15 Incredible Things to Do in Bergen, Norway
Are you planning on visiting Bergen? This charming coastal city is one of the most beautiful places in Norway, and here are the 15 absolute best things to do in Bergen.
Bergen is one of Norway’s most charming cities. With colourful wooden houses lining the harbour, gorgeous mountain surroundings, and a lively cultural scene, it’s the perfect blend between city life and nature.
The city is somewhere we’d always wanted to go, so we were so excited to finally set foot in this stunning Norwegian gem!
We stayed in the city for 5 nights and could have easily stayed much longer – it amazes me how some people only visit Bergen for a few days before leaving.
The city is incredible, and there’s so much to do in the surrounding area. We definitely need to come back and explore more because there are a few museums we missed and many hikes that we didn’t have a chance to squeeze in.
So, whether you’re in the city for a day or a few, here’s our guide to the 15 best things to do in Bergen, from historical landmarks to scenic hikes and beautiful fjords.
bergen Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 4 bucket-list things you NEED to do in Bergen! ❤️
- Go on a fjord cruise
- Go on a tour of Bryggen
- Go on a full-day cruise of the Nærøyfjorden
- Admire the view from Floyen
This is where we stayed: Clarion Hotel Admiral
Where to Stay in Bergen
There are some truly fantastic hotels in Bergen and plenty of choice for all budgets. However, we stayed at the Clarion Hotel Admiral, and we loved it.
It’s located right on the waterfront opposite Bryggen, and we were waking up every morning to the most famous sight in the city from our balcony! The rooms were large and comfortable, and the breakfast was delicious!
They have a restaurant for your evening meal, offer a discount on parking if you’re hiring a car, offer umbrella hire, free coffee and tea in reception, and luggage storage. Plus, the staff are super friendly.
If you want a fantastic stay in Bergen that’s incredibly central to everything and super comfortable, we cannot recommend this hotel enough!
The Best Things to Do in Bergen
Once you’ve chosen your hotel, here are some of the absolute best things to do in Bergen, from historical attractions to some of the most beautiful hikes in Norway.
1. Explore Bryggen
You can’t go to Bergen and not explore Bryggen! If you see a photo of the city, you’ll no doubt have seen these colourful buildings along the waterfront.
It’s one of the most iconic spots in Bergen – and one of the most iconic sights in all of Norway – and a must-see in the city.
It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as well as the front of the buildings, you can also go down some of the historic alleyways and experience how Bryggen used to look all those years ago.
Walking through the narrow alleyways feels like stepping back in time. You’ll find all sorts of shops down here, too, from craft stores to souvenir shops.
This truly is a beautiful part of the city and, even if you’re only in Bergen for a day, don’t miss this spot.
💡TOP TIP: If you’re really interested in the history, you can take a guided walking tour to learn about the Hanseatic merchants and the city’s history
2. Hike up Ulriken
I’m not going to lie to you, this was tough! Of all the hikes we did during our 4 days in Bergen, this was by far the most difficult, but it was worth it!
Ulriken is the tallest of Bergen’s 7 mountains and offers panoramic views over the city and fjords. There are two ways to the top – you can either hike, which we did, or take the cable car, which is much less strenuous, but also much less rewarding!
The hike took us around an hour from the bottom to the top and was pretty much all uphill. In total, there were over 1,300 sherpa steps as well as a very steep hill at the start, so it’s by no means a walk in the park!
But we liked the challenge and thought we’d give it a go.
This is one of the most popular hikes in Bergen, and you’ll find a lot of locals and tourists hiking this route. You may even see locals running up it!
We decided to hike up and take the cable car back down, and, until the clouds rolled in, the views were beautiful!
❤️ If you’d rather take the cable car, you can book tickets here.
3. Go on a Fjord Cruise
No trip to Bergen is complete without exploring the fjords. Just walking along the waterfront, and you’ll see a huge range of cruise companies to choose from.
Cruises last from a couple of hours to full-day excursions and even one-way trips to other parts of Norway. All the tours depart directly from the harbour in the city and offer a range of experiences and sights along the way – some even include lunch!
We went on the Mostraumen cruise, which is the most popular, but also the most affordable option.
This was a half-day cruise, and there were multiple departure times throughout the day. We chose the first departure, so that we had the afternoon to explore.
If you’d prefer to opt for a full-day cruise, however, we also recommend this tour to the Nærøyfjorden, which has some truly stunning scenery!
A fjord cruise will take us to some of the most incredible scenery around the city and is one of the best things to do in Bergen. If you want a way to easily explore the fjords, we highly recommend this tour.
⛴️ You’ll need to book a fjord tour in advance as they can sell out, especially in the summer months.
4. Visit the Fish Market
This is another of the most iconic things to do in Bergen.
The market is a must for foodies. You’ll find some of Bergen’s most delicious dishes being whipped up here in the freshest way possible, and you can sample fresh seafood, local cheese, and Norwegian specialities like king crab or smoked salmon.
There are also stands selling hot dogs, pastries, fish and chips, and even ice cream! You’ll also find a covered section with seating for those who want to grab a full sit-down meal.
Even if you’re not hungry, walking through the stalls and enjoying the atmosphere is worth it.
5. Admire Bergen Cathedral
One of the city’s historic gems, this cathedral is a great place to stop if you love history. It dates back to the 12th century and has striking Gothic architecture, intricately carved woodwork, and stained glass windows.
It might not be quite as dramatic as some of the elaborate cathedrals in Europe; however, it has beautiful architecture and a peaceful interior.
6. Explore Bergenhus Fortress
Another spot that’s ideal for history lovers is Bergenhus Fortress. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Norway and a fantastic place to learn about local history.
There are several buildings to explore here, including the Rosenkratz Tower, which you can climb to the top of and Hakon’s Hall with its incredible architecture, which you can also explore inside.
As well as that, you’ll find several large courtyards and lots of plaques with information about the buildings.
7. Take the Funicular up Floyen
We really enjoyed our trip up Floyen, and the views from the top are pretty stunning.
Floyen isn’t as high as Ulriken, but it is another of Bergen’s 7 mountains and is easily accessible via the Floibanen funicular. If you’d rather, you can also hike up here, but we chose to take the funicular this time around, just due to time.
Once at the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view over the city. However, we originally thought it was just a viewpoint at the top, but there’s actually a lot to do.
You can also walk one of the many trails at the top of several other viewpoints, visit the mountain goats, grab a coffee from the cafe, and much more.
Just be sure to check the funicular times before you leave, as we ended up just missing the one back down by two minutes and having to wait for the next one!
8. Visit the Bryggen Museum
If you like history, this is arguably the most impressive history museum in the city. The Bryggen Museum is the perfect insight into Bergen’s historic past.
It’s not a very large museum, but it’s packed with information and fascinating exhibits about trade, daily life, and the people who lived in the city centuries ago. It’s also home to Norway’s largest collection of runes.
TOP TIP: If you decide to book a guided walking tour of Bryggen, it will often also include a trip here.
9. Watch the Sunset from the Waterfront
The waterfront area of Bergen is one of the most stunning places to watch the sunset. We saw several stunning sunsets from here, including one which made the entire sky bright red!
Even after a lot of heavy rain all day, the sky can sometimes clear just for sunset and look like it’s on fire. It was absolutely stunning, especially with the buildings reflecting off the water, and the light bouncing off the windows.
If you love the sunset, be sure to head to the waterfront, grab a coffee or a snack in a cafe, and admire the show!
10. Relax in Festplassen Park
Located in the heart of the city, Festplassen is a fantastic place to relax, have a picnic, or people-watch.
We walked through this place on our very first time exploring the city, and there were so many people, locals and tourists, lounging around, feeding the birds, enjoying the views, and chatting with friends.
It was a great atmosphere, and the park really comes alive when the sun is shining.
11. Hike the Vidden Trail
This is another of Bergen’s most popular hikes and connects two of the city’s most famous mountains – Ulriken and Floyen.
The hike is long and strenuous and takes around 5-6 hours to complete, so you’ll definitely need to prepare with good shoes, waterproof gear, and plenty of water.
The hike offers some of the most stunning views over the city and fjords, and you’ll pass panoramic viewpoints, lakes, and forests. It’s perfect for outdoor lovers who want a full day of adventure.
12. Visit St Mary’s Church
This is one of Bergen’s oldest surviving buildings and dates back to the 12th century.
It’s fairly simply designed and has undergone several restorations over the years, preserving the original architectural elements like the stone walls and roof beams.
It’s a peaceful place and a great piece of Bergen’s history.
13. Visit the KODE Museum
The KODE Museum is actually four art museums under one roof. It’s a treasure trove for art enthusiasts, featuring everything from contemporary art to classic Norwegian works.
In addition to the art galleries, KODE also showcases historic musical instruments, design pieces, and even temporary interactive installations
It’s easy to spend a full afternoon here, exploring the different collections, learning about Norway’s creative history, and admiring the works of art.
14. Find the Street Art
While the city is known for its historic wooden houses and colourful waterfront, it also has a thriving street art scene.
We kept finding the cutest little works of art in the most random of places – tucked between alleyways, along building walls, and scattered throughout the city. This ranged from small, quirky pieces to large-scale works of art.
One of the most famous artists with ties to Bergen is Dolk, often referred to as Norway’s answer to Banksy.
While you’re exploring the streets of the city centre, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as you never know what hidden gem you’ll come across.
15. Take a Day Trip to the Surrounding Region
Although Bergen itself is beautiful, one of the best things about the location of this city is how much there is to do in the surrounding area that’s so close!
You can reach some truly beautiful hiking trails and fjords within just 30 minutes to an hour of the city, or you could venture a little further towards a breathtaking glacier lake and waterfalls you can walk behind!
You can do some of the most incredible day trips from Bergen, and if you do decide to hire a car, we really recommend spending a few days exploring the city’s surroundings.
How to Get Around Bergen
One of the things we loved most about Bergen was how walkable it was. From our hotel, it was easy to explore most of the city centre on foot. For places a bit further out, the public transport system is frequent, reliable, and easy to use.
Another fantastic way to get around is by bike. The city is quite compact and very cycle-friendly, with plenty of bike paths and designated lanes that make it easy to get around. It’s also very easy to hire one within the city centre.
The only time we took public transport within the city was to reach the starting point of the Mount Ulriken hike. There’s also a tourist bus that will take you directly to the cable car station, but it’s a bit more expensive.
We also used the light rail (Bybanen) several times, including to get to the airport travelling to the airport.
Overall, getting around Bergen is very easy, whether you’re walking, hopping on a bus, or using the light rail. The only time we used our hire car was when we were driving to hikes much further outside the city centre.
When to Visit Bergen
Bergen can be visited all year round, but the experience you’re going for will definitely play a factor in the time you visit.
Summer is perfect for outdoor activities, hiking, water sports, and exploring the mountains. The weather is milder, the days are long, and you can enjoy the fjords and the surrounding nature at their best.
Winter is quieter in the city, and while it’s colder, you can enjoy festive Christmas markets, winter festivals, and a magical snowy landscape. This is one of the cheapest times to visit.
Autumn brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it perfect for city exploration, cosy cafés, and hiking amid beautiful fall colours. Rain is more frequent, but the changing leaves make for incredible photography
Spring offers blooming gardens, longer daylight, and pleasant temperatures for hiking and sightseeing before the summer crowds arrive.
We visited Bergen at the end of August and into the start of September, and the weather was a mixed bag. We had some sun, interrupted by brief showers, and had one day that rained on and off constantly to the point where we got quite wet.
No matter what time of year you visit Bergen, you’ll need to pack for all kinds of weather.
Layers are essential, and a good waterproof jacket and trousers will keep you comfortable during sudden downpours. Reliable, waterproof footwear is also a must.
As the Norwegians say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, so technically, you can visit Bergen all year round!
Is Bergen Worth Visiting?
100% yes! Bergen is definitely worth visiting, and it’s not one of Norway’s most popular cities for no reason!
We’ve visited several different cities in Norway, from Oslo to Tromso in the Arctic, and the southern region of Stavanger and Bergen is definitely one of our favourites! We absolutely loved our time here and could’ve easily stayed much longer.
The city offers the perfect mix of culture, history, and outdoor adventure, from colourful streets and historic museums to breathtaking fjords and mountain hikes.
Whether you’re spending 1 day in Bergen or a week, hopefully, this article has given you plenty of inspiration to make your trip an incredible one!
👉 Haven’t decided where to stay yet? Here are all the best hotels in Bergen!
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