Top 5 Bergen (Norway) for 2-3 days visit

Hello travel lovers. Here is a short Top 5 attractions in Bergen for a short 2-3 days visit.

We have visited Bergen, Norway in August 2015 for one weekend and despite the rainy weather we made the most of it. Summer is the best time to visit as the day is longer and also all the fjord cruises are available. But here rain is a common thing for summer so take your rubber boots and also a raincoat.

If you are there during the weekend you must experience the night life. The city center is full of restaurants, terraces and pubs all crowded and full of life, music and fun. (take a look at the photos in the full article)

1. Fjord cruise – worth the money

Bergen is world known as the gate to Norway’s fjords, so even if the fjord cruises are expensive they are worth it. We had a short fjord cruise to Mostraumen (half a day) but now we wished we have taken the Norway in a Nutshell trip (train, bus and boat). The Norway in a Nutshell will take you through Flåm Railway, the Aurlandsfjord and the narrowest fjord, Nærøyfjord. The journey by train through Flåm Railway is spectacular and offers a panoramic view. Flamsbana is one of the steepest train lines in the world, where almost 80% of the journey has a gradient of 5.5%. So if you have one full day available take the Norway in a Nutshell fjord cruise and if you are short on time or money the Mostraumen fjord cruise will offer you the basic.

2. Mountain Fløyen – for a great view

The Fløibanen funicular will take you to mountain Fløyen plateau where you can enjoy a great view of the city. Go there to watch the sunset (it’s amazing) and also you can go down by foot (the tracks are well marked and also lighted; you will not be alone even late in the evening as there are a lot of joggers there). On your way, by foot, make sure you are not missing the old Bergen Scansen firehouse.

3. Bryggen – coloured wooden houses (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

The old city is not that big and you can easily visit it by foot in a few hours. From the fish market that is the heart of the city you can get in less than 5 minutes to these beautiful coloured wooden houses.

Experience the shops, restaurants and get lost in the narrow streets between these old wooden houses. These wooden houses are rebuilt after 1702 great city fire, but their history goes back to 1300 when this area was used as a docking and trading area.

As you are in this area you can also visit St Mary's Church.

4. Bergenhus fortress – have a look at the port from the fortress tower

This is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of Norway. The oldest surviving buildings are from the mid 13th century, but the area was a royal residence from the late 11th century. The fortress is worth the visit also inside as you can go through the narrow halls up to the top of the tower.

5. Old Bergen (Gamle Bergen) – experience inside out how people lived here in the past

A little bit out north (take the bus) this reconstructed town (18th to early 20th century) it’s a great experience. The houses have a guide that is dressed according to the age and that acts, talks and interacts with you like in those old days. A real journey into the past decades.

Enjoy the photos below (most of them taken by us and for the borrowed ones see the photo credits under each one). And not least enjoy Bergen and the fjords!