Only got 48 hours in Bergen? With some clever planning you have time to experience the most iconic highlights Bergen has to offer - and still get some surprises along the way.
Bergen is a quite compact city, safely nestled between the fjord and seven mountains. This means navigating in Bergen is easy, you can easily find your way around town and the distances are relatively small, even on foot. This is also a great city for a stroll without a set plan, there is a new view and distinct neighbourhood around every corner.
Day 1
Historical Bryggen
Where should you begin? At Bryggen, of course! These famous wooden houses in the harbour is what most people associate with Bergen. For 400 years, the Hanseatic traders worked and lived in these buildings on Bryggen. In the narrow walkways between the tilted walls of the buildings the sounds of people and traffic fade away, while you smell the tar from the old wooden walls. To make the most of your Bryggen visit, why not join a Guided Tour of Bryggen? (Scheduled tours available daily all summer.)
But there is much more to Bryggen, than the famous facade. Meet the artists and designers who work in these historic surroundings.
When the weather allows it, you can find a spot in the sunshine at one of the many cafés - perfect for some mid-morning coffee, people watching and boat watching! You can also enter many of the buildings at Bryggen, where you finds shops, restaurants and outlets for products from local craftsmen.
Bryggen i Bergen. Foto: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway
The Fish Market
Just next to Bryggen you find "Fisketorget" - the Fish Market, where Bergeners have bought their fresh fish and other goods through the years. These days, you mostly find sea food and other local delicacies here. Luckily, you can taste it all in one of the many outlets and food stalls in the summer season. Nothing beats fresh seafood served right next to the fjord. Afterwards, the rest of the city is at your feet, ready to be explored and experienced.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
Culture in Bergen
Bergen is a city with a wide range of cultural activities on offer, which means you can easily find something to your taste - a concert, an exhibition or maybe a show?
During the summer season you can visit Edvard Grieg’s home "Troldhaugen", which is a beautiful building situated in green, idyllic surroundings, just outside the city centre. You can get there easily by guided bus, departing from the city center. An afternoon filled with gorgeous music awaits!
The concert hall at Edvard Grieg's home at Troldhaugen. Photo: Dag Fosse
Starting at the Fish Market, you are a short walk from KODE, the Art Museums of Bergen. The museums are spread over four grand buildings, situated on a row next to the Lille Lungegårdsvannet Pond. On offer is everything from contemporary art, Picasso, Edvard Munch, J.C. Dahl and Nikolai Astrup, in addition to well-stocked museum shops and great cafés.
Amazing Mount Fløyen
After crossing the city centre from Bryggen to Lille Lungegårdsvannet, it is time to get a bird’s eye view. Cross back towards Bryggen to the Fløibanen Funicular. It will take you from the city centre to the mountain top in just a few minutes.
The funicular ride up to the top of Mount Fløyen is thrilling in itself, as the carriage slides up the steep mountainside through the neighbourhoods of Fjellsiden. At the panorama viewpoint at the top you will feel like you are floating above the rooftops of the city.
The busy city streets, Vågen with boats coming and going, and the archipelago and outer neighbourhoods - you get the full perspective here! Fløyen is a big favourite for both tourists and Bergeners alike, there is always something new to see.
View from Mount Fløyen. Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
End your eventful day with a delicious seafood meal. The modern, Scandinavian kitchen of Lysverket offers a fresh take on the local foods, and takes you seamlessly from evening into night with DJs and cocktails. Or how about an unforgettable meal at the water’s edge at the Cornelius restaurant?
You probably won’t find seafood fresher than this, as it is plucked daily from the fjord just outside the restaurant’s door. A short trip by boat takes you here.
Book a table and boat trip here!
Cornelius Seafood Restaurant. Photo: Truls J Løtvedt
Day 2
Your second day in Bergen takes you out of the city centre for a taste of the diverse, Norwegian wilderness and fjords. Enjoy a beautiful cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nærøyfjord and the spectacular Flåm Railway. Read more and book the tour Guided full day tour from Bergen - including Nærøyfjord Cruise & Flåm Railway. or Norway in a nutshell® - both tours are available all year round
If you prefer to use your body and get some wind under your wings you will see plenty of action on a combined bicycle and rafting trip in breathtaking fjord country. Book an active trip here!
An active fjord experience with Norway Active. Photo: Luis Santiago
Or how about a visit to the Mostraumen stream, in the innermost part of the Osterfjord. There are two cruises here all year round, and even in half a day you get to experience spectacular Western Norwegian nature, steep mountains surrounding the narrow fjord, waterfalls and strong currents.
Photo: Fjordcruise Bergen - Mostraumen.
If you choose the half day trip to Mostraumen, you also have time for a meeting with the creatures of the sea. Akvariet is Bergen’s famous aquarium, the biggest in Norway, and situated at Nordnes.
When you walk from the central square Torgalmenningen via Klosteret you will pass through cosy, cobbled streets where Bergeners still live and thrive. Enjoy some detours and criss-cross your way to the Aquarium!
When you arrive, you can spend the rest of the day with the seals, penguins and the countless other inhabitants. There are 60 different pools and exhibits to inspire exploration and play.
Photo: Bergen Aquarium
PS: With a Bergen Card you get discounts on most attractions in Bergen. Buy your Bergen Card here.
If you are visit Norway and Bergen is part of your multi destination trip, then check out these other great places in Norway to visit on a 1-2 week vacation.
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