Looking for things to do in Bergen? As a European City of Culture and World Heritage City, Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Located in the heart of the fjords, Bergen has the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions. Pick and choose of a great range of things to do in Bergen – all year round.
Without any further ado, lets dive right in: Here are the five most popular things to do in Bergen:
- See the fjords!
- Visit Bryggen World Heritage Site
- Hike at one of Bergen's seven mountains
- Visit the Fish Market and eat some famous Norwegian seafood
- Stroll amongst the old wooden houses and narrow alleyways in Nordnes or Sandviken
You'll find more in depth information about these five tips here.
If you prefer just a few more options, check out these top 10 things to do in Bergen.
World famous fjords:
On top of the list of popular things to do, is of course the fjords. Bergen is surrounded by one of the most popular attractions in the world, the Norwegian fjords, which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and voted the world’s most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic. These magnificent natural wonders are truly worth a visit. No matter what season you choose for your visit to Bergen, you will always find tours to that create lifelong memories.
Aurlandsfjorden. (Which is a part of Sognefjorden). Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik / www.fjordnorway.com
Bergen is a great starting point for fjord tours and day trips. Tours like Guided tour and fjord cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm and Stegastein viewpoint, Fjordcruise at the Hardangerfjord and Fjordcruise Bergen - Mostraumen is popular tours. However, there is a large selection of fjord tours available, so take your time selecting the one that will meet your needs.
You can narrow your options down by selecting either Sognefjorden or Hardangerfjorden. Many of the tours to Sognefjorden will include the charming village of Flåm and it is even possible to catch a tour that includes the breathtaking viewpoint Stegastein.
Not sure which fjord to choose or which fjord cruise is really the best? Check out all you need to know about Norway fjords here. Or get straight to the point and find the best fjords in Norway here.
Word Heritage Site Bryggen: A hanseatic time-machine
The very first buildings in Bergen were built alongside the wharf called Bryggen, which has been a lively and important area of the city for many centuries. Bryggen is included on Unesco’s list of World Heritage and is one of Bergen’s most popular attractions.
Bryggen World Heritage Site. Photo: Visit Bergen / Endre Knudsen - visitBergen.com
At Bryggen you will find plenty of things to do, and you can literally travel back to the hanseatic times when Bergen dominated trade for about 400 years. Stroll through the narrow alleyways and experience life back in the 1300’s, a sense of drudgery, feast and celebration. An important part of Bergen’s history can be experienced in this area, where a lot of the arcitechture is preserved or rebuilt as it was in the Middle Ages.
Bergen has many museums, some with unique art treasures and others that show the breadth of the city’s historical heritage. The Hanseatic Museum or Bryggens Museum presents a unique historical insight to the history of Bergen.
Art collections in Bergen:
At KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes you'll find the third largest colleaction of Edvard Munch paintings. Besides the masterpieces by Edvard Munch you'll find art by Nikolai Astrup, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, J. C. Dahl as well as the beautiful collection "the Silver Treasure".
Hiking on the seven mountains surrounding Bergen:
Take a trip up to Mt. Fløyen or Mt. Ulriken and enjoy the view of the city, the fjord and the ocean. With the Ulriken cable car or Fløibanen funicular you can get to the top of the mountains within a few minutes. There are plenty of things to do on top of the mountains, like guided hiking tours, bike rental, zipline and other activities. During the summer months you can also hike from Mount Fløyen to Mount Ulriken (or the other way around). The hike across Vidden takes about five hours and offers beautiful views of the city and surrounding fjords and island.
Mount Fløyen and the Fløibanen Funicular. Photo: Visit Bergen / Casper Steinsland - visitBergen.com
Read more about hiking in the seven mountains and the Bergen region.
Bergen is also the closest city for the hike to Trolltunga. Even if the start of the hike is 3 hours drive from Bergen, most people will fly to Bergen where you find the closest airport. Spend a few days in Bergen before making your way to Odda and start the hike early the following morning. (the hike is about 12 hours). Please note that this hike is extremely tough and only recommended for experienced hikers.
Bergen for kids:
Bergen is perfect for kids. There are plenty of fun things to do in Bergen for kids in all ages. See seals, penguins, crocodiles and snakes close up at the Bergen Aquarium and explore the world of science and technology with your family at VilVite science centre. Check out this useful article with top five things to do with kids in Bergen. If you're simply looking for a playground, you'll find a real treasure on top of mount Fløyen! With slides, trolls and a climbing park, the kids will be entertained for hours!
If you are a young adult or travelling to Bergen with a group of friends, check out these 7 tips on things to do in Bergen with friends.
Guided tours and sightseeing:
Bergen also offers several different guided tours on foot, by bus, with sightseeing, seaplane or segway. A perfect way to get an overview of things to do in Bergen. If you want to see a lot in a shot period of time, why not rent a bike? Perfect and environmentally friendly way to get around.
The city of Gastronomy:
Bergen is a proud UNESCO city of gastronomy, and Bergen bursts with restaurants and café’s with traditional Norwegian delicacies. Round off the day with a meal and a cultural event at one of the city’s many venues, like Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant, Colonialen or Lysverket.
Bergen is famous for its unique charm and atmosphere – exploring the city is a must. We hear the same thing every year. Visitors from all over the world have just one complaint when they leave: that their stay didn’t last longer!
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