Bergen is surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of seven mountains. It is the second largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. There are plenty of things to do and experience, so let us help you along by listing our recommendation for the top 10 things to do.
1. UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen
When doing your research about visiting Bergen, there is a good chance that you already have seen pictures of these iconic buildings along the harbour. The colourful facade of Bryggen is a popular photo spot and understandably so.
Around 1350 the Hanseatic league traders established the already existing area of Bryggen as an office for the Hanseatic commercial activities in Norway. Bergen became an important trading centre particularly for the valuable cod fish from the north.
Bryggen in Bergen. Photo: Visit Bergen / Nordlandblog.com
In 1702 a large portion of the harbour was damaged in a fire, but was later rebuilt. Since 1979 Bryggen has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the trading of fish has been replaced by other goods, such as art and crafts, souvenirs, restaurants and cafes. After enjoying the beautiful facade, make sure you take a stroll behind Bryggen into the charming narrow streets and alleyways. Take the time to visit one of the many artists who have their workshops on Bryggen. In several galleries you can see them in action making jewelleries, knitwear, illustrations and much more.
2. Take a fjord tour
The biggest attraction in Norway is the fjords. Yes, we’re talking underwater valleys made from glaciers and surrounded by high mountains. You know what we are referring to, you’ve probably already got a fjord tour on your bucket list.
Take a fjord tour from Bergen. Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
Even Norwegians who many might have grown up along the fjords are still amazed of the size and beauty of the fjords. Bergen is located south of Sognefjorden and north of Hardangerfjorden, perhaps two of the most visited fjords in Norway.
From Bergen you can take a day trip to the fjords all year round. If you want the most spectacular scenery, you need a full day tour. However, if your time is limited, there is also half day tours available. You can combine your tour with cycling, kayaking or even white water rafting if action packed tours are your thing!
3. Fløibanen Funicular and the seven mountains
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains and the most accessible are Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken. To visit Fløyen you can take the Fløibanen funicular right from the city center. (3 minutes walk from the Fish Market).
The funicular takes 6 minutes to the top of the mountain and it runs every day the whole year round. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking.
Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen. Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik
During the summer you can rent a bike, try climbing and zipline or just enjoy a light snack or drink at the café or restaurant on top. Fløyen is also great for hiking and has trails at all levels. Read more about hiking Bergens seven mountains here.
To get to Mount Ulriken you can take the Ulriken Cable car. There is a shuttle bus during the summer or hop on a local bus during the winter. Ulriken is 643 meters above sea level and the highest of the seven mountains. You can also hike up Ulriken and then take the cable car back down or even hike across from Ulriken to Fløyen (about 5 hours hike).
4. Bergen Fish Market
The importance of fish and fish trading in Bergen goes back centuries. The Fish Market in Bergen has been an important place for buying and selling seafood for many years. Today you will not only find fish and seafood, but also fruit and vegetables when in season. There is also an additional indoor fish market which is open all year. In "Mathallen" you will also find a couple of nice seafood restaurants and the Tourist Information is located above the market on the second floor.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Nordlandblog.com
5. Visit Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen
If you are not familiar with the music from the composer Edvard Grieg, the chances are that you have heard it anyway, not knowing who the composer was. The music of Edvard Grieg is frequently used in films, documentaries, video games or of course performed by your local philharmonic orchestra. "In the Hall of the Mountain King" is perhaps the most played piece of orchestral music composed to the play "Peer Gynt".
In Bergen you can visit the Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, which is located just outside the city center. A great tip is to catch a lunchtime concert. With the concert you get transport from the city center.
6. KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes
At KODE you can find some impressive collections of art and the most popular is the collection of Edvard Munch paintings. In the city center KODE consists of 4 buildings, all lined up along the lake “Lille Lungegaardsvann”.
Kode Art Museum. Photo: Martin Håndlykken - VisitNorway.com
7. Bergen Aquarium
The Bergen Aquarium is beautifully located at the end of the peninsula Nordnes. Walking from the Tourist Information at the Fish Market might take you around 15 minutes, and if you walk in the backroads through the picturesque small and narrow cobbled streets of Nordnes, you get lots of nice photo moments along route.
The penguins at the aquarium are very popular, as well as the sea lion presentation. The Aquarium is open all year.
8. See the wooden houses and narrow cobbeled streets of Bergen
If you have walked to the Aquarium, then you can tick this one as done. If not, then the area of Sandviken is also a nice place to take a stroll. You can walk up the mountainside behind Bryggen or just take a walk in the streets behind or to the left of Fløibanen funicular.
Photo: Visit Bergen / Nordlandblog.com
This style of houses and charming neighbourhoods are typical for Bergen. If you’re travelling along the coast of Norway, you’ll also find similar type of wooden houses in Stavanger, south of Bergen.
9. See the beautiful coastline of Bergen
Since the fjords are so popular, many visitors do not know about the coastline. Remember to allocate enough time in Bergen to see both the fjords and the coast. In the Bergen region you can find some real hidden gems along the coast. Outside of Bergen there are thousands of small islands, and during the summer you can even take a day trip island hopping!
Rongesundbrua. Silje Marie Alden
10. Taste the local food
Well, you got to eat right? So why not try some of the local delicacies from Bergen? Being located by the coast, Bergen has the best access to fresh produce every day.
The Fish Me restaurant at the Fish Market is a good place to try the local dish Persetorsk or try the Bergen Fish Soup at Bryggeloftet. If you want something sweet or something to nibble whilst sightseeing, then grab a Skillingsbolle. (It’s like a cinnamon roll, just nicer.)
Hopefully these 10 tips helped you along the way when planning your trip to Bergen. If you want to check out Top 10 free things to do, or what to do on a rainy day, you’ll find this are more top 10 lists her.
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