Located on the southwestern coast of Norway is a port city well worth your while. Nestled between mountains and fjords, Bergen is a popular port of call for cruise ships and those looking for a slower vacation pace than in the capital city of Oslo. Bergen is largely walkable, boasts a rich history, and offers a warmer climate than one might expect for Scandinavia. Plus, it’s only a short drive to three of Norway’s 48 national parks.
Whether on a family vacation or a solo trip, Bergen provides a perfect combination of urban and rural exploration, a vibrant cultural city surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and coastlines. Here are five things to add to your Bergen itinerary:
Fantoft Stave Church
Stave churches are an integral part of Norway’s architectural heritage, dating back to the 12th century when Christianity was new to their culture. These timber-framed structures pay homage to traditional Norse woodworking, complete with medieval iconography and gables that resemble dragon heads on Viking ships. Though thousands of stave churches were built across Norway in its earliest centuries of Christianity, only 28 survive today. Located squarely between the airport and city center of Bergen is Fantoft Stave Church, which, after a devastating fire in 1992, was rebuilt in 1997 and is open to visitors from May to September.
Bryggen
When Bergen was established in the 11th century, its wharfs and seaside merchants were integral to the city’s growth. Gradually, the buildings – eventually known as Bryggen – became some of Bergen’s earliest warehouses and places of business. Today, it’s a must-stop haven for tourists looking for souvenirs and good food. In and around this row of vibrant structures are other spots not to be missed: St. Mary’s Church (the oldest building in the city), the Bergenhus Fortress, and a statue of Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian and poet who compiled the Prose Edda, the 13th-century guiding work on Norse mythology.
Fjord Cruise
The Mostraumen Fjord Cruise offers a relaxing four-hour sail from Bergen to Mo, passing through the narrow Mostraumen Channel and turning around at the mouth of the river Moelva. Board the boat at Dreggekaien Pier next to Bryggen, and settle in for a scenic cruise with waterfalls and villages on both sides of the fjord. Mostraumen offers two options from April to September – a 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. call time. (October through March offers the 10 a.m. cruise only.) Bring your camera! www.MostraumenFjordCruise.com
Fløibanen
A trip to Bergen isn’t complete without a bird’s eye view of the city. In a matter of minutes, the Fløibanen funicular takes visitors more than 1000 feet above sea level where they can enjoy a restaurant and shop, a playground for kids, hiking trails, and plenty of space to sit and savor the view. Highly accessible and easy to get to, this mountain cable car excursion is enjoyable for all ages. When you get back down, take a left onto Kong Oscars Gate and grab a reindeer hot dog at Trekroneren. You won’t regret it. www.Floyen.no/en/Floibanen
Steinsdalsfossen (one-hour drive east of Bergen)
While you can explore most of Bergen on foot, renting a car enables you to explore the surrounding smaller towns and, more importantly, Norway’s majestic waterfalls – such as Steinsdalsfossen. Located along one of Norway’s 18 scenic routes (Hardanger), Steinsdalsfossen offers free parking, entry, and accessibility via a paved path up to the midpoint of the falls. You can walk underneath the falls for an incredible view or dare to get close enough to its base for a serious shower. Then, stop into the gift shop on your way out.
"Bergen provides a perfect combination of urban and rural exploration, a vibrant cultural city surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and coastlines."