Cheap flights to Bergen from PLN92*

Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city on its southwestern coast, has everything you might be looking for in a Nordic holiday: a historic harbour, fresh seafood, mountains and valleys, hiking, biking and boating. You couldn’t wish for a more spectacular setting: the historic port town sits amid seven hills and dramatic fjords, and is sheltered from the North Sea by a chain of islands. If that wasn’t already a good enough reason to visit, the city also boasts beautifully preserved timber buildings, the region’s best choice of eateries, excellent art galleries and shops, plus a buzzing bar and nightlife scene. And all that is served up with a cosy Norwegian welcome.

 

A taste of all of Norway

Bergen was the capital of Norway until 1299, and dominated trade with Europe for about 400 years in the Hanseatic era. The legacy is evident in the well-preserved city centre, and the fortress that guards the entrance to the harbour. Bergen has remained an important Norwegian city, counting composer Edvard Grieg and playwright Henrik Ibsen among its most illustrious citizens, both of whom are immortalised with statues here. It’s by no means a staid old town, however, with its vibrant student life, lively fresh fish market, and the people’s love of the outdoors, from mountains to fjords, lakes to waterfalls.

 

Colourful seaside history

Start with a stroll on the wharf called Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing rows of colourful warehouses at the harbour. The neighbourhood’s narrow alleyways and buildings preserved or rebuilt to medieval originals take you back to the Hanseatic times. To delve deeper into this exciting era, visit the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, and see and hear stories about how the merchants lived, and tour Bergenhus Fortress, one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway, parts of which date from the 1200s. Music lovers will also be in for a treat thanks to Bergen native Edvard Grieg. The city boasts a statue, a music school and a 1500-seat glass concert hall, Grieghallen, in his honour. Don’t miss the museum at his home, Troldhaugen, for a glimpse into his life and work, and if you’re lucky, a live concert at the charming wooden villa as well. Travelling with kids? Make sure to visit the Bergen Aquarium, Norway’s largest aquarium on the Nordnes peninsula, housing sharks, crocodiles, sea lions, reef fish and snakes, to name but a few.

 

Seafood with a view

Right on the wharf, the Bergen Fish Market is a must to experience the freshest of Norway’s seafood delights. Wander the stalls to see enormous crabs and lobsters, the pinkest of salmon, and a variety of fish that’s hard to find elsewhere. Watch the locals buying the catch of the day, to help you decide what fish dish to try at one of the many street food stalls in the market itself, or at one of the nearby restaurants. Spisekroken offers excellent tasting menus with wines in a classy setting. For an elegant meal with modern versions of Norwegian classics and all-local ingredients, enjoy 1877, named for the year Bergen’s meat market opened nearby. The understated Colonial 44 is another fine dining option in the area you might want to check out. More casual venues with creative fish, meat and vegetarian dishes include Marg & Bein. Not a bakery per se, but you might want to stop into Pepperkakebyen, the world's biggest gingerbread city. Open only in winter! Looking for a dinner with a view? You can’t beat the impressive combination of a seaside setting and fresh food at the glass-walled Restaurant Cornelius, on the island of Holmen, a short ferry ride from Bryggen. Always in tune with the weather, Cornelius offers a Meteorological Menu. The ferry schedule is in synch with dinner service, and the 25-minute ride in cosy comfort is part of the experience.

 

Local craftspeople, local craft beers

Bergen has much to offer in the way of quality local goods, too. Get Norwegian sweaters for the whole family at Susan Fosse Knitwear or Oleana, and pick up gorgeous Christmas decorations at Julehuset. Discover beautiful works of silver at factory and shop Arven As, or visit Fabelflora or Blekk for Nordic art and design. Marvel at the handmade illustrations at Gunvor, or enter a fairytale at Myte for drawings by local artists, enchanted by myths, legends and tales. Just the names of some of Bergen’s bars are enough to make you want to visit – BarBarista, Last Monkey, or No Stress, for example. Craft beer and music? Enjoy both at Apollon Platebar, where you can also browse the vinyl collection. Or descend into the 14th-century wine cellar at Dyvekes Vinkjeller for a glass by dim candlelight, surrounded by thick stone walls. Near the harbour with a view over the city is nightclub Kava Roofgarden, with live music or DJs. Looking for something a bit off the tourist path? Have a beer at Hectors Hybel, a relaxed student hangout. And if you’re loving the Nordic chill, be sure to visit Magic Ice Bar Bergen, where everything is made of ice, including your seat and your glass. Don’t worry: they’ll give you a warm poncho and gloves when you arrive.

 

Day trips from Bergen

From the old town at the waterfront, look around and witness the reason Bergen is called the City of Seven Mountains. To see the city, the fjord and the sea from on high, take the Ulriken cable car to Mt. Ulriken, or the Fløibanen funicular to Mt. Fløyen to reach the panoramic view within just a few minutes. For a workout, climb the 900 steps to Stoltzekleieven, also at Mt. Fløyen. For the ultimate Norwegian experience of fjords, mountains, charming villages and waterfalls, try the trademarked Norway in a Nutshell tour. Bookable online, this unguided trip starts with a trip on Europe’s highest-altitude train line from Bergen to Voss, then a bus down the winding road through the valley. Next, board a boat to experience the narrow Nærøyfjord on the way to the quaint village of Flåm. After a walk in the village, take the rail line from the quay up the steep mountainside past some of Norway’s wildest and most magnificent scenery, including the famous Kjosfossen waterfall. Arrive at Myrdal to get on a train back to Bergen. It’s all well-marked and well-coordinated in terms of scheduling, so don’t miss it! Bring food and drink. You can also bike part of this route, following the Rallarvegen, the road used to build the Bergen Railway more than a century ago. Voted Norway’s most beautiful cycling route, it starts on Northern Europe’s highest mountain plateau, passing the glacier Hardangerjøkulen, through the town of Finse and along rivers, past waterfalls, and down roads with hairpin turns… Bergen is also a starting point for a hike to Trolltunga, the Troll’s Tongue of rock that juts out over a lake. It’s 1,100 metres above sea level and 700 metres above the lake. To get there, take a train to Odda, where you may want to spend the night in order to start the long hike early the next morning.

 

Bergen airport

Bergen Airport is spacious, light and modern, having been renovated and expanded in 2017. There are clothing, travel items, newsstands and duty-free shops, and a shop full of Scandinavian design goods. Grab a bite to go at one of the many food kiosks, or enjoy seafood, gourmet burgers, fresh baked goods, or quality coffee or cocktails at a variety of restaurants. Airport Express buses take you to the centre of Bergen in 20 minutes, or jump on the light rail just outside the airport for a slightly longer but equally easy trip. Car hire and taxis are also available.

 

Bergen weather

Bergen isn’t as cold as you might think, thanks to its location on the Atlantic coast. May through September is the most popular time to visit, with summer temperatures as high as 25°C (average is 19°C). In winter the average temperature is above zero. However, it’s worth bringing jackets in every season, as the weather can get dramatic at times.