What to do in Bergen – 10 tips to attractions and experiences
We guide you to ten experiences and must-see sights you won’t want to miss in Bergen – from historic neighbourhoods and iconic viewpoints to fjords, nature and local specialities. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying a little longer, you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy the city’s distinctive mix of culture, landscape and adventure.
1. Bryggen is steeped in history
Bryggen is one of Bergen’s most iconic sights and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colourful wooden buildings along the harbour tell the story of Bergen as an important trading city during the Hanseatic era. Today, the area is home to atmospheric shops, galleries, cafés and bars. It’s ideal for a leisurely stroll, a spot of shopping, and a well-timed pause for something to eat or drink during your stay in Norway’s second-largest city.
2. Fisketorget, Bergen’s fish market
One place worth putting on your Bergen list is Fisketorget, the city’s well-known fish market. This is where Bergen’s coastal food culture comes into focus – from prawns, salmon and king crab to steaming fish soup and classic Norwegian dishes. Thanks to its central location, it’s easy to weave into a day of shopping and sightseeing, with a walk along the waterfront where the harbour sets the tone for the hours ahead.
How to get to Bergen
There are several ways to reach Norway’s second-largest city. The choice comes down to whether you want to arrive quickly or prefer to let the journey become part of the experience.
Flying is the fastest and simplest option. Once you land, the light rail (Bybanen) runs from the airport to Bergen city centre in around 45 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen, widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. It takes longer, but the landscapes along the way make the journey worthwhile.
If flexibility matters more, travelling by car is a good alternative. Bergen can then become a natural stop on a coastal road trip through Norway’s dramatic scenery.
There is also the classic arrival by sea. With Hurtigruten, you sail into Bergen and experience the city as it appears from the water.
3. Take the Fløibanen funicular
The Fløibanen is one of Bergen’s best-known experiences, departing right in the city centre just a few minutes’ walk from both Fisketorget and Bryggen. In 5–8 minutes, the funicular takes you up to Mount Fløyen, 320 metres above sea level, where you’re rewarded with sweeping views over Bergen and the surrounding fjords. It runs daily all year round, from early morning until late evening, making it easy to fit in whenever it suits your plans.
4. Bergenhus Fortress
Bergenhus Fortress is one of Norway’s oldest and most significant historic sites. Set by the harbour, close to Bryggen, it’s home to well-preserved landmarks such as Håkon’s Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower. A visit offers a clear sense of both Bergen’s and Norway’s history — ideal for an easy walk where the sightseeing feels more like stepping through living heritage than ticking off a checklist.
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5. Bryggen Museum
Bryggen Museum brings you close to Bergen’s medieval past. Here you can see remarkable archaeological finds uncovered after big fire in 1955, offering a vivid insight into everyday life, trade and the people who once lived in the city and worked along the waterfront. With both permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum is well worth a visit if you’d like to understand Bergen’s history in greater depth.
6. KODE – Bergen’s leading art museum
Make time for KODE if you enjoy art and culture and want to add a different dimension to your Bergen break. Several museums are brought together here, so you can move from classical works to modern expression, from design to craft — and, along the way, encounter pieces by artists such as Edvard Munch. Right in the centre of town, KODE makes an easy cultural interlude between sights and strolls, when you feel like swapping Bergen’s streets for quiet galleries, open space and a fresh perspective.
7. Explore the Norwegian fjords
Seeing Norway’s fjords is high on many visitors’ Bergen itineraries. By taking a fjord cruise, you get close to the dramatic landscapes of steep mountainsides, deep water and striking scenery. Several operators offer ready-made fjord tours, often as packages that combine a boat trip with a train journey through mountains and valleys — a practical way to experience the fjords from both water and land.
8. Take the gondola to Mount Ulriken
Ulriken is the highest of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen and a natural choice if you’d like to see the city from above. The Ulriken cable car carries you to the summit, 643 metres above sea level, where panoramic views open out across Bergen, the fjords and the surrounding peaks. At the top, you’ll also find hiking trails and easy access to open countryside — making it a rewarding outing whether you’re focused on the views or keen to pair city time with a taste of the outdoors.
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9. Bergen Aquarium – The National Aquarium
Bergen Aquarium is well worth a visit for both adults and children. Inside, you can explore marine life from the Norwegian coast as well as species from oceans around the world — from fish and seals to penguins and reptiles. Set by the water and within easy walking distance of the city centre, it’s simple to include in your plans, especially if you’re looking for a family-friendly outing that’s both enjoyable and informative.
10. Outdoor activities near Bergen
Around Bergen, outdoor experiences of the highest calibre await — whether you’re chasing an adrenaline rush or simply keen to get closer to the landscape. In nearby Voss, widely known as Norway’s adventure capital, you can try white-water rafting, kayaking, paragliding and other high-energy pursuits, all set against a backdrop of fjords and mountains.
Along the coast, the island of Fedje invites you to explore by kayak between small islets, follow coastal walking trails and head out on a RIB safari at sea — a strong choice if you’d like to combine close-to-the-water adventure with striking natural scenery.
