

A song and dance near Kjosfossen was performed by Huldra, a seductive forest spirit in Scandinavian folklore said to seduce and lure men into the woods. Watch out, fellas!

Although the tour is very customizable, you can expect a stop in several towns including the picturesque Flåm. Enjoy one of many hiking trails, shop, and dine in this one-of-a-kind fjord village.

Flåm is the best town to stay in if you’re extending your Norway in a Nutshell tour beyond one day. I wish I had planned for us to do it this way in hindsight. It was our favorite!

The fjord cruise was just as exciting as the rides leading up to this leg of our journey. We met so many friendly passengers offering a contagious dose of enthusiasm as we made twists and turns beneath the jaw-dropping fjords!

We first sailed through Aurlandsfjord towards Nærøyfjorden, UNESCO World Heritage Site and side arm of the Sognefjord. Nærøyfjorden is a major attraction of the Norway in a Nutshell tour.

For all of you waterfall chasers, we saw so many waterfalls along the Norway in a Nutshell journey that we actually lost count. My heart was so full after this experience.

The boat is able to get up close and personal to the towering falls of Lægdafossen, located between the mouth of Nærøyfjorden and the tiny village of Dyrda.

Our Norway in a Nutshell journey warrants a write-up of its own. I have dedicated an entire blog on self booking the Norway in a Nutshell tour. This self-guided tour is made up of public transportation tickets and can be booked outside of the tour company for potential cost savings. I include the website links for all tickets needed and an exact itinerary of the booking times. I also include more tour details, photos, a video blog, and personal tips from our experience.

I can’t say enough how this is one of the most incredible tours we have ever done in all of our travels!

Here is the funny story to share about our experience on the fjord cruise. I can’t explain it, but I just noticed a vibe shortly after getting on the boat. Finally, a Vietnamese couple asked to take photos with me. That is all it took to break the ice of this palpable lingering vibe I speak of. After I obliged for the photos, a line formed with others waiting their turn… passengers of all different ethnicities. What is actually happening right now? Maybe they had mistaken me for a Norwegian woman? I have a very thick “country” accent. I made it clear I was an American just to be sure, but it kept happening. Friendly strangers led me all over the boat for different backdrops and re-dos as the boat set sail through the fjords. Meanwhile, my husband was paying zero attention to the chaos as he chatted with two elderly women beside him. So, if you see photos of me posted online being sandwiched VERY closely between strangers on a fjord cruise, now you know why. After one woman took photos with me, her husband yelled “okay, my turn!”. He scurried her out of his way, threw his arm around me, and threw up a peace sign with the other arm posing like we were lifelong besties. I finally asked some folks to take a photo using my phone to share this laugh with my friends later, but they all posed relatively normal and gave me personal space when my camera was used… sigh. You will just have to use your imagination. We get such a laugh out of it now. Heads up for other blonde, fair skinned travelers.

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Bergen Travel Tips

Bergen Cards should be considered by tourists who plan to utilize public transport during their visit. The Bergen Card includes free bus travel and discounts to museums, attractions such as Fløibanen Funicular, tours, and restaurants. Purchasing options include 24, 48, 72, and 96 hour cards for adults and children.

We stayed at Citybox Hotel and it was perfect for a short trip. The check-in was completely self-service and quick. The bed was comfortable and the location was walkable to everything of interest to us!

Food is expensive in Norway. Consider accommodations with a kitchenette if you are on a budget. Shopping at the fish market to prepare meals is a lovely alternative to dining out.

Hotels are also expensive in Norway. Some of the most adorable and affordable Airbnb options I have ever seen are available in Bergen. Check them out if you seek more authentic travel experiences.

Pack smart for Bergen, keeping in mind the time of year the the rainy climate. Research the expected temperatures for your time of visit. Waterproof clothes and shoes are vital. Remember that even in summer, changes in elevation brings a variation in temperature.

Everyone we encountered spoke English to some degree. It is considerate and wise to keep Google Translate App downloaded for offline use on your phone just in case.

Download a Northern Lights forecast app such as Norway Lights or My Aurora if visiting between September and March. You never know when you will get lucky enough to catch this magic in the sky!

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3-Day Bergen Itinerary

Day 1	-Explore Byparken -Walk from Byparken to Bryggen. Stop at Fish Market along route. -Shop at the Bryggen wharf, walk to St. Mary’s Church and museum(s). -Ride Fløibanen Funicular to explore Mount Fløyen (or save for day 2 hike).
Day 2	-Ulriken Cable Car to explore Mount Ulriken for sunrise or sunset. -Skyskraperen Restaurant reservations. – If planning a full hiking day, walk to Mount Fløyen via Vidden Trail. -If not hiking, visit museums and other attractions before or after Ulriken.
Day 3	-Norway in a Nutshell tour. Bookmark this blog for full details.

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Thank you for taking the time to read about our travels. Don’t forget to check out more of the European Blog series including planning and cost savings, our time in Stockholm, how to self book the Norway fjord cruise, and the upcoming Paris blogs!

-Amanda Kendler 💗