Experience Bergen's highlights by foot. Wander through historic alleyways at UNESCO-listed Bryggen, explore the city's art, or have the perfect Sunday stroll.
City walks:
Experience Bergen in one day
Route: Bergen in a nutshell
Length: 45–60 mins
Follow in the footsteps of Naina, who has lived in more countries than most — as many as seven! She loves to dive into the history, architecture, food and culture of the places she visits.
One of the things Naina likes about Norway is how urban life and nature meet. The fjord city Bergen is certainly a shining example of this unique combination. The most easily accessible summits by foot are Fløyen and Ulriken. You can also cheat and take the Fløibanen Funicular or the Ulriken cable car to the top to admire the panoramic views over the city.
Strolling around lets you see many of the most charming parts of Bergen. Explore cosy, narrow cobblestone alleys and quaint traditional wooden houses, each with its own story to tell.
Take a break at one of the many cafés or shops around town, or spend some time admiring the masterpieces at the KODE Art Museums, which also runs the home of famous composer Edvard Grieg, located a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
Don't wear out your legs until you've visited Bergen's most famous attraction, Bryggen, the Hanseatic wharf. This UNESCO World Heritage site was once a bustling centre of trade between Norway and the rest of Europe.
Strolling around the medieval settlement, you can still notice a faint scent of the stockfish that was shipped out from Bergen for centuries. Stroll on to today's fish market for some fresh, local seafood!
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Kode Bergen Art Museum
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The Grieg Hall
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Fløibanen funicular
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Bryggen in Bergen
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Discover Bergen by boat – a great way to see the historical sights
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Nordnes seawater pool
Route: Urban Sunday stroll
Length: 60–90 mins (depending on your chosen route)
Many Norwegians like to go for a walk on Sundays, called a søndagstur. This usually involves going on a hike in nature, but why not make it an urban Sunday walk instead? Enjoy a relaxing morning with breakfast at your hotel before heading out.
The Lille Lungegårdsvann pond in the middle of the city centre is a good place to start your stroll. Drop by one of the KODE Art Museums beside the pond to experience art by a range of Norwegian and international artists, including works by Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup, and Picasso, to name a few.
Once you've feasted your eyes on enough art, it's time for an audial and culinary treat. Opus XVI, an Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel, serves a delicious afternoon tea. After your lovely meal, head up the hairpin turns from Vetrlidsallmenningen square to the old fire station at Skansen. Here, you have a great view of the city in leafy surroundings.
Heading back down, get a bit lost walking through narrow zigzagging streets between the old wooden houses. Cross the fish market, and carry on through the pedestrianised Gågaten (part of Strandgaten street) on the Nordnes peninsula.
Turn left at the end of the pedestrian section and head up the steep Cort Piil-smauet alleyway to experience another charming narrow street. Arriving at Klosteret, the old monastery at the top, take a well-deserved waffle break at Klosterhagen Hotel or a snack at the charming neighbourhood Løvetann Café & Bistro. Just across the street, you'll see a statue of Amalie Skram, one of Norway's most prominent naturalist writers.
Follow the tree-lined street all the way to Nordnesparken, an urban park with views of the fjord. The park is home to a totem pole, which was a gift from our friendship city of Seattle to mark the 900-year anniversary of Bergen's founding.
On your way back from Nordnes, head down to the dock at Nykirkekaien and cross Vågen on the charming little passenger ferry Beffen. After disembarking on the other side of the harbour, at Bradbenken, you're practically at Bryggen already. Stroll through the wooden alleyways and soak in the historic feel of this UNESCO-listed medieval settlement. End the day with a traditional Norwegian meal at Bryggeloftet restaurant.
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Kode Bergen Art Museum
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Opus XVI, an Edvard Grieg Heritage Hotel
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Klosterhagen Hotel
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Løvetann Café & Bistro
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Nordnes seawater pool
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Bryggen in Bergen
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Bryggeloftet & Stuene
Route: Maritime walk
Length: 60–90 mins (depending on your chosen route)
Stroll past UNESCO-listed Bryggen and continue along the waterfront to the Storeblå Aquaculture Visitor Centre where you can explore a living exhibition about one of our biggest industries, aquaculture.
Head back to the city centre. The Bergen Card entitles you to travel free on local buses, should you want to cut your walk short and ride back to the city centre.
The Bergen Maritime Museum presents Norwegian maritime history and the evolution of seafaring from the earliest times until the present day. The exhibitions feature artefacts related to seafaring and life at sea, including intricately detailed ship models, paintings, and marine-archaeological finds.
Stop by the Fish Market for a quick lunch to go. Order some fish cakes, a favourite local snack, and continue to the First Player, a sailboat that lets you experience the city from the water. Enjoy a few hours at sea, while the captain shares fascinating stories about Bergen's history as a trading and shipping city, and points out its historical fortifications, the Old Bergen Museum, and shipyards.
End your walk at Nordnes Sjøbad on the Nordnes peninsula where you can go swimming in the open air, either in the fjord or in a heated outdoor seawater pool, and warm up in one of its saunas.
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Bergen Tourist Information
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Bergen Card
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Bryggen in Bergen
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Storeblå Aquaculture Visitor Centre
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Bergen Maritime Museum - Museum Vest
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Fish Market in Bergen
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Nordnes seawater pool
Route: From historic to modern Bergen
Length: 40–50 mins (depending on your chosen route)
Start the day at Bergenhus Fortress, one of the oldest and best-preserved stone fortifications in Norway, dating from the 13th century. Soak in the historic atmosphere at what was once the main seat of the rulers of Norway, when Bergen was its capital. Both Haakons Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower are open to visitors.
After climbing the tower and peeking into the jail cells, head over to St. Mary's church. This is the oldest building in Bergen still in existence and was probably built between 1130 and 1170. Stroll down to Bryggen. These unique wooden buildings are one of the most well-preserved and well-known settlements from the Middle Ages in Europe. Here you will also find plenty of niche shops, galleries, and eateries in addition to shops selling souvenirs and knitwear.
Head towards the Bergen Cathedral. Stroll through charming Lille Øvregate, you can see some of the street art that Bergen has become known for around the world. The Cathedral rises up at the end of the street.
It's now time for some art. Choose one (or more) of the KODE Art Museums situated along Lille Lungegårdsvannet pond. Here you will find both Norwegian and international art on display, including works by Edvard Munch and Nikolai Astrup. Walk up Sydneshaugen hill, or take a detour through idyllic Nygårdsparken park.
Cross the pedestrian bridge which the locals call Småpudden to get to the other side of the water. This area was traditionally dominated by industry, but has recently been redeveloped to include new office buildings, residential buildings, and restaurants. End the day with a pre-dinner drink and watch the sun go down (Bergen weather permitting) at the bar and restaurant Ostra.
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Bergenhus Fortress
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St. Mary's Church
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Bryggen in Bergen
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Bergen Cathedral
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Kode Bergen Art Museum
Route: NAINA DOES BERGEN
Come along!
