Wondering about top things to do in Bergen Norway so you can experience an epic trip? I’ve got THE list for you.
Bergen was my favorite city in all of Norway. And I spent two months in the country, so that is really saying something.
It ranks in my top five cities in the entire world. The colorful wooden buildings of Bryggen, secret viewpoints over the city at the Clarion hotel, insanely good hiking right from the city center like the Vidden trail, the fjords you can see on the Mostraumen cruise or on a day trip to Hardangerfjord.
This guide covers the 37 best things to do in Bergen, pulled directly from my time exploring the city. Whether you have 2 days or a full week, this list will help you get the most out of it.
⭐My quick cheat sheet for Norway:
🏠Places to Stay:
→ In Bergen: Magic Hotel & Apartments Kløverhuset is the best mid-range option because its right in the centre of the tourist centre, has amazing views over the harbour, serves delicious breakfast, and has apartment options if you want a full kitchen set up.
→ In Stavanger: VANDER – Pedersgata is an amazing option for studio apartments in central Stavanger. It’s within close walking distance to the best sights, has an airport shuttle, laundry and parking for those with a rental car. If you do have a car and are willing to stay about 20 minutes outside the city centre, I HIGHLY recommend Pulpit Rock Hostel Vaulali. I worked here for a month at the front desk and the property has stunning fjord views, a private beach, playgrounds, and canoe rentals to get out in the fhord.
→ In Oslo: The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is one of the best hotels in Oslo. They have extraordinary views over the city, a swimming pool and sauna, valet parking, and restaurants with great food on-site.
👉 Must-do tours:
→ In Bergen: Fjord tours are a MUST in Norway and especially Bergen (aka the gateway to the fjords). Sognefjord is considered the king of the fjords, and this tour is the best one to see it and the famous flam railway.
→ In Stavanger: Stavanger has the famous Pulpit Rock and this Rib boat tour takes you to the bottom of it to feel its impressive height. They also stop at waterfalls in the fjord! You can also take an excellent kayak tour around the Jorpeland islands.
→ In Oslo: This sightseeing tour combines land and water to see all the best sightseeing spots in Oslo. They take you around by coach bus to see places like Vigeland Park and ship museums at Bygdøy Peninsula. Then you embark by cruise to explore around Oslo’s islands.
🚗 Need to Rent a Car?
I use AutoEurope for rental cars because they gather all the best deals across the local rental companies to show you the best deals. I also find it the least stressful to navigate and it’s not overly sneaky with additional fees (although there are always some if you want insurance!).
37 Best Things to Do in Bergen (Top Attractions and Hidden Gems)
1. Take a Walking Tour of Bergen
No matter the city, I always say to start with a walking tour. It’s the best way to get a really good first history of the city, catch your bearings, and get any additional sightseeing or restaurant recommendations from a local guide.
Bergen is no different. The city is almost 1000 years old and you’ll get to walk through how people used to live when Bergen was a major port city. The walking tours typically cover Bryggen, Bergenhus, the fish market, and the harbour.
(More on all of these below.)
💡I highly recommend this walking tour. It has the best reviews out there: Walking Tour of Bergen Past and Present
2. Wander Bryggen (A UNESCO Heritage Site)
Bryggen is arguably the symbolic image of Bergen. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a wharf lining the harbourfront. The row of colorful buildings are made from old wooden houses, and there’s a whole maze of narrow alleyways behind them packed with shops and galleries.
I simply wandered through the alleyways without any tour and loved every minute of it. There is no rush here. Explore the back passages, pop into the galleries, and grab a spot across the harbour for photos with the mountains behind you.
Wandering Bryggen is one of the best free things to do in Bergen.
3. Go for a Sauna and Cold Dip at Heit Bergen Sauna
Scandinavian countries are really known for their sauna culture and Norway fits right into that. Heit Bergen Sauna has wood-fired floating saunas right in the harbour so you get to see boats passing by and have views of the mountains and bay.
They also have ladders into the fjord so you can take a cold dip in the harbour. If you’re looking for things to do in Bergen in winter, a sauna session followed by a cold fjord dip is one of the most Norwegian experiences you can have.
4. The Clarion Collection Hotel Tower (My Biggest Secret Tip)
Right next to Bryggen, there is a fancy hotel with a tall tower overlooking the city. My biggest secret tip for Bergen: walk up to the front desk and ask if you can go up to the top.
They will say yes.
I did that and it ended up being my #1 viewpoint in all of Bergen. Better than atop Mount Floyen even. It is perfectly situated right above the harbour and just tall enough to get a true bird’s eye view of the entire city. I had the whole thing to myself.
Out of my 4 days in Bergen, this was a huge highlight.
👉 You might also like: How to Spend 4 Days in Bergen, Norway: Full Itinerary
5. Go on a Kayaking Tour from Bergen
So we’ve already established Bergen is surrounded by beautiful scenery right? Fjords, little islands, beautiful coast. Well, one of the best ways to enjoy it is by taking a kayaking tour around it all.
You don’t need any experience if you join a guided tour. They run along the coast about 25 minutes outside of the city center, around the Øygarden islets. This tour here also takes care of all transportation logistics, provides drinks, and only does small groups to keep it more personalized.
(There are some other cool ways to check out the fjords from Bergen that you can read about here).
⭐🤩 Check out: the BEST Kayaking Tour Around Bergen’s Mini Islands
6. Check Out Bergen’s Magic Ice Bar
One of the more unusual things to do in Bergen, the “Magic ice bar” sounds gimmicky but is actually really cool. The entire bar is made of ice including the benches, the tables, and even the glasses your drinks come in.
The bar has ice sculptures created by famous Norwegian artists, and the whole place is lit up in pink, blue, and green. The temperature inside sits at about -5 degrees Celsius. You get a warm fur-lined poncho and gloves when you walk in. A great option for an evening after a half-day fjord cruise.
❄️ Check out: tickets to the Magic Ice Bar in Bergen
7. Eat at or Wander the Bergen Fish Market
The fish market has been at the heart of the city’s economy and social scene since the 1200s. It is a long market street lined with stalls selling crab legs, lobster, fish soup, and fresh sandwiches.
It is a spectacle in itself, even if you are just there to look. You can grab a bowl of fish soup or some other homemade food and sit by the water. It’s one of the best lunch stops in the city.
8. Hike Mount Ulriken (or Ride the Cable Car)
Hike Time: 1.5 hours up, 45 minutes down.
# of stairs: 1,300
Cable Car Alternative: Check prices here.
Ulriken is Bergen’s highest mountain at 643 meters, and the views from the top are even wider than from Floyen. The hike up takes about 1.5 hours and involves roughly 1,300 steep stone stairs with exposed views along the way.
There’s a ton of locals walking and even RUNNING up the mountain, so it feels like a fun challenge with comradery to climb the stairs.
If hiking is not your thing, the Ulriken643 cable car gets you to the top in about 5 minutes. I tried to take the cable car down after the Vidden Hike and found it was closed that day. Check the schedule before you go.
Bus 12 from Bergen’s bus station takes you to the trailhead at Montana.
9. Hike Mount Floyen (or Take the Flobanen Funicular)
Mount Floyen is Bergen’s most popular peak and the most accessible from the city center. It’s just a short walk away. The views from the top over the city and the harbour are incredible.
You can hike up in about 45 minutes along a well-marked trail, or take the Flobanen Funicular from the city center in about 8 minutes.
There is a cafe at the top, viewing platforms, a troll forest, and more hiking trails around the forests at the top.
There is also a playgrounds for kids in addition to all the troll statues in the forest, making this one of the most popular things to do in Bergen with kids.
10. Complete the Vidden Hike (Floyen to Ulriken)
Hiking distance: 15 km
Time to complete: About 5 hours with breaks
Difficulty: Easy (Moderate if you aren’t used to distance)
The Vidden Hike is one of the best hikes I did in Norway. It is a 15km ridge walk across open highlands connecting Mount Floyen to Mount Ulriken, and it is what makes Bergen feel completely unlike any other city.
You hike past alpine lakes, over rocky ridges, and you get periodic views of the city far below. For long stretches, you will not see anyone other than sheep. The full hike including both hiking up Mount Floyen and down Ulriken took me about 8 hours total.
Pack water, snacks, layers, and waterproof shoes. Bergen’s weather can shift fast, even in summer.
11. Ride the Mostraumen Fjord Cruise
Mostraumen is Bergen’s most accessible fjord and the fjord cruise I personally did on my trip. It leaves right from Bergen’s harbour near Bryggen and takes you along the coastline past small waterside villages, farm properties on tiny islands, and eventually through narrow fjord channels with towering cliffs on either side.
The tour is 4 hours and the captain slows down at all the best spots for photos. You also get up close to a spectacular waterfall. If you only do one fjord cruise from Bergen, this is the easiest and most convenient option.
🤩 Check out: The Top Fjord Cruise Right From Bergen’s Harbour
12. Get Hot Dogs at Trekroneren
Trekroneren is a Bergen institution. This hot dog stand has been running since 1946 and sits at Kong Oscars gate, about a five-minute walk from Bryggen.
The menu goes well beyond a standard hot dog. You can get reindeer sausage, lamb, and smoked bratwurst, all with toppings like lingonberry sauce and crispy fried onions. It is takeaway only and relatively cheap. Grab one and eat it walking by the harbour.
13. Explore Bergenhus Fortress
Right next door to the Clarion hotel and Bryggen, Bergenhus Fortress is a medieval stone complex dating back to the 13th century. And you can enter the grounds for free!
It is still a functional work site for some military and regular city jobs today, making it feel like a living piece of history. I just wandered in and explored on my own.
If you are into historical relics, the Rosenkrantz Tower (which you can climb), King Hakon’s Hall, and the Bergenhus Museum are all great options. Guided tours are also available and add a lot of context.
14. Visit the Hanseatic Museum
Located inside one of the beautiful old buildings in Bryggen, the Hanseatic Museum covers the history of the Hanseatic League. It was a big merchant group that used Bergen as their main trading hub for centuries.
At one point, Bergen was one of the biggest trading centres in Northern Europe because of them. I found the history really interesting. It would be especially great to visit right after wandering Bryggen.
15. Take a Food Walking Tour to Taste Local Norwegian Food
Norway has some really delicious cuisine that I had ZERO idea about before I went. A food walking tour is one of the best ways to explore the city and check off a cultural food experience at the same time.
The food tours take you around the city for about 3 hours. You’ll get to try Norwegian dishes like fish cakes, brown cheese on a cinnamon roll, dried cod, and traditional soup, and the tour below ends in a historic pub cellar to try Norwegian craft beer.
This one has a great rating, and only does small group of up to 12 people. Good for things to do in Bergen with kids too since the guides keep it fun and accessible.
🤩 Check out: Bergen’s Best Food Walking Tour to Sample Norwegian Cuisine
16. Visit The Old Bergen Museum
The Old Bergen Museum, aka Gamle, is an open-air museum with more than 40 old wooden houses, traditional shops, and a bakery that shows you what life in Bergen looked like in centuries past.
In summer, they have live actors immersing you in the experience, which makes it feel completely different from a standard museum visit. It’s a bit outside of the city center but worth a trip to learn about Bergen’s culture over the years.
17. Wander the Nordnes Neighbourhood
The Nordnes neighbourhood is only about a 5-10 minute walk from the city center, but it feels like a quaint little part of Bergen. It is one of the older, more traditional parts of the city, with tiers of colorful wooden houses lining the hillside on a small peninsula.
I really enjoyed just wandering through here without any agenda. It is a quiet neighbourhood, great for taking pictures of the rows of beautiful old houses and getting a feel for what everyday Bergen life looks like.
18. Hike Lovstakken
Lovstakken is another of Bergen’s seven mountains. It has a shorter hike and is a lot less known than Floyen and Ulriken, but packs just as good of a view over Bergen’s town centre.
The trail climbs up a series of zigzags to reach a summit 468 metres high. The hike is about 2km in length and takes about 1.5 hours.
If you are in Bergen for a short amount of time, this one might be fine to skip if you do Floyen. Or if you really don’t like crowds, then do this one instead of Mount Floyen.
19. Take a Dip in the Historic Seawater Pool
In the Nordnes Neighbourhood there is a historic seawater pool called Nordnes Sjobad. It’s right by the sea with views over the fjord.
They have a sauna on-site so you can alternate between the pool and the heat. Some locals even use it in the winter, making it into a cold dip between sauna rounds. It is a solid option for things to do in Bergen in December when you want something local and authentic. The whole experience is very Bergen, very local.
20. People-Watch at Lille Lungegardsvann
Lille Lungegardsvann is one of the biggest parks in Bergen and one of the most beautiful. I used to walk through it on my way to and from the city center from the main bus station, and it never got old.
The park has a massive pond with a fountain in the center, beautiful pedestrian walkways, and plenty of benches to sit and take it all in. On a sunny day it is absolutely gorgeous. There are sometimes musicians and street vendors set up in the park. It is a great spot to take a break from sightseeing and just feel like you are living in the city for a bit rather than passing through it.
21. Visit the KODE Art Museum
Bergen’s KODE is one of the largest art museum complexes in Scandinavia, spread across four separate buildings. It includes works by Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, and a strong collection of Norwegian design and applied art.
If you are a museum person, KODE is worth several hours of your time. It is also included with the Bergen Card if you have one.
22. Walk the Lovstien Trail
Lovstien is Bergen’s newest hike and one of the most accessible trails in the city. It is a 6.4km trail that winds along the base of Mount Lovstakken.
It has amazing views over Bergen and its surrounding fjords. It has a long pedestrian bridge, some play areas along the way if you’re with your family, and is made of a wide gravel path. It takes about 2 hours one way and is a lot more relaxed than the summit hikes I’ve recommended so far.
23. Stroll Through Torgallmenningen Pedestrian Square
Torgallmenningen is Bergen’s main pedestrian square, right in the city center. It is a wide open space with statues in the middle, shops lining the sides, and a steady stream of people passing through at all times.
I really felt the local vibe walking through this square on a sunny day more than anywhere else. Locals walking to work or on a lunch break, shopping, etc.
You do not need a lot of time here unless you want to do some shopping, but it is worth strolling through to get a feel for the lively, everyday side of Bergen.
24. Troldhaugen and the Edvard Grieg Museum
Troldhaugen is the former home of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg. The villa sits on a beautiful lake just outside the city and is now a museum dedicated to his life and music.
If you are a music or culture fan, this is worth the short trip outside the city center. The grounds alone are stunning, and in summer they host regular concerts in the on-site concert hall.
25. Get Coffee and Pastries from Fjak at Kode
Fjak is one of Norway’s best chocolate makers and their cafe is right inside the KODE 2 museum building in the city center. It makes for a natural stop if you are already spending time at KODE, but it is worth visiting on its own too.
The menu is based around their signature dark hot chocolate, rich chocolate pastries, and waffles with ice cream. They also run chocolate tasting workshops, which are super fun. A really nice spot for a coffee and sugar break in between sightseeing.
26. Fantoft Stave Church
Fantoft Stave Church is a 12th-century wooden church originally built around 1150, and one of Norway’s finest examples of medieval wooden church architecture. It is only a short drive from the city center.
It is included with the Bergen Card and makes for a great stop if you are heading out toward Mount Ulriken or leaving Bergen. The structure is completely unlike anything else in the city and worth a quick visit.
27. Visit the 7 Fjell Tap Room
7 Fjell Bryggeri is Bergen’s most well-known craft brewery, named after the seven mountains that ring the city. Their tap room is inside the brewery a short 15 minutes outside of the city centre, and it is a really cool space to have a beer surrounded by the actual brewing equipment.
There are two things to know. First, the tap room requires advance booking and does not accept walk-ins.
Second, on the last Friday of every month they open the brewery to the public with guided tours, local guest chef food, and both bars running the full tap lineup. If you happen to be in Bergen on one of those Fridays, plan around it.
28. Visit the Bergen Aquarium
The Bergen Aquarium sits at the tip of the Nordnes peninsula and is one of the best aquariums in Scandinavia. It is home to penguins, seals, crocodiles, sea wolves, tropical fish, and a whole section dedicated to Norway’s own sea creatures.
The penguin feeding shows are supposed to be really cute, especially if you are going with kids. It is open 361 days a year and a solid option for a rainy afternoon (which does happen often in Bergen).
29. Learn the City’s History at the Bergen Maritime Museum
Bergen has one of the most significant maritime histories of any city in Norway, and the Maritime Museum tells that story clearly and well. The collection covers the city’s fishing heritage, historic trading ships, the merchant navy, and Norwegian coastal culture.
It is a quiet, uncrowded museum. A good choice if you have extra time after the Hanseatic Museum and want more context on how Bergen’s identity as a port city shaped the rest of the country.
30. Hike Damsgardsfjellet
Damsgardsfjellet is one of Bergen’s most underrated hikes. The summit sits at 317 meters and the main trail from Melkeplassen takes about 1.5 hours return. You climb through dense forest with some exposed rock scrambling near the top, and the views from the summit stretch across Bergen’s city valley and out toward the fjords.
If you want to extend it, you can combine it with Olsokfjellet in a 4.4km loop that takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. It also connects directly to the Lovstien trail, which makes it easy to pair with another route.
I didn’t get to hike this one myself but when I go back it’s on the top of my list!
Excursions to Take From Bergen
31. Sognefjord / Nærøyfjorden Boat Tour
Sognefjord is Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. It’s one of two fjords that sandwich the city of Bergen. It is known as the King of the Fjords.
Naeroyfjord is a UNESCO-listed arm of Sognefjord. It’s considered the most famous portion of it and is world renowned. At its narrowest point, the fjord is only 250 metres wide, with mountains rising straight out of the water on both sides.
The best way to experience it is on a guided day tour that combines a Sognefjord cruise with a ride on the Flam Railway. You pass by coastal villages, cascading waterfalls, and emerald water with cliffs rising straight out of it on all sides.
A full-day experience and one of the most spectacular things you can do from Bergen.
⭐ I highly recommend this tour that combines Sognefjord with the Flam Railway AND Gudvangen (these two are also things I recommend below). The specific part of the Sognefjord fjord you get to cruise through is called Nærøyfjorden, which is the most famous portion of the larger fjord known for its insanely cool landscapes.
32. Hardangerfjord Tour
Hardangerfjord is Norway’s second longest fjord and the second of the two fjords Bergen sits between. It’s best known for its colourful villages along the shore and the iconic Voringsfossen waterfall, which drops over 180 metres into the valley below.
If you want a fast and thrilling experience, the Hardangerfjord RIB safari zips you through the fjord at high speed and stops in the roadless village of Botnen. If you prefer a more leisurely option, the private scenic cruise includes pickup from Bergen and visits to the most spectacular viewpoints.
⭐ This day tour is considered the best cruise through Hardangerfjord. It starts in Bergen, cruises through the fjords to a town called Rosendal which is right at the mouth of Hardangerfjord. You then get free time to wander around this town which is surrounded by mountains.
33. Gudvangen and the Viking Village
Gudvangen is a small town set deep inside a narrow section of Naeroyfjord, surrounded by glaciers and dramatic mountain peaks. It is the starting or ending point for most Naeroyfjord cruises, so you will likely pass through it on a day trip anyway.
If you arrive with time to spare, the Viking village in Gudvangen is a really fun stop. They have Viking reenactments, archery and axe throwing, and you can sample traditional food.
If you drive there on your own, you can also rent a kayak on the fjord. Doing that puts you right in the middle of one of the most beautiful landscapes in Norway.
34. Ride the Flam Railway
The Flam Railway is one of Norway’s most beautiful train journeys. The 20km route travels from the town of Flam through mountains via 20 tunnels, 18 of them carved entirely by hand, along some of the steepest standard-gauge railway tracks in the world.
The vintage-style train cars have wide windows built for exactly this scenery. The train stops at Kjosfossen waterfall where you can step outside for a few minutes before continuing to Myrdal Station. The whole journey takes about an hour and lives up to every bit of the hype.
Tip: The Flam Railway is best combined with a Naeroyfjord or Sognefjord boat cruise as part of the Norway in a Nutshell day trip from Bergen.
🤩 Here’s the private-jet looking aerial flight, or check out the helicopter flight
35. Boyabreen Glacier Boat Tour
If you want to add something truly different to your Bergen itinerary, the Boyabreen Glacier boat tour is one of the most unique full-day experiences you can do from the city.
The tour takes you through stunning fjords, stops in the charming village of Vik, visits the medieval Hopperstad Stave Church, and brings you face to face with the Boyabreen glacier on the Fjaerlandsfjord.
You also get a stop at the Tvindefossen waterfall on the way back. It is a long day but an absolutely spectacular one.
👉 Check out the best tour option to see Boyabreen Glacier from Bergen
36. Hike to Bondhus Glacier Lake in Folgefonna National Park
Another unique full-day tour you can do from Bergen. The bus picks you up in the city, takes you through the Osterfjord region with two scenic ferry crossings, stops in the charming village of Rosendal for a local Norwegian lunch, and then drops you at Folgefonna National Park for a self-paced hike to the Bondhus glacier lake.
The hike to the lake is easy. The guide is a local who shares the culture and history of the region throughout the day, and the day ends with a stop at the stunning Steinsdalsfossen waterfall on the way back.
If you’re looking to fit a lot of adventure into your Bergen trip, this gets A LOT done in a single day.
👉Check out the best hiking tour to see Bondhus Glacier Lake
FAQs About What to Do in Toronto
How many do you need in Bergen?
I recommend a solid 3 or 4 days in Bergen. That gives you one day for city sightseeing, one day for hiking, one day for a fjord cruise, and one day for a longer day trip like to Sognefjord and the Flam Railway. Anything less and you will feel rushed or miss out on the best parts.
Is Bergen expensive?
Yeah Bergen is more expensive than your average European country, but it depends what you plan to do. The more tours you book and rental cars you take the more expensive. But I also did Bergen pretty affordably by only taking one fjord cruise, staying outside the city centre, and taking public transport. I found it pretty comparable to what I pay to live in Canada (which would be similar to the US too). The Bergen Card is worth looking into if you plan to visit multiple museums and use public transport frequently.
What are the best free things to do in Bergen?
There are more free things to do in Bergen than you might expect. Wandering Bryggen, exploring Bergenhus Fortress, strolling through Nordnes, and hiking Mount Floyen without the funicular are all completely free.
Your Next Steps to Planning Your Visit to Bergen
Ready to build your Bergen visit? I have a 4 day Bergen itinerary you can check out or a 7 Day Norway Itinerary that covers Bergen and Stavanger.
If Stavanger is on your radar too, don’t miss my 4 Days in Stavanger itinerary for more on that city.
And my most popular article on Norway is worth a read so you know what to expect while you’re there: Do’s and Don’ts of Norway.
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