Best things to see and do in Bergen, Norway

Norway is a breathtaking Scandinavian country, filled with majestic fjords, snow-capped mountains and serene lakes. It’s home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, nestled on the southwestern coast, and is famously known as the ‘capital of the fjords’. It’s surrounded by seven beautiful mountains and is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From natural landscapes to world-class attractions, my first trip of 2024 has been magical and filled with snow, easily becoming one of my favourite places. Here’s my curated list for the best things to see and do in this picturesque Norwegian city…

Disclosure: This trip was in collaboration with Visit Bergen. All views, opinions and photos are my own and remain a trademark of Roam with Rakhee. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on a link and proceed with booking an activity, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Bergen Card – your key to exploring the best of Norway 🇳🇴

TRAVEL TIP: Save money by purchasing the Bergen Card.

With either the 24, 48, 72 or 96 hour options, you get free and unlimited use of the city’s public transport, and free or discounted admission to museums and attractions ✔️

You can purchase the card directly on Visit Bergen’s website.

1. Norwegian fjord cruise

Bergen is the gateway to the fjords, so embarking on a Norwegian cruise from the city is the perfect way to discover the beautiful and varied landscapes of western Norway’s famous fjords. The cruise I took navigated through the 27km long Osterfjord to reach the picturesque Mostraumen strait.

During the scenic four-hour journey, I experienced Norway’s magnificent natural scenery, from the steep ice-covered mountains and frozen waterfalls, to the frozen lakes and a maze of islands with houses clinging onto the hills. I did this fjord cruise during a blizzard, but the snowy conditions made it feel like a winter wonderland experience! I highly recommend this trip from Bergen.

2. Fløibanen funicular and Mount Fløyen

When in Norway, riding the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen is a bucket list activity. The six-minute ride from Bergen city centre to the summit of one of Bergen’s seven mountains offers the most breathtaking panoramic views over the city, the fjords and the mountains. Mount Floyen is also perfect for hiking, with lots of marked trails to help plan your route. This is one of the world’s most scenic funiculars and I did the ride during a beautiful snowy sunrise…

3. Mount Ulriken

The new Ulriken cable car is Norway’s largest gondola and takes you to the highest of Bergen’s seven mountains. The summit is 643 metres above sea level and has stunning views across the Bergen peninsula, of the sea, fjords and the mountains. I chased the sunset during this experience, and once at the top, the snow-filled surroundings provided the perfect setting for a winter hike…

4. Bryggen Wharf

Bergen’s very first buildings were located in Bryggen Wharf, which has been the most iconic area of the city for many centuries. Bryggen has earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the city of Bergen is a World Heritage City. This is one of the city’s most photogenic spots, with colourful Hanseatic wooden buildings lining the waterfront…

5. Bergen streets and neighbourhoods

Bergen is filled with charming streets and neighbourhoods, with cobblestones and wooden hilltop houses everywhere you look. From Bryggen and Sandviken, to Nordnes and Nygårdshøyden, there are endless photography spots in the city.

6. Bergen Aquarium

Bergen Aquarium is Norway’s largest aquarium and one of Bergen’s biggest tourist attractions. It is home to a range of sea creatures that live along the Norwegian coast, from penguins and crocodiles, to fishes and snakes.

7. Bryggens Museum

Bryggens Museum displays findings of the archaeological excavations of Bryggen from 1955 onwards and contains the foundations of the oldest buildings in Bergen.

8. Norwegian Fisheries Museum

This museum is located on the seafront, in Sandviken, and is home to Norway’s newest and best exhibitions about life along the coast and in the sea. The museum is within the cog-jointed walls of authentic 18th-century wharfside warehouses, which portray the significant history of Norway’s coast and fisheries.

9. KODE Art Museum

This is Norway’s second largest art museum and is home to masterpieces from Norwegian art history by Edvard Munch, Harriet Backer, Nikolai Astrup and J. C. Dahl. KODE Art Museum has a range of new exhibitions about contemporary art and architecture.

10. Bergen Maritime Museum

The Bergen Maritime Museum explains the story of Norwegian seafaring over thousands of years, about Norwegian seafarers who transported goods across the world and about Bergen – the world-famous maritime city.