The Ultimate Bergen Travel Guide: Explore Norway's Fjord City
The Ultimate Bergen Travel Guide Explore Norway's Fjord City
Located at the heart of the fjords region in the west coast of Norway, Bergen is a perfect destination for a getaway combining nature, a vibrant lifestyle and culture. It should be added to any bucket list in this Scandinavian country. I’ve recently spent 4 days in Bergen, so I want to share my Ultimate Bergen Travel Guide to Explore Norway’s Fjord City.
The history of Bergen dates back to the Viking age in the 11th century. It became an important trading city due to the key location at the coast and it took the role of Norway’s capital for 150 years. Throughout the centuries Bergen thrived and in the 14th century it became one of the most important ports of the Hanseatic League, a confederation of merchant guilds and market towns covering the Baltics and the North Seas.
Nowadays Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, after its capital Oslo. It has no shortage of things to offer to all kind of visitors, from its rich and ancient history and culture, to its spectacular natural setting nestled between the mountains and the ocean. Bergen is also the gateway to the famous Norwegian fjords region. Additionally, it is an UNESCO World Heritage City and an European City of Culture.
Bergen has direct flights from different European cities and it’s also very easy to get there from Oslo. There are several daily flights connecting the two cities and it takes only one hour, so it’s a very good idea to combine a visit to both cities. Another way to travel from Oslo to Bergen is to take the iconic Bergen railway which is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. It takes approximately 7 hours and throughout the journey you can admire fantastic views to the Norwegian countryside, the mountains, picturesque villages and the fjords.
In Bergen there are many different accommodation options to all budgets and preferences. Regardless the kind of accommodation you choose, I recommend you to stay close to the city centre so you can easily walk to the most relevant attractions. I also advise you to stay at least 3 days in Bergen to be able to explore the city and surrounding natural wonders.
Let me share with you now my Ultimate Bergen Travel Guide to inspire you visiting this enchanting city in Norway. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Walk Around Bergen City Centre
Bergen is an amazing city that is worth to explore. Its stunning location by the fjords and the mountains, as well as its picturesque and beautiful architecture and rich cultural life makes it a perfect getaway in Norway.
It has several lively districts offering different experiences to visitors like Sentrum, Nordnes, Fjellsiden or Sandviken.
The heart of the city is Torgallmenningen, the main square and street. This area is closed to traffic and it is a meeting point for locals and visitors with many shops and restaurants. Walk around this area and also Skostredet shopping street. Very close to the city centre you will find the harbour with the Fish Market and Bryggen district.
Get lost in Bergen streets with typical wooden houses combined with some buildings in a modern architecture style. You will also find cool examples of street art and murals in some areas of the city.
There are several museums you can visit, like the open-air museum of Old Bergen with 50 wooden houses from the 18th to the 20th century, or KODE, one of Norway’s largest art, music and design museums.
Visit Bryggen
Bryggen is probably the perfect postcard from Bergen with its famous wooden coloured houses by the harbour. It is also a historic district and a lively testimony of the Hanseatic times, when Bergen was one of the most important trading ports in Europe. It has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Throughout the centuries the wooden houses so typical from Northern Europe have been destroyed by fires, but the buildings were rebuilt preserving its original appearance. Nowadays 62 buildings remain of the former townscape and it’s really worth to walk around this district. Not only in the main street facing the sea, but also in the narrow wooden passages and alleyways between the houses, illustrating the life in this neighbourhood centuries ago.
Some of the wooden buildings host now traditional shops, restaurants and even hotels. There are also two interesting museums to visit in this area, The Hanseatic Museum and Bryggens Museum.
Explore Bergenhus Fortress
Located near Bryggen, Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved fortifications in Norway and it’s also a great place to visit in the city.
The fortress has a rich military history dating back to the 16th century. Nowadays it is the daily place of work for more than 200 military and civilians, and it is opened to visitors. The complex is now also used as a venue for different types of events, theatre performances and concerts.
See Bergen’s Views from Mount Floyen
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, so don’t miss the opportunity to have the most amazing views of the city from above at the top of Mount Floyen, one of those mountains which is 320 meters above sea level.
It’s very easy to get to Mount Floyen. There is a funicular near Bryggen conveniently connecting the city center with the top of the mountain in less than 10 minutes. Alternatively, it’s possible to hike there.
At the top of Mount Floyen there is a viewpoint with spectacular views to the city, the fjords and the surrounding mountains. There is also a restaurant and a souvenirs shop.
From that location there are different hiking trails, including the one from Mount Floyen to Mount Ulriken, recommended for more experienced hikers. Just make sure to check the trails conditions, especially on Winter time.
Eat Local Delicacies in the Picturesque Fish Market
Another place not to miss in Bergen is its picturesque and vibrant fish market, located at the heart of the city, by the harbour. This is one of the most visited markets in Norway and it exists since the 13th century, when it was an important meeting point for fishermen and merchants.
Nowadays it sells fresh fish and seafood, as well as local fruits and vegetables. It also has some restaurants where it’s possible to taste local delicacies with a focus on seafood.
From the seashore area near the Fish Market you have amazing views to Bryggen at the other side of the harbour.
Take a Cruise to the Fjords
One of the mandatory experiences when visiting Bergen, is to take a cruise to the renowned Mostraumen Fjord. The adventure begins at Bergen harbour, boarding a comfortable cruise boat ready to navigate the intricate network of fjords adorning the coastline. As the cruise sets sail, leaving the city’s colourful houses, it ventures deeper into the fjord and the landscape unfolds like a masterpiece of nature.
Towering cliffs on either side of the boat create a dramatic backdrop, with their rugged faces adorned with snow on Winter or with greenery on Summer time. One of the highlights of the cruise is the multitude of waterfalls cascading down the sheer cliffs. Through the journey you will see lovely small villages and isolated colourful houses at the shores of the fjord.
The most exciting part of the cruise is reaching the narrowest part of Mostraumen Fjord, where the cliffs seem to almost touch the boat, creating a sense of intimacy with the surrounding nature. The experience of a boat ride in the Norwegian fjords is just breathtaking and I couldn’t recommend it more. Make sure you add it to your Bergen trip.
Another great option is to combine a fjord cruise with a visit to Flam, a picturesque village in the Aurlandsfjord which is also home of the Flam Railway, one of the most famous train rides in the world, from Oslo to Bergen.
Even if you cannot do the whole train ride, you can still go to Flam from Bergen. There are days tours including a visit to the powerful Tvindefossen waterfall, a stop in Stegastein Viewpoint, a cruise of Naeroyfjord and a visit to Flam. I didn’t have time to do it, but it seems a great day trip plan.
Get back in time in Fantoft Stave Church
Not far away from Bergen, just 20 minutes outside the city center, it’s possible to visit Fantoft Stave Church. Stave churches, built in wood and combining intricately carved elements with Viking and Christian influences, could be found in Northern Europe, especially in Scandinavia, during the Middle Ages.
Nowadays they are mythic buildings inspiring visitors from all over the world. There were more than 1000 stave churches in Norway, but today only 28 remain. Fantoft Stave Church is one of them. Originally built in Sogn in 1150, it was moved to Fantoft in 1883. This church was destroyed by a fire in 1992, but it was reconstructed and it’s now a testimony of the past.
For more travel inspiration about Scandinavia, visit my articles Chasing Northern Lights in Tromso, Travel Guide to Kiruna Winter Wonderland or 10 Epic Things to do in Lulea in Winter Time.
