8 Things to Know Before Visiting Bergen Norway

As one of Europe’s most underrated cities, Bergen is surrounded by stunning fjords and marvelous mountains. Bergen honors its past near the city center with cobbled streets and colorful wooden houses.

If you’re planning a trip to Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and the so-called “Gateway to the Fjords,” you’re in for a treat. But let’s cut through the tourist brochure fluff and get down to the nitty-gritty.

This area is famous for having some of the most easily accessible and impressive fjords in the world. Therefore, the best thing to do in Bergen is to take the Guided Cruise Tour to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm, and Stegastein.

A fjord is simply a narrow, deep, and prolonged sea or lake drain, with steep walls on three sides. The fjord’s inner section is called the sea bottom. The opening near the sea is called the mouth and is often shallow. When the body of water is wider than it is long, it is not considered a fjord. Instead, it’s referred to as a cove or bay.

Here’s what you really need to know to survive and thrive in this charming but quirky Norwegian gem.

1. Embrace the Rain or Stay Home

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Bergen is wetter than a fish’s backside. With around 270 rainy days a year, it’s basically the Seattle of Europe on steroids. But you know what? That’s part of its charm!

There’s little doubt that you’ll want to bring a rain jacket. However, if you’re planning on spending any significant time outside you may want to consider bringing a heavyweight waterproof rain suit. Also, if you’re considering doing any hiking up on any of the nearby fjords it is most likely a necessity.

For example, during our cruise down Sognefjord, we could barely see any of the scenery around us because of a massive storm that ripped through the area. If you’re thinking about getting an epic photo on Trolltunga, be prepared for rain and consider yourself lucky if it’s only overcast that day.

How to Deal

• Invest in a top-notch rain jacket or a hooded poncho. Seriously, don’t cheap out on this.
• Waterproof shoes are your new best friends.
• Pack a positive attitude – you’ll need it when you’re soaked to the bone.

Pro Tip: The rain is what makes Bergen’s surroundings so lush and gorgeous. No pain, no gain, folks!

2. Two Days? Make it Three!

You should spend no less than two full days in Bergen, if possible. Luckily, it’s a relatively small city tucked in between seven mountains and a fjord—making it easy to quickly navigate through.

Sure, you can “see” Bergen in two days, but why rush? This city is like a fine Norwegian aquavit – best savored slowly.

• Day 1: City Slicker
  • Morning: Strut down Bryggen Wharf on an informative walking tour like you own the place.
  • Afternoon: Haggle at the Fish Market (good luck with those prices!)
  • Evening: Ride the Fløibanen Funicular. It’s touristy, but so are you, so embrace it!
• Day 2: Nature Nurture
  • Hop on an amazing fjord cruise. Yes, it’s cliché, but holy smokes, those views!
  • Hike your heart out on this guided hiking tour. You’re in Norway, for Pete’s sake!
  • Make sure to end your last day in Bergen with a seafood dinner. A couple of recommendations include Restaurant 1877 or Bare Vestland.
• Day 3: Culture Vulture
  • KODE Art Museum: Pretend you understand modern art.
  • Grieg Museum: Who doesn’t love a good piano tune?

Anyone looking for a quick bite to eat or a budget-savvy taste of Bergen should try Trekroneren—a popular hotdog stand. These massive half-pound hotdogs come in 24 varieties with the most popular being made from Norwegian reindeer.

3. Fjord Frenzy – Choose Your Adventure

We visited Bergen on our last stop during the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour. If you’re in Bergen and haven’t yet explored the fjords on a similar tour, it is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time.

However, keep in mind that if you don’t add an overnight along the way, the tour can feel extremely long and a bit uninspiring. If you happen to have bad weather it becomes painfully boring.

Bergen is to fjords what Venice is to canals – you can’t avoid them, so dive in (figuratively, please).

Half-day cruises: Perfect for the “been there, done that” crowd.
Full-day guided tours: For those who like their nature with a side of facts.
Norway in a Nutshell: The fjord equivalent of an all-you-can-eat buffet.

🦉 Word to the wise: Book early unless you enjoy disappointment.

4. Seven Mountains, Zero Excuses

Bergen is commonly referred to as ‘The City Between the Seven Mountains.’ As a result, the area offers visitors a vast array of recreational activities. In particular, the forested and mountainous terrain makes for exceptional hiking opportunities.

What Are the Seven Mountains of Bergen Norway?

The Norwegian playwright Ludvig Holberg was inspired by the seven hills of Rome. Consequently, he thought his hometown should also be graced with such a legacy. Holberg decided on the following seven nearby mountain peaks:

1. Fløyen, 1,050′
2. Ulriken, 2,110′
3. Sandviksfjellet, 1,286′.
4. Lovstakken, 1,565′
5. Rundemanen, 1,864′
6. Damsgaardsfjellet, 932′
7. Lyderhorn, 1,299′

By far, the two most favored mountains to visit are Fløyen and Ulriken. Both allow easy access to the top. The Fløibanen Funicular departs directly from the city center and will take you to the top of Fløyen. Similarly, Ulriken is easily accessed via a cable car. However, a 10-minute bus from the city center is required. If you’re into adventure though, a short bus ride may make the trip worthwhile as a new zip-line was recently constructed.

Pick your poison. Or better yet, conquer them all and earn your Viking stripes!

5. Vidden Trail – The Hike That Keeps On Giving

Bergen’s best hike will take you across Vidden, the area between Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken. The hike is about 8 miles long and typically takes between 4 to 6 hours and provides breathtaking views of Bergen and the surrounding area. You may complete the well-marked tour yourself or with a guided tour.

You can either start or end by taking the Fløibanen funicular or Ulriken cable car. Either way, you’ll be able to see views of the nearby islands and fjords. On clear days, you will be able to revel in views of the Folgefonna glacier.

If you’re looking for a real challenge you can hike up or down from both funicular or cablecar. If you decide to add this extension, plan on adding about 1.5-2.5 hours to your hiking time.

Want bragging rights? Tackle the Vidden Trail. It’s the Everest of Bergen… okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s still awesome. Too much? Try the Sandvikspilen viewpoint hike. It’s like Vidden’s little brother – shorter but still impressive.

Shorter Alternative Hike – Sandvikspilen

If you’re short on time or don’t feel like taking a full-day hike, a much shorter alternative is to walk from the city center to the Sandvikspilen viewpoint. It only takes about one hour and covers 1.7 miles (each way). Although steep, it is paved with about 700 stairs.

Visitors enjoy this hike because it takes them down the backstreets of Bergen. Be prepared to walk through charming neighborhoods full of old colorful wooden houses.

6. Seafood Heaven (If Your Wallet Can Handle It)

If there’s one thing you have to eat in Bergen, it’s the salmon. Realistically, any type of seafood will do. After all, Norway is the second-largest seafood exporter in the world, only behind China. The cold and clear waters allow fish, shellfish, and mussels to grow more leisurely, and the brisk air preserves the freshness.

Traditional seafood meals feature smoked trout, smoked salmon, and gravlax—cured salmon using salt, sugar, and dill. Tørrfisk, also known as stockfish and Rakfisk (fermented trout) are major sources of pride for many Norwegians and are some of the most popular dishes to taste, as long as you’re a little brave.

Must-tries

Salmon: Raw, smoked, cured, doesn’t matter. Just eat it.
Tørrfisk: Dried cod that’s oddly addictive.
Rakfisk: Fermented trout. Yes, it’s a thing. No, it doesn’t smell great.

Visit the Fish Market, but brace yourself – those prices might make you consider a seafood-free diet.

7. Top 10 Things to Do (Because 9 Wasn’t Enough)

Like most visitors to Bergen, you’re most likely to be a bit short on time—this is mainly because the area is so expensive to visit. Therefore, your time must be well planned out. Below are the 10 best things to do in Bergen Norway:

1. Mount Fløyen: Get high (altitude-wise) in Bergen.
2. Bryggen Wharf: Instagram central.
3. KODE Museums: Art that’ll make you go “Huh?”
4. Fish Market: Where wallets go to die.
5. Bergen Aquarium: Fish you can look at, not eat.
6. Bergenhus Fortress: For your daily dose of medieval vibes.
7. Troldhaugen: Grieg’s crib. It’s pretty neat.
8. VilVite Science Center: Geek out, Norwegian style.
9. Bergen Cathedral: Prayer optional, awe guaranteed.
10. University Museum: Because every trip needs a bit of education, right?

8. Prepare Your Wallet for a Beating

The price of a trip to Norway may shock you—it’s ridiculously expensive. As you begin researching the costs, you’ll surely come across Norwegian websites that state something like this, “Norway Travel is Probably Not as Expensive as You May Think.” Honestly, after traveling through the country, that’s a big ole pile of fake news.

Let’s not beat around the bush – Bergen is expensive. Like, “maybe I don’t need both kidneys” expensive.

Accommodation: Prepare to pay more for a shoebox than your monthly rent back home and check out our budget-savvy accommodation options below.
Food: Consider a diet of instant noodles. Just kidding… kind of.
Transportation: The Bergen Card is your new best friend. Buy it, love it, use it.

Where to Rest Your Weary Head

Many travelers complain about the cost of lodging. For example, a $100 budget per night for accommodation is, in most cases enough to find a hotel with good reviews. However, in Norway, this is simply not true. For example, the same amount of comfort that you might expect from a $100 hotel in the US, may cost 1.5 to 2 times as much in Norway.

Of course, there are exceptions. However, generally speaking, everything is going to cost quite a bit more than what you’re used to spending.

Here are three centrally located accommodation options, arranged from the most affordable to the most expensive. Interestingly, the price gap between budget and luxury options isn’t as wide as in many other countries.

• Hotel No 13: Where hipster chic meets Norse mythology, and you half expect Thor to be tending the bar.
• Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz: The Goldilocks of Bergen hotels – not too fancy, not too basic, but just right for your “I’m an adult who enjoys comfort but isn’t made of money” vibe.
•  Opus XVI: A hotel so posh, it makes you feel like you should curtsy to your own reflection – bring your fancy pants and a platinum credit card.

Best Bergen Airport Hotel Option: For those who like their jet lag with a side of convenience – check out the Clarion Hotel Bergen Airport Hotel. It’s so close to the runway, that you might catch your breakfast flying by.

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