14 Things To Do In Bergen In 2024 That Will Make You Fall In Love With The City

Norway is a dream country for many, offering the best of both worlds in the form of cultural richness and natural wonders. Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage City and also the European City of culture, is the second largest city in Norway. There are so many things to do in Bergen that makes a trip to this city in Norway an exciting one. The exquisiteness of Bergen is reflected from its nomenclature itself, which comes from the word “Bjorgvin” meaning ‘the green meadow among the mountains’. The scenic beauty of this coastal city will make you fall in love instantly. Imagine traveling to a place that offers you deep blue hues of the sea on one side and the misty mountains on the other, Bergen offers this and much more. The absolute highlight of Bergen is the Fjords, which are steep trenches carved by the moving of glaciers during the ice age.

Exquisite architecture in form of vibrant merchant houses, its amazing wharves, quays, and a vibrant community make Bergen a joy to behold. If you are a hiking enthusiast, beautiful Bergen provides a variety of extremely safe and protected hiking trails that will loom you through the mountains ensuing into a treasured memory. With its offerings of concerts, art galleries, cultural shows, fish market, museums, and feasting delights, the things to do in Bergen at night and day are many.

Top 14 Things To Do In Bergen

Be it hiking or cutesy cafes, museums or art that gets your boat sailing, in Bergen you can experience it all! Bergen  is a popular place amidst tourists and there are reasons for it, some of which we help you unravel right here. Here are the day trips from Bergen and the list of usual and unusual things to do in Bergen.

• Mount Floyen – Hike
• Bryggen – Go Exploring
• Hanseatic Museum – Peep Into The History
• Edvard Grieg Museum – Experience The Charm
• Bergen Fish Market – Relish The Flavors
• Bergenhus Fortress – Witness The History Of Norway
• The Royal Palace – Gamlehaugen
• Olav Kyrres Gate – Go Shopping At Torget
• Fjord Cruise – Witness Unsspoiled Tourist Spots
• Bergen Aquarium – The Largest Aquarium In Norway
• Cafes & Restaurants – The City Of Gastronomy
• KODE Art Museums – For The Love Of Art
• Mount Ulriken – Take An Aerial Tramway
• Rosenkrantz Tower – Something For History Buffs

1. Mount Floyen – Hike

Watch the city sparkle in the deep hues of orange during the sunset from Mount Floyen. One of the convenient ways to Mount Floyen is by using the funicular railway, Floibanen, which links the city center to the Floyen mountaintop in only 6 minutes. At the peak of the mountain, you will experience splendid views of Bergen along with the beautiful islands located in the vicinity.

Floyen is a perfect destination for hikers, bikers, and adventurers. En-route, the majestic hillsides, valleys, mountains, forests, and small lakes will leave you awestruck. You can also go for a Vidden Trail between Floyen mountain and Ulriken mountain. Likewise, there are several guided 2-hour hike trails and bike rentals available for you. Floyen also offers several attractions for kids too like climbing playground, lake paddling, zip line park, and wildlife. It will be one of the best day trips from Bergen.

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2. Bryggen – Go Exploring

Bryggen, a place of enchanting dimly-lit facades and wooden alleys, features as a primary attraction in the list of what to do in Bergen Norway. A part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, there are various magnetisms in the area like fort, cafés, posh dining, and shops selling the traditional and unique local crafts and Norwegian specialties like hand-knitted pullovers and jackets made of reindeer skins and moose. Have a great time exploring the vibrant Bryggen.

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3. Hanseatic Museum – Peep Into The History

Want to enjoy a peep into the palatial offices and quarters of the apprentices, farmers, and fishermen of that age? Head to Hanseatic Museum. Your Bergen, Norway things to do for couples checklist cannot be complete without visiting the nearby located Schøtstuene, that hosts elegant assembly rooms where the meetings of the merchants were held as they enjoyed dining in the Germanic style. It is truly one unique thing to admire! All the history buffs are sure to have a great time here.

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4. Edvard Grieg Museum – Experience The Charm

This museum is built in a delightful swiss wooden villa, which was once an abode of Nina and Edvard Grieg and is one of the best places to visit in Bergen. This museum is enveloped by aromatic and plummeting gardens alongside the Nordasvatnet lake. Open from 9 am to 6 am from May to Sep, and 10 am to 4 pm from Oct to Apr, it displays modish exhibition of the objects belonging to Grieg’s life. A worthwhile watch is Grieg’s Steinway piano, which is still used in concerts. Another thing to adore is its poetic ornamented veranda.

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5. Bergen Fish Market – Relish The Flavors

One of the best things to do in Bergen, a visit to Bergen’s fish market is a must. It is located in the central harbor. Strolling through the market is one of the free things to do in Bergen. You will be taken aback to see an array of shellfish and smoked fish. The exclusive thing in this fish market is the whale meat, which you will not find at many places.
There are also the kiosks of a variety of Norwegian snacks and lunches. You can either pick the parcel or enjoy the delicacies there itself. The fish soup and the freshest ever fish and chips are drool-worthy. The best thing is that these stalls are open till late.

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6. Bergenhus Fortress – Witness The History Of Norway

Situated at the entrance of Bergen harbor, this fortress is the oldest preserved stone fortifications in Norway. The fort was built with an intention to safeguard the city, but today it has become a crowd-puller and an exciting place of interest. One of the best places to visit in Norway, it deserves to be visited on a sunny day. The fortress remains open from 11 am to 5 pm in the evening Monday to Sunday. So, take care of the timings whenever you plan your visit.

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7. The Royal Palace – Gamlehaugen

Another entry to the best things to do in Bergen county is a trip to Gamlehaugen. It is a royal mansion in Bergen which was once home to the Norwegian Royal Family. You will step into Gamlehaugen thinking it to be a French and Scottish construct, but the striking contrast of the exterior and interior will surprise you. The adornment and the fixtures of this palace are evocative of the aristocracy. The lush park around Gamlehaugen is embellished with pretty flowers and beautiful trees where you can enjoy swimming and walking.

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8. Olav Kyrres Gate – Go Shopping At Torget

Image Courtesy: bergen-Guide.com

A list of what to do in Bergen is incomplete without the shopping spree. Right from big branded stores to small niche stores, Bergen offers the tourists a distinguishing shopping experience. Olav Kyrres Gate, Torget is the heart of Bergen’s shopping area that hosts popular shopping malls like Kloverhuset, Galleriet, and StorCenter. Get hold of some beautiful souvenirs here to take back home from your trip to Bergen.

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9. Fjord Cruise – Witness Unsspoiled Tourist Spots

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One of the best ways to explore the natural wonders of Norway is by taking a cruise. Bergen is located on the southern coast of Norway and you are in for a treat since there are a number of cruises in Bergen. Visit the longest fjord in Norway and the smallest castle in Bergen on the day cruise. Along with that, explore the nearby towns and cities which are equally magnificent. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Bergen, Norway on your trip here.

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10. Bergen Aquarium – The Largest Aquarium In Norway

This is the largest aquarium in Norway and visiting the aquarium is one of the unique things to do in Bergen, Norway. The aquarium houses from sea lions to crocodiles and exotic species of fishes and snakes. If you are looking for things to do in Bergen, Norway with kids, then this is one place you can head to. The ambiance is friendly and there are quite a lot of locals who you might come across at the aquarium. The aquarium also has feed feeding slots and shows that tourists can enjoy.

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11. Cafes & Restaurants – The City Of Gastronomy

Image Credit: Det lille Kaffekompaniet for Facebook

Want to  know an interesting fact about Bergen? Well, here is one! This interesting city is the UNESCO city of Gastronomy and is loaded with some amazing cafes and restaurants. Bergen also hosts the world’s largest conference on seafood, namely the North Atlantic Seafood Forum Conference and is also home to the Center of Expertise for Sustainable Seafood. So, if you were wondering about what to do in Bergen at night, then you can try exploring the cafes and restaurants. If you were looking for the best cafes in Bergen then Det Lille Kaffekompaniet is one!

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12. KODE Art Museums – For The Love Of Art

Image Courtesy: Kodebergen.no

As it is common knowledge, Bergen is houses some excellent museums, it is no surprise that there is an entire district dedicated to museums, namely KODE and it not only houses art but also composers’ homes. The umbrella term ‘KODE’ was framed in 2013 when four art institutions were brought under one umbrella and you can visit all the four with one ticket. KODE 1 is for acrafts and design, KODE 2 is a contemporary art museum, KODE 3 houses works from Golden Age of Norwegian Art and houses works by Edward Munch and Johan Christian Dahl and KODE 4 is an art museum housing works of famous artists like Picasso and Dahl.

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13. Mount Ulriken – Take An Aerial Tramway

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Looking for top things to do in Bergen? Well, taking an aerial tramway to Mount Ulriken is definitely one! Mount Ulriken is the highest of the seven mountains in Bergen and stands at 643 meters and the tramway has been ferrying people to the peak and back since 1961. Another vantage point is that the summit is set up with telescopes and has a restaurant as well! If that is not exciting we don’t know what is! Did we tell you that you can also hike up via a system of trails if you are having a sudden adrenaline rush.

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14. Rosenkrantz Tower – Something For History Buffs

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This one is for the history buffs! The Rosenkrantzz Tower is named after the nobleman and former governor Erik Rosenkrantz who oversaw the remodelling of the tower into  one of Norway’s important residences in the 16th century. The tower has been in existence since the late 13th century and was earlier the last King of Norway, King Eric II’s home. The tower has an upstairs-downstairs setup and the visitors now come to climb the dark, narrow staircase and get a gorgeous view of Vaagen Bay!

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It is truly difficult to explicate in words how majestic the city of Bergen is. You will not find many cities in the world that offer a unique blend of the captivating natural marvel, exciting urban life, culture, and innumerable experiences but Bergen is all of that and yet somehow peaceful. Try these things to do in Bergen and you will get to know what we are talking about! This was how we wanted to help you take an awesome trip to Europe.

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