Rounding up the entire wonderful things to do in Bergen, Norway.
I will always remember driving into the city middle of Bergen, Norway for the primary time.
Colourful buildings, old-world structure and the mountainous backdrop all contributed equally to that tingling of wanderlust that nipped at my consciousness.
I had by no means heard of this city earlier than and little did I do know that it will grow to be considered one of my favorite cities in Scandinavia.
Things to do in Bergen Norway
Staying on The Clarion Resort wharf we had an ideal view of the colourful wood homes of Bryggen, the outdated city that’s now protected and designated a Unesco World Heritage Website.
We had been strolling distance from in all places in Bergen.
Our time right here was stuffed with so many memorable moments and we commented on how we might spend a lot extra time on this pleasant Norwegian city.
However we did handle to see rather a lot in a short while and listed below are our favourite moments from our first few days in Scandinavia.
If there may be one place it is best to go to in Norway, Bergen is our choose. And this is why!
For outside lovers, Bergen has all of it. It is a metropolis surrounded by seven mountains.
It is a ceremony of passage for residents to hike all seven summits in at some point, however guests can summit two mountains with ease.
1. Urliken Cable Automobile
The Clarion Resort had gorgeous views of Bergen, Norway
It was a sunny day once we arrived and because it was late within the season, we made a degree of profiting from the great climate.
We had heard that sundown up Ulriken Mountain was the very best place to see the town, so we made our approach to the cable automobile for unimaginable panoramic views of Bergen.
You may take a neighborhood bus, however with restricted time, we caught the vacationer bus to the mountain. It is sooner however dearer.
Everybody speaks good English in Norway, so it was simple to ask the motive force for data.
He confirmed us the place to buy tickets on the kiosk as soon as we arrived on the base of the mountain.
After we acquired to the highest, we had been amazed on the variety of locals that had hiked up themselves.
Subsequent time we are going to make the most of the climbing trails on Mount Urliken.
I am not going to lie, I felt somewhat lazy seeing all the attractive folks climbing up the trail after which doing pull-ups and handstands on the outside jungle gyms.
Everybody was so lively and wholesome.
If we had gotten up there earlier, we might have positively taken benefit of the limitless climbing trails.
We had been instructed that we might hike all the way in which to the funicular nearer to the town in a number of brief hours.
Our tour ended right here although and we settled in for the night on the good spot to look at the sundown over the town.
See it on Google Maps
Methods to Get there: Catch the vacationer bus from the middle of Bergen.
It’s also possible to hike to the highest from Bergen or take the native bus.
Ziplining and Paragliding from Urlikan
Paragliders on Mount Urliken in Bergen, Norway
If in case you have time and are on the lookout for one thing thrilling to do, there’s a zipline takes you over the mountain vista.
And paragliders had been hovering overhead for sundown.
As the ultimate zipliners completed their rides and the final of the paragliders soared overhead, we took within the splendid view, feeling grateful to start our journey in spectacular style.
**Observe: Norway will not be low cost and principally a bus and cable automobile ticket prices about $32 USD pp**
2. Fløibanen Funicular to Fløyen
Views from the funicular in Bergen, Norway
In case you are solely in Bergen for a short while, an excellent various to the cable automobile at Ulriken is a visit up the funicular.
The bottom of the funicular is positioned proper downtown and you can be on the prime of the mountain in twelve minutes.
This affords one other stunning view of the town and right here there are additionally climbing trails to take you to one of many different seven mountains.
It is a beautiful afternoon sitting on the prime, wanting over the Norwegian Sea and sipping a espresso on the outside patio.
Do not forget the resident mountain goats.
Be sure you stroll alongside the trail or to the underside of the terraced steps to take pleasure in watching minimize mountain goats scampering and munching on grass and leaves.
Get instructions on Google Maps
Go to the web site for costs and hours.
3. KODE
The doorway to the museum
Bergen has a superb museum district. What makes it distinctive is it not solely homes artwork, however it is usually a group of composers houses.
KODE is considered one of Scandinavia’s largest museums for artwork, design, and music.
There are 4 completely different museums displaying all the things from trendy artwork to furnishings, music and humanities and crafts.
KODE is positioned proper within the metropolis middle and is a should to go to.
Merely shopping the exteriors is fascinating sufficient however positively be certain to go inside to see the masterpieces from the likes of Dahl, Astrup and Munch.
Get instructions to KODE on Google maps
Go to the web site for hours and data
4. Edvard Munch
One of many work
We had been in Bergen to see Edvard Munch.
If museums are your factor, then maintain onto your hat since you simply hit the jackpot.
Bergen Kode quantity three has one of many largest and most necessary Munch collections on the planet.
If you do not know him, Munch is known for his portray “The Scream”. There are 4 variations of The Scream world wide.
The Scream by Edvard Munch in Bergen, Norway
Three are positioned in Norway, whereas one is owned by a non-public collector.
Bergen has his pen and ink model which could be very distinctive to see.
Get instructions to KODE three on Google Maps
Go to the web site for hours and costs.
5. Bryggen
Alleys in Bryggen
There isn’t any approach to go to Bergen with out exploring the World Heritage city of Bryggen.
We had been fortunate to have the ability to tour Bryggen with our Go Forward Excursions Information Derek who instructed us all in regards to the Hanseatic wharf.
Whereas the buildings are stunning to have a look at, the historical past is much more fascinating.
The wharf is open to the general public and may be entered without cost.
6. Hanseatic Museum
The Hanseatic Museum in Bergen, Norway
We began on the Hanseatic Museum the place we discovered in regards to the Hanseatic tradition.
The Hanseatic League ran Bryggen within the Center Ages.
It was a thriving service provider society and the city turned an necessary buying and selling middle.
Pots from the 1700s
The buildings of Bryggen have seen many fires because it’s institution in 1070, however a lot of the outdated city has survived because the 1700s.
It is an attractive stroll by means of the slim streets taking you immediately again in time to the second you stepped foot on within the outdated wharf.
Get instructions on Google Maps
For an indepth tour of the Hansiatic Historical past guide a strolling tour with Get Your Information. Free cancellation with 24 hours and final minute bookings!
7. Edvard Grieg Museum
Lounge desk
After spending two days in Bergen on our personal, we joined our tour group for a visit to Troldhaugen the place the well-known composer Edvard Grieg spent his days writing music.
I have to confess that my information of composers would not prolong a lot past Bach and Beethoven.
However I used to be curious when our information Derek instructed us Grieg was Norway’s most well-known composer and wished to be taught extra.
The views from the home of Edvard Grieg are spectacular
This countryside setting was his home and property the place he wrote and composed his music.
The tour takes you thru his dwelling and likewise outdoors to his sanctuary the place all of the magic occurred.
Edvard Grieg was extra well-known than Strauss
Hut the place Greig did his composing.
To present you an thought of how fashionable he was in his day, he was supplied $20,000 USD to carry out in America.
He had horrible seasickness, so he turned it down they usually changed him with Strauss who was solely paid $6,000.
If you need to take heed to some Grieg you’ll be able to take a look at a few of his music right here.
Test location on Google Maps.
You may take public transportation out to Troldhaugen however the Bergen Metropolis Card affords free transportation and entrance to museums in Bergen. You should buy 24, 48 or 72 hour passes. Extra particulars right here. (free cancellation as much as 24 hours discover)
8. Previous Bergen Museum
Positioned only a few km outdoors of city the Previous Bergen Museum is a group of 40 wood homes from the 18th and 19th century.
It’s Europes largest wood metropolis.
Step again in time as actors wearing historic costumes reenact what life was like.
There’s additionally a stunning park to go for a stroll.
Discover it on Google Maps
Get the Bergen Metropolis Card for transporation and entrance to the Previous Bergen Museum.
9. Discover the Fish Market
The fish market
Norwegian tradition was constructed on fishing. In case you do not embrace the fish tradition, you will be lacking quite a lot of what makes Norway tick.
The Bergen fish market dates again to the 1200s the place retailers nonetheless promote their recent catch of the day as they’ve for hundreds of years.
The market strains the waterfront and is value strolling by means of to take a look at the dried cod hanging from the florescent lights.
The fish market is a good possibility for dinner. Seize a spot on the patio and select your recent catch of the day. I most popular the bucket of muscle tissue.
We’ll be including Bergen to our record of Europe’s Most Lovely Cities
Discover it on Google Maps
Take a extra in depth tour of Bergen on a strolling tour.
10. Bergenhus Fortress
The gorgeous metropolis of Bergen, Norway
Positioned on the waterfront, the Bergenhus Fortress is a historic fort.
Relationship again to 1240, it is likely one of the best-preserved stone forts within the nation.
There are rotating displays contained in the fortress and it’s free to enter.
11. Rosenkrantz Tower
One of many extra fashionable sights contained in the fortress is Rosenkrantz Tower.
It was constructed by Erik Rosenkrantz, the governor of Bergen Fortress on the time.
Excursions of the tower supply glorious views of the harbour and run each day on the hour taking you up the tower and to Haakon’s Corridor.
We talked about KODE above when speaking about Edvard Munch, however
Take a self-guided audio strolling tour to discover the Bergen Fortress and the historic buildings and harbour of Bergen with this mp3 information.
Obtain and get Particulars right here
Day Journeys from Bergen
12. Fjord Tour
The gorgeous views of the Fjords of Norway
Bergen is the jumping-off level for visiting Norway’s most well-known fjords.
It is from right here which you could take “Norway in a Nutshell” tour and be again in Bergen in time for supper.
Norway in a Nutshell was included in our Go Forward Tour the place we caught a practice to Voss.
We then hopped on a bus that took us by means of the scenic mountains en-route to Gudvangen for our journey by means of the UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord.
It was right here that we hopped on a ferry and took within the magnificent fjords towering 1800 meters above the ocean.
Taking within the towering gorges moist with the mist of the morning. Waving to native Norwegians that go about their each day routines within the small villages that dot this spectacular panorama.
That is what Norway is all about. I might have cruised for days amongst these giants, however one other journey awaited on our practice trip again to Bergen.
You may guide Fjord excursions from downtown Bergen or you’ll be able to guide upfront from GetYourGuide.
This 11 personal tour takes you to the identical route that we did.
Particulars right here.
13. Flåm Railway
Overlooking the city
Our journey dwelling ended alongside the Flåm Railway, the steepest railway on the planet the place we had been handled to stunning views of the mountains.
It’s thought-about probably the most stunning rail journeys on the planet.
14. Fantoft Stave Church
Decorative Stave Church buildings may be discovered all through Norway and the Fantoft Stave Church is likely one of the most well-known.
Positioned simply outdoors of Bergen it dates again to 1150. It was a sufferer of arson in 1992 and rebuilt, however it’s a superb show of this architectural type.
Discover it on Google Maps right here.
Your Bergen Metropolis Card provides you with entry to the Fantoft Stave Church and entry to transit to get there. Particulars right here.
The place to Keep in Bergen
The Clarion Resort had gorgeous views of Bergen, Norway
The Clarion Resort was a superb location in Bergen.
With a central location, it was additionally a spot with trendy rooms, nice eating, and a very good bar overlooking the port.
This was our base for exploring Bergen and discover the town we did!
Take a look at costs on TripAdvisor or Reserving.com
Go to Bergen
With only some days to discover this stunning city, I’m positive that we solely scratched the floor of what Bergen has to supply.
However that is likely one of the causes that we selected to go along with GoAhead Excursions.
It’s a good way to find a number of gems and go away the others to be uncovered once we return.
If there may be one factor I can assure, it’s that we’ll be again in Bergen once more.
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The Better of Bergen
This put up is in partnership with Go Forward Excursions who sponsored our journey to Scandinavia. As standard, all our opinions are our personal. With greater than 150 guided excursions throughout all 7 continents, Go Forward Excursions has devoted journey websites for each U.S. and Canadian vacationers.
