Things To Do in Bergen During Winter Season

Enjoy the winter in Bergen! On a snowy winter day, the mountains surrounding Bergen are perfect for skiing, sledging and hiking. There is also a lot to experience in the city in the winter time.

Tour Suggetions in winter:

Seeing the famous fjords is a must for most foreign visitors all year. On a day trip to Bergen you can visit the Nærøyfjorden - inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and voted the world’s most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic.

Join the tour called "Guided tour and fjord cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm and Stegastein viewpoint" and get a full day of fjord experiences. 

If time is limited, the tour Fjord cruise Bergen - Mostraumen is a great option. The trip takes 3 hours and starts at Zachariasbryggen, right next to the Fish Market and runs every day the whole year. 

Check out all fjord cruises available in winter season.

Stegastein viewpoint. Photo: Gjertrud Coutinho

A wide range of concerts:

Bergen is a city of culture, and has something for everyone. A number of concert scenes, from the medieval stone hall Håkonshallen to modern Ole Bull Scene, hosts both Norwegian and international artists. From August till June, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra has concerts in the concert hall Grieghallen every week. The 100 musicians are led by conductor Edward Gardner, and have guest appearances by international conductors and solo artists.

Photo: Magnus Skrede

Shopping:

Bergen city has everything from well-known brand stores to small niche shops. Among these is the gold and silverware factory Arven. The workshop is open for visitors to see the making of traditional cutlery patterns, beautiful interior items and jewellery.

Another one is Oleana, one of the youngest textile factories in Norway, producing knitwear of award-winning Norwegian design. The textile factory is located in Ytre Arna, just outside of Bergen, and is the only one of its kind that both knits and sows everything in its own factory in Norway. The factory is open for visitors, and knitwear is sold in the factory outlet. Oleana also has a brand store at Strandkaien in Bergen.

Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken:

The Fløibanen funicular is one of Norway's most famous attractionsand the only one of its kind in Scandinavia. The trip starts from the city centre, just 150 metres from the Fish Market and Bryggen and takes you to the top of Mount Fløyen in just 8 minutes.

Skiing on Mount Fløyen. Photo: Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com

The Carble Car Ulriken 643 takes you to the highest of Bergen’s famous "Seven Mountains". The tour takes you to spectacular scenery and mountain terrain 643 metres above the city streets.
Ulriken Cable Car. Photo: Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com

Beside the viewing platform, there is a panoramic restaurant that serves "fish in the mountains" and other local specialities. The cable car is open every day from 9am - 5pm. (Closed certain periods due to maintanance in December/January, please check Ulriken643.no prior to visiting).

View from Mount Ulriken. Photo: Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com

Activities for the family:

In Bergen there is always something to do for the family. Experience the penguin feeding, the sea lion show and the seal training every day at Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet), and see the tropical exhibition with the endangered Philippine crocodiles. At VilVite Bergen Science Centre you can try to bike 360 degrees, make the robot Robert talk, and explore over 100 other interactive installations and experiments. Head to Vannkanten aquaparkwith Norway’s longest waterslide, and indoors and outdoors swimming pools. Or to the playground at Mount Fløyen with swings, slides and various climbing stands. The roads and paths down from Mount Fløyen are floodlit in the evenings and are perfect for sledging in the winter. The Fløibanen funicular sells "sledging passes" which are valid from early morning till late in the evening. You can buy a sledge in toy shops and sports shops. For cross country skiing the lighted trails are open until 22.00.

Mount Fløyen. Photo: Bergen Tourist Board / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com

Winter In The Region:

Within a short distance from Bergen you can experience skiing at its best. The unique fjord landscape creates a topography which in combination with heavy snowfall makes the network of ski slopes varied and exciting.

Skiing in Voss. (1,5 hours from Bergen). Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik / www.fjordnorway.com  

If you prefer skiing during winter season there are many options. The major ski resorts in the region are located at Voss, where you can choose between Voss Resort and Myrkdalen - Voss Fjellandsby.

Read more about Things to do in Voss.

At Voss you'll find slopes to fit every taste – from advanced off-piste to more secure family-friendly trails, as well as beautiful countryside with many varied cross-country trails. Another great place for skiing (especially cross country) is Eikedalen Skisenter, only 45 minutes drive from Bergen. The downhill slopes are fewer than at Voss, but they are well prepared and a good place if you are just starting out. The cross-country trails are extensive and you can choose different routes to suite your level of skiing.

Bergen – Voss:

• By car: E16 – Approx. 1h 20min.
• By train: Approx. 1h 10 min.
• By bus: Approx. 1h 45 min.

Bergen – Eikedalen/ Kvamskogen:

• By car: RV7 – Approx. 45 min.
• By bus: Approx. 1h.

What To Wear In Winter:

To get the best experience when visiting Bergen in winter it is wise to bring appropriate clothing. Click here to read our tips on what to wear in Bergen in winter.