You may have seen it on TV or in the magazines – pictures of Bergen and the world famous Norwegian fjords. Today it is easier than ever to experience The Kingdom of the Fjords with your own eyes on a weekend trip from London to Bergen.
During your stay you get to see the most spectacular fjord landscapes. Enjoy delicacies from the ocean with fresh sea air next to the open sea. Or what about a visit to the home of Edvard Grieg - one of the World’s most famous composers? Bergen is the perfect combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions – all year around. Welcome to a long weekend in Bergen, the World Heritage City and a European City of Culture.
Flights from London to Bergen twice daily:
The airline Norwegian.com offers direct flight to Bergen from London Gatwick twice daily all year round and you can pick up some cheap flights if you plan ahead!
A direct flight from London takes less than 2 hours, and with the Airport Bus you find yourself at Fisketorget (the Fish Market), right in the heart of Bergen, in less than half an hour. If you have the Bergen Card you can travel for free from the airport to the city center with Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen).
As for accommodation, Bergen offers a wide range of hotels in and around the city center. It is time to open your senses and let the fairytale begin.
Day 1: The first impression counts!
The Bergen Fish Market is Norway’s most famous outdoor market. Let your taste buds run wild to the smell of freshly boiled crab, shrimp and fresh seafood. Sit down and order the specialty of the day at one of the outdoor dining places, and enjoy the smell, tastes and the wonderful atmosphere in the area. The outdoor area is only open in summer, but the extended indoor area is open throughout the year and also offers two great seafood restaurants.
A couple of minutes walk from the Fish Market you will find Bergen’s most famous attraction - Bryggen. The unique wooden houses are inscripted on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. A walk through the narrow alleys between the leaning houses is like a trip back to the Middle Ages, when Bryggen was a lively centre for international trade.
A visit to Bryggens Museum and Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene gives you a historical insight of Bryggen’s meaning to Bergen and the city’s rich history. At Bryggen, you will experience a lively atmosphere with cafés, bars and small unique shops. Sit down at a café and order a cup of tea and a Skillingsbolle (cinnamon roll) – a tasty local pastry and world known specialty from Bergen.
Bryggen in Bergen. Photo: Martin Håndlykken - VisitNorway.com
Up on the top!
There is a saying that you haven’t been to Bergen if you have not been on top of one of it’s seven mountains. Just about 150 metres away from Bryggen you will find the Fløibanen Funicular, taking you up to the top of Mt. Fløyen (320 metres above sea level). From here you get an amazing view of Bergen, with the small houses, cars and people underneath your feet, surrounded by mountains, fjords and ocean in the background.
Fløibanen Funicular. Photo: Broadstone
A cultural highlight
On the first evening in Bergen you can experience å magnificent cultural highlight. On most Thursdays during spring and autumn/winter, you can enjoy Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in the Grieg Hall. Here you can listen to beautiful classical music in a magical setting that gives you a unique musical experience.
As a European Capital of Culture, Bergen is a city of music, concerts, shows and festivals. You will always find a concert that suits your taste.
Day 2: A day in the fjords
Bergen is located in the heart of the fjords. While a fjord tour might take an entire day, even if you only have three, it’s still worth it. How does a Guided Fjord & Glacier Tour from Bergen sound? Or a day trip to the wonderful Sognefjord?
Photo: sverrehjornevik.com / Flåm AS
If you are visiting Bergen in the winter, the famous tour Norway in a nutshell® departues almost every day throuhout the year.
After a day in the fjords, you are probably ready for a dinner and a concert back in Bergen.
Day 3: Food, music and shopping – the perfect combo
Make time to visit the home of one of the world’s most famous composers - Edvard Grieg. At Troldhaugen you can get a tour in Griegs Villa, see the garden and the charming composer hut.
The building is preserved exactly as it was when Grieg lived there, containing his own furniture and piano from 1892. In newer times, a museum and a concert hall is built, and in Troldsalen you can enjoy Grieg’s music to the same beautiful view that once inspired Grieg as a composer and artist.
Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen. Photo: Dag Fosse
If you’re looking to explore the outdoors, consider joining Norway Mountain Guides for one of their popular hikes in the mountains surrounding Bergen or in the nearby region. In winter, why not try something different like snowshoe hiking? While some tours can be booked individually, private tours for small groups - perfect for those traveling with friends or family - are also available.
Learn more about guided mountain hikes here.
Photo: Mathias Falcone
Once back in the city, it is time to do some shopping. Bergen has a compact city centre, making it ideal for street shopping. Visit some of the unique high-end fashion stores, like the award winning Oleana, just opposite the Tourist Information. After some good shopping, you are probably more than ready for dinner.
A boat picks you up at Bryggen, giving you the chance to prepare your taste buds with the fresh air and the beautiful coastal scenery on your way out to Holmen and Cornelius Seafood Restaurant. This is by far the most exotic seafood dinner concept in the region, with a menu of exquisite seafood and trimmings, prepared using innovative culinary techniques and with a genuine passion for seafood.
A dinner at Cornelius provides a rich taste experience and an extraordinary encounter with the coastal environment. You are picked up at the restaurant and taken back to Bryggen by boat. A perfect ending to an exciting day in Bergen. Read more about dinner at Cornelius and book your trip in advance.
Cornelius Seafood Restaurant. Photo: Truls J Løtvedt
The highlights in three days
It is a challenge pointing out one single highlight after a long weekend in Bergen. It is the total experience from your meeting with the fjords, nature, culture and history that makes the total package of what you get during your stay. With direct flights from a large number of destinations, you can find yourself in the middle of the experience just hours after leaving home.
Bergen is ready to welcome you. Are you ready to visit Bergen?
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
