Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city, is a historic coastal gem in Fjord Norway. Framed by seven mountains and iconic fjords like the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord, it's the perfect base for exploring Norway's breathtaking fjord landscapes.
Bergen in winter
10 cool reasons to go
As winter settles over Norway, Bergen embraces the season in its own way. A milder climate, scenic landscapes, a World Heritage-listed wharf, and vibrant culture – something for every winter traveller.
A well-developed public transport network makes it simple to get from A to B in the Bergen region. A compact centre makes the city easy to explore on foot.
Find inspiration below, or go directly to:
1. Historic Bryggen
Experience the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen without the crowds.
These centuries-old wooden buildings are some of the most well-preserved and well-known settlements from the Middle Ages in the world.
2. Fløibanen funicular
Fløyen in winter is Bergen’s best kept secret. One minute you’re dodging raindrops in the city, and the next, you’re whisked up the Fløibanen funicular to a winter wonderland!
3. Ulriken Cable Car
But the highest of Bergen's seven mountains is Ulriken, 643 metres above sea level. You can either attach some spikes on your shoes and hike or simply ride the Ulriken Cable Car to the top.
4. Milder winters
Bergen's winter climate is nature's way of keeping you on your toes: Will it snow? Will it rain? Who knows?!
This part of Norway experiences relatively mild winters due to the Gulf Stream, making it pleasant to stroll the streets and explore the most charming parts of town.
5. Christmas in Bergen
Don’t be surprised if you see Christmas decorations and lights in November — the holiday cheer starts early! We're talking magically decorated Christmas markets, light shows, and the world's largest gingerbread town!
Top things to do
Don't miss these highlights.
6.Fine dining and comfort food
Exquisite food can feel like a warm hug!
In Bergen, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, you will find many unique restaurants.
Like this one, Frescohallen, decorated with murals and mirror installations. The former stock exchange building is considered one of Norway's national art treasures and has a menu to match.
7. Seafood at its prime
But what should you pick from the menu? Fresh seafood is at the core of Bergen cuisine and at this time of year, it's at its most flavourful!
Learn about Bergen and its local food traditions and history on a guided walk, which also includes a visit to the fish market Fisketorget, with its indoor Mathallen.
Food and drink
Taste delicious local food and book a table at a fine restaurant.
8. Artistic masterpieces
From world-class seafood to world-class art!
KODE is one of the largest museums for art, design, and music in the Nordic countries. Its collection includes numerous works by world-famous painter Edvard Munch.
If you love music, you should also visit Troldhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg from 1885, which is now a living museum.
Museums and galleries
Explore international art, archaeological exhibits, and musical treasures.
9. Indoor fun
If you're looking to seek shelter from the rain at any point, you'll be glad to know there's plenty of indoor fun to enjoy!
How about a visit to Bergen Aquarium to meet some cute locals?
10. Winter cruises
From Bergen, you also have the opportunity to discover some of the world's most iconic fjords — now in winter dress!
The popular Norway in a Nutshell tour is available all year round. In winter, you avoid the biggest crowds.
Short on time? Join a half-day cruise through the narrow Mostraumen strait. The boat glides so close to a towering waterfall that you may even feel a little spray on your face!
Scroll down and start planning your trip to Bergen today!
Bergen has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is completely sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.
Get in-depth travel information on Visit Bergen’s official website.
Where to stay
Book comfy hotels or cosy cabins. Find your home away from home.
Events in Bergen
From festivals and concerts to shows and exhibitions. See what’s on!
Book nowBergen19.09.2026EKSTRA: Sigvart Dagsland – Det er makt i de foldede hender – Bergen kirkeautunnale
Sigvart finally goes on hymn tour again "It is 30 years since my hymn record Det er makt i de foldede hender came out. At the time I was completely unprepared for the reception from the audience, which was quite simply overwhelming. One might have thought it was churchgoers who bought the record and came to the concerts, but it reached a much broader audience. I do not quite know why. But I felt myself that there was a power in these old songs, a power that did not leave me unaffected. And now I have not played them for a long time. And never before have we performed the entire record. But we are doing something about that this year: On the autumn church tour we will simply play the entire record. Live. In addition we play some of the most hymn-like of my own songs, as well as the odd one from the Hymns album. This will be a one-off occasion, and it will be wonderful! With me I have three fantastic musicians: Torjus Vierli on grand piano, David Wallumrød on Hammond organ and Espen Tappel on guitars. This will be fun!" Sigvart This concert is in Norwegian. Organised in collaboration with HiHat Management Welcome to Bergen kirkeautunnale – festival for church music autunnale.no
Book nowBergen04.10.2026Maria Solheim / Bergen
Artist, songwriter and singer Maria Solheim heads out on her first solo tour in a long time. Together with her pianist Bodvar Tornes, Maria makes the trip to Norway's finest and cosiest venues! With her she brings among other things a handful of critically acclaimed ballads from her latest record «Over fjellet», of which the single «Sammen med deg» has been spinning on P1's A-list for over half a year. Maria is an artist, a songwriter with a completely distinctive voice — she is also a storyteller and a performer of the rarest kind. The duo format suits her, and you can look forward to an intimate, close and warm concert this evening. Welcome! Maria Solheim broke through as a young Northern Norwegian pop artist at the age of 19. Since then she has travelled the world with her music. She received the Spellemannspris in 2020 after several years of prestigious nominations, has released eight solo albums, three children's records and participated in several collaborative releases. Maria has sung at royal baptisms and confirmations, been on countless European tours and performed concerts in both the USA and Asia. In 2025 she released after many years a new full-length album with lyrics in Norwegian: «Over fjellet». - «Over fjellet» is a record with many sunrises. It is a spring-like record, but carries with it memories of a cold and dark winter. INFO – Age limit 18 years. Guardian arrangement for under 18 - see info and guardian form here: https://nord.wufoo.com/forms/vergeskjema/ – Doors open at 19:00. Concert starts at 20:00. – Use of strobe lights and glycol/mineral oil based stage smoke during the event may occur. – It is not permitted to bring items such as rucksacks, bags, large handbags, umbrellas, bottles/cans and similar into the concert hall. Such items cannot be left in the cloakroom for storage either. – Please be aware that we have limited capacity in the cloakroom during winter at large audience numbers. – Unnumbered seated and standing places. – Tickets are only refunded in case of cancelled event. – Separate ticket price for companion card.
Bergen19.09.2026 - 20.09.2026B-open 2026
B-open is an annual festival where professional artists and craftspeople open the doors to their studios. Get to know the city's vibrant and diverse art scene through a weekend filled with artist encounters and open studios. B-open offers a unique insight into professional artists' workplaces and processes. During the festival you can get to know those who create the art you otherwise see in galleries, museums and public spaces. Artists participating have studios located in everything from industrial buildings, studio communities or as part of their own home in Bergen and surrounding areas. Perhaps you will get to visit artists based in your own neighbourhood this weekend? Artists with studios in the city centre are open Saturday 19 September 12:00–17:00, and artists outside the city centre are open Sunday 20 September 12:00–17:00. All open studios and events during B-open are free and open to everyone. See this year's programme at b-open.no to plan your weekend. Feel free to follow us on social media for introductions of artists and programme leading up to the festival start!
Book nowBergen25.09.2026 - 26.09.2026Kampfar + support: Heimland + Stryknin || Hulen
KAMPFAR + support: Heimland + Strychnine || THE CAVE CC: 380 / 320* ID: 18 ---------- KAMPFAR Since 1994, Kampfar has delivered black metal of the highest class, both on record and on stage. Nine albums and two EPs have been released, which was celebrated with a 30th anniversary show on many of Europe's major festival stages in 2024. Now, two years later, the focus has been on Latin America, as well as a few selected shows in Europe. And among these shows, the band chooses to come home to Hulen again, a stage they have extra strong ties to. For more than 30 years, Kampfar has been a standard-bearer for Norwegian black metal, always with his own voice and his own expression, always on his own terms. They have received two Spellemann awards in addition to a nomination, and as a live band they are known for being one of the best we have to offer in this country. Intense and honest, epic and raw, a Kampfar concert is a journey through the centuries-long roots of Norwegian music, shaped into its distinctive expression and performed by musicians who fully master their craft. HEIMLAND HEIMLAND was formed in 2016 and stands as a band outside the framework of time. With roots in the Norwegian black metal tradition and especially its more pagan expressions – they carry on the legacy with their own strength and vision. After the strong reception of their debut album Forædrenes Taarer, the band is now back with their latest work: Der Torv Meets Hav. The album continues HEIMLAND's dark and atmospheric expression, where raw power and timeless moods meet in a soundscape that honors both the past and the present. STRYKNIN With headquarters in Østfold, Strychnine operates commando operations wherever the darkness and death front stretches. Pounding drums, cutting guitars and the screams of dying men storm the crowd wherever they muster. Endless and merciless, black metal and death metal, the devil steps over corpses that decorate the barbed wire. Everywhere violence and darkness reign.
Book nowBergen12.10.2026Susanne Sundfør with Kit Downes - Revelations of Divine Love
Susanne Sundfør releases her eighth studio album, Revelations of Divine Love, on 2 October 2026. In the wake of the album release she heads out on a release tour together with Kit Downes, with exclusive concerts at Nidarosdomen in Trondheim, the cathedral in Bergen and Kristiansand and the concert hall in Stavanger and Oslo.
Book nowBergen09.10.2026DEMOLITION BAND - STING & THE POLICE
Stitch. The Police. Immortal songs. One evening. Demolition Band is finally back – and they're not coming to play carefully. Remember to book a table for the best experience Since 2004, the band has built a reputation as one of Norway's strongest tributes to Sting & The Police, with a stage energy and musical accuracy that has time and time again sent audiences on their feet. In 2018, they filled the house to the brim with a full performance of Ten Summoner's Tales. And yes – this is also the band that in 2006 played the nachspielet after the Sting concert at Koengen, with Sting himself sitting in the bar next door while his own songs thundered from the stage. Expect a hit parade without breaks: Message in a Bottle, Roxanne, Every Breath You Take, Englishman in New York, Fields of Gold – and many more. Sing along. Order a bottle. Relive the songs you know by heart. Demolition Band Helge Haugland – vocals, bass Kim Gulbrandsen – keyboards, vocals Frank Robert Fauskanger – guitar, vocals Magne Trengereid – drums Paul Fawcus – saxophone This will be an evening you don't want to hear about the next day. Secure your table now.
Bergen01.10.2026Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra: With the hardanger fiddle in one hand and the violin in the other
The sound of the hardanger fiddle, with its distinctive tuning and resonating overtones, connects Norway to its deepest musical traditions while channeling centuries of joy and sorrow, patience and fortitude. A brand-new piece by our Composer-in-Residence Ørjan Matre combines the evocative sounds of the hardanger fiddle with the refined world of the classical violin. To play it, we welcome a musician who excels on both instruments and even managed to win Norway the Eurovision Song Contest on her hardanger fiddle in 2009 – Ragnhild Hemsing. After the new concerto and two hypnotic excerpts from Matre’s own reworking of Edvard Grieg’s Lyric Pieces, Nicholas Collon conducts a symphony by Shostakovich that has been likened to ‘a film score without a film.’ In his arresting Symphony No 11, Shostakovich depicted the failed uprising of 1905, a pre-cursor to the Russian Revolution of 12 years later. As the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich observed, this intensely-felt piece bears witness not just to the events of 1905, but to the tragically persistent patterns of suppression and violence in human history.
Book nowBergen10.10.2026Vic 20 år: The Hiveminds
Garage rockers The Hiveminds are celebrating ten years as a band these days, and will spend part of the autumn warming up for goth legends The Sisters of Mercy in Central Europe. They celebrate the anniversary and warm up for the tour by playing at the pub where they once gave their very first concerts.
Book nowBergen19.09.2026Victoria Ulriksen – Bergen kirkeautunnale
The young organ virtuoso is already in the process of building an international career. With sparkling playing and infectious enthusiasm she captivates a large audience. Autunnale's festival profile Amalie Stalheim is Victoria's guest at the concert. Victoria Ulriksen (b. 2006) studies performance organ at HMT Leipzig under Martin Schmeding and church music at Norges musikkhøgskole under Kåre Nordstoga, in addition to fortepiano and piano under Liv Glaser. She made her debut at the age of 15 in Oslo domkirke and has since performed concerts in among others Westminster Abbey, Nidarosdomen and Fraumünster Zürich. She has appeared at a number of festivals such as Oslo Internasjonale Kirkemusikkfestival, Festival Internacional de Órgão e Música Sacra, International Organ Summer Karlsruhe and has opened Salzburg Festspiele 4 times. In 2026 she performs among other places at St. Paul's Cathedral London, Saint-Ouen Abbey, St.-Bavokerk Haarlem, the Hildebrandt "Bach" organ in St. Wenzel Naumburg and Westminster Abbey, as well as at festivals such as Festspillene i Bergen, OrgelGlanzLichter and Orgelfestival Ruhr. She opened 2026 with two sold-out New Year's concerts in Stockholm Stadshus, and represents Norway at the Nordic Church Music Symposium in 2028. Programme: Max Reger (1873-1916) Choralfantasie über "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott", Op. 27 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) Ouvertüre Oratorium Paulus, Op. 36 Arranged by W. T. Best Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Suite, Op. 5 Prélude Sicilienne Toccata Festival profile Amalie Stalheim is Victoria's musical guest, with "Sept Papillons" by Kaija Saariaho. ––– Before you buy a ticket – consider a concert package! Or are you under 23? Then you can come in for free! Click on the ticket type. Welcome to Bergen kirkeautunnale – festival for church music 17–20/9 2026 autunnale.no
Book nowBergen02.10.2026STIG SESSION – LIVE
Stig Blindheim-Hansen brings his own songs and a carefully selected repertoire into a live set where guitar, vocals and looping take centre stage. The music moves in the landscape between rock, blues and soul, with room for both the intimate and the more powerful. The evening opens with Geir Rise, Stig's long-time student, before the concert builds further into Stig's own live set. This will be an evening with the guitar at the centre, original songs, interpretations and an expression that gets to grow along the way.
Book nowBergen19.09.2026Stemmeklang / NyNorsk Messingkvintett / Parallax / Hannevold – Bergen kirkeautunnale
Down into the ancient crypt, up into the church tower, with works that stretch from birth pains and the depths of the ocean, to high heavens and the sound of angels. The entire building fills with life when some of Norway's most exciting contemporary ensembles invite you to a promenade concert in Nykirken! Stemmeklang performs the work DE PROFUNDIS by Tyler Futrell together with NyNorsk messingkvintett, and the work OSEAN together with Parallax. Parallax and Anders Hannevold give the world premiere of the new work SERAF for guitar, percussion, trumpet, loose organ pipes and organetto portativo. Stemmeklang is a vocal quintet that works with space, sound and acoustics, with music that is in the borderland between contemporary music, improvisation and sonic exploration. The musical moves between voices, sounds, sonic textures and the room's own resonance, where architecture, history and acoustics become an active part of the experience. Kristin Bolstad - vocals Julie Kleive - vocals Linnéa Sundfær Casserly - vocals Karoline Dahl Gullberg - vocals Gabrielle Sørensen - vocals NyNorsk Messingkvintett is a Norwegian brass ensemble that works to explore and renew the classical brass quintet format – often drawing on Nynorsk language, Norwegian traditional material and new music. Jørgen Arnesen - trumpet Oscar Brodahl - trumpet Marie Solum Gran - horn Ingebjørg Bruket - trombone Berger Iver Færder - tuba Parallax has since 2008 created improvised music with an open and exploratory approach, blending among other things jazz, folk music and experimental sound expressions. Torstein Lavik Larsen - trumpet, electronics and a homemade pipe organ Are Lothe Kolbeinsen - prepared guitar, harp and sruti box Ulrik Ibsen Thorsrud - percussion, ceramics, reinforcement iron, styrofoam and misc. Anders Hannevold is interested in how we as individuals assign meaning to art, and uses this as a starting point in his compositions. Hannevold combines different types of notation – such as graphic scores, instruction texts and extended notation systems – and adapts the expression to each work. Hannevold has written SERAF which receives its world premiere at the concert, here he also plays organetto portativo. ––– Before you buy a ticket – consider a concert package! Or are you under 23? Then you can come in for free! Click on the selected ticket type. Welcome to Bergen kirkeautunnale – festival for church music 17–20/9 2026 L I V autunnale.no
Book nowBergen20.09.2026Sara Parkman – Bergen kirkeautunnale
«Sara Parkman sings about what is at stake» – Klassekampen Sara Parkman has since her debut in 2016 pushed the boundaries of what folk music can be. Her albums and concerts have time and again been celebrated for weaving together tradition and future. Along the way she has received a number of prestigious awards and had several sold-out tours. Parkman's recently released fourth album Aster, atlas explores the mysterious tradition, what it means to live, and to handle the living. Throughout, Parkman carries with her ora et labora - «The idea of prayer and work I want to be a comfort, a hope and an encouragement in the rather demanding times we live in. We shall continue to work and believe in community.» In Aster, atlas Parkman crosses traditional Norwegian herding calls with the early church's choral tradition, mixed with pulsating electronic music. She describes the music as a garden of sorrow, a garden of beauty – the garden of the body, the sprout and the decay. Welcome to a very special experience in Korskirken! ––– Before you buy a ticket – consider a concert package! Or are you under 23? Then you can come in for free! Click on the ticket types below. Welcome to Bergen kirkeautunnale – festival for church music 17–20/9 2026 L I V autunnale.no
Book nowBergen24.09.2026AUFORIA & HVOR ENN DU GÅR
Auforia: Auforia is a new exciting Stavanger project ready to embark on new adventures! Auforia is the band of songwriter and vocalist Aurora Aardahl Wegge. Together with her regular band she plays indie-jazzy, folk-inspired ballad pop, with intimate, honest lyrics brushed over a unique soundscape. The sources of inspiration range between No.4, Valkyrien Allstars and The Beatles. The repertoire is highly varied, with everything from flowing soundscapes to riff-heavy power ballads. The songs are written in Norwegian and deal with among other things reflections on life, relationships and nature. Auforia creates a bubble of magic, existential crises and spontaneous moments at their live concerts. Auforia played their debut concert at Gnu bar in Stavanger in January 2026, where they made a good first impression on stage. Auforia has recently released their debut singles "Ode til Naturen" and "Pusterom" which have received a lot of positive feedback from audiences. These were recorded at Elektrolüd at Tou last year. The band has already managed to play support for names such as Thea and the Wild and Daniela Reyes. Hvor enn du går: Hvor Enn Du Går is a Bergen-based funk jazz quintet with roots in classic brass funk and fleeting fusion jazz. The repertoire consists of groove-based, lyrical, self-arranged songs with distorted lines and hyped organ shrieks. The music is driven by unison runs between sax, guitar and rhodes, over a nostalgic and tight bass and drum backing. The band consists of five musicians from the jazz/rock scene in Bergen, from projects such as Funk For Forrest and Superføkk. Doors open: 20:00 Concert starts: 20:30
Book nowBergen19.09.2026 - 20.09.2026Halvhus: Fullt volum
Did it go a bit silent after the opening week? Can you hear a pin drop? Join Studentersamfunnet in Bergen as we fill the house with life and sound, and we can promise you it'll be loud! Bring your friends to an epic and noisy night with lots of fun. We're hosting karaoke, a dancefloor, and also a game of musical chairs. Join us in going out with a loud bang! We're hosting different activities in Teglverket, Tivoli, Stjernesalen, and several other rooms, September 19. from 21.00 – 03.00 at Kvarteret. We look forward to seeing you! This event is a part of Studentersamfunnets "Fokusuke" with the theme: STØY (loud noise). Please join us at our events this week as we'll experience booms at our breakfast meeting, an exciting trip to Akvariet, a debate about freedom of speech, a panel on visual noise and finally a blast of a party to conclude the week! ID: 20 years, 18 years with student ID.
Book nowBergen27.09.2026Erik Bye i 100
Mester Wester presents: Erik Bye i 100 – A musical journey through Erik Bye’s life and work On the first of March they were met with standing ovations in a sold‑out Oslo Concert Hall, and on 27 September you can experience this atmospheric anniversary performance in Griegsalen! Join Hakon Wester and Erik Bye’s grandchild Marianne Bye Granheim for a heartfelt anniversary performance where Erik Bye’s songs are performed together with photos, film clips and stories from his unique and multifaceted life. Hakon and Marianne invite you to a warm and intimate full‑evening concert experience which, seasoned with sea spray, poetry and social engagement, is also a journey through Norwegian media history and cultural heritage. An evening for those who grew up with Erik Bye, and for a new generation who will discover why his songs still move us. For more information about the performance: www.erikbyei100.no In Norwegian.
Getting here and around
Get in-depth travel information on Bergen’s official website.
Plan your trip to Bergen with the travel planner Entur.
By plane
Bergen Airport Flesland serves as a regional airport for large parts of Fjord Norway. There are direct services to Bergen from many international cities, and all the biggest cities and towns in Norway.
From the airport, airport express buses and the Bergen Light Rail take you to the centre of Bergen in about half an hour.
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By boat
Aferry takes you from Hirtshals in Denmark to Bergen.
You can also travel between Stavanger and Bergen by ferry.
Bergen is the turnaround port for the coastal express Hurtigruten, which sails all the way to Kirkenes in the north.
By train
The Bergen Line between Oslo and Bergen is known as one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. You can choose between several daily services, and the journey takes about 7 hours.
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By bus
There are a number of daily express bus services between major cities in Norway.
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By car
If you are travelling from Oslo, you can drive across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, Haukeli, or Hemsedalsfjellet (7–8.5 hours).
If you are coming from the south or the north, drive along the coast and cross the fjords on ferries and bridges. Note that queues for the ferries are common in summer, so it is a good idea to arrive at the terminal early.
Plan your route, check traffic alerts, ferry information and more at the Norwegian Roads Administration website.
Local travel
A well-developed bus network makes it easy to get from A to B in the Bergen region.
The Bergen Light Rail runs from Byparken in the city centre to Bergen airport. With the Bergen Card, you can travel free by Bergen Light Rail and on local buses.
Express boats are often the most effective way of getting around in the wider region, especially if you are travelling across fjords.
