Your guide to Bergen
Bergen highlights
Climb every mountain
Start your trip by taking the funicular for panoramic views from Mount Floyen. From here, you’ll find well-marked trails for exploring the six other surrounding mountains. If you have accessibility issues, Skomakerdiket is a perfect fit. The most challenging trail is to Trolltunga and takes 10 to 12 hours for the round trip.
Cruise the fjords
Unleash your inner Viking from the capital of fjord country. No city break to Bergen is complete without a cruise. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Geirangerfjord and Naeroyfjord in style. Or borrow a free kayak from the Fisheries Museum in return for picking up rubbish from the sea while you paddle.
Ride the railway
All aboard the Flam railway, considered one of the world’s most scenic train journeys and a must-do during your stay in Bergen. As you travel along one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, you’ll see dizzying mountainsides, crashing waterfalls and deep gorges. The journey from Bergen to Flam takes just under three hours.
Bergen: Know before you go
| Language | Norwegian |
|---|---|
| Currency | Norwegian krone (kr) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | November - February |
Find the best time to go to Bergen
Weather in Bergen
March – May: The weather in spring can be unpredictable, so you’ll want to pack plenty of layers, especially if you plan to explore the hiking trails.
June – August: Summer days are generally clear, bright and long, with the sun setting late and rising early. Book ahead for the city’s busiest months.
September – November: Much of Bergen’s rain arrives in autumn. It can get windy then too, with temperatures dropping from October.
December – February: Expect snow blanketing the mountains and lakes freezing over in winter. This is the time to strap on skis, skates or snowshoes. It’s also your chance to see the Northern Lights.
Events in Bergen
Bergen City Marathon (April): The streets of Bergen come alive when thousands of runners take to them each spring. Spectators come out in full force to cheer, and there’s even a 5k race that anyone can join.
Bergen International Festival (May to June): Northern Europe’s largest music and theatre festival has been on the calendar for decades. From Håkonshallen, the royal banqueting hall, to Edvard Grieg’s humble villa, the city’s buildings thrum with performances for 15 days straight.
Bergen Matfestival (September): Every autumn, the city celebrates its regional food, from artisanal meats and cheeses to fresh berries and seafood. It’s also a great opportunity to sample the local beer and cider, with its centuries of tradition.
The best neighbourhoods in Bergen
Bryggen
With its wharf and characteristic wooden buildings, picture-perfect Bryggen has been a trading port for a thousand years. Explore its narrow alleys deeper, however, and you’ll find modern studios, galleries and small shops selling local artisan’s creations. Besides its astonishing beauty, Bryggen is also where to stay in Bergen if you want to be near some of Norway’s best restaurants, known for their outstanding seafood.
Good for: Iconic architecture, shopping, seafood
Nordnes
Stretching along the short peninsula that extends into the harbour, Nordnes is the best neighbourhood to stay in Bergen to escape the bustle. Relax in some of the city’s best cafes or go for a swim in Nordnes Sjobad, a heated saltwater pool beloved by generations. For something completely different, take a walking tour to learn about Bergen’s grizzly history of witches, crime and executions.
Good for: Cafes, relaxation, history
Sandviken
Picturesque Sandviken’s narrow, cobbled lanes and wooden homes make it perfect for taking lots of photos. This traditional neighbourhood is where you’ll find the Old Bergen Museum, the Norwegian Fisheries Museum and the Storebla Aquaculture Visitor Centre here. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the Stoltzekleiven trail towards Sandviksfjellet before taking a refreshing dip from the diving tower at Sandviken Sjobad.
Good for: Museums, harbour views, hiking
Things to do in Bergen
Family friendly things to do
One of the top things to do with family in Bergen is explore Mount Floyen, a perfect spot to let the kids run wild. At the Troll Forest, they’ll have small obstacles to conquer as they make their way along the path. The forest is located behind Floistuen cafe, so you can enjoy a coffee as they exhaust themselves at Bergen’s best playground.
Shopping
The shopping in Bergen runs the gamut from big-brand malls to specialist boutiques. Wander around Torgallmenningen, Bergen’s main square, and browse the various shops. Find traditional Norwegian souvenirs like knitwear, silver jewellery, trolls and ‘nisse’ (a gnome-like folkloric creature) in Bryggen. Or visit Lagunen shopping centre, one of the largest shopping centres in Norway.
Take in the culture
You’ll find museums in Bergen covering every aspect of this historical city. Get a feel for life 200 years ago in Europe’s largest wooden city at the Old Bergen Museum. Learn about medical science and hear powerful human stories from days gone by at the Leprosy Museum. Or visit Fantoft Stave Church, faithfully reconstructed after the 800-year-old original burnt down.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Bergen revolves around its thriving music scene, which has produced internationally renowned acts including Kygo, Aurora and Royksopp. No matter your taste, you’re sure to find something to suit you. Head to the student neighbourhood of Nygardshoyden for lively clubs and bars. Or find long-established bars and taverns in the city centre and around Bryggen.
Places to eat
Discover why Bergen holds a UNESCO City of Gastronomy title at one of the city’s amazing restaurants. The culinary scene here is heavily influenced by the Fish Market, founded in 1276. Enhjorningen not only claims to be Bergen’s oldest fish restaurant — it’s also one of the best restaurants in Bergen for traditional Norwegian seafood. For the ultimate fjord-to-fork experience, make a reservation at Cornelius, accessible only by boat.
Free things to do
Wander around Bryggen’s UNESCO-listed wharf and brightly painted buildings. One of the most unique free things to do in Bergen is the ‘Tubakuba’ (Rabbit Hole). Wriggle inside the tuba-shaped hole, designed by the Bergen School of Architecture as an invitation to explore nature. Inside, you’ll find simple accommodations where you can stay overnight.
Get ready for Bergen
Budget
Many of this city’s outdoor charms are free and easy to access. But food and drink can be somewhat expensive in Norway, where a beer can cost over 100 Norwegian kroner (kr). To explore Bergen on a budget, try the fish market, where you can find an inexpensive meal for around kr250. Or stop by a coffee shop, where a cappuccino costs about kr50.
Day trips from Bergen
Take a two-hour cruise south of Bergen to Rosendal on the outskirts of the Folgefonna National Park, home to Scandinavia’s smallest castle. Or head north to Modalen, where family-friendly hiking offers spectacular views from its mountain rock, The Castle. The tiny village is 90 minutes north of the city or a two-hour boat ride through the thrillingly narrow Mostraumen straits.
Getting around Bergen
Although it’s quite hilly, Bergen is a very walkable city with excellent public transport, including bus, light rail and ferry networks. For an eco-friendly way to make the most of a visit to Bergen, hire a City Bike, which you can use for 24 hours. And the funicular can get you from the city centre to the top of Mount Floyen in style.
