10 Top things to do in Bergen, Norway: Experience Nordic Way!

Norway enchants its visitors with its lively cities that sustain without compromising on its natural beauty. Out of all Norwegian cities, Bergen is the second-largest city that brims with photogenic wooden buildings, painted in vibrant colours and bound by the arc of 7 stunning snowcapped mountainscapes. Being a city that showcases its past through monuments from Middle Ages, Bergen will never cease to surprise you. It let you experience the Nordic way through various activities during your vacation. Romance, adventure, fun or relaxation, whatever you seek, Bergen has it all. Here is the list of “10 Top Things To Do In Bergen Norway” to the beauty of Norway beyond your fantasy.

10 Top Things To Do In Bergen Norway

1. Take Fløibanen Funicular To Fløyen
2. Stroll Around Bergen Fish Market
3. Get A Glimpse Of Past In Old Bergen Museum
4. Cruise on the Fjords 
5. Wander Inside Bergenhus Fortress
6. Witness The Beauty Of Fantoft Stave Church
7. Travel To Past In Hanseatic Museum 
8. Take Stunning Photographs In Bryggen
9. Admire The Art At The Kode Museum
10. Indulge In Nordic Cuisine

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1. Take Fløibanen Funicular To Fløyen

Fløyen is one of the most accessible mountains from Bergen out of the seven scenic mountains. The city and the mount are linked together by the Fløibanen funicular that first started running in 1918. So take a seat in Fløibanen that take only 6minutes to drop you to the 300 meters slope. Make sure to peek through the window to witness the striking view of the city. Once you arrive at Fløyen, make sure to check out the spectacular panoramic view of Bergen, the fjord and the north sea from Floytrappene. You can further explore the mountain by going for a hike.

2. Stroll Around Bergen Fish Market

When you are in Bergen, you can’t miss strolling in its liveliest Bergen Fish Market. It will allow you to observe the daily life of Norwegians, awe at the local fishes, fruits, vegetables and handicrafts. Being a coastal country, it is natural that the fishing industry has become an economic and cultural identity for Norway. Being one of the most visited attractions, Bergen Fish Market is a vibrant and bustling place set in the centre of the city. Go around the market and look into fresh catches of the day. 

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3. Get A Glimpse Of Past In Old Bergen Museum

An open-air museum with typical Norwegian homes belonging to the 18th and 19th centuries, Old Bergen Museum is the best place to step into to learn about the Nordic way of life in the past. A best place to visit if you are with your family. There are almost 55 wooden houses reconstructed to represent the past era. Besides, you can see people dressing like 18th-century Norwegian people by making the entire atmosphere even more realistic. Get the most out of this unique museum by attending workshops, visiting exhibitions, buying souvenirs or attend events and theatre shows.

4. Cruise on the Fjords 

Bergen is an enchanting hotspot to cruise as it interlinks with all the fjords surrounding it. So booking a cruise in one of the several cruise companies stationed in the port is a must to experience the stunning seascape of Norway. You can either use it as transport to sail across to nearby cities or to take a day trip to Sognefjorden and Baroniet Rosendal. If you are a couple, go for a romantic voyage in Hurtigruten and witness the beauty of the northmost part of the Norwegian coast surrounding fjords and majestic mountains. 

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5. Wander Inside Bergenhus Fortress

Bergenhus Fortress is an old complex in the city centre and has several medieval buildings dating from 1200 to 1900. From the architecture of the oldest ceremonial hall, the Hakon’s hall, to the Rosenkrantz Tower, everything will let you experience the random jaw-dropping moment. The entire fortress has intrinsic and inspiring sculptures and windows representing the Romanesque and Gothic eras. You can explore the ground floor that will be open for the public, whereas other floors and buildings are used as a workspace by over 200 military and civil workers. If you are a history buff, you can explore the Bergenhus Fortress exhibition in the museum, or look out for stables, a quarter of guards or German bunkers.

6. Witness The Beauty Of Fantoft Stave Church

Visiting Fantoft Stave Church is the most intriguing place in the entire Bergen for all the buzz-worthy stories it carries. Hop on a Bergen Light Rail to reach this serene hotspot. This church is Norway’s architectural and national heritage that has a unique aura making it stand out from other churches you see in the towns. Back then, there used to be almost 1000 stave churches reflecting the roots of Vikings, but now Norway is left with only 28. Built-in 1150, the Fantoft Stave church was also destroyed in 1992 by a devastating fire. The structure which exists today is a reconstructed architecture with the exact crucifix that luckily survived the accident.

7. Travel To Past In Hanseatic Museum 

Hanseatic Museum is the most unique and attractive structure that came alive after the fire in the 18th century. This oldest timber building houses German trading history, their lives and the great fire of 1702. Hanseatic is the only building at Bryggen that fortunately survived and retained its original interior even after the fire. Once you buy the ticket for this museum, you can use the same for Schotstuene, banquet halls, assembly halls and courtrooms.

8. Take Stunning Photographs In Bryggen

Walking along the eastern quayside lies the ever glowing picturesque Bryggen with an array of bright coloured wooden houses. This UNESCO World Heritage Site with a striking facade was once a warehouse. It is an instagrammable spot filled with a enthralling backdrop that lets you pretend as you travelled back to Norway’s Medieval days. This site was also affected by the 1702 fire but rebuilt soon after the fire using the same centuries-old foundation.

9. Admire The Art At The KODE Museum

If you are an art fanatic, there isn’t a better way to make your vacation a bit more interesting than visiting the KODE Museum. A hub that every art lover should seek before the end of vacation in Bergen. A single ticket is all you need to experience the beauty of art provided in four attractions. This museum was founded in 2013 when four art institutions and cultural attractions allied to converge their diverging beauty under an umbrella, “KODE”. KODE 1 showcases antiques, crafts, golden and silver objects made in Berge, Europe and Asia. This gallery will also have some of the oldest paintings. KODE 2 houses contemporary works. KODE 3 exhibits paintings of Johan Christian Dahl and Edvard Munch. The gallery also houses works from the Golden era of Norwegian art. Whereas Kode 4 has the artistic works of painters like Dahl and Pablo Picasso.

10. Indulge In Nordic Cuisine

The top thing to do in Bergen is to savour the finest delicacies of Nordic cuisine. While there are many remarkable local restaurants, Bergen also houses numerous international restaurants that serve under the leadership of world-class chefs. Being a member of UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy Network, Bergen never ceases to surprise you by offering a memorable dining experience that will get you hooked to Norway forever. Cornelius Seafood Restaurant, Bare Restaurant and Lysverket are some of the must-visit restaurants to ease into the flavours of fresh ingredients of Bergen. Try winter cod, Norwegian lutefisk and sea urchin delicacies.

As we have arrived at the end of “10 Top Things To Do In Bergen, Norway”, we like to highlight that this is not the end of the list. There are still many activities like visiting the Bergen aquarium, hiking on Mount Ulriken, and more that help you create unforgettable memories. With this confirmation, start right now to arrange a trip to Norway’s Bergen. If you are not sure where and how to start, look into Pickyourtrail‘s Norway holiday packages or customise your Norway itinerary.