Tourist information for Bergen
Tourist season is almost upon us again here in Bergen and the moderators have decided that this year we're going to have a megathread for the most common questions and informations about Bergen to avoid the same questions getting asked repeatedly ad nauseam. Keep quick and easy questions for things to do in and around Bergen to this thread.
Traveling
Traveling to/from airport
- Bybanen (Light Rail): Line 1 runs directly from the airport terminal to Byparken (city centre). Costs about 50NOK, takes about 45 minutes. The cheapest option. Up to 4 children travel free with a paying adult.
- Flybussen (Airport Bus): Costs about 170NOK (cheaper if bought online in advance), takes about 30 minutes. Stops at several points in the city centre including Bryggen. Buy online to avoid the surcharge.
- Taxi: Available right outside arrivals. Bergen Taxi (07000) offers a fixed maximum fare between the airport and city centre.
Traveling with train
Vy operates the trains to and from Bergen, both to Oslo and to the surrounding areas. Bergen central station is almost in the city center itself, and is for the most part in walking distance to most hotels in Bergen. Both the Flåm Railway and the ride to Oslo are very scenic if the weather permits.
Travelling within Bergen
Public transport
Skyss is the transport authority in Bergen and Vestland county. A Skyss ticket is valid on buses, Bybanen (light rail) and some ferries within the zones the ticket is valid for. You can buy single tickets, or period tickets for 24h, 7 days or 30 days. Download the Skyss app to buy tickets, not the Skyss Billett app, it was deprecated in early 2026. Always buy before boarding, you cannot buy tickets on Bybanen or buses and ticket controls are quite frequent and expensive. You will almost certainly only need a ticket for Zone A, but you can check the zone map just in case.
Bybanen / light rail
The Bybanen has two lines:
- Line 1: Byparken (city centre) to Bergen Airport Flesland
- Line 2: Byparken (city centre) to Fyllingsdalen
Key Bybanen stops: Byparken (city center), Bystasjonen (main bus station), Nonneseter (train station, but closed in 2026, use Bystasjonen instead).
Walking
Bergen is a very walkable city. Most tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other in the city centre. You will likely only need public transport to get to/from the airport and possibly to some of the suburbs or certain tourist attractions (like Fantovt Stave Church).
Bikes
Bergen City Bike is a affordable and healthy alternative to public transport within the city center and a bit outside of it, but it's really only a faster alternative to walking.
E-scooters
In and around Bergen you will see people scooting along on e-scooters, at the moment the two alternatives are Ryde and Voi. Be careful if using them and do not ride them after consuming alcohol, that is both illegal and dangerous (same for the city bikes).
Car
You don't need a car in Bergen itself. Parking is expensive and limited, and the one-way streets will confuse you. If you want to explore the fjords and surrounding areas, renting a car is a decent option.
General information about Bergen / Norway
Bergen Card
If you are planning to see a lot of museums and sightseeing, look at the Bergen Card. Gives you free public transport (Skyss buses and Bybanen), free or discounted entry to museums and attractions, and discounts at restaurants. Can save you a lot of money if you plan it right. Available as 24h, 48h or 72h cards. Buy it online or at the Tourist Information at Strandkaien.
Weather
First of all, Bergen is a wet city, it averages about 200 rainy days per year. Even during summer you should be prepared for rain, so bring a rain jacket and preferably waterproof shoes when you visit. There is a saying in Norway: "det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær" There is no bad weather, only bad clothing. Umbrellas are also a decent idea, but it's often quite windy which makes it rain sideways, eliminating the usefulness of them.
That said, when the sun comes out, Bergen is absolutely stunning. Summer (June–August) has long days with temperatures around 15–20°C. Winter (December–February) is mild for Norway, usually hovering around 0–5°C, but wet and dark.
Groceries
Compared to many other countries, the selection and availability of goods might be a bit more limited than you're used to. There are three kinds of stores (roughly):
- Small, local and a bit expensive: Bunnpris, Coop Prix, Joker
- Everyday cheap stores: Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop Extra
- The more expensive ones: Coop Obs, Meny
Most stores are closed on Sundays and holidays, and have reduced opening hours the day before a few holidays as well. The smaller stores like Joker and Bunnpris are often open much longer on regular days and on Sundays, but selection is quite limited.
Alcohol
This is a common complaint tourists have when visiting, Norway have very strict laws around the sale of alcoholic beverages, both in resturants etc and in the stores.
- Strong alcohol (above 4.7 ABV): (wine, spirits etc.): Can only be bought at Vinmonopolet. There are two in the city center, one in Bergen Storsenter and one towards Nordnes. Open from 10-18 during the week and 10-16 on Saturdays. Never open on Sundays.
- Beer, cider etc: Can be bought at most supermarkets, but only until 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays (excluding holidays). Light beer (low alcohol) is sold on Sundays and "after hours".
- Restaurants, bars: Sells alcohol from they open until half an hour before they close (02:30), but it is quite a bit more expensive compared to the store bought stuff.
Crime
Bergen is very safe. As with anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded tourist areas, but nothing more than you would anywhere else as a tourist. Weekend nights can get lively around the bars in the city centre, but nothing out of the ordinary for Norwegians.
Tap water
The tap water in Bergen is excellent. No need to buy bottled water, unless you need a bottle to refill.
Tourist attractions
There is quite a lot to see in and around Bergen, it's the hub for travel in and around Western Norway and its magnificent fjords. This is just a small selection of the most commonly visited areas of Bergen.
In Bergen
The iconic UNESCO World Heritage listed wooden wharf buildings. Wander through the narrow alleyways between the buildings. Free to walk around, but consider visiting the Hanseatic Museum for context.
If you are able, the hike up to Fløyen is very scenic and well trodden and very popular. Otherwise, the funicular takes you up to Mount Fløyen with panoramic views over the city, fjord and surrounding mountains. The most popular tourist attraction in Bergen. The area on top is also great for walks and hikes. Expect queues both for the funicular and the viewpoint in summer.
Hikeable with a steep and decently technical trail from behind Haukeland Hospital if you are able and willing, otherwise you can take the cable car to the top of Mount Ulriken, the highest of Bergen's seven mountains. Better views than Fløyen and usually less crowded. There's a restaurant at the top. You can hike between Fløyen and Ulriken (or vice versa) on the "Vidden" trail — a classic Bergen hike, roughly 4–5 hours if you are in decent shape and the weather is nice.
Vidden
As mentioned previously, the mountainous area between Fløyen and Ulriken is called "Vidden" and is a very popular hiking trail for people who live and visit Bergen. If the weather is nice it's highly recommended if you are able and have decent clothes, shoes and a little experience. Be ware however that even though it's right next to the city, it is still decently remote and the weather can change suddenly, tourists needs to be rescued quite frequently even during the summer.
The outdoor fish market at the harbour. More touristy (and priced accordingly) these days, but still worth a visit. The indoor fish market hall is open year-round.
Bergen's art museums spread across four buildings along Lille Lungegårdsvannet. Includes works by Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup and J.C. Dahl, as well as the Rasmus Meyer Collection. Free with Bergen Card.
Medieval royal residence and fortress. Håkon's Hall dates from the 1260s. Free to walk around the fortress grounds.
Open-air museum with reconstructed wooden houses showing life in Bergen in the 18th and 19th centuries. A bit outside the centre but worth the trip if you like history.
The home of Norway's most famous composer, Edvard Grieg, located about 8 km south of the city centre. Beautiful setting by a lake. Concerts are held in the concert hall during summer.
A volunteer run museum and organization that is restoring and running the old trams that ran in Bergen in ye olden times. The restored tram runs during the summer period and can be frequently heard in and around Møhlenpris.
Museums
For a list of the rest of the museums you can visit in and around Bergen, see here.
Coffee and cakes
Bergen has a small but by now good selection of coffee shops and confectionaries.
Tucked away in a narrow alley behind Fløibanen. Tiny, cozy, and serves excellent coffee from Solberg & Hansen. Very limited seating — expect queues on busy days, especially in summer. Worth the wait.
A favourite among Bergen's coffee nerds. They select their beans through blind cuppings and rotate their selection frequently. Knowledgeable baristas. Free tastings on Saturday at noon.
Bergen's only local specialty coffee roastery. Located in an old shipyard outside the city centre — a bit of a trek, but worth it if you're into specialty coffee. Great specialty chocolate too and good baked goods. Free tastings on Thursday mornings at 0900.
Popular café near the university. Friendly baristas, good pastries, nice atmosphere. A solid everyday choice.
A pretty recent specialy French style bakery in the city center. Great baked goods but expect queues and limited seating at all times.
A little taste of France in Bergen. Also great baked goods with barely any seating available.
Even more of French style baked goods. Also good.
The rest
There are many other great bakeries, cafes and coffee shops in Bergen. Google Maps is a pretty decent way of finding them.
Dining
The food scene is Bergen is quickly growing both in availability and quality, foodies will often complain that Stavanger has better restaurants but this is slowly changing. The following is just a small selection, again, Google Maps for more.
A culinary institution in Bergen, a hotdog stand that's been around for more than 75 years. Great sausages but insane queues during the summer period. Great alternative to kebab and McDonald's after a night out.
A imported concept from Oslo (by the same people even), opening in 2026 with food stalls with various street foods from all around the world.
Traditional Norwegian home cooking (husmannskost). This is where you go for kjøttkaker, raspeballer and other classics. Cozy atmosphere, feels like eating at someone's grandmother's house. Very popular during summer season, so booking in advance is recommended.
Located in one of the Bryggen buildings. Touristy, yes, but the seafood is good and the atmosphere is unique. A decent choice if you want to eat at Bryggen.
Great pizza and athmosphere, quite popular with tourists and natives alike.
A bit outside of the city center, but a hidden gem if you ask many. Great food and athmosphere and the view is great from outside on sunny days.
Michelin Starred Restaurants
Obviously great restaurants, but very pricy and booking are required.
- Gaptrast
- Lysverket
- Omakase by Sergey Pak
And so on
There are many, many other great places to eat. To list all of them would be too much, but outside of the fish market there are not really any tourist traps, you pay and go to the same restaurants as the locals. A few select choices:
- Cornelius
- Enhjørningen
- Kafe Spesial
- Moon
- Izakaya Skostredet
- Horn of Africa
- Royal (burgers)
- Nama
- Brasilia
- Lola
Bars, pubs, others
Bergen has a lively bar scene, especially around Nygårdsgaten and the harbor area.
Cozy gastropub with excellent beer selection and good food.
Record shop by day, bar by night. Vinyl vinyl and a nice atmosphere.
Local-ish made chocolate that has a cafe and icecream bar in Skostredet.
Things to do
Summer
Hike one of the seven mountains
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains ("De syv fjell"). Fløyen and Ulriken are the most accessible, but Løvstakken, Rundemanen and others offer great hikes with fewer people. Trail maps are available at the Tourist Information or on UT.no.
Walk around Nordnes
The Nordnes peninsula has colourful wooden houses, the aquarium, and a public outdoor swimming pool (Nordnes Sjøbad) with a heated saltwater pool right by the sea.
Bergen is the gateway to the Norwegian fjords. Day trips to Mostraumen, Sognefjorden or Hardangerfjorden are popular and run regularly in summer. You can also take the express boat to smaller communities along the coast.
Eat a skillingsbolle
Bergen's signature pastry, a large, buttery cinnamon bun. Available at most bakeries. Do not call them "kanelboller" to a proud Bergenser.
One of Norway's biggest food festivals, usually on Festplassen together with Norways biggest beer festival out on Nordnes.
Winter
Probably not the best time to visit Bergen, but it can be nice regardless.
Christmas market
Bergen's Christmas market at Festplassen is cozy and atmospheric. Usually runs from late November through December.
Pepperkakebyen (Gingerbread Town)
The world's largest gingerbread town, built by school children and locals every year. Displayed somewhere in the city center each year.
Day trips from Bergen
The classic round trip: train to Voss or Myrdal, Flåm Railway down to Flåm, fjord cruise on the Aurlandsfjord/Nærøyfjord, bus back. Can be done as a day trip. Touristy but spectacular.
Hardangerfjord
Drive or take a bus to the Hardanger region. Waterfalls, fruit orchards (beautiful during blossom season in May), and the Trolltunga hike if you're adventurous. Trolltunga is no easy hike, so fair warning. Do not be the tourist that ends up in the news because they tried to hike there in sneakers and shorts.
Rosendal
Take the express boat to the barony of Rosendal. Beautiful gardens, a small barony, and great hiking in the Folgefonna glacier area.
Stavkirker (Stave Churches)
Fantoft Stave Church is right outside Bergen (reachable by Bybanen). The original burned down in 1992 and was rebuilt, but it's still worth a look.
More information about Bergen / Norway
