Things to do in Bergen: 7 sights you shouldn't miss

Things to do in Bergen: 7 sights you shouldn't miss

We take a look at the best things to do in Bergen, Norway – an excellent mix of nature, culture and exciting city life

Seven fjords, seven hills and an old fishing port make Bergen, Norway, the perfect weekend getaway destination.

Bergen may be one of the rainiest cities in Europe, but it is also a vibrant cultural center with excellent access to the western fjords. The city offers an excellent mix of nature and culture and despite the humidity we loved it. Here's what we suggest for a long weekend.

1. Bruges

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bryggen should be your first stop. The bright and beautifully preserved wooden houses are located on the eastern shore of Vågen harbor (bryggen translates as “quay”).

58 buildings make up Bergen's oldest district, including boutique cafes, craft shops and galleries. While there, visit the Norwegian Fisheries Museum, housed in authentic quayside warehouses as old as Bryggen.

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Further information: www.visitbergen.com

2. Mount Floyen and the funicular (Floibanen)

A morning hike on the Floyen seems to be something of a weekend tradition among Bergen locals. We suggest you do what we did and join them! The hike to the top of Floyen takes about an hour, where you can reward yourself with a hot drink and enjoy the beautiful views before taking the funicular down to the city center.

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Further information: floyen.no

3. Cruise on the Hardangerfjord and drive to Rosendal

The small and picturesque village of Rosendal is a two-hour boat ride from Bergen and overlooks the Hardangerfjord, the “Queen of the Norwegian Fjords”. Rosendal is a great hiking area with many hiking trails leading from the village in all directions.

We walked a few short distances before relaxing with a hot chocolate and a slice of cake in one of the delightful cafes. (The kind of hiking Kia loves!)

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Further information: www.visitbergen.com

4. Flemish Railway

If you have the time (and money), “the most beautiful train ride in the world” is worth both. This is not just an exaggeration of the tour company; National Geographic named the Flam Railway one of the 10 best train routes in Europe.

Known as “Norway in a Nutshell,” the route passes through spectacular scenery, including dizzying mountain slopes, foaming waterfalls and endless fjords, as it winds along clifftop paths and 20 tunnels.

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Further information: www.visitflam.com

5. Leprosy Museum (St. George’s Hospital)

Perhaps it's an unusual choice for a museum, but Bergen once had the largest concentration of leprosy patients in Europe. Between 1850 and 1900 there were three hospitals for leprosy patients in Bergen, the last of which died in 1946 after a stay of more than 50 years.

The 500-year-old St. George's Hospital is now an excellent museum and memorial to the disease and its treatment, which was developed in Bergen by the Norwegian doctor Gerhard Armauer Hansen.

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(Image: ThartmannWiki, CC BY 2.5)

Further information: bymuseet.no

6. Rosary Tower and Håkonshallen (King Håkon's Hall)

Right next to Bryggen is the Renaissance Rosenkrantz Tower and Håkonshallen. The tower and great hall were part of the residence of King Eirik Magnusson, the last Norwegian king, who was based in Bergen until he died in 1299.

The narrow and gloomy stairs open to the roof, from where there are impressive views over the city, the harbor and the fortress. Håkonshallen exudes medieval splendor and is still used for royal dinners and other official occasions.

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Further information: bymuseet.no

7. Bergen Cathedral

St. Olav's Church (named after Olav the Saint, Norway's patron saint) is over 900 years old and features stone carvings carved by the same craftsman who decorated the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey in London.

The similarities are clear to see. In the summer months from June to August, free organ concerts also take place on Sundays and Thursdays.

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Further information: www.visitbergen.com

Things to do in Bergen: the essentials

What: Things to do in Bergen on a weekend trip to Norway.

Where: We stayed with an Airbnb host in a quiet area above the city. The area had excellent access to Mount Floyen and surrounding hiking trails, but it was a 30 minute walk from the town center.

If you prefer a more central location, there are a number of hotels in the city. Book via Booking.com for the best prices.

We recommend a meal at Pingvinen, a traditional pub that serves excellent ales and filling home-cooked dishes such as meatballs and fish cakes.

When: Like most European cities, Bergen can be visited all year round. However, for the best weather, spring and summer (May to August) are the best times to visit. The weather in Norway is as bad as that in the UK, so you can expect cold and wet days under dark skies out of season.

Please note that during the winter months some tours and ferries do not operate and museum and attraction hours may be limited. Some mountain paths are also not accessible in winter.

How: Although most of the city is walkable, the easiest and cheapest way to see the sights is to use a Bergen Card. The card includes bus travel and entry to most museums and attractions and can be purchased in advance here. The card is available in three denominations.

24 hours: 240 NOK (28 USD) 48 hours: 310 NOK (36 USD) 72 hours: 380 NOK (44 USD)

We flew directly from London to Bergen Flesland Airport with a low-cost airline. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

The Flybussen airport bus picks up all arriving flights and waits in front of the arrivals hall. The journey to the city center takes about 30 minutes and costs 100 NOK (12 USD) one way and 170 NOK (20 USD) round trip. Details of the timetables can be viewed here.

You can book tickets in advance via the Flybussen website and save 15 NOK (2 USD).

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For more things to do in Norway, check out the Lonely Planet Guide to Norway.

Additional photography: Dreamstime

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