Best Of Bergen | Gems, Highlights, & Day Trips

Bergen is steeped in charm, natural beauty, and rich history, making it the perfect place to stay for a few days on a trip to Norway. It’s known as both the “City of Seven Mountains”, with hiking trails and pretty viewpoints, and the “Gateway to the Fjords”, a starting point for many day trips and journeys to see their beauty. And despite being Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen is laid back and welcoming, full of colorful old wooden houses on hilly, cobblestone streets, many with views of the sea. It’s also the perfect place to try its seafood, of course, for its world-renowned salmon, but also for its more traditional dishes like fiskesuppe and fiskekaker. Plus, Bergen offers an interesting history, playing a key part in the economic landscape of medieval Europe due to its role in the Hanseatic League. This post covers the best of Bergen; its gems, its highlights, and its best day trips.

Take A Walking Tour in Bergen

One of the best things to do in Bergen is to take a tip-based walking tour. There are many options daily. They cover all the little gems and highlights of Norway, and, often, insights into the culture of one of the world’s happiest countries.

Most tours start at the beautiful Music Pavilion. I chose, twentytour. Our guide was very engaging and shared lots of cultural insights as well as city highlights. It’s a great way to get a quick orientation on Bergen and meet other travelers.

Explore Bryggen

Bryggen is the iconic row of colorful houses on the northeastern side of Vågen harbor. This is the old wharf, the historic center of Bergen. It dates back 1,000 years as a trade center for stockfish. At its peak, it was an important Hanseatic League trading center, a trading empire of the 14th to 16th century, putting Bergen on the map as a key maritime center in Northern Europe.

Bryggen, mostly constructed of wood, has burnt down and been rebuilt multiple times throughout history. Its most significant rebuilding was in the early 18th century, after a major fire. In the 20th century, it was renovated to preserve its historical integrity and is now an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Most people just walk along the colorful boardwalk near the waterfront, but make sure to wander down its many narrow passageways to discover boutique shops and discover its history. While you’re here, also take a few minutes to explore St. Mary’s church nearby, one of Norway’s oldest buildings, and Øvregaten one of Bergen’s first and most bustling streets.

Bryggen Museum & Schøtstuene

The Bryggen Museum is also a great stop in Bryggen. I recommend taking the guided tour offered by the museum. You’ll learn more about the great fires of Bryggen, the rune sticks that were an important part of communication, dating all the way back to Viking times, and you’ll get a tour of the Schøtstuene assembly rooms next door to learn more about the Hanseatic League era here.

Bergenhus Fortress

The Bergenhus Fortress, or Bergenhus Festning, is one of the oldest and best preserved fortresses of Norway. It dates back to the 13th century when it was built as a royal palace, as well as for defense.

The tall tower is Rosenkrantz Tower. There is a small fee to enter. Inside you’ll see the king’s bedroom, the chapel, the guards room, the gunpowder magazines, and the dungeon. You can also go outside at the top for a view of the city.

Håkons Hall, which sits behind Rosenkrantz Tower, also dates to the 13th century. It was built for special events, like the coronation and wedding of King Magnus the Lawmender and Princess Ingeborg, as well as 2 other royal weddings. The beautiful banquette hall, which is still used today, is its highlight.

There’s a small fee to enter Håkons Hall as well, but it is generally discounted if you show your ticket from Rosenkrantz Tower.

The Fish Market

There is both an indoor and an outdoor Fish Market, or Fisketorget in Bergen. The outdoor market sits on Torget Street, on the east side of Vågen harbor. This is where the boats used to come to shore to sell their fish. Today, it’s a series of red tents lining the street with shops and restaurants offering local fresh fish and traditional dishes. This market opens late spring and into the summer.

The indoor Fish Market, or Mathallen, is on Strandkaien Street. It’s just around the corner from the outdoor market, beside the tourist center. It opened in 2012. Mathallen stays open year round.

At both markets, you can select the seafood you want cooked or order off of a menu. You’ll find traditional fish soup, or fiskesuppe, fish cakes, or fiskekaker, salmon, king prawns, crab, whale meat, oysters, sashimi, lobster, and much more.

Both get very busy, especially at lunch time. It is also very expensive.

Søstrene Hagelin

Søstrene Hagelin is a little gem, a great place to try traditional fish dishes at more reasonable prices. And, it’s just a few steps south of the fish market.

It’s named after the Hagelin sisters (søstrene means sisters) after they moved here in the early 1900s to start a shop making fish dishes. Their shop became so popular, King Olav reportedly always ordered his fish cakes from here when he was in Bergen. Today they follow the same recipes and are known for their fiskekaker and fiskesuppe (fish cakes and fish soup).

This little shop is still poplar today, so gets very busy at lunch. Arrive early to get a seat.

Try A Reindeer Hot Dog

Another very popular place for lunch is Trekroneren. Established in 1946, this is the spot to get a gourmet hot dog with fancy toppings. Some say it’s the best hot dog in Norway. And this means a lot from a country that loves hot dogs.

There are 10 different hot dog options. I ordered the very popular reindeer sausage hot dog. It comes standard with spicy mustard and lingonberry sauce, and is topped with little onion crisps. Of course, you can change this if you want, but it was delicious.

This place also gets really busy. Especially when all the walking tours near Bryggen end.

Torgallmenningen

Torgallmenningen is Bergen’s main square. Built as a firebreak after the history of fires, it connects Bryggen with modern Bergen.

On top of being a main meeting place, with many shops and restaurants, there are some interesting things to look for here. These include the Ole Bull Fountain, named after Ole Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist, and Blue Stone, a large sculpture that signifies Norway’s connection with the sea.

Nordnes

After seeing the main highlights of Bergen above, make sure to take time to discover another one of its hidden gems; Nordnes. Nordnes is a charming historic area with colorful old wooden houses, some of which are hundreds of years old.

It’s located on the peninsula south of Vågen harbor, which is the Nordnes Peninsula. The Airbnb that I stayed in was located here. I loved staying here and seeing the charming old architecture.

The historic main street of Nordnes is Strandgaten. This street was once lined with Norwegian merchants. Now it has a variety of boutique shops to explore and some cool cafes.

Nøstet is a small area within Nordnes that is also known for its charm. It’s located in the southeast portion of Nordnes, near the mainland. Nøstet is also the name of a specific historic house that dates back to the 17th century. You can find it at Hansstredet 1.

As you walk Nordnes, you may notice the staggered cobblestones lining the center of the streets, different from the sides. These cobblestones are angled in a way that makes it easier for horses to walk up the steep hills.

My favorite cafe/coffee shop here is Løvetann Cafe & Bistro. They offer good food at reasonable prices, in a friendly atmosphere, with friendly staff. There are also some ethnic restaurants in this area to try, like Enjoy Saigon, Namo Sushi, and the Horn of Africa.

Watch The Sunset At Fløyen

Fløyen is the closest of the seven mountains that surround Bergen. It offers beautiful vistas of the city and is especially popular as a place to watch the sunset. You can hike up or take the Fløibanen (the funicular).

If you choose to hike up, it’s easy, on paved trails from the city center. It takes about an hour. If you prefer the funicular, it runs about every 15 minutes and is a short ride to the top. At the top, there is stadium-like seating, making it perfect to find a spot to enjoy the view of the city below.

There are also a variety of restaurants at the summit. There’s also one that serves ice cream if you just want to enjoy a soft serve while you watch the sun set. There is also a playground and some boutique shops to explore.

There are a variety of hikes up Fløyen, as well as a walk to Lake Skomakerdiket at the summit, where you can also rent a canoe.

Ulriken Panorama

Ulriken is the tallest of Bergen’s seven mountains. It’s also popular for its panoramic view of the mountains and fjords. This one, however, offers 360 degree views. To get to the summit you can hike up a steep staircase, made by Nepalese Sherpas, or take the Ulriksbanen cable car.

At the top, there is a restaurant (it’s best to make reservations during peak season), and a cafe. If you’re looking for adventure, try the Ulriken Zip Line.

To get to the base of Ulriken, it’s about a 15-minute drive. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Ulriken Express bus from the city center.

Hike Løvstakken

Løvstakken is another of the seven mountains that surround Bergen. It also has a hiking trail to the summit. It’s called Løvstakken Trail. This hike takes about 2 hours.

The drive to the start of Løvstakken trail takes about 10-minutes. To take the bus, look for bus number 10 from Olav Kyrres gate E. Exit at Blekenberg.

Although I did not visit Ulriken or Løvstakken, the views at the both look incredible. This will need to be another trip for me.

Day Trip To The Sognefjord

The Sognefjord is the largest and deepest fjord in Norway. It’s known as the “King of the Fjords”. It’s just north of Bergen and stretches about 125 miles (200 km) into the country.

Sognefjord In A Nutshell offers a cruise the Sgonefjord from Bergen, with a stop in Flåm, then trains back to Bergen. This day trip takes about 11 hours (or longer if you build upon it). You can also choose to make this the end of your stay in Bergen by planning an overnight stay in Flåm, or journey all the way to Oslo.

Visit Sognefjord In A Nutshell for full details and booking. This site offers a way to build your own trip to the Sognefjord. Note that you can also book each leg of your journey on your own and save money over the packaged price. You decide if the simplicity of booking everything on one website and having all your tickets in one place is worth the extra cost or not.

Day Trip To The Nærøyfjord

The Nærøyfjord is considered the most beautiful arm of the Sognefjord. It’s so beautiful, it is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage site. This is the world’s narrowest fjord. It runs from the Sognefjord down to Flåm.

To cruise the Nærøyfjord from Bergen, book your trip through Norway In A Nutshell. See the link to explore all the options, which include a series of trains and a bus to get to and from the cruise.

You can choose either a clockwise or counterclockwise journey. The clockwise options starts with a train ride to Voss, then a bus to Gudvangen, where there is a photo stop at Stalheim to see the the Nærøyland valley. In Gudvangen you start your cruise on the Nærøyfjord to Flåm. From there you take the train back to Bergen.

As with the Sognefjord, above, you can either return to Bergen the same day, add an overnight stop at a destination along the way, or make this the start of a journey towards Oslo.

Or, you can book one of the day trips below. Each include a bus trip combined with a ferry ride and stop at the Stegastein, a viewpoint above the fjord.

• Nærøyfjord Cruise, Flåm, & Stegastein – Incl. Lunch
• Nærøyfjorden, Flåm, & Stegastein Guided Bus Tour

I arrived in Bergen from Oslo (going the opposite way) via Norway In A Nutshell. I chose to spend the night in Flåm. It’s a very small town, but with its position at the end of the Nærøyfjord, it’s very picturesque. I stayed in a hotel in a room with a view of the fjord, the Heimly Pensjonat, which included dinner and breakfast and was incredible.

Day Trip To The Hardangerfjord

The Hardangerfjord, known as the “Queen of the Fjords”, is the second longest fjord in Norway. It’s located between Bergen and Odda, and not far from one of the most iconic hikes in Norway, Trolltunga. The Hardangerfjord is known for its lush mountains waterfalls, fruit orchards, and Foglefonna Glacier, the second largest glacier in Norway. Because of its many fruit trees, it’s especially beautiful in the spring when everything is in bloom.

If you drive from Bergen to Odda, maybe if your plan is to hike Trolltunga, you will drive past the Hardangerfjord. As you drive, you will pass Utne, and Lofthus, which are very charming towns. It is also worth it to drive beyond Odda, towards Stavanger, to see some of the waterfalls in the area. See my post The Audacious Beauty of Odda | Waterfalls, Glaciers, and Trails for more details.

If you don’t have a car, you can take a day trip to the Hardangerfjord. Here are some great options.

• For a day trip to the Hardangerfjord from Bergen, I recommend three options. The first, Guided tour: Hardangerfjord, Waterfalls and Ferry Crossing, includes a bus ride to a cruise in the Hardangerfjord and back, with multiple scenic stops, including a walk behind stunning Steindalsfossen. This tour takes about 7.5 hours.
• The second is Scenic Hardanger Fjord and waterfalls – Guided bus tour. This bus tour drives along the Hardangerfjord (although crosses it once via ferry). This 6 hour trip also includes scenic stops, including a walk behind Steinsdalfossen.
• To see some of the top waterfalls near Hardangerfjord, choose Bergen: Hardangerfjord, Voss Gondola & 3 Great Waterfalls. This bus tour stops at 3 waterfalls near the Hardangerfjord; Voringfossen, one of Norway’s most famous waterfalls, Skjervsfossen, which has two cascades, and Steinsdalsfossen.

Journey To Hike Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock is one of the top hikes in Norway, known for its stunning views of the Lysefjord from its unique, flat, pulpit-like rock top. While it is possible to do this as a day trip from Bergen, it would be a very long day.

It’s best to use Bergen as a start of a journey to Stavanger and stay for a few days. From there you can hike Pulpit Rock, Hike Kjerak, and cruise the Lysefjord, which is another beautiful fjord in Norway.

If you really want to hike Pulpit Rock in one day, it’s best to self drive. The drive from Bergen to the trailhead is about 5 hours and requires ferry crossings. These ferries run frequently, so you just queue up when you arrive and drive onto the ferry when it arrives. It sounds intimidating, but it’s seamless when you do it. The hike takes 3-4 hours, depending on your pace, so the full day is 13-14 hours.

If you do not have a car, look for bus rides with either Flixbus, Vybuss, or Kystussen, from the Bergen bus station to the Stavanger bus station. From there, you still need to coordinate a local bus or tour, like Rock, Pulpit Rock Tours and Go Fjords.

Most people chose to stay in Stavanger, which is what I did. It’s a charming port city and a lovely place to stay a night or two.

If you stay in Stavanger, you can either book one of the bus trips above, or, even better, take the Lysefjord ferry/bus combo: Stavanger: Lysefjorden Cruise and Preikestolen Hike. With this, you cruise the Lysefjord first, then take a bus to the Pulpit Rock trailhead and a bus back to Stavanger. See my post Pulpit Rock Hike on Spectacular Preikestolen | Your Complete Guide.

Want To See More of Norway?

Here are a few of my favorite spots in Norway.

• Pulpit Rock Hike on Spectacular Preikestolen | Your Complete Guide
• Top 10 Things To Do In Stavanger | Unforgettable Adventures
• Hiking Trolltunga | Conquering Norway’s Iconic Cliff
• The Audacious Beauty of Odda | Glaciers, Waterfalls, & Trails
• Things To Do In Lofoten | Norway’s Breathtaking Archipelago
• Hiking Reinebringen | Scenic Summit Above The Fjords
• What To Do Around Flam | Scenic Wonders & Little Known Adventures

Safe Travels!

Julie