Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is known as “The Gateway to the Fjords”, and some believe that Bergen is the most beautiful city in Norway. The most popular fjord cruises start from Bergen Bus Station, Bergen Railway Station and from Bergen Strandkaiterminal.

Mt Fløien and Fløibanen Funicular, the UNESCO World Heritage protected Bryggen in Bergen and the composer Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen are three of the main attractions in Bergen.

Season and Safety

Many of the activities and attractions mentioned on this website are open only in summer and are closed in winter. This also applies to many of the roads and accommodations mentioned. Season and opening time will vary. It depends on where it is and what activity, attraction, road and accommodation it is, it usually opens in the summer and closes in the autumn, depending on i.a. the amount of snow and the risk of avalanches in the area. Hikes mentioned in this website have different seasons. See links to the various hikes to read more about the hikes and season.

Important information about roads in Western Norway: Many roads in western Norway are prone to landslides and avalanches, especially in rainy and snowy weather. Winter tires are required in winter. Read more about Tyre Requirements in Norway...

It is important to take precautions for weather and driving conditions, on roads and trails, both when driving and in general when one is out in nature in Norway and Western Norway. It is recommended to use guide on the tours described on this website. Use the information you find on this website at your own risk and responsibility. Read more about season, important safety information and your own responsibility…

Visit Bergen

Visit Bergen is the official destination company for Bergen.

Bergen – What to see and do

Bergen Fish Market – At the innermost part of Vågen, the Bergen Harbour, you find the famous Fish Market where you can buy all sorts of fish, shellfish and local products from the fishermen and farmers in the Bergen area.

Bryggen (The Hanseatic Wharf) in Bergen has since 1979 been on UNESCO´s list over World Cultural Heritage Sites. Bryggen is a series of wooden houses along Bergen Harbour, originating from the Hanseatic (German) activities in Bergen from around year 1350. There has been several fires during the years, and the oldest remaining building is reckoned to be from around year 1702. The buildings were taken over by Norwegians in year 1754.

Fløibanen and Mt Fløien – If you visit Bergen, you should take the Fløibanen Funicular to Mt Fløyen. Both Fløibanen and Fløyen are great experiences, with the best view over Bergen City, Vågen Harbour and Byfjorden (the City Fjord). At Mt Fløyen you have Fløien Folkerestaurant and Fløien Shop and Café. Mt Fløyen is a great starting point for hiking in the surrounding mountains. And there are also many activities for children, like the Troll Forest and the best playground in Bergen.

Bergen Cable Car at Mt Ulriken is a great start for getting a view over Bergen and it´s surrounding nature. The cable car start at Landås, close to Montana Youth Hostel, and ends at Mt Ulriken (643 masl). During summer, you can do the 13 kilometer long hike over “Vidden”, the mountain from Mt Ulriken to Fløien, and then take the Fløibanen Funicular down to the center of Bergen. At Mt Ulriken, there are also a restaurant.

Edvard Grieg´s home Troldhaugen – The composer Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen is situated at Hop, approximately ten kilometer outside Bergen. Edvard Grieg´s house was built in 1885 and is now a museum. The composer´s hut and Nina and Edvard Grieg´s tomb are located down by the lake in a close distance to the house. Troldsalen Music Hall is a new concert hall which is used for concerts. There is also a café at Troldhaugen.

KODE Museums – Consiting of seven Museums and Composers Homes, KODE Museums has more than 50.000 Paintings, Sculptures, Fine Craft and Installations. The homes of the three composers from Bergen; Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull and Harald Sæverud are all part of KODE, and many concerts are arranged in these homes. The other four KODE Museums are LYSVERKET (temporary exhibitions and permanent works from the collection), RASMUS MEYER (Works by Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists), STENERSEN (alternating exhibitions, contemporary art, architecture, handicraft and graphic art ) and PERMANENTEN (temporary exhibitions, both contemporary art and works from own collection).

Bergen Aquarium – At Nordnes, the outer part of Vågen (Bergen Harbour), you find the largest aquarium in Norway, Akvariet i Bergen. The aquarium is a great playground for people in all ages, and of course fun for children. With more than 500 species, there are special events every hour during the opening hours. Sea Lion training, Penguin feeding and Guided Tours are some of the events.

Fjord Tours from Bergen

Bergen is known as “The Gateway to the Fjords”. With boats from Strandkaiterminalen at Bergen Harbour and with bus and train from Bergen Bus Station and Bergen Railway Station there are numerous fjord tours to choose between.

We recommend two tours from Bergen. One starts with bus from Bergen to Norheimsund. On this tour you will experience a fjord cruise on the Hardangerfjord, from Norheimsund to Eidfjord.

The second tour starts with train on the Bergen Railway from Bergen via the wild and beautiful Flåm Railway to Flåm by the Aurlandsfjord. From Flåm you take a fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord.

Where to stay in the Bergen area

KLOSTERHAGEN HOTEL at Strangehage 2 in Bergen is a small but great hotel. The hotel has 15 high standard rooms at a favourable price. The hotel´s breakfast has a very good reputation. It is only a short 12 minutes walk from the Fish Market to the hotel.

OPUS XVI HOTEL AND RESTAURANT is located in the heart of Bergen, at Vågsalmenningen, only a short walk from the Fish market. The hotel is classic, yet modern and luxurious. There is a brand new restaurant, bar and café at the hotel, offering seafood and local produce food.

BERGEN BØRS HOTEL is located in the heart of Bergen, at Vågsalmenningen, a short walk from the Fish market. With it´s elegant rooms and suites, restaurant and bar, and the central location, this is a great hotel to stay at if you want to explore Bergen City.

MONTANA YOUTH HOSTEL at Landås is a great and reasonable low-budget accommodation at the hillside by Mt Ulriken and close to Bergen Cable Car that takes you to the top of Mt Ulriken (643 masl). The hostel is situated five kilometers from the city center of Bergen with good bus-connection between the city and the hostel. Also excellent parking, free of charge for guests.

HOTEL HAVNEKONTORET is located right in the middle of Bergen’s Bryggen area that is characterised by charming streets and historic buildings. With the best location in town, and an elegance shaped by local history and Baroque Revival architecture, the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret now stands as one of the smartest hotels in Bergen.

Where to eat in the Bergen area

Hoggorm (Viper) Pizza in Nygårdsgaten close to Grieghallen Concert Hall. A good friend of mine said this, quote: –This pizza is simply out of the ordinary. You just have to visit this restaurant, nothing can compare to this extremely great food.

Bryggeloftet & Stuene at Bryggen is a great old fashion and a “genuine traditional Bergen” Restaurant. Try the traditional Raspeball every Thursday, or during November and December the traditional Christmas menu, but be sure to book in advance.

Enhjørningen Seafood Restaurant at Bryggen is the oldest fish restaurant in Bergen. Enhjørningen has always been considered to be one of the last Hanseatic restaurants, and the seafood is recommended with great reviews.

Spisekroken Restaurant is located at Klosteret on Nordnes, close to the city center. The restaurant is small, but the food is great. The menu changes with the seasons, and the specialities are dishes of calf. The fish is wild-caught white fish and changes from day to day depending on what the fish supplier has to offer.

Kaf Kafé is a cozy café at Bryggen. The coffee and the Cinnamon Buns are superb. And of course, lots of other things to eat, drink and buy.

Bare – Restaurant Bare is located on Torgalmenningen in Bergen in the same building as Børs Hotel. The restaurant has one Michelin star. Bare has several restaurants, it is on the third floor that you will find the Michelin restaurant.

Lysverket – Restaurant Lysverket is located in Rasmus Meyers Allé in Bergen. The restaurant has one Michelin plate and is located in the same building as Lysverket Museum, one of four KODE museums in Bergen.

Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri – Why not combine a Fjord Cruise with a great meal. Take a speedboat from Strandkaiterminalen in Bergen to Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri at Austevoll where you can experience high standard cuisine based on local ingredients. The cruise will take you around 90 minutes. Bekkjarvik Gjestegiveri also provides accommodation.

Bergen – Some Pictures

The Hardangerfjord Area – What to See and Do

The Hardangerfjord area, the orchard of Norway, is known for Summer Skiing at Folgefonna Glacier and a spectacular fruit tree blossoming in spring. Drive in the Hardanger area and see the Vøringsfossen Waterfall and all the other great waterfalls. Hike the famous Trolltunga Hike or Dronningstien (the Queens Panoramic Trail) in the area around Sørfjorden. Lake Bondhusvatnet and Bondhusbreen Glacier was one of the first places the English tourists visited when they discovered Norway in the mid 1800´s. Join a Fjord Cruise on the Hardangerfjord which is located in the county of Vestland, near Bergen, in the middle of Western Norway.