The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 285,000 / 60.3 degrees north
Bergen, Norway
Bergen is Norway’s second-largest city and often ranks amongst the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia. The city has a history tracing back over 1,000 years, when it was founded as the first major commercial city in Scandinavia. Today Bergen is a popular base for museums, food (it is, after all, a UNESCO city of gastronomy!), hikes and day-trips to the fjord region. Bergen is also the first port on the coastal ferry journey.
About Bergen
Latitude: 60.3 degrees north
Population: 285,000
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: January
Wettest Month: December
Windiest Month: January
Annual Precipitation: 2258mm
Bergen Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Map of Bergen
Uniquely Bergen
Here are some things that you must do and try in Bergen
UNESCO World Heritage
Bryggen
Bryggen is Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage site. These trading houses have a history dating back 1,000 years and today house cafes, shops, and museums.
UNESCO World Heritage
Bergenhus Fortress
Bergenhus Fortress is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Norway as well as one of the oldest. Inside the fortress you can see Håkons Hall, which was built between 1247 and 1261 and was the residence and banquet hall of King Håkon Håkonsson. This is the building where Norway’s first common laws were written in 1274. You can also visit the Rosenkrantz Tower, the most important Renaissance monument in Norway.
Troldhaugen
The Edvard Grieg Museum
Edvard Grieg was from Bergen, and today you can visit his home Troldhuagen. Be sure to attend one of the daily concerts in the summer!
Fisketorget
Bergen Fish Market
The fish market of Bergen has been here since the city’s origin, and here you’ll find a seasonal outdoor market and an all-year-round indoor market.
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Bergen.
Fantoft Stavkirke
Fantoft Stave Church
Fantoft Stave Church is a reconstructed stave church located just outside of Bergen city centre.
Gamle Bergen
Old Bergen Open Air Museum
Gamle Bergen is an open-air museum with wooden houses collected from all over Bergen.
SchØTSTUENE
Hanseatic Museum
Learn about the history of the Hanseatic League at a museum located in their old kitchens.
Archaeological Museum
Bryggens Museum
The Bryggens Museum is an archaeological museum that shows finds documenting the history and development of the city. The museum itself is built over what remains of the oldest house in Bergen, dating back to the 12th century. There are coins, runic inscriptions, shoes, games, combs and more on display here.
Mariakirken
St. Mary's Church
St. Mary’s Church is the oldest building still standing in the city. The church was built between 1130 and 1170 and became an important church for the Hanseatic League. The church is considered to have one of the largest art collections of any church in Northern Europe.
Lepramuseet
Leprosy Museum
The Leprosy Museum is a unique museum to visit. the museum is located in St. Jørgen’s Hospital, which was in use from the 1400s until the last leprosy patients in Bergen died in 1946. Bergen was a main centre of leprosy research and the leprosy germ was discovered by Gerhard Armauer Hansen in Bergen in 1873.
Art Galleries
KODE
KODE is the name of Bergen’s art museums, which are housed in four buildings (numbered KODE 1, 2, 3, 4). KODE 3 has the work of the Norweigan national romantics, showcasing 19th century landscape and cultural paintings. Here you can also view works by Edvard Grieg.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
Hike & Funicular
Mt. Fløyen
Mt. Fløyen is the most popular hike in Bergen. It is located in the city centre, doesn’t take too long, and rewards you with spectacular views over the city!
Walking Trail
Fjellveien
Fjellveien is a flat walk that goes along the mountainside overlooking Bergen city centre.
Walking Tours
I Love Bergen
The Hidden North owns I Love Bergen, a walking tour company. Our walking tours focus on off-the-beaten path Bergen from a locals perspective. We are the top-rated guiding company in Bergen!
Fjord Cruise
Take a Fjord Cruise
Take a popular fjord cruise from Bergen. You can find my guide for all the fjord cruises by clicking the link below.
Hike & Cable Car
Ulriken
Ulriken is the tallest of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen, standing 643 metres (2100 feet) high. The cable car will take you to the top in just five minutes. The majority of the hike up involves climbing Sherpa stairs.
Hike
Stoltzekleiven
Stoltzekleiven is regarded as the hardest hike in Bergen, and involves climbing up 820 steps with an incline of 36%.
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Bergen.
The E16 from Oslo to Bergen
Follow this self-guided trip between Oslo and Bergen on the E16, one of the major highways in the country. The road is built close to where the historic postal road from the 17th century went, and parts of the old road are still visible and today a hiking trail. That’s why along the way you’ll see stave churches and runestones. There’s also some charming towns and local markets to stop at, turning a long drive into an exciting one!
The E39 from Kristiansand to Bergen
The E39 from Kristiansand covers the south-western coast of Norway, passing the southernmost tip and then continuing along some important coastal cities.
The E39 from Bergen to Ålesund
The E39 between Bergen and Ålesund is regarded by many as the most beautiful major highway in Norway. Winding its way around the mountains and fjords of the west coast, this highway connects many charming villages to the two large cities of Bergen and Ålesund.
Hardanger Tourist Road
The Hardangerfjord is the second-longest fjord in Norway and is often voted the most beautiful. Known as an important area during the Viking Age, this is where English monks introduced the apple to the country in medieval times. Today Hardanger produces 80% of Norway’s apples and they are famous, especially when put in cider form! The tourist road winds around the Hardangerfjord, and there are a number of farms you can visit along the way.
Bergen to Rosendal (Fv48)
Rosendal is a popular day trip from Bergen. The drive itself is short, but the Hardangerfjord is incredible. If you want to take an alternative road back to Bergen, make your way to Odda and do the rest of the Hardanger Tourist Road from there.
Self-Guided Walks
Here are my self-guided walks for Bergen.
Vågsbunnen Neighbourhood
The Vågsbunnen neighbourhood follows the establishment of Bergen hundreds of years ago. This was a neighbourhood for foreign and Norwegian merchants and has several interesting historic buildings.
Bergen Fortress
Take our short self-guided walk around the Bergen Fortress.
Bergen on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Bergen.
Scenic Drive around Bergen
In this video I take you on a scenic drive around Bergen city centre.
Bergen to Ulvik
This is a scenic drive running from Bergen to Ulvik on the Hardangerfjord.
Bergen to Balestrand on the E39
This road is an alternative way to get to the Sognefjord.
Bergen to Vik
We did this as a day trip from Bergen and were surprised at how beautiful it is!
Bergen on the 17th of May
Join me on a walk around Bergen on the 17th of May, Norway’s National Day.
History of Bergen
I have a separate guide to Bergen’s history. You can read it below.
Bergen Today
Today Bergen has all the facilities of a major city, including a hospital, university, festivals and events, and tech industry.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: Bergen has an international airport with direct flights to major cities in Norway and Europe.
Drive: Bergen is located on the two major European highways – the E16 and the E39 – that run through Norway.
Train: Bergen is one end of the Bergen Railway that runs between Bergen and Oslo. You can read about it in our separate guide (click here).
Ferry: Bergen is the starting point of Norway’s coastal ferry. It also has small passenger ferries connecting to the fjords.
Getting Around
Bergen is generally a walkable city. If you want to use public transport, the name of the company is Skyss. Download the app and buy tickets that way.
Shops
My favourite place for souvenir shopping is Berle (they have a room full of trolls!) or the Sami shop Juhls Silver Gallery.
You can find galleries and prints of Bryggen for sale in the Jacobsfjorden and Bredsgården alleys.
Places to Eat
We have a separate guide for Bergen’s restaurants, which you can see below.
Places to Stay
We have a separate guide to the hotels of Bergen. You can find that guide by clicking the link below.
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 9:29am
Sunset: 4:06pm
Average Temperature: 2C (36F)
February
Sunrise: 8:19am
Sunset: 5:27pm
Average Temperature: 2C (36F)
March
Sunrise: 6:56am
Sunset: 6:39pm
Average Temperature: 4C (39F)
April
Sunrise: 6:21am
Sunset: 8:57pm
Average Temperature: 7C (45F)
May
Sunrise: 4:59am
Sunset: 10:12pm
Average Temperature: 11C (52F)
June
Sunrise: 4:10am
Sunset: 11:08pm
Average Temperature: 14C (57F)
July
Sunrise: 4:37am
Sunset: 10:49pm
Average Temperature: 17C (63F)
August
Sunrise: 5:50am
Sunset: 9:34pm
Average Temperature: 16C (61F)
September
Sunrise: 7:05am
Sunset: 8:01pm
Average Temperature: 13C (55F)
October
Sunrise: 8:18am
Sunset: 6:29pm
Average Temperature: 9C (48F)
November
Sunrise: 8:38am
Sunset: 4:07pm
Average Temperature: 6C (43F)
December
Sunrise: 9:39am
Sunset: 3:27pm
Average Temperature: 3C (37F)
All Posts About Bergen
Which Fjord Cruise Should You Book From Bergen?
Get some help picking the right fjord cruise from Bergen!
Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2024
Here’s all the major events & public holidays in Bergen for 2024.
Norway in a Nutshell… in a nutshell
Here’s my complete guide to the popular Norway in a Nutshell daytrip!
Drive it Yourself: Oslo to Bergen on the E16
View our guide to the scenic drive between Bergen and Oslo.
Where to Stay in Bergen From a Locals Perspective
Where to Stay in Bergen From a Locals Perspective So you are planning a trip to Bergen – excellent! We think that Bergen is the