17 Best Things to Do in Bergen, Norway (2026 Guide)

If you are planning a trip to Norway, Bergen deserves a spot on your itinerary. As one of Norway’s most iconic cities, I knew I had to visit and see for myself what all the hype was about. What I found was colourful wooden buildings, breathtaking fjords, and a rich coastal culture!

From wandering the historic streets of Bryggen and taking the Fløibanen up Mount Fløyen to exploring museums, eating fresh seafood, and getting out on the fjords, there are so many things to do in Bergen, Norway!

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Bergen, including the must-see sights, experiences worth adding to your itinerary, and a few ideas for exploring beyond the city centre.

If you also need ideas for what to do in Oslo, make sure to read How I Spent 24-Hours in Oslo!

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Now Let’s Jump into

17 of The Best Things to Do in Bergen

Explore Bryggen

No trip to Bergen would be complete without a visit to Bryggen, the city’s famous colourful waterfront! I came across a picture of Bryggen on Google several years back. I was immediately drawn to the colourful wooden houses on the water and wanted to explore them for myself. That’s what actually made me book my ticket to Norway!

You can wander through the shops and cafés scattered throughout the area. Don’t miss my favourite AKB Illustrations Art Shop! This watercolour gallery was my favourite stop for a souvenir. It features local art inspired by Norwegian nature and local folklore, so you’ll definitely want to take a piece home with you!

Bryggen is also a great starting point for exploring the rest of Bergen’s city centre. From here, you’ll be within walking distance of several other popular attractions.

Visit the Bergen Fish Market

This was my favourite place for lunch! Located right beside the harbour, the Bergen Fish Market is one of the city’s most popular stops. It’s a fantastic place to try some of Norway’s famous seafood, browse local produce, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

Be aware of the timing of your visit. If you are visiting Bergen from May through late Summer, the market will be located outside. However, If you are traveling during the winter months, you’ll find the market moved indoors to the building right behind the harbour.

I visited in March, so the market was indoors. This didn’t stop be from going multiple times! There are still plenty of options open for lunch, making it an easy stop to add to your Bergen itinerary.

Take the Fløibanen to Mount Fløyen

When it comes to Bergen, this was by far my favourite thing I did! Taking the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen gives you some of the best views of Bergen. The journey from the city centre takes only a few minutes and is absolutely worth it!

There are several walking trails at the top, as well as a little park, lakes, and even a restaurant! My favourite coffee shop is just a short walk along the trail from the top of Mount Fløyen. Skomakerstuen is a unique café that sits on the edge of the lake in the middle of the Norwegian forest. If you have time, I definitely recommend checking it out!

If you are traveling in the summer months it’s recommended to buy your tickets in advance, you can do so here.

Visit Bergenhus Fortress

It’s time for a little history! Head to Bergenhus Fortress, one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fortifications.

You can walk around the grounds for free and visit historic buildings including Haakon’s Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower. The fortress sits at the northernmost part of the harbour and has played an important role in Bergen’s history for centuries.

Even if you’re not a huge history buff, it’s still worth walking around the grounds and taking in the views across the harbour. Plus, I have to admit, Haakon’s Hall is pretty impressive!

If you do want to learn more about Bergen’s history, I suggest taking this walking tour! It takes you to some of Bergen’s most important sites and is a great way to get your bearings at the beginning of your trip.

Take the Ulriken Cable Car

For another incredible view over Bergen, head up Mount Ulriken, the highest of the seven mountains surrounding the city!

The Ulriken Cable Car takes you to the summit in just a few minutes, where you’ll have panoramic views over Bergen, the surrounding mountains, and the sea. If you want an adventure, you can also hike between Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen along the Vidden Trail.

If you only have one day in Bergen, I’d choose Mount Fløyen. If you have more time or really want to experience Bergen’s mountains, then Mount Ulriken is absolutely worth adding!

Take a Fjord Cruise

This was my favourite experience in all of Norway! Bergen is often called the gateway to the fjords, making a fjord cruise one of the best things to do in Bergen, Norway.

There are several different cruises and day trips available, ranging from a few hours to a full day. If you are only in Bergen for a short while, a fjord cruise is an easy way to experience the magic of Norway’s incredible fjord landscapes.

This is not sponsored or gifted, but I am genuinely obsessed with the tour I did! I paid for it myself and can confidently say it was worth every penny! I’ll link it here so you can check it for yourself.

Visit Fantoft Stave Church

A little outside of Bergen’s city centre, you’ll find Fantoft Stave Church. This is a beautiful reconstruction of a traditional Norwegian stave church.

The original church dates back to the 12th century, although it was destroyed by a fire in 1992 and later rebuilt. You’ll notice that it stands out with the dark wood, which is very different from the rest of Bergen.

You can easily reach it by using Bergen’s public transport and it’s a great option if you want to see something beyond the city’s main tourist attractions!

Visit KODE Art Museums

What trip to Europe would be complete without a visit to an art museum? KODE is Bergen’s collection of art museums located around the city centre.

KODE houses an impressive collection of Norwegian and international art. This is a great way to learn a little more about Norwegian culture. The museums are spread across several buildings, so you can choose which collection interests you the most rather than trying to see everything.

Explore Nordnes

For a quieter side of Bergen, head over to Nordnes, a little peninsula just west of the city centre.

This neighbourhood is filled with the iconic colourful wooden houses, narrow streets, and great cafés! A perfect example of this would be Løvetann Café & Bistro, a great place for lunch. If you are more of an evening cocktail person, try Lampemannen Bar!

For great sunset views over the fjord, walk down to Nordenesparken. This park has waterfront views across the harbour and is really popular with the locals!

Take a Day Trip to Nærøyfjord and Flåm

This goes hand-in-hand with the fjord cruise I mentioned above. If you have enough time in Bergen for a day of adventure, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Nærøyfjord and Flåm!

If you have a car and can drive, great! If not this tour is worth the money to experience Nærøyfjord and Flåm firsthand. This is a full day tour that combines several different experiences, including a visit to a Viking village, a cruise through Nærøyfjord, free time in Flåm, and the famous Flåm Railway!

If you’re coming all the way to Bergen, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see some of the most incredible landscapes in the world!

Visit the Bergen Aquarium

I picked another indoor activity to put on this list as a rainy day backup. The Bergen Aquarium is perfect for families with children or anyone who wants a change of pace!

The aquarium is home to penguins, sea lions, fish, and other aquatic animals. It is also located close to the Nordnes, so you can easily combine the two stops and spend some time exploring the neighbourhood while you’re there!

Take a Guided Food Tour

One of the best ways to learn about a new culture is through its food! This food tour around Bergen is a great way to immerse yourself in Norwegian culture.

This specific tour will take you to five different restaurants, where you get to try 13 different dishes. Seafood, baked goods, and more await you here, plus the tour ends with a ride on the Fløibanen and dining at Fløirestauranten, where you’ll have incredible views over Bergen.

This is the one thing I wish I had time for while I was in Bergen, and it’s the first thing I’ll do when I visit again!

Take a Day Trip to Hardangerfjord

Nærøyfjord isn’t the only incredible fjord you can visit from Bergen. Hardangerfjord is another fantastic option for a day trip!

This time you will be heading south of Bergen, Hardangerfjord is famous for its mountains, waterfalls, and fruit orchards. There are several ways to experience the region, from organized tours to combining public transport with boat trips.

Personally, I recommend this cruise. I usually navigate places on my own, but when you’re heading into the mountains like this, I found it well worth the money to join a tour group that handles everything for you!

Go Swimming at Nordnes Sjøbad

If you’re visiting Bergen in the warmer months and want to do something completely different, try swimming at Nordnes Sjøbad.

This is an outdoor swimming area that sits right on the waterfront and has a heated saltwater pool as well as access to the sea! This is a great way to experience Bergen like a local while enjoying views across the water.

It’s located in Nordnes, so you can easily combine a swim with exploring the neighbourhood, visiting the aquarium, or grabbing something to eat nearby. (I bet you tell what my favourite neighbourhood is by now!)

Visit Bergen Cathedral

Located in the heart of the city, the Bergen Cathedral is another great historical landmark to add to your list!

The cathedral dates back centuries and has a fascinating history. With its simple exterior, it’s easy to walk past without realising the significance. It’s also conveniently located near several other attractions, so stopping here doesn’t require dedicating a huge amount of time.

Explore Bergen at Night

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Bergen at night! After a long day of exploring, it can be tempting to go back to the hotel and tuck in for the evening. However, I would encourage you to take at least one night and walk around the city after dark.

You might wonder why I added this as it’s own “thing to do in Bergen,” but once you see how the city lights up, you’ll understand! Many of the neighbourhoods are lined with lights, and if you step out onto the harbour and look back, you can see the lights dancing across the mountains behind you.

It really is magical and a side of Bergen you won’t want to miss!

Try One of My Favourite Cafés

Did you know Norway consistently ranks second in the world for coffee consumption? Bergen is no exception and has a long list of amazing cafés to explore.

I am a huge coffee person, so whenever I travel, I make it my mission to find the best coffee shops. Here are some of my favourites around Bergen!

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Bergen quickly became my favourite city in Norway after my trip. Between the mountains, colourful buildings, and easy access to fjords, there is so much to love about this little coastal city!

If you only have a couple of days, don’t feel like you need to tick off every attraction on this list. Pick a few of the highlights, leave some time to wander around the city, and make sure you get out into the fjords if you can!

If you’re planning to spend two days in Bergen, I’ve put together a Complete 2-Day Bergen Itinerary with exactly how I’d plan your time in the city.

Safe travels! – Olive Grace

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