Cidade Turismo
Norway
Bergen

Vestland · Norway

Bergen

The city of seven hills on the west coast, gateway to the fjords: the Hanseatic quay of Bryggen, the Fløyen funicular, the fish market and Grieg's house on the lakeshore.

Fiordes do Oeste

In the photo: Bergenhus festning

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Bergen lies on Norway's west coast, between seven hills and the sea, and is the country's second city. It was the kingdom's capital in the Middle Ages and, for four centuries, one of the ports of the Hanseatic League, the network of German merchants that dominated North Sea trade. Dried cod from the north was shipped from here to Europe, and the wealth from that trade is still visible in the historic centre.

The postcard image is Bryggen, the row of colorful wooden houses on the quay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with inner alleys, workshops and galleries. On the other side of Vågen bay are the fish market and the commercial centre, and at the tip of the harbour is Bergenhus fortress, with the medieval hall Håkonshallen. A few steps from the quay, the Fløibanen funicular climbs Mount Fløyen, offering views over the whole city; the Ulriken cable car takes you to the highest hill.

The city has a strong cultural life: the KODE museums gather Norwegian art and works by Munch around the lake Lille Lungegårdsvann, and Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg, hosts concerts by a lakeside south of the centre. Streets of white wooden houses, like those in Nordnes and Sandviken, climb the slopes.

It rains a lot year-round; bring a raincoat and waterproof footwear.

This destination brings together 1 city: Bergen.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Bergen is
Bergen

Contornos: © Kartverket (CC BY 4.0), divisas de 2024; costa via geoBoundaries. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Bergen

✈ Bergen lufthavn, Flesland (BGO), in Flesland · 19 km to Bergen

Confirm before booking. Flesland airport is about 19 km away, linked to the centre by tram. From Oslo, the Bergen railway takes about 7 hours, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau. The Hurtigruten departs from Bergen for the north.

The local experience

Things to do in Bergen

Bryggen
Bergen · Vestland · Historic neighborhood

Bryggen

The old Hanseatic quay of Bergen: the row of colourful wooden houses along the harbour, with inner alleys, workshops and museums. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fløibanen
Bergen · Vestland · Funicular and viewpoint

Fløibanen

The funicular that climbs from Bergen's centre to Mount Fløyen, 320 metres high, in about six minutes, with a viewpoint over the city, the harbour and the islands, forest trails and a lake at the top.

Fisketorget
Bergen · Vestland · Market

Fisketorget

The fish market on Bergen's harbour edge, with stalls selling seafood, shrimp, salmon and cod, and the Mathallen, the covered market with restaurants next door.

Ulriken
Bergen · Vestland · Mountain and cable car

Ulriken

The highest of Bergen's seven hills at 643 metres, served by a cable car that ascends in a few minutes; at the top there is a viewpoint over the city, the fjords and the mountains, and trails across the plateau.

See 4 more places in Bergen
Troldhaugen
Bergen · Vestland · House museum

Troldhaugen

The summer home of composer Edvard Grieg, on the shore of lake Nordås, south of Bergen: the wooden villa, the cabin where he composed, the tomb in the rock and the Troldsalen concert hall.

Bergenhus festning
Bergen · Vestland · Fortress

Bergenhus festning

The fortress at the entrance to Bergen's harbour, featuring the Håkonshallen — a 13th-century stone royal hall — and the Rosenkrantz Tower, set in an open area of walls and lawns by the sea.

KODE
Bergen · Vestland · Art museum

KODE

Bergen's art museums occupy four buildings around the lake Lille Lungegårdsvann, with Norwegian painting, a large collection of Edvard Munch, the Rasmus Meyer collection and design.

Fantoft stavkirke
Bergen · Vestland · Wooden church

Fantoft stavkirke

A wooden church in the medieval Norwegian style, set in a woodland at Fantoft south of Bergen: moved from Fortun in the Sognefjord at the end of the 19th century and rebuilt after a fire.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to September days are usually long and somewhat drier, with fjord boat timetables on summer hours. Bergen is one of the rainiest cities in Europe: it tends to rain in any month. Winter is usually wet and dark, but less cold than inland, with temperatures around zero.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days are enough for Bryggen, the market, the fortress, Fløyen and Ulriken. With three days you can add Troldhaugen and the KODE museums. Bergen is also a departure point for a day trip to the Sognefjord or the Hardangerfjord, which requires one or two extra days.

Which city to stay in

The centre, between Bryggen, the fish market and Torgallmenningen square, is the most practical base, close to the harbour and the fjord boats. Nordnes, on the west peninsula, is residential, with wooden houses and the aquarium. The area around the train station and the lake Lille Lungegårdsvann is good for those arriving or departing by train.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Bergen

How many days to stay in Bergen?

Two days for the centre, Bryggen, Fløyen and Ulriken; three with Troldhaugen and the museums. Many people use Bergen as a base for a day in the fjords.

How to go from Oslo to Bergen?

By the Bergen railway, in about 7 hours, or by a domestic flight of around 50 minutes. The train is the preferred option for the scenery across the plateau.

Does it rain a lot in Bergen?

Yes, Bergen tends to have rain on many days throughout the year, including in summer. Bring a raincoat, an umbrella and waterproof shoes.

Can you see fjords departing from Bergen?

Yes. The express boat reaches the Sognefjord, and the 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour combines train, the Flåm railway and a boat on the Nærøyfjord in one day. The Hardangerfjord is about two hours away by bus.

Do I need a car in Bergen?

Not in the city, which is explored on foot, by tram and by bus. A car helps for travelling around the fjords, but the train and boats cover the main routes.

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