Things to do in Bergen

Bergen: the city between the seven mountains

Bergen is a city that stays with you. Here you will find lively streets, fresh seafood, magnificent nature and a cultural heritage that dates back to the Hanseatic era. Whether you are looking for a weekend break, a base for exploring the fjords or simply a city that surprises you on every visit, Bergen is a natural choice.

Bryggen and the fish soup you cannot miss

No trip to Bergen is complete without a walk along Bryggen, the colourful Hanseatic wooden houses on UNESCO's World Heritage List that line the Vågen harbour. Close by is the Fish Market, where you can taste fresh seafood from the region.

Bergen fish soup is one of the first things to put on your list. The creamy, mild soup with fish, prawns and vegetables is as much a part of Bergen as the mountains and the rain, and many of the city's restaurants serve it. Bjerck is an excellent place to try it. The restaurant sits right by the city fjord and has what many say is the best view of Bryggen in town.

Also worth a visit is Frescohallen at Bergen Børs Hotel. The restaurant combines a modern restaurant and bar concept with a fascinating past, and the hotel's director describes it as one of Norway's most important art treasures. The frescoes on the walls tell the story of Bergen as an international trading city. Many people visit as much to see the room as to eat.

For the ultimate seafood experience, take the boat out to Cornelius Seafood Restaurant, where owner and diver Alf Roald Sætre gathers the ingredients from the sea outside Bergen himself.

The gateway to the fjords

Bergen is the starting point for some of Norway's most legendary journeys. Hurtigruten sails north along the Norwegian coast from here, and this is where you start Norway in a Nutshell, one of the country's most popular round trips and a great way to travel between Oslo and Bergen.

The Sognefjord, the Nærøyfjord and the Hardangerfjord are all within reach, and a fjord cruise from Bergen puts Norwegian nature into perspective. Bergen is not just a destination in itself. From here, the rest of Norway opens up.

The city mountains, on foot or by bike

Bergen is surrounded by mountains, and they are part of everyday life for locals. The Fløibanen funicular takes you up to Mount Fløyen in a few minutes, but many prefer to walk. From the top, a whole network of trails opens up. Ulriken is the highest of the seven mountains and can be reached by cable car or on foot for the fittest.

On the last Sunday in May it is a tradition to walk the three, four or seven-mountain hike, visiting all seven mountains around Bergen in a single day. It is a local classic for all ages, but you don't have to wait until May: the city mountains can be hiked all year round.

Bergen has also become better for cyclists, with new cycle routes and the Fyllingsdalen tunnel, the world's longest tunnel built for cyclists and pedestrians. For the more adventurous, Isdalen and Rundemanen are popular rides with great views of the city and the fjords.

Things to do in Bergen: sights and attractions

Edvard Grieg grew up in Bergen, and the composer has left lasting traces in the city. His home, Troldhaugen, is now a museum and concert venue just outside the centre, where you can hear his music in the surroundings that inspired it.

KODE, Bergen's art museums, lies along Lille Lungegårdsvann lake and houses one of Norway's most important art collections, with works by Edvard Munch, J.C. Dahl and Nikolai Astrup. It is a natural stop for anyone who wants to experience Norwegian cultural history in beautiful surroundings.

Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest and best-preserved fortresses in Norway and lies right next to Bryggen. It is free to visit and offers a unique insight into Bergen's history as one of Norway's most important cities.

Fantoft Stave Church, originally from the 12th century, is a reconstruction of the original church and a fascinating example of Norwegian wooden architecture just outside the centre. The Old Bergen Museum gives a vivid picture of city life in the 18th and 19th centuries, while the Bergen Aquarium is a popular stop for families. And just when you think you have seen it all, December arrives.

The Christmas market and the gingerbread town

Every Christmas, Bergen turns into one of Norway's most atmospheric Christmas cities. Bergen Christmas Market at Festplassen is the centrepiece, with a Ferris wheel, illuminated stalls, mulled wine and Christmas shopping by the lake.

But it is the gingerbread town, Pepperkakebyen, that has made Bergen famous far beyond Norway. Every year the world's largest gingerbread town is built here, a miniature city of gingerbread houses and replicas of landmarks such as Fløibanen and Bryggen. New creations are added every year, and it is one of Bergen's most loved traditions.

Where to stay in Bergen

Bergen has a wide range of hotels, from international chains to charming boutique options around the city centre, so it is easy to find something that suits your budget and style.

For a stay that feels genuinely local, De Bergenske is the natural choice: a family-owned Bergen hotel group with hotels in the heart of the city, each with its own character and history. Bergen Børs Hotel offers historic elegance and luxurious suites, Grand Hotel Terminus is a classic hotel that is home to Amundsen Bar, known for Bergen's largest whisky collection, and Villa Terminus is a boutique hotel with a green garden. Zander K is for lovers of modern design, Heimen Hotel is cosy and family-friendly, and Skostredet Hotel & Spa combines your stay with wellness.

What makes De Bergenske special is that it offers not just a bed, but a way into the city. Many of Bergen's best restaurants, including Frescohallen, Bjerck and Wesselstuen, are part of the group.

Bergen through the seasons

Bergen is a city for every season, but be prepared for rain. Its location between the seven mountains makes it especially wet, with around 230 rainy days a year and roughly 2,500 millimetres of annual rainfall. Locals are proud of it, and that says something about the city.

But that is only half the story. When the sun finally comes out, few places in the world can beat Bergen. People head up into the mountains, cafés put their chairs out on the pavements and Bryggen shines in a light that is hard to describe.

In summer the days are long and light, and you can swim at Nordnes and Sandviken sea baths or in the lakes in the city mountains after a hike. Autumn suits Bergen surprisingly well, with red and yellow mountainsides and a warm atmosphere as the temperatures drop.

Winter brings dark evenings, cosy restaurants and the Christmas market, and Nordnes sea bath is open all year, with a sauna that feels even better when it is cold outside. Spring is perhaps the loveliest season of all, when the city comes to life and the days grow lighter.

Bergen always has something to offer. Bring your raincoat and be ready to be pleasantly surprised.

Bergen: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Bergen?

Two to three days is enough for Bryggen, Fløyen, the museums and good food. If you also want to see the fjords, for example on a trip to the Hardangerfjord or Norway in a Nutshell, allow four to five days.

Does it always rain in Bergen?

Bergen is one of Europe's wettest cities, with around 230 rainy days a year. But the rain often comes in showers, and when the sun comes out, the city is spectacular. Pack a raincoat and enjoy Bergen whatever the weather.

How do you get from Bergen to the fjords?

Fjord cruises and express boats leave from the centre of Bergen to the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord, and the Norway in a Nutshell route combines train, boat and bus through the Nærøyfjord. Many visitors also rent a car to explore the fjords at their own pace.