Bergen, Best Things To Do (City Epic Trip Guide)

Bergen is a vibrant city with iconic Bryggen wooden colorful houses, a beautiful harbor with a fish market, the old fortress with Rosenkrantz tower, a fantastic view over the city from the mountains Fløyen and Ulriken, and more.
Bergen Bryggen sunset photo in Norway

Bergen, Best Things To Do (City Epic Trip Guide)

Bergen is a vibrant city with iconic Bryggen wooden colorful houses, a beautiful harbor with a fish market, the old fortress with Rosenkrantz tower, a fantastic view over the city from the mountains Fløyen and Ulriken, and more.

Things To Do In Bergen

Bergen

Before dwelling on the worthy places to visit, let’s know a little about Bergen.

Geography

Bergen is on the west coast of Norway and at the North Sea. It is the second biggest city after the capital Oslo. Most of the urban area is on or close to a fjord or bay and occupies most of the Bergen peninsula (Bergenshalvøyen).

Seven mountains surround the city center. Fløyen and Ulriken are the most well-known among them. Many tourists and locals alike visit them throughout the year. The first is due to the funicular the latter is due to the new cable car driving to the peak. Both have fantastic views over the city.

Askøy, Holsnøy, and Sotra islands shelter the city from the North Sea on the west.

Bryggen in Bergen timber houses watercolor drawings.

Toponymy

Bergen’s old Norwegian name (Bergvin or Bjǫrgvin) has a beautiful meaning in English “the meadow among the mountains”.

Climate

I have visited Bergen 6-7 times, and almost on every occasion was raining. Often it was torrents. Stavanger is the only city in Norway that surprised us more with weather conditions. No wonder Bergen has a school of meteorology. So prepare your raincoats in your backpack before wandering around (just in case…).

The Gulf stream influences mild winters and rare snowfalls, while the mountains protect the city from cold inland winds.

Watercolor drawing of Bergen timber houses in Norway.

Language

We have been living in Norway since 2008 and speak Norwegian. However, we are aware of many dialects existing in Norway.

Natives speak a local dialect known as Bergensk, while we use Bøkmål. Sometimes it’s hard to understand, especially if Norwegian is not your native language, which is the case with us.

However, there is always “international language” and the use of hands. No worries, most of the people in Norway speak fluent English, so there is no need to bother about Norwegian dialect nuances as a tourist.

Education, Business, and Tourism

Many students live in the city since Bergen is a national center for higher education, especially in media, tourism, and finance. Later they start their careers in many financial (banks and insurance), aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry, and subsea technology companies.

The IT company (where I worked) has a branch in Bergen, so I often visited our team there.

Bergen is very popular among cruise ship tourists. One of the most famous ship routes is Hurtigruten from Bergen to Kirkenes. Historically, this route was vital for the fast and efficient transportation of passengers, goods, and mail.

Most of Bergen’s attractions are in the city’s heart and within short walking distance. So prepare for the stroll by wearing comfortable shoes (don’t forget waterproof). Let’s hit the road, Jack.

Aerial view over Bryggen in Bergen. Timber houses of white, red, and yellow colors.

1 – Bryggen in Bergen

Bryggen in Bergen is in the heart of Bergen center and is one of the most visited attractions in Norway and on UNESCO’s list of world heritage. It contains an array of timber houses in different colors (white, red, and yellow shades). Bryggen was a trading center and housing quarter in the period of the Hanseatic League (1360-1754).

Bergen Bryggen houses in Norway

In the past, this was a market for stockfish from Norway’s north. Once was filled with the mixed smell of dried unsalted codfish on the wind with rolling beer barrels and other merchandise from the time. Now is a different story, smell, noise, buzz, and atmosphere…

Providing the weather is nice you can sit near the sea at many pubs and drink your favorite refreshments. Maybe, you prefer shopping, then stop by many souvenirs, cloth, or jewelry stores. Ultimately go inside Bryggen for more hidden gems…

Bergen bryggen houses

Inside Bryggen

There are many souvenir shops, galleries, artist studios, pubs, and cafes between the small passages. The wooden houses, seen from the front, tuck all of them. Shacks create a charming atmosphere with wooden floors, windows, and doors.

Inside Bryggen wooden building at Bergen in Norway

One wooden house was particularly attractive and caught our eyes with a timber ladder to the door on the roof.

Historic wooden building with a ladder inside Bryggen at Bergen in Norway.

2 – Mount Fløyen & Funicular (Fløibanen)

We have already mentioned that seven mountains surround Bergen. Mountain Fløyen is one of them. The view from the top is magnificent over the city’s core. You take the funicular to reach the top or walk up if you please and have time. The ticket office building is not far from the center, Bryggen, and the seaport, so it is easy to find. The queue for buying tickets can be lengthy at high season and stretches on the street sides.

Fløibanen funicular ticket office at Bergen in Norway

Fløibanen Funicular facilitates the journey from Bergen center up to Fløyen viewpoint at 320 meters (1050 ft.) above sea level. The journey takes 5-8 minutes.

Fløibanen funicular at Bergen in Norway

At the top, there are souvenir shops, a big restaurant, several small dining places, and a playground for small kids. Of course, the view is the main thing.

View over Bergen from Mountain Fløyen in Norway.

From the top, we could see the surrounding mountains, islands on the west, the North sea behind them, all the city’s bays, and all the main attractions we just walked around.

View over Bergen from Mountain Fløyen in Norway.

We had time to walk to the nearby Skomakerdiket lake. It is a short 10-15 minutes easy walk.

Many decide to take a walk down the city center. The fittest does the walk-up as well.

Skomakerdiket lake at the top of Mountain Fløyen at Bergen in Norway.

3 – Bergen Fish Market (Fisketorget)

In the Bergen city center is Bergen Fish Market (Fisketorget i Bergen). One can buy fresh fish, seafood, caviar, and much good stuff there. Come and check whether fish sales personnel in Bergen are as entertaining as salesmen in the famous Seattle Pike Place Fish Market.

Bergen fish market in Norway. Crabs, lobster, shells, shrimps, oysters and other seafood on the desk.

Inside the fish market are several dining places where you can have meals with a view over Bryggen and Bergen bay.

Bergen fishmarket building at Norway

4 – Rosenkrantz Tower

Erik Rosenkrantz, the governor of Bergen, financed the building of the Rosenkrantz Tower in the year 1560. The tower had both military (fortification and position of cannons on the top floor), residence (rooms for the governor), and dungeons (on the ground floor) purposes.

It is not far from the Bergen Bryggen, and it is a part of the Bergenhus Fortress.

Rosenkrantz Tower within Bergenhus Fortress at Bergen in Norway

5 – Bergenhus Fortress

Walking up through the main gate, we entered Bergen’s fortress (Bergenhus). On the left, we can see already mentioned Rosenkrantz Tower. We walked through the stone gatehouse (right from the tower) to enter the palace courtyard inside the walls. Inside are several stone buildings, such as Commandant’s and Captain’s residences, and a stable. The biggest and best-known is the stone medieval Håkon’s Hall.

Epic Norway 3-week road trip. Bergen, Oldevatnet lake, Geiranger fjord, and Trollstigen mountain road in the photo.

Commandant’s and Captain’s residences

In the photo below you can see Commandant’s and Captain’s residences paved with charming cobblestones patterns.

The Captain's and Commandant's residence inside Bergenhus at Bergen in Norway.

Håkon’s Hall

The hall was the largest building in the royal palace around the middle of the 13th century. It was the period of Håkon Håkonsson’s reign. Bergen was the capital of Norway at the time.

Please notice (in the photo below) the Gothic style features pointed arches as window shapes and a steeply pitched roof.

Haakon's Hall inside Bergenhus Fortress at Bergen in Norway.

We came back to the pabbles area outside the stone gate. It is also the parade ground and has paths to access the other parts of the fortress within the outer walls.

We passed by the guards’ building and walked through the tree lines better known as General Masbach’s avenues. On our left was the Hall, and on our right was the bunker and the regiment house. The tree lines lead us to a King’s Håkon VII statue at the fortress corner. Eventually, we came back to the parade ground.

In the photo below you can see the stable building inside the inner fortress.

Stable building inside Bergenhus fortress at Bergen in Norway.

From the parade ground, we entered the regiment’s garden. It is a slightly elevated ground that shows the view of Koengen below. Koengen is an outdoor concert venue. From the garden can be seen the Upper Sverresborg walls, the salute ground, and the Sverresborg barracks up on the hill.

6 – Sailor’s Monument

We continued our stroll in the Torgallmenningen Street pedestrian area. There are many attractions nearby. (Theathers, KODE Museums, Ole Bull Fountain, Byparken Gazebo, Lake Lille Lungegårdsvannet, etc.)

First on our way is The Sailor’s Monument, which consists of twelve male figures from different periods of history.

It is in the pedestrian area close to Fish Market and Tourist Information Office.

All the statues, from sailors, fishermen, captains with binoculars, soldiers with spears, and peasants to gentlemen, tell us their stories about the sea. Some are true, and some are full of mystical events as if they were Odysseus returning to Ithaca. Maybe they met and listened to the songs of sirens as portrayed in Ulysse et Les Sirènes Mosaic.

Bardo National Museum Ulysse et Les Sirènes mosaic

We will leave it to you to make your own sailor’s stories and let the fantasy flourish so even Poseidon can envy you.

Rain can be a creative boost for taking fantastic mirror photos of the monument using the pools of water from the morning’s rain.

Sailor's Monument in Bergen after rain in Norway. Sailor's Monument in Bergen after rain in Norway.

Sailor's Monument in Bergen after rain in Norway.

Sailor's Monument in Bergen after rain in Norway.

7 – Mount Ulriken Cable Car

Mount Ulriken is one of the seven mountains that surround Bergen. Its peak at 643 meters (2,110 ft) above sea level provides an even better view of the city than Fløibanen.

However, there is a twist to the story. The weather in Bergen is unpredictable. Hence the best option is to arrive in the city and first check visually whether the peak is even visible since the ticket is expensive. There is no point in taking the ride to the top if it is foggy, rainy, or even worse cloudy.

The return ticket for adults is around 365 NOK ($37, 34 EUR, £30).

Mountain Ulrik Gondola (Ulriksbanen) and Bergen city at the background.

How To Get to the Mount Ulriken Cable Car Station

Bybanen – Bergens Light Rail (Tram): Recently opened line 2 from Kaigaten to Haukeland sjukehus (hospital) is a very convenient option to access it. You should 5-6 minutes walk to Ulriken 643 station from the hospital.

By car:  A limited number of parking spaces are near the Cable Car station. The bigger parking space is at the Haukeland Hospital parking garage and a short 5-6 minute walk to the station.

Panorama view over Bergen from the top of mountain Ulriken in Norway.

8 – Lake Lille Lungegårdsvannet

We parked our car at the ByGarasjen garage near the bus terminal and shopping center. From there we walked to the city center. On our way, the first attraction worth stopping by was this small lake with springs in the middle. Around it are many of Bergen’s museums, a small park, the Byparken Gazebo, statues, and a small outdoor concert venue plaza.

Lille Lungegardsvannet lake at Bergen in Norway.

The area is even more attractive during Christmas time.

Christmas market near Lungegardsvannet lake at Bergen in Norway

9 – Byparken Gazebo

Byparken is a beautiful gazebo near the lake surrounded by flowers in the park. At the time of our visit, it was the scene for a concert of Romanian Gypsies entertaining local party “boys” early in the morning. “Ciao Bella” is a popular and well-played song nowadays. We met these funny guys throughout the city during the whole day.

Bergen gazebo festplassen in Norway

During the day we met local party boys “refilling their reservoirs” near one pub. To chill out, they invented a new skiing discipline, cross-country skiing on concrete. Somehow “the liquids” have to evaporate eventually. Come on Barbie, let’s go party!

Funny guys on the skies at Bergen center in Norway

10 – Ole Bull Fountain

Ole Bull Fountain is not far away from the Byparken Gazebo. It is a place for refreshing on hot days. The fountain was empty on our visit to Bergen during the spring season in late April.

Ole Bull Fountain at Bergen in Norway

11 – KODE Museums – The Museum of Decorative Art (Permanenten)

On the edges of the lake, Lille Lungegårdsvannet is the alley of KODE museums. The building that caught our attention is the museum of Decorative Art (Permanenten) built in the Neo-renaissance style.

The museum houses paintings, photos, fine craft exhibitions, and design collections.

The Museum of Decorative Art at Bergen in Norway

12 – Gingerbread City (Pepperekakabyen)

Visitors to Bergen can experience Gingerbread City (Pepperekakebyen) during Christmas time (usually from the second half of November until the 31st of December).

Pepperkake byen (Gingerbread city) at Bergen in Norway

So if you are lucky enough to be in Bergen around Christmas, this is one unique visitors’ spot.

Pepperkake byen (Gingerbread city) at Bergen in Norway

13 – Timber Houses On Cobblestone Lanes

We were on our way to Bergen’s Aquarium. As an extra treat, we decided to zig-zag the small narrow cobblestone lanes on the peninsula and discovered beautiful architecture.

Timber houses in different colors tightly packed in narrow lanes are the main attractions. The house that got most of our attention is the blue one on Strangehagen 14 Street. The worth mentioning is the house on Strangebakken 16, as well.

Cobblestone street wooden houses at Bergen Norway.

We have even experienced the firefighters in action since one of the houses caught on fire while we were in the area.

As you can see in the photo below, even Munkebekksmauet Street is charming.

Narrow cobblestoned street with a traditional colorful houses in old part of Bergen in Norway.

14 – Bergen Aquarium

Bergen Aquarium is not far (only a 20-minute walk) from Bergen Fish Market at the peninsula’s cape. The Aquarium focuses on Norwegian marine fauna. We could see many different fish species, sharks, penguins, otters, sea lions, and many more.

Bergen aquarium (penguin) in Norway.

However, we admit that Ålesund Atlantic Sea Park has a much better location, more to offer, and a better ambiance overall than Bergen’s counterpart. So if you plan your visit to Ålesund, maybe a better option is to visit that one instead of Bergen’s Aquarium.

Atlantic Sea Park (Atlanterhavsparken Aquarium) in Ålesund, west Norway. Yellow starfish on the rocks and sand sea bed.

15 – Saint John’s Church (Johanneskirken)

While we were passing by Sailor’s Monument, up on the hill at the end of the street, we noticed a lovely red cathedral in the distance. Since we wanted to walk to Bergen’s Aquarium and explore that peninsula further, we gave it a go-to walking up to the cathedral.

It is a beautiful Catholic cathedral built of red bricks with an alluring light blue patina on the roof.

Saint John's church Bergen in Norway

16 – Vannkanten Water Park (Vestkanten Badeland)

We stayed in Bergen for several days. We decided to spend the day in the swimming pools relaxing and break from the city buzz and strolls. In addition, our son is a teenager. So we knew he preferred the water park slides rather than just walking around. Therefore we mixed up Bergen’s visiting program.

We visited Water Park and had a good time. It is fantastic amusement and relaxation with many swimming pools and water slides. Our son (teenager) loved the super bowl and bob slides. Smaller kids can enjoy kids’ pools and sing & dance with the water park’s mascot, Duffe dolphin.

All the swimming pools have nice warm water, and one has an exit to the outdoor slow river. The only missing part was the swimming pool with swimming lanes.

In addition, the shopping mall offers shopping, restaurants, bowling, ice hockey, curling, mini-golf, and a spa.

The BOB slide

The BOB slide is 120 meters long with five curves at 360 degrees. You can choose a music theme to listen to while sliding down, which helps since the tunnel is dark.

Bob slide vestkanten swimming pool at Bergen in Norway.

Superbowl

The Superbowl water slide was great fun for our son. First, you slide through the tube until you enter the “centrifuge”. You spin in the “centrifuge”. The spectators watch your spinning in the gallery above. Finally, after 5-6 rounds, you sink through the center hole into the “landing” pool.

Superbowl slide. A girl slides in a circle.

Curling, Mini Golf, Bowling, Ice Hockey, Spa (Wellness)

Bergen’s water park is part of a shopping mall. After the swimming session, we wandered around and discovered additional facilities.

Some were playing curling which is a popular sport in Norway. Norwegian national team players wear funny colorful trousers. Others were playing ice hockey which is no surprise for Norway as a winter wonderland.

Those who are not into cold sports prefer to play bowling or mini golf. There is a spa wellness center for those who want the most relaxation, tranquility, jacuzzi, and massage experiences.

17 – Espeland WWII Prison Camp (Espeland Fangeleirer)

The prison camp is not the most attractive visiting place for most tourists, but we have 4268 reasons to mention it. Why 4268 reason may you ask? Well, that is the number of war prisoners from Yugoslavia (our former country) deported to Norway during 1942-43.

Nazzis sent several hundreds of them to Espeland. They built the road to Espeland’s camp in June-July 1942. You cannot imagine how slave treatment they got while working.

Nazzis sent the rest to other camps. Their fate was horrible. Only around 1900 prisoners returned home after WWII.

Espeland WWII Prison Camp near Bergen in Norway

We hope that these facts shared with you will remind and motivate each of you to do something about it. We should all do whatever possible can to stop current and future wars. I have personally experienced wars both as a soldier and as a civilian. So I am fully aware of how bad the war is.

“Love is wise, hatred is foolish.” – Bertrand Russell

Bergen – Future Visits Wish List

Due to restoration projects, a few attractions weren’t visitable, so we put them on our future bucket list. We look forward to visiting these attractions on our future Bergen visits and this region.

We like to share this list with you and our research about the attractions.

Gamlehaugen

Gamlehaugen is the King’s official residence in Bergen. The main feature is the rounded tower. It reminded us a little bit of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle but far less attractive, we admit.

Gamlehaugen is a King's residence with white walls and tall tower

It is close to Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg Museum, so this is a very convenient opportunity to visit both locations on the same day.

Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg Museum

Troldhaugen was the home of Nina and Edvard Grieg but turned into a museum. The villa was built in 1885. Edvard Grieg was a famous Norwegian composer and pianist.

Green house of Edvard Grieg with flower garden in front at Bergen in Norway.

Edvard Greig’s compositions are used in the famous Henrik Ibsen play Peer Gynt Annual Festival on Gålå Lake.

Two actors and one looks like a tree acting in Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen’s drama at Gaalaavtnet lake in Norway.

Fantoft Stave Church

Fantoft Stave Church was originally built in Fortun in the Sogn region in 1150. In the year 1883, the church was relocated to Fantoft near Bergen.

This church looks very similar to Borgund Stave Church, the best-preserved medieval black wooden church.

Fantoft Stave Church at Bergen in Norway Fantoft Stave Church in autumn at Bergen in Norway.

The church was badly damaged in a fire on June 6, 1992. It was restored to its condition before the fire. However, restorations are clearly still needed.

Fantof Stave Church – Opening Season: mid of May until mid of September

Fantof Stave Church – Opening hours: 10:30 and 18:00

Lysøen and Ole Bull’s Villa

On the island of Lysøen, Ole Bull (violinist & composer) built his house now turned into a museum. It is unusual for Norwegian architecture and built-in Arabic-Moorish style with an impressive and well-recognizable Russian-inspired onion-domed tower.

However, we were not able to visit it since it was a renovation project at that time.

Arabic-Moorish style Ole Bull's villa on island Lysøen at Bergen in Norway.

Places Nearby Bergen

Bergen is an attractive city to visit, but there are several locations worth visiting in its vicinity that we would like to share with you.

Voss

Voss is considered the adventure capital of Norway and offers adventurous sports activities in the surrounding natural landscapes.

The town offers many activities such as skydiving, tandem paragliding, the wind tunnel, rafting, kayaking, riverboarding, SUP paddle boarding, fishing tours, biking, hiking, gondola rides, etc.

Swimming pools, spa centers, or golf courses are for relaxation-oriented visitors.

Winter is no less exciting, with many slopes to ski, snowboard, or snowshoeing.

Voss cable car (gondola) bottom station building like a cube in Norway.

If you are a food adventurer, you can taste “sheep’s head” (Smalahovetunet). It is the dish back to the Viking age. The sheep’s eye is a special treat and honor for the guest from the host.

Smalahove dish on the plate. Sheep head boiled and steamed for a long time served with potatoes and mashed rutabaga.

Tvinde Waterfall (Tvindefossen)

There are so many waterfalls on the road from Flåm to Bergen, and Tvinde Waterfall (Tvindefossen) is one of them worth mentioning. It is located only 13km (8 miles) after passing Voss on the left-hand side of the road if you drive from Bergen to Oslo and Flåm.

Compared to Kjel Falls – Waterfall (Kjelfossen) described further down in the post, the Tvinde waterfall drop is only 110 meters (360 ft). However, the Tvinde waterfall is broader. The water flows down natural staircases, cascade sprinkling around stair by stair.

Tvindefoss waterfall near Voss in Norway.

Flåm

Flåm is a tourist magnet and has a lot to offer: the famous Flåmsbana railway, the Aurlands fjord, RIB boat fjord safari, fjord cruises, the Stegastain viewpoint, the Aurlandsfjellet snow road and much more.

It is a must-see destination, and we highly recommend it to everyone.

There are several options to visit Flåm from Bergen.

One of the options is to take a train between Bergen and Oslo and switch at Myrdal train station to the famous Flåm railway to Flåm as the final destination.

Another option is to take a cruise ship from Bergen to Flåm.

A third option is to take a bus to Gudvangen village, change to a Nærøyfjord cruise, and experience this beautiful fjord together with the Aurlands fjord until you reach Flåm.

Finally, you can rent a car and drive to Flåm. There are many places (Voss, Stalheimskleiva), valleys, mountains, tunnels, lakes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls (Tvinde Waterfall, Kjel Falls) to see on the way. You drive the E16 road for about two and half hours and 170 km (105 mi) to Flåm.

Kjel Falls – Waterfall (Kjelfossen)

On the right-hand side just in front of the Gudvanga Tunnel and village high up in the mountains is the world’s 18th tallest Kjel Falls (Kjelfossen), with a total fall height of around 705 meters (2 313 ft). There are six drops in the falls and the tallest single drop of 198 meters (650 ft).

Kjelfossen waterfall with high drops in Gudvangen village near Flåm in Norway.

Gudvangen Village – Viking Vallley

Gudvangen village is at the end of Nærøy fjord and on the left-hand side just in front of the Gudvanga Tunnel, and many tourists come on cruise tours here. In addition, it provides a taste of Viking life in the Viking Valley that will bring you back to the Viking age. Besides the waterfall drops, the beautiful Nærøydalselvi River runs into the fjord.

Gudvangen Viking village in Norway men and women with swords and shields ready to attack.

Nærøyfjord

Nærøyfjord ends up at Gudvangen village. From Gudvangen village is possible to take Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord to Flåm and experience this beautiful fjord.

One option is to take a bus from Bergen to Gudvangen village then switch to cruise, experience the fjord, and finish in Flåm for further exploration.

Nærøyfjorden cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm. Norwegian fjord with mountains on the sides.

Bondhus Lake And Glacier (Bondhusvatnet, Bondhusbreen)

Have you ever walked “The Ice Road”? Well, you will chance to do exactly that if you visit this beautiful lake and glacier.

You maybe ask yourself why this pathway is called “The Ice Road”. The answer is simple. It used to be the ice transport road in the pre-refrigerator era.

Workers cut the ice from the glacier. Then others took over to transport down to the fjord on “The Ice Road”. Finally, sailors shipped the ice predominantly to the USA as export goods.

Bondhusvatnet lake and Bondhusbreen glacier at the back in Norway.

Getting Around in Bergen

Different transportation means connect Bergen within the city or the rest of the world. So it is easy to come to and from Bergen or to go around the city.

By foot: Most of Bergen’s attractions are the walking distance from each other. We drove to the city center by car, parked at ByGaragen near the bus station, and walked to these attractions. Bergen is pedestrian-friendly, and we highly recommend walking around the city.

By bicycle: Download Bergen City Bike (Bergen Bysykkel) mobile app and it would be easy for you to find free bikes, unlock bikes, and park bikes in the stations. It is an ok option if you have limited time to visit the city or want to be faster than walking. However, it is less convenient than e-scooters.

By e-scooters: Bergen follows the trend, and there are many e-scooters throughout the city for fast and easy transport.

By light rail (tram): Bergen has no subway, and light rail (tram) is the alternative. Take line number 1 to and from the airport. Use Skyss vending machines, the Skyss mobile app, or many kiosks and shops throughout the city to purchase tickets. Line 2 is suitable for visiting the Mount Ulriken Cable Car attraction.

Orange light rail transport at Bergen in Norway

Intercity Transportation

By car or camper: Bergen is not immune to traffic jams and rush hours, so be wise if traveling by car. We drow to the city center and park at the parking garage (ByGarasjen). We walked around the city as we described in this article.

By bus: Bergen bus station is centrally located and just across the street from the railway station. Within the bus station are a shopping center and a parking garage (ByGarasjen).

By railway: Bergen railway station is close to the city center and across the street from the bus station and a parking garage. It has all the facilities that fulfill the passengers’ needs (waiting rooms, cafes, kiosks, luggage storage & lockers, free WiFi, toilets, and more). Oslo to Bergen is one of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys.

Bergen train station in Norway

Raumabanen is one of the most iconic train rides in Norway. Maybe the only one that can compete with Bergen-Oslo.

Raumabanen train at Trollveggen mountains in the background in Norway

By airplane: Bergen Airport Flesland is 16,5 km (10 mi) south of Bergen and some 20 minutes drive by car. It is an international airport and the second biggest in Norway. SAS and Norwegian operate daily flights to/from major Norwegian and European cities.

Buses, taxis, light rail, and cars transport from the airport to the city center and vice versa.

By cruise ship, boat, ferry, or yacht: Bergen has many ferry lines that connect the city with surrounding islands, Stavanger, and Danmark. Hurtigruten is the best know cruise line that we have already mentioned. Bergen harbor has many docks for world sailors and their yachts.

Epic Norway 3-week road trip. Bergen, Oldevatnet lake, Geiranger fjord, and Trollstigen mountain road in the photo.

Where To Park In Bergen

We parked our car at ByGarasjen (Street: Fjøsanerveien 4, Bergen). It has a fantastic central location to all the city center attractions, restaurants, hotels, and tourist information office. Under the garage is a Bergen bus station. On the other side of the street is the Bergen railway station. Next to the garage is a shopping center.

We downloaded EasyPark App on our mobile, registered the car license plate, and got automatic charges for our entrances & exits to the garage.

The garage is spacious with 2205 spaces, open the whole day, a parking space width of 2,3-2,6m (7.5 – 8.5ft.), and a height limit of 2m (6.5 ft.).

If you drive an electric car, you can charge it while parking and pay for parking half the price of the gas engine cars.

Inside Bryggen at Bergen in Norway.

Where to stay in Bergen?

For my business trips to Bergen, I chose hotels in the city center or close to the Hurtigruten port terminal. Scandic, Thon, Radisson, and Clarion hotels are the most popular and comfortable in these areas.

However, finding a budget hotel with a parking option in the city center can be a challenge. So, we decided to rent the cabin in the Bratland Camping and drive to the city center for some 20 minutes each day.

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Bratland Camping near Bergen in Norway

Bergen’s Restaurants and Cafes you have to see!

Bergen has to offer food and drinks for everyone’s taste. There are many restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, bakeries, and various worldwide cuisines in Bergen. Bergen is a city on the sea, so seafood or fish is probably the best option. However, it can be a bit expensive, especially in exclusive restaurants.

We decided to avoid the most popular dish (pizza) among tourists and opted for Italian pasta in Olivia’s restaurant in the Bergen port.

We have been rewarded with the “Ghost City” effect on the restaurant’s glass as you can see in the photo below.

Bergen ghost city on the glass window.

In front of the Tree Crowns (Trekroneren) kiosk (Kong Oscars Street), we saw a long queue for hotdogs and sausages in many variations.

Once I had a company dinner in Fløien folkerestaurant with one of the best views of Bergen. However, we have not checked the non-company menu on our family journey.

Best time to visit Bergen

The first words on our minds when we think about the best time to visit Bergen are “days without rain”. Another name for Bergen could be a Rainy City. Once, it rained for 85 consecutive days from October 2006 to January 2007.

Bergen is attractive the whole year for tourist visits. However, during the summer months is a higher probability of a sunny day. So we would recommend a visit between May and September.

The majority of Norwegians take a vacation in July. So expect July to be a very crowded month for a visit.

Bergen festplassen gazebo in Norway with different flowers in front of it.

There are several events interesting for visiting Bergen or Norway in general.

17th of May – Constitution Day (Syttende Mai)

The 17th of May is a national holiday in Norway (Constitution Day). It is a day when Norwegians celebrate in national garments and wave the Norwegian flags.

The celebration is popular among children who march in bands. The music orchestras play the music in the parade. Marching children and/or music orchestra represents a school or local community.

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Kids marching band in blue uniforms on Constitution Day 17th of May celebration at Oslo in Norway.

23-24th of June – St. John the Baptist (Sankthans)

St. John the Baptist (Sankthans) is the 24th of June and the longest summer day in Norway.

On the 24th of June are grilling in the parks if the weather is nice.

Christmas

Bergen has a charming Christmas atmosphere in December. Christmas market near Lake Lille Lungegårdsvannet and Pepperkakenbyen (Gingerbread City) are the most visited places.

Christmas market near Lungegardsvannet lake at Bergen in Norway

Costs of traveling in Bergen

We have set a budget estimate that might be helpful while planning your own trip to Bergen. In addition, we have a few tips for you that might save your wallet or cards from going in the red.

USD ($) – Budget

Budget
  • Hotel: $83 - $138 per night
  • Hostel: $21 - $27 per night
  • Price per meal: $9-$19
  • Dish: (Bagett) $7
  • Activities: $55 - $160 per day
  • Gas: $2 per litre
  • Coffee: $5 cup
  • Beer: $9 0.5L

EUR (€) – Budget

Budget
  • Hotel: € 78 - € 130 per night
  • Hostel: € 20 - € 26 per night
  • Price per meal: € 8.75 - € 18.5
  • Dish: (Bagett) € 6.8
  • Activities: € 55 - € 150 per day
  • Gas: € 1.94 per litre
  • Coffee: € 4.85 cup
  • Beer: € 8.75 0.5L

GBP (£) – Budget

Budget
  • Hotel: £66 - £111 per night
  • Hostel: £16 - £22 per night
  • Price per meal: £7.4-£15.5
  • Dish: (Bagett) £6
  • Activities: £46 - £128 per day
  • Gas: £1.64 per litre
  • Coffee: £4 cup
  • Beer: £7.4 0.5L

Tips: How To Lower Travel Costs In Norway

Here are some helpful tips for you:

Accommodation: Consider looking for accommodation outside Bergen and in its proximity, as we did at Bratland Camping. Consider such an option if you need accommodation with parking facilities since this can be very expensive to find in the city center. On top of that, we prepared breakfasts and dinners in the cabin’s kitchen and saved money on additional restaurant expenses.

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Meals: Grocery shops (Joker, Bunnpris, Meny, Spar) have salad bars, barbeque, and hot food sections. These are a lot cheaper meal options compared with restaurants. As mentioned, we prepared our breakfasts and dinners in the accommodation kitchen.

Drinks: Tap water in Norway is drinkable, of excellent quality, and free compared with highly-priced soft drinks, beer, or wine. You can bring a bottle, refill it whenever you can, and save lots of money for other activities.

Snacks: We always have small packages of raisins that are very cheap. They are a good choice for quick energy boosts as needed.

Epic Norway 3-week road trip. Bergen, Oldevatnet lake, Geiranger fjord, and Trollstigen mountain road in the photo.

We wish you an epic trip!

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