What to do in Bergen, NORWAY

Bergen is The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway and a well-established cruise port, an international city packed with history and tradition, with small-town charm and atmosphere. As a European City of Culture and UNESCO World Heritage City, Bergen is an old city with a young vibe. it is known as the city of seven mountains thanks to its suggestive location nestled between numerous mountains and sea offering excellent hiking opportunities in its immediate surroundings. 

To make the most of your trip it's important to take in consideration the amount of daylight hours, the winter months are dark and rainy with an average of 7 hours of daylight thus limiting your amount of activities while in the summer months you can be graced with up to 18 hours of daylight and temperatures are often above 20 degrees.

You could start your city tour by taking the  funicular Fløibanen, one of the most iconic attractions of Norway which takes you to a view-point at Mt Fløyen where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city. 

A trip to Bergen cannot be complete without a visit to the old quays of Bryggen, a world heritage site where you really get a feel of what the city must have been like in the middle ages. Today Bryggen is home to many museums, shops, restaurants and pubs. It's pointy houses are one of the most photographed location in the whole country.

The Kode Art Museums is one of the largest museums for art, craft and design in the Nordic countries, art lovers can find an extensive collection of masterpieces from Edvard Munch and paintings from Nikolai Astrup and Pablo Picasso. Admission Fee is 160 NOK / 15,60 € 

The picturesque Fisketorget is one of Norway's most visited outdoors markets. The fish market sells locally sourced fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables. It's a popular place to have lunch or dinner for both locals and tourist and this is also where the city's best restaurants purchase their seafood daily.

Parents travelling with children will find plenty of activities to keep their little ones occupied, attractions such as the Vilvite Science Center and the Bergen Aquarium are perfect to spend a nice family day at any time of the year while in the hot summer days the numerous beaches around the city are a great place for a picnic and for children to play together. 

Other attractions worth a visit include the Ruins of the Christ Church, the Ole Bull statue, the Madam Felle monument and the Mt.Ulriken trail.

Norway is notoriously expensive and unfortunately Bergen makes no difference, meals and drinks prices are especially very steep to compare with most European cities, however if you look hard enough and follow the younger student population you will stumble across some affordable ( by local standards ) eateries. On the positive side, the 3-star and 4-star hotels in Bergen are surprisingly good value, so mid-range travelers are well looked after at decent room rates. Also, most attractions are free or reasonably priced here, so it’s really just the food and drink that could put a strain on your budget. 
 
The city hosts several festivals including the Bergen International Festival, an annual international music and cultural festival held over fourteen days from the end of May to the start of June.

Surrounded by mountains and seated near the fjords, Bergen provides unforgettable experiences for outdoor adventures and nature lovers alike. There are many tour companies offering daily trips to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders of Norway including the popular Nærøyfjorden and Folegonni Glaciers. 

The narrowest fjord in the world, Nærøyfjorden and its spectacular scenery, earns it its place on the World Heritage list, with steep mountainsides, hanging valleys, towering peaks, snowfields, waterfalls and small hamlets, this fjord is perhaps the most outstanding natural attraction in Norway.

Folgefonna is Norway’s third largest glacier and is covering a total of 200 square kilometres. From Folgefonna you have panorama view to the Fjord, Rosendal alps, and the North Sea in West. If you’re here in the winter, try to hit the slopes at one of the nearby ski resorts as you get some world-class skiing here while in summer you can join a guided five-hour glacier hike, a thrilling, challenging, and exciting activity ! 

Suggested lenght of stay: 2 days / 4 days with visit to nearby fjords