From world-class dining to cozy coffee shops, ancient sights to hip art museums, Norway’s second city has a lot to offer the curious traveler.
Bergen is packed with interesting sightseeing and is a perfect base from which to explore Norway’s natural wonders on the southwest coast, whether you’re traveling with friends, your other half, or your family with small children. With our best picks for things to see and do in Bergen, you’ll know just what should be on your to-do list when you visit this picture-perfect city.
Take a stroll.
Bergen’s ancient Hanseatic wharf is a postcard-worthy sight. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has some of Bergen’s earliest structures and has been a significant feature of the city for hundreds of years.
In the 12th century, the Hanseatic League built an office there, ultimately seizing ownership of Bryggen and managing the stockfish trade. Nowadays, the narrow lanes between the slim, distinctive houses conceal a secret world of textile and craft businesses, artists’ galleries, and jewelers’ studios, all of which are waiting to be discovered.
Visit the Hanseatic Museum
A visit to the Hanseatic Museum is required to gain a better understanding of life in Bryggen when it was one of Europe’s most important trading centers. You’ll learn how the guild of German commerce merchants lived in unmarried celibacy for the duration of their stay in the area, as well as more about the devastating fire of 1702.
Climb on Mount Ulriken
If you’re a more experienced hiker, the trek from Mount Flyen to Bergen’s highest mountain, Mount Ulriken, is a suitable choice. The hike takes about 4-6 hours and covers mostly flat, open landscapes with some spectacular views. You can also trek up Mount Ulriken or use the Ulriksbanen cable car to reach the summit.
Explore the Viking roots at Fantoft Stave Church
Did you know that Norway formerly had about 1,000 stave churches, but only 28 exist today? At Fantoft Stave Church, only 20 minutes outside of Bergen city center, you can see one of these one-of-a-kind Viking monuments.
This splendid cathedral was erected in 1150 in Fortun, Sogn, but was transferred to Fantoft in 1883 before being destroyed by fire in 1992. The current structure was reconstructed to look exactly like it did before the fire, including the original crucifix that survived the blaze.
A fjord trip is a great opportunity to see Norway’s natural splendor.
Bergen is bordered by stunning fjords, which can be explored in a variety of ways. If you only have a few hours in town, a 3-hour cruise departing from the Fish Market pier is the best option for a scenic tour that includes stunning waterfalls and a trip down the fjord’s tiny Mostraumen fjord.
If you have more time, there are numerous tour companies that provide day trips from Bergen to Sognefjord, Gudvangen, and Flm, where you can see the spectacular views and natural splendor of Norway’s landscapes by road, rail, and water.
