Once a bustling trading hub of the Hanseatic League, today Bergen charms visitors with colourful wooden houses, fresh seafood markets, and a lively arts community. Known as Norway’s 'Gateway to the fjords,’ it offers fantastic access to the surrounding waterways with scenic cruises and kayak trips through dramatic fjords and past cascading waterfalls. Delve into our recommendations for the top 10 things to do in Bergen to make the most of your stay in this unique city.
1. Explore historic Bryggen
Wooden houses of Bryggen
Discover the iconic, colourful wooden buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site that once served as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire. Delve into its picturesque narrow alleys, discovering museum exhibits, medieval homes and browse the quaint shops home to local artists, potters and jewellers. Pause in pretty cafés and soak up centuries of maritime history.
2. Take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen
View of Bergen from the Fløibanen funicular
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen’s 320 metre summit. At the top soak up panoramic views of Bergen, the harbour and surrounding mountains, pause for a coffee in the café or explore the scenic hiking trails.
3. Visit the KODE Art Museums
KODE Art Museum & Music Pavillion - Credit: Gjertrud Coutinho / Visit Bergen
Immerse yourself in Norway’s finest art collections including a collection of works by Edvard Munch, showcased through exhibitions and concerts at KODE’s four art museums and three historic composer homes. Discover everything from traditional crafts and historical masterpieces to bold modern works and family-friendly interactive installations.
4. Experience the bustling Torget Fish Market
Torget Fish Market - Credit: Visit Bergen / Robin Strand
Bergen’s historic fish market, trading since the 1200s, offers a dazzling display of freshly caught fish and seafood including salmon, oysters, shrimp, lobster, and king crab. Soak up the lively atmosphere whilst sampling local delicacies, such as tasty Bergen fish soup and pickled herring.
5. Summit Mount Ulriken
Ulriksbanen Cable Car - Credit: Ulriken643 / Visit Bergen
Take the cable car or hike the scenic trails up to the top of Mount Ulriken, the tallest of Bergen’s seven mountains. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding fjords, mountains, and sea. At the summit, reward yourself with a choice of dining options: the café offers a selection of traditional dishes from the mountain menu, while Skyskraperen Restaurant serves a delicious seasonal menu inspired by Norwegian nature.
6. Step back in time at the Hanseatic Museum
Bryggen & the Hanseatic Museum - Credit: Visit Bergen
A visit to the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene provides a fascinating insight into the mercantile lives that shaped medieval Bergen. Housed within two original 18th-century buildings with preserved period features, the museum captures daily life as it was for the German Hanseatic merchants who sailed into Bergen in the 13th century to exchange grain for stockfish from Northern Norway — thus helping establish Bryggen as one of Northern Europe’s most important trading hubs.
7. Visit the former home of composer Edvard Greig
Troldhaugen - Credit: Visit Bergen / Edvard Grieg museum
Troldhaugen, perched on the edge of Lake Nordås just outside Bergen, is the charming former home of Norway’s beloved composer Edvard Grieg. Visitors can wander through its light-filled rooms, stroll down to Grieg’s tiny lakeside composing hut, and step into the adjacent concert hall to hear his music against the backdrop of the very landscape that once inspired him.
8. Glimpse into Bergen’s heritage at Old Bergen Open Air Museum
Gamle Bergen Open Air Museum - Credit: Visit Bergen / Mathias Falcone
Step back in time at Gamle Bergen Open Air Museum, where over 50 carefully reconstructed wooden houses bring 18th and 19th-century Bergen to life. Wander cobbled streets lined with colourful timber facades, peek into traditional homes, workshops and small shops, and imagine the bustle of daily life in a bygone era. Costumed guides and live demonstrations add to the atmosphere, offering a vivid glimpse into how craftsmen, merchants and townsfolk once lived and worked.
9. Fjord Cruise to Hardangerfjord or Sognefjord
Fjord Cruise from Bergen to Mostraumen - Credit: Robin Strand - Rødne Fjord Cruise / Visit Bergen
Known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’ for its proximity to Norway’s most breathtaking landscapes, Bergen is the perfect starting point for a magnificent fjord cruise. Set sail from Bergen’s historic harbour, gliding through tranquil waters flanked by soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and charming villages. Choose from day trips to Mostraumen, the Hardangerfjord, or the Sognefjord to experience some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery.
10. Explore the hiking trails on Bergen’s seven mountains
Mount Fløyen
Bergen is a true paradise for hikers, offering a network of scenic trails that start right from the city’s doorstep and lead into the surrounding mountains and forests. Tackle the famous climb up Mount Ulriken, the tallest of Bergen’s seven mountains, for sweeping views of fjords and coastline, or follow the well-marked Vidden trail that connects Ulriken to Mount Fløyen, a favourite for its gentle woodland paths and panoramic lookout points.
