The rain is indeed a part of western Norway and especially Bergen. The location between the seven mountains makes Bergen specially exposed to rainshowers, and the climate has created many lush green parks and lungs all year around.
In Bergen you will find many activities that are ideal on a rainy day. To help you along the way when planning your visit to Bergen, here is a list of things to do in Bergen on a rainy day:
1. Visit a gallery
Did you know that Bergen has the second largest collection of Munch paintings in the world? KODE, Art museums of Bergen is packed with exceptional permanent presentations of Edvard Munch and many other world famous artists.
A rainy day is perfect for exploring the museums and galleries in Bergen. Many of them are located around Lille Lungegårdsvann in the city centre. Bergen Kunsthall is one of Norways premiere venues for contemporary art, and at KODE you can get a historican journey from the art of Edvard Mynch, Nikalai Astrup, Pablo Picasso, in addition to many video presentations and magnificent performances.
KODE consists of Scandinavia’s largest museums of arts, crafts and design, and in the four buildings the highlights are many. Many of the galleries and museums in Bergen have free entrance with the Bergen Card, that gives you discounts or free access to several attractions and activities in Bergen. (KODE gives 25% discount with the Bergen Card).
The spectacular Blomenthal room in Kode 3. Photo: Dag Fosse
2. Museums on Bryggen
A rainy day is a perfect day to explore the history of Bergen. Bryggens Museum is a good place to start.
Immerse yourself in medieval life in Bergen by walking through the buildings that are rebuilt over the remaining of the first settlement in Bergen from the middle of 1100s.
The King Haakon's Hall - Bymuseet i Bergen. Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
The findings are preserved in the soil as the archeologists found them, and in the museum you can really get an insight into medieval life in Bergen. Bryggens Museum is the start of the guided tours that walks you through the narrow alleys between the old houses, ending up at the Hanseatic Museum.
At The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene - Museum Vest you can walk though the buiding from 1704, the only house on Bryggen which has kept its original interior. The 61 buildings at Bryggen is listed on UNESCOs list of world heritage sites.
With steep mountainsides heading directly into the sea, surrounded by lush scenery with waterfalls and small farms hanging on to the hills, Bergen is surrounded by one of the most popular attractions in the world, the Norwegian fjords.
The train stops on the way up at Kjosfossen, where you can get water in your hair and feel the noise from the powerful waterfall thundering against the mountainsides. From Myrdal you jump on the Bergen Railway, which takes you directly back to Bergen.
The tour serves you the best of Norwegian fjords in a day. All you have to do is sit down and enjoy the wild views. From Bergen you can choose from a number of different fjord tours, several available to book online in advance.
Embark on a scenic journey through some of Norway’s stunning natural landscapes on this full-day excursion that combines comfortable travel and breathtaking scenery.
Experience a journey through a landscape of majestic mountains, roaring waterfalls and idyllic orchards, on your way to the beautiful Queen of fjords
4. Just go for it!
Rain or snow, summer or winter, the sea is cold - but the sauna is warm! The sauna is located on a boat, and you can choose to take a dip in the sea whilst being docked at the harbour, or on a short cruise on the city fjord.
Photo: City Sea Sauna AS
If you prefer indoors, there is always the Vannkanten Waterworld, 10 minutes drive from the city center. Get a stomach-churning experience as you slide down the BOB-sklien, Norway’s largest water slide, or just relax and enjoy the wonderful water in the therapy pool or one of the Jaccuzzi.
5. Bergen Science Centre VilVite
Time flies when you are having fun, and you should probably set aside an entire day at Bergen Science Centre VilVite. A rainy day is perfect to spent at Vilvite, where kids can explore the scientific world while having great fun at the same time.
The purpose of VilVite is to awaken the desire to learn more about technology and science. At VilVite, you are not told how things work, but you are tempted to find out yourself through engaging, cognitive and interactive activities.
After a visit at VilVite, the kids are excited, and they want to learn more. That’s why many families return for an additional day. A large number of teachers and kids visit VilVite every year to participate in the different programs.
On weekends and holidays VilVite is filled with kids and youngsters in all ages. Not a single day is alike. Every day there is something new and exciting happening at VilVite science centre.
VilVite Science Center. Photo: SYNK Media
6. Bergen Aquarium
Bergen Aquairum is one of the favorite tourist attractions in Bergen, and a rainy day is perfect to spend with the water loving animals.
At Bergen Aquairum you can see so much more than rare and colorful fish and other animals living in an aquarium. Say hi to the sea lions Kim and Anny, the penguin Pingrid Alexandra, together with all of the other exciting creatures from the arctic oceans.
If you visit Bergen Aquairum during feeding times, you will see an entertaining show and penguins are doing tricks and exercises as they are served their meals. At the tropical department, you can see colorful fishes, crocodiles, snakes and spiders. At Bergen Aquairum you can also see sharks as you move through the shark tunnel. Foto: Akvariet i Bergen
Do you have children ready to throw away their pacifier? Why not use the opporunity and give it to the colorful carps. The colorful carps loves a visit from children and everyone who gives away their pacifier will be reward for their achevement with a diploma.
At Bergen Aquairum there is always something new and exciting to learn about the creatures living under and above the water surface.
7. Enjoy a concert
Sit back and enjoy the music from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Grieghallen or get carried away at a rock concert from one of Bergen’s many concert venues. Bergen has since the 90s been known as Norways major pop-city, and the popular music waves from Bergen is well known since the 70s.
Despite being a small city in a small country, Bergen has become one of Europes big music cities that regularly hosts big international artists. Throughout the week you can get a varied music program with concerts and live music in all genres, topped with great concert experiences from local, national and international artists.
Many musicians are mentioning Bergen as a viral music city, with an audience that makes them want to return – year after year. And in Bergen a rainy day is an excellent day for a great concert experience. Search in the extensive what's on calender and find a event to suit your taste!
8. A taste of the Norwegian coast
Spend an evening at Cornelius Seafood Restaurant with good friends or family. Cornelius is so much more than dinner at a good restaurant. Experience the taste of the Norwegian coast with its weather and wind as you enjoy a meal in the water front with a spectacular view of the fjords, mountains and the ocean.
A rainy day is a perfect opportunity to do some shopping in Bergen. In the city centre you will find a large and tempting assortment from a large selection of stores. Everything from small niche stores at Bryggen, Øvregaten and Lille Øvregate, to the large clothing chains at Galleriet, Klverhuset or Bergen Storsenter.
It is all located within a fairly short distance in the compact city core. You don’t need to worry about walking around for hours on rainy days to find what you are looking for. A 15 minute drive south of Bergen centre lies Lagunen – one of Norway’s largest shopping malls. Here you can also find quality knitwear in the concept store from Dale of Norway.
Photo: Dale of Norway.
The wide selection of stores and the size of the shopping malls makes Bergen ideal for those who likes shopping.
The space presents the award-winning, high-end outerwear by Norwegian Rain alongside the internationally renowned artist/designer T-MICHAEL’s collection
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