Bergen
Bergen, Norway’s historic coastal city, is steeped in over 950 years of history, culture, and maritime tradition. Founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre, it quickly became a major trading hub in the North Atlantic, connecting Norway to Europe through the Hanseatic League from the 14th to 18th centuries. During this period, Bergen’s Bryggen wharf became the center of trade, especially in stockfish, and many Hanseatic merchants settled in the city, leaving a lasting architectural and cultural legacy. Its strategic location made it Norway’s de facto capital for centuries, a gateway for exploration, commerce, and cultural exchange with the British Isles, Germany, and beyond. Bergen also endured several great fires, most notably in 1702, which shaped the city’s urban planning and architecture. Over the centuries, it has grown into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that blends its historic past with modern culture, festivals, music, and a strong connection to the sea that continues to define its identity.
💡Bergen: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: Norway allows visa-free entry for citizens of many countries, including the US, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, for short stays (typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement).
✈️ Closest Airport: Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO)
💬 Language: Norwegian is the official language. In Bergen, you may hear the local Bergen dialect, which has a distinct melodic tone. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels.
🏷️ Price Level: High — Norway is generally more expensive than most European countries, especially for dining, accommodation, and attractions.
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Norway: ~US$7.50
💰 Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK) | 1 USD ≈ 11.0 NOK
☀️ Best Times to Visit: May to September — enjoy mild weather, long daylight hours, and outdoor activities. Winters are cold, wet, and often snowy, but offer stunning fjord scenery.
🚆 Transportation: buses, light rail (Bybanen), ferries, and taxis. The city is compact and walkable, especially around the Bryggen harbor and city center.
🔌 Adapter: Norway uses type C and F plugs with 230V voltage. Travelers from the US will need a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
🛜 WiFi: Widely available in hotels, cafés, restaurants, and public areas. Many attractions and public spaces offer free WiFi.
🏧💰 ATM and “Cash or Card”: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including contactless payments. ATMs are plentiful, but having some cash is useful for smaller shops or ferries.
💸 Tipping: Not obligatory — service charges are usually included. Rounding up the fare in taxis or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated but optional.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Bergen Cruise Terminal, Nøstegaten 30, 5011 Bergen, Norway (docked).
✈️ 🚇 🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ Getting around Bergen is easy, convenient, and a great way to experience the city’s scenic charm. The city center is compact, especially around Bryggen, Torgallmenningen, and the harbor area, making it easy to explore on foot while taking in colorful wooden buildings and waterfront views.
For trips farther afield, the public bus system and the Bybanen light rail are reliable, frequent, and comfortable. Buses and the light rail connect Bergen with suburbs, the airport, and nearby attractions like Fantoft Stave Church and Fløyen Mountain.
Taxis are available throughout the city and are a convenient option, though more expensive than public transport. Renting a car is ideal for visitors wanting to explore the surrounding fjords, mountains, or nearby villages at their own pace.
Tickets for buses and the light rail can be purchased via ticket machines, mobile apps, or contactless payment cards. Day passes and multi-trip tickets offer great value if you plan to use public transport frequently.
✈️ Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO) is located about 18 km (11 miles) from the city center and offers convenient access via public transport. The Bybanen light rail connects the airport directly to Bergen city center in around 45 minutes, offering a fast and scenic route.
Buses also run between the airport and key areas of the city, providing frequent and comfortable service.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminals and typically take 30–40 minutes to reach central Bergen, depending on traffic, costing approximately NOK 500–700 (US$45–65).
🚇 Bergen Cruise Port is a major arrival point for ships visiting Norway and is conveniently located near the city center and the historic Bryggen harbor area. The cruise terminal is within walking distance (about 10–15 minutes) of key attractions such as Bryggen’s UNESCO-listed wooden buildings, the bustling fish market, and the harborfront cafés and shops.
Public transport options are readily available nearby, including buses and the Bybanen light rail, which connect the port with the city center, suburbs, and surrounding neighborhoods. Taxis are also easy to find at the terminal, offering quick and convenient rides to hotels, the airport, or excursions into the fjords and surrounding mountains.
🚌 The City Sightseeing Bergen bus operates one bus route covering the most important sights around the city (more info here).
⭐️ Top Sights in Bergen
"Bergen is known as the 'City of Seven Mountains,' surrounded by seven scenic peaks
that offer panoramic views of the city and its famous fjords."
📸 Bryggen Wharf: A vibrant row of colorful wooden buildings lines Bergen’s old harbor, making Bryggen one of Norway’s most photographed landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to the Hanseatic League trading era of the 14th century, when German merchants dominated commerce here. Today, you can wander its narrow wooden alleyways, where restored buildings house museums, artisan workshops, galleries, and charming boutiques. The Bryggens Museum showcases archaeological finds, while local craftspeople keep traditional skills alive. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture, and atmosphere, especially striking when illuminated at night.
📸 Fløyen Mountain & Funicular: A classic Bergen experience begins with the Fløibanen funicular, which whisks visitors from the city center up to Mount Fløyen (320 meters above sea level) in under 10 minutes. At the summit, sweeping views open up over Bergen, its fjords, and the surrounding mountains. Families will love the playgrounds, troll statues, and a small animal park, while hikers can set off on scenic trails through forests and lakes. Cafés and a restaurant at the top offer cozy spots to enjoy coffee or waffles while soaking in the panorama. Sunset and twilight bring especially magical light for photos.
📸 Bergenhus Fortress: Standing guard at the harbor entrance, Bergenhus Fortress is one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fortresses, with roots reaching back to the 13th century. Highlights include Haakon’s Hall, a medieval royal banqueting hall built by King Haakon Haakonsson, and the Rosenkrantz Tower, a fortified tower and residence from the 16th century. Visitors can explore exhibitions on Bergen’s role as a medieval capital, its military past, and life inside the fortress walls. The grounds are free to wander and often host cultural events and concerts in summer.
📸 Fish Market (Fisketorget): For centuries, Bergen’s Fish Market has been a lively gathering spot, bringing together fishermen, farmers, and townsfolk. Today, it’s still buzzing with stalls offering fresh catches like shrimp, salmon, king crab, and whale meat, alongside local cheeses, berries, and baked goods. You can enjoy ready-to-eat street food or dine at waterfront restaurants that serve seafood straight from the stalls. It’s not just a market—it’s an atmosphere: bustling, flavorful, and a sensory introduction to Norway’s culinary traditions.
📸 KODE Art Museums: The KODE complex brings together four museums in the city center, offering one of Scandinavia’s largest collections of art, design, and music history. Highlights include works by Edvard Munch, international modernists like Picasso, and exhibitions of Nordic design and contemporary crafts. The museums also manage the homes of famous composers, including Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull, adding a musical dimension to the experience. Rotating exhibitions ensure there’s always something new, making it a cultural hub for locals and visitors alike.
📸 St. Mary’s Church (Mariakirken): Built in the 12th century, St. Mary’s Church is the oldest surviving building in Bergen and a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. Its twin stone towers rise over the Bryggen district, and inside you’ll find a richly decorated Baroque pulpit and medieval German-influenced altarpieces, reflecting Bergen’s Hanseatic connections. The church’s peaceful atmosphere and historic gravestones provide a contemplative break from the city bustle.
📸 Fantoft Stave Church: Originally built in 1150, the Fantoft Stave Church is a striking reconstruction of a medieval wooden stave church, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1992. Its steep gables, dragon-head carvings, and tar-blackened timbers evoke both Viking traditions and early Christian heritage. Surrounded by forest, it feels atmospheric and otherworldly, offering insight into Norway’s unique medieval architecture.
📸 Mount Ulriken & Cable Car: At 643 meters, Mount Ulriken is the tallest of Bergen’s seven mountains, offering breathtaking vistas of the city, fjords, and rugged peaks. The Ulriken cable car provides a quick ride to the top, where you’ll find a restaurant serving local dishes with panoramic views. Outdoor enthusiasts can join guided hikes, try paragliding, or take the famous “Vidden hike” connecting Ulriken with Mount Fløyen—a rewarding trek across dramatic mountain landscapes.
📸 Nygårdsparken: A lush English-style park in central Bergen, Nygårdsparken has winding paths, old trees, fountains, and open lawns that bloom with seasonal flowers. It’s a favorite spot for picnics, jogging, or simply relaxing with a book, offering a calm green escape from city streets. In spring and summer, the park is especially lively, while autumn brings a canopy of golden leaves.
📸 Nordnes Peninsula & Coastal Promenade: Stretching into the fjord, the Nordnes Peninsula combines maritime history with scenic beauty. Its waterfront promenade is perfect for walking, cycling, or watching boats pass by. Along the way, you’ll discover historic wooden houses, small cafés, and the popular Nordnes Sjøbad, an outdoor seawater pool and sauna open year-round. At sunset, the views over the harbor and fjords are magical, making this one of Bergen’s most atmospheric evening strolls.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Bergen’s food scene is a lively reflection of its maritime heritage, centuries of trade, and vibrant local culture. As a historic port city and key hub of the Hanseatic League from the 14th to 18th centuries, Bergen has long embraced diverse culinary influences while preserving traditional Norwegian flavors. Fresh seafood, including salmon, cod, and shellfish, has been central to the local diet for centuries, and dishes like raspeballer (potato dumplings) and klippfisk (dried salted cod) reflect Norway’s long-standing preservation and trading traditions. From bustling fish markets and riverside cafés to modern restaurants and cozy bakeries, the city’s culinary landscape blends history with contemporary innovation.
🍽️ Fresh Local Seafood: Bergen’s coastal location makes it a paradise for seafood lovers. Popular dishes include grilled salmon, cod, shellfish, and king crab, often enjoyed at riverside cafés, the famous Fish Market (Fisketorget), or cozy local restaurants, highlighting the city’s long maritime tradition.
🍽️ Raspeballer (Potato Dumplings): A traditional Norwegian comfort food made from grated potatoes mixed with flour and sometimes filled with meat. Often served with bacon, sausage, or salted meat, it reflects Bergen’s history of hearty, practical meals for seafarers and farmers.
🍽️ Klippfisk (Dried Salted Cod): A staple in Bergen for centuries, klippfisk is cod preserved through drying and salting, originally traded widely through the Hanseatic League. It’s typically cooked in stews, casseroles, or paired with potatoes and vegetables.
🍽️ Fiskesuppe (Norwegian Fish Soup): A creamy soup featuring local fish, shellfish, and vegetables. This warming dish reflects Bergen’s culinary heritage and is a favorite among both locals and visitors.
🍽️ Skillingsboller (Cinnamon Buns): A sweet treat with roots in traditional Norwegian baking, often enjoyed with coffee. They showcase Bergen’s love for baked goods and cozy café culture.
🍽️ Brunost (Brown Cheese): A uniquely Norwegian cheese made from caramelized whey, served thinly sliced on bread or waffles. Its sweet, nutty flavor is an iconic part of Bergen’s culinary identity.
🥤 Karsk: A traditional Nordic drink combining coffee and moonshine or vodka. While less common in the city center today, it remains part of Bergen’s historic social and festive culture.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🚕 Uber
🚕 Bolt