Bergen – Travel Guide
Bergen, Norway`s second-largest city, is renowned for its picturesque setting between fjords and mountains, offering stunning natural beauty and rich history. The UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, with its colorful wooden buildings, showcases the city`s Hanseatic heritage. Visitors can take the Floibanen funicular to Mount Floyen for panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords or explore nearby natural wonders like the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Bergen`s vibrant cultural scene includes art galleries, museums, and the annual Bergen International Festival. With its blend of history, culture, and landscapes, Bergen is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.
All about Bergen
Getting around Bergen
On Foot
Bergen is compact making it easy to explore on foot. Its stunning location by the fjords and the mountains, as well as its picturesque and beautiful architecture and rich cultural life makes walking a pleasure. There are several lively districts offering different experiences to visitors such as Sentrum, Nordnes, Fjellsiden, or Sandviken.
The heart of the city is Torgallmenningen, the main square and street. This area is closed to traffic and it is a meeting point for locals and visitors with many shops and restaurants. Walk around this area and also Skostredent shopping street. Very close to the city center you will find the harbor with the Fish Market and Bryggen district.
The most central streets of the city typically have a good accessibility for the disabled. The most important pedestrian crossings have sound signals and are indicated by tactile paving. They are also accessible with a wheelchair.
By Bus
Bus schedules can be a bit difficult to understand. There is an information desk at the bus station providing information on all local bus and train lines free of charge. Calling 177 will also put you in contact with the information center. Schedules and outline maps of the services are available online, which displays the location of bus stops, but not the schedules of the lines. Schedules can also be picked up from any bus, but are only available in Norwegian.
The Central Bus Station (Bystasjonen), Strømgaten 8, is the terminal for all buses serving the Bergen and Hardanger areas, as well as the airport bus. The station has luggage storage, shops, and a restaurant. City buses are marked with their destination and route number. A network of yellow-sided city buses serves the city center only.
Regular bus services operate throughout the day with routes running through downtown every 20 minutes. In the suburbs, there are smaller lines, generally operating from a local terminal, with less frequent services. There are not so many buses between the city center and the southern neighborhoods of Fana and Ytrebygda, instead, the light rail runs from the city center to the regional terminal at Nesttun, where feeder buses bring passengers onwards.
By Car
A toll is charged on all vehicles driven into the city center Monday to Friday from 6 am to 10 pm. A single ticket costs around NOK15. Visitors can park on most streets in the city center after 5 pm. There is a large parking garage near the bus and train stations, about a 5 minute walk from the city center. It’s open 24 hours a day.
You do not need a car to explore the city, but it can be convenient to have a car to explore the area around Bergen. There are rental car companies at the airport and downtown.
Driving in the area outside the city center is quite convenient, with expressways going in most directions.
By Taxi
Taxis are very expensive. There are a number of taxi stalls throughout Bergen. During the day, taxis typically do not pick up customers beyond the taxi stalls, except when called to an address. During the night and weekends, taxi queues can be very long, and all customers are therefore required to go to the stalls. It is possible to order taxis to a specific address, however, the driver does not always arrive during the busy hours on nights and weekends.
Fares are around the same costs regardless of the taxi company. All companies are regarded as reliable and safe.
By Bicycle
Getting around by bike can be difficult in Bergen due to inadequate infrastructure. Many central streets are paved with cobblestone, and there are only a few roads with designated cycling lanes in the center of Bergen. You can take the bike on sidewalks as long as you are cautious of pedestrians.
Bergen has shared bicycles operated by “Bergen Bysykkel”. Daily passes can be bought for around 49 NOK.
Bergen Card
The Bergen Card entitles you to free bus transportation and free or discounted admission to many sites in town, plus discounts on car rentals, parking, and some cultural and leisure activities. It can be purchased at the tourist office.
Bergen FAQ
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Once you arrive at the Bergen airport, you can take the airport bus, which runs every 15-20 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center. You can also take the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen) to the city center.
How do I get from the train station to my hotel?
The train station is located at Strømgaten 4, 5015 Bergen. Most hotels in Bergen are within walking distance of the train station. If you are going a further distance, there is a bus station and the Nonnester stop right next to the train station. Taxis are also available at the righthand side exit of the train station.
How do I get around the city using public transportation?
Bergen has a good public transport system for getting around outside the city center. Tickets are priced per zone and increase if you travel to and from different zones.
How can I call/hail a taxi?
Taxis are prohibitively expensive in Bergen but can be booked ahead by dialing 07000, or downloading the app. Rideshares have been a hot and cold service in Norway. Uber, Lyft, and Bolt are said to be active again, but the reliability of securing a driver may prove challenging.
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I will have a car in Bergen, where can I park?
While you don’t need a car to explore Bergen, you may want to rent one to visit the nearby attractions. Bergen has a high concentration of electric cars per capita and many charging stations. Car rentals start around 400 NOK per day for multi-day rental.
There are parking garages located in different parts of Bergen. Parking restrictions are strict but clearly indicated.
How do I get around by bike?
Cycling is a great way to get around the city as everything is close together and there are lots of locals that bike as well. You can find plenty of rentals and/or rent e-bikes around town.
Is Bergen a walking city?
Yes, Bergen is compact and ideal for exploring on foot.
Is Bergen a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?
Bergen is safe with a fairly low rate of petty crimes. You may encounter occasional pickpocketing or luggage thefts, particularly in crowded tourist hotspots and public transport. However, it is less common compared to other major cities.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?
The currency in Norway is called the Norwegian Kroner (NOK). Once you`re in Norway you`ll have to use the Kroner. You can exchange currency in the tourist information office, banks, or in an exchange bureau.
Tipping in Norway can vary but it is usual for Norwegians to leave a tip in restaurants and bars if they are happy with their service. A 10-20% tip is expected if the customer is satisfied. It is uncommon to tip taxi drivers or hotel staff.
I don`t speak Norwegian. Will many people speak English?
The country`s written and spoken language in Norway is Norwegian. Since Norwegians begin learning English at the age of six, Norwegians often speak fluent English and are more than happy to converse with you. However, we suggest you get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
What are the best areas for shopping?
The pedestrianized streets of Gamle Strandgaten, Marken and Torgallmenningen have shops selling everything from trolls to favorite brands, antiques, handicrafts, Norwegian sweaters, ceramics and silver jewelry.
Husfliden, in Vågsallmenningen, is one of the leading gift shops. Torget, the famous fish market by the harbor is also a popular shopping attraction. This is one of the most visited markets in Norway that has been in operation since the 13th century, when it was an important meeting point for fishermen and merchants. Nowadays it sells fresh fish and seafood, as well as local fruits and vegetables.
Shopping hours in Norway are similar to the rest of Europe – Monday to Friday from 9am – 6pm with most shops opening until 8 pm on Thursdays. Saturday opening hours are from 9am – 3pm.
What is Nightlife like and where are the best areas to go?
Bergen has a lively nightlife scene with many bars, pubs, and clubs. The many bars include outdoor seating along the historic Bryggen and Fisketorget. You’ll also find several cocktail bars, including ones with a retro vibe, mismatched furniture, colorful murals, video games, and low lighting.
Bergen is one of the Norway’s largest student cities, and the student life has created a young and compact atmosphere in the city center.
What is the weather like? When is the best time to visit?
In mid-summer, the average daily temperature is around 60 degrees F, but on hot days it may reach in the high 70’s F. The coldest month is January when temperatures average in the 30’s F.
Most people visit Bergen during the summer, between May and September, when the weather is warm and the days are long. May and July are considered the best months to visit, with May featuring cherry blossoms and July offering warm weather.
What is the food like? What time do they usually eat?
The food in Bergen is influenced by the city’s history of being a fishing port, and includes a variety of seafood dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and sheep and mutton. A local restaurant that serves traditional Wester Norwegian food would serve pickled fish, stew, meatballs, and fish gratin.
Coffee is an important part of the food culture in this area of Norway, and is often served with something sweet.
What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?
In an Emergency dial 113 for an ambulance
The main hospital in Bergen is Haukeland University Hospital, which has a 24-hour emergency department.
Pharmacies in Norway can provide advice and over-the-counter medications. There are several in Bergen, including some that are open late or 24 hours.
Top Attractions
Troldhaugen
The museum is open year-round, with daily concerts during the summer season as a popular event.
Bryggen
The very first buildings in Bergen were situated at Bryggen, which has been a vibrant and important area of the city for many centuries.
Gamle Bergen Museum
Open-air museum with historic wooden buildings, actors in costume and theatrical performances.
Bergenhus Fortress
The castle is one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway.
Unique Experiences
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Classic Private Hiking: Book this private hike in Bergen, where your guide shows you the best route between Mt. Ulriken to Mt. Floyen with gorgeous views along the way. Your professional guide has a first aid kit, so you don`t need to bring one yourself.
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Bergen Fjord Experience Aboard Viking-style Ship: Guests will get the experience of sailing like a Viking. The ship itself is a direct descendant of the Viking Age. There are very few of these vessels in existence and almost none available for public participation.
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Private Dinner Cruise to Cornelius Seafood Restaurant: Private yacht cruise from Bergen to the best seafood restaurant in Bergen, located on an island only accessible by boat. We wait at the restaurant until you are finished. Snacks and refreshments included onboard.
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Private Full Day Hardangerfjord Tour From Bergen: This 10 hour private is tour gives you the opportunity to explore the Norwegian countryside without having to stress with logistics or worrying that you will miss a bus connection.
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Bergen City Sightseeing: Begin with the city`s top attractions, including Bergenhus Fortress, the Fish Market, and Bryggen Embankment. For the second part, you can choose from a long list of museums, visit the most scenic spots in town, or anywhere you desire.
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What to expect while traveling
