Last year, I spent a few days in October in the beautiful city of Bergen in Norway, following a trip to Oslo a few years ago.
Arriving in Bergen
Tram: The Bergen Light Rail goes from Bergen Airport direct into the city in about 45 minutes. I found it to be extremely convenient and regular frequency. As of 2024, it costs 44 Kroner (£3.20, €3.75, $4.20 – as of August 2024) for an Adult ticket, however, it can also be combined with passes and the Bergen Card (more about this later!).
Bus: If buses are more your thing, Flybussen (flybussen.no) offers regular bus services to Bergen and other local destinations from outside the terminal.
Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals hall at Bergen Flesland Airport. I tend not to take taxis in Norway, as they can be much more expensive than the buses and trams.
Rental cars are also widely available in Bergen, but tend to be more expensive. If you are staying in or near the city, you can rely on local public transport.
Things to do in Bergen
The city of Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage City and Bryggen is a World Heritage Site. Easily found in the heart of the city centre, the buildings form the oldest part of the city and have a lot of history to discover amongst them. The Bryggen Museum is well worth a visit to see the history over the years, including the many fires that have taken place. It is a nice place to enjoy the views of the Harbour and the old Hanseatic buildings. There are plenty of local traditional shops, Norwegian souvenir shops and even an all-year Christmas shop to enjoy! When in Bergen, it is well worth taking some time just to walk around the streets of Bryggen and the harbour area – you won’t be disappointed!
Bryggen, 5003 Bergen
The Fisheries Museum is a short bus ride outside of Bergen and provides a fascinating insight into an industry that supports so many people along the Norwegian coast. The museum is located in an old has several rooms on different topics, including the equipment used by fisherman in Norway and some local traditions. The museum can also be combined with nearby museum Storeblå as part of your ticket.
Fisheries Museum – Sjøgaten 23, 5035 Bergen – https://fiskerimuseum.museumvest.no – free with a Bergen Card
There are two ways to see the city from above in Bergen: the Fløibanen and the Ulriken Cable Car. I chose to do both during my time in the city and it is definitely worth it!
The Ulriken cable car is located slightly outside of Bergen city centre but is easily accessible by all means of transport. The lower station is a short uphill walk from the tram stop. At the top, 643 metres above sea level, you can find a cafe and restaurant. I enjoyed a coffee and a cinnamon bun (known locally as a Skillingsbolle) to sit and take in the stunning views! Many locals also choose to walk up the Ulriken rather than take the cable car – there was a steady flow of people going up the pathways on the side of the mountain.
Ulriken – Strandkaien 3, 5012 Bergen – fares at ulriken643.no – discounts available with a Bergen Card.
The Fløibanen leaves from the heart of the city centre up to the top of Mount Floyen. The glass-topped funicular train provides a spectacular view as you head up the side of the mountain to the visitor centre. At the top, you can find a shop, visitor centre, food and drink outlets, unrivalled views and even some mountain goats if you’re lucky!
Fløibanen – Vetrlidsallmenningen 23A, 5014 Bergen – fares at floyen.no – discounts available with a Bergen Card.
Even as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of fish, going to see the Fish Market is certainly an experience not to miss in Bergen! The open counters and very strong smell can provide an all round immersive experience by the harbour. The Fish Market is also located next to the Tourist Information Centre, which means it can be a good starting point for any trip to the city.
Fish Market – Torget, 5014 Bergen
Tourist Information Centre – Strandkaien 3, 5012 Bergen
The Bergen Maritime Museum offers a full history of Bergen’s maritime industry and its history. The museum holds a large collection of detailed maritime models, maps and other documents. A short walk from the city centre, the museum provides history all the way from the Vikings to the present day.
Maritime Museum – Haakon Sheteligs plass 15, 5007 Bergen – https://sjofartsmuseum.museumvest.no – free with a Bergen Card
The one thing I’d wish I’d done in Bergen:
A Fjord Cruise! Cruises to local fjords are very popular with tourists to Bergen and western Norway for their stunning views and landscapes. I wish I went on one and will correct my mistake the next time I go to this part of Norway!
Places to eat
Trekroneren is a popular local hot dog stall, both among Norwegians and tourists. Open most hours of the day and well into the early hours of the morning, the stall has a wide offering (including Reindeer) to appeal to everyone. I would highly recommend the stall for a quick lunch in Bryggen.
If you are looking for an Italian restaurant, I can recommend Porto13 on the harbour. The restaurant provides an all round experience with good food and service. The prices will no surprise to anyone who has visited Norway before, but it’s always nice to go out for one sit down evening meal on a 3 day trip!
Espresso House is a popular coffee shop chain across Scandinavia and a few branches can be found in Bergen. I always find them to be reliable with reasonable priced (as Scandinavia goes) food and drink for a quick lunch.
Near to Bryggen, Bergen offers a unique looking branch of McDonalds, as pictured below. I sometimes like to pop in to a new country’s McDonalds to try the unique items on the menu.
My favourite local treat in Norway is always the Kvikk Lunsj – it’s something I always buy on a Norwegian trip! It’s similar to a Kitkat but for some reason tastes better (even as a Kitkat fan too!).
The local beer in Bergen is Hansa (pictured below) from the Hansa Bryggeri.
Where to stay in Bergen
I chose to stay at the Moxy Bergen on Solheimsgaten next to Florida tram stop, providing a convenient link to Bergen City Centre and the Airport.
I like the Moxy chain as it provides the luxury of a Marriott hotel, whilst also angled towards a younger audience. The breakfast has a good selection with a nice restaurant and bar area looking out over the sea. The room was comfortable and had just the right range of amenities that you need for a few days.
The hotel offers a nice balance between the more private aspects of a hotel and the more sociable side of a hostel, with a reasonable price tag given the location.
Other hotels I considered in Bergen included:
Citybox Bergen City and Citybox Bergen Danmarksplass
Scandic Byparken
The budget and the Bergen Card!
As of 2024, flights from London to Bergen are available on Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines. Flights are also available from most major European cities, either direct or via Oslo.
I chose to fly with Norwegian at a cost of £130 (€154, $172 – as of August 2024). A good tip for travelling with either airline – for Norwegian, if you’re under 26, use ‘UNDER26’ in the promo code to find the occasional discount. SAS also offer youth fares.
I paid £300 for the hotel with breakfast. Whilst this is more expensive than I’d normally go for, Norwegian prices are generally higher than most of Europe and getting a hotel breakfast can be a way to save money in the longer run.
I would recommend getting the Bergen Card (https://en.visitbergen.com/bergen-card) for getting into museums and using the trams across Bergen. The prices change from year to year, so view the link above for the current prices. You can keep the card virtually and offline on your phone, which can be very useful if you don’t have mobile roaming.
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