I spent three days in Bergen, Norway, a while ago and absolutely adored the city. Set in a beautiful natural harbor in between seven hills and seven fjords, it is easily one of the most attractive cities I’ve ever been to.
Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, after the capital Oslo, and is known as ‘the gateway to the fjords of Norway’. The city is blessed with a stunning waterfront and easy access to natural highlights. A prosperous city, Bergen’s main economic activities are aquaculture, the petroleum industry, technology and, of course, tourism.
Allow me to zoom in on tourism and talk about my favourite places in and around Bergen .
Best Places to Visit in Bergen Norway
In my opinion, the one major attraction in the city center is Vågen Harbor. This is where the gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen is located. (The name Bryggen, by the way, is related to Bruges in Belgium – they both mean ‘wharf’.) Bryggen consists of a collection of old hanseatic warehouses and offices. These buildings have been the city’s center of commerce since the 12th century and still have that purpose. Now, they house craft shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. The winding streets and alleyways behind the colorful and famous waterfront are great fun to explore.
One of my other favorite places in Bergen is the daily fish market. The Torget Fish Market, as it’s called, lies a super-short walk from Bryggen and is where local fishermen sell their daily catch to locals and tourists alike. The market is often overrun by the passengers of cruise ships that dock in the harbor.
For breathtaking views, I’d suggest taking the Fløibanen Funicular up to the top of a hill on the northeast side of the city. If you’re in need of some exercise, you can walk up as well. Seriously though, the views of Bergen and its harbor are jaw-dropping.
A little further afield lie Norway’s biggest attractions: the fjords. The nearby Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord are absolute highlights and should not be missed. I repeat: they should not be missed! The Sognefjord, for instance, is both the longest and deepest fjord in the entire country.
The spectacular Nærøyfjord is a sidearm of the Sognefjord and, together with the fabulous Geirangerfjord, is also included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Bergen, Norway, is a great destination to visit all year round, but I’d recommend going in summer. That’s when the weather is most enjoyable, and the fjords and mountains are waiting to be explored by kayak or on foot.
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