3 days in Bergen

Day by day

1. Day 1: Bryggen and Bryggens Museum

   Bryggen, Bryggens Museum and Bergenhus Fortress, then Bryggen and Vågen in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Bryggen

      The row of gabled wooden buildings along the east side of the Vågen harbour was the trading base of German Hanseatic merchants from the 14th to the 18th century.

   2. Late morning

      Bryggens Museum

      Spend time with the runic sticks; the translated messages bring medieval Bergen to life.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bergen fish soup

      Restaurants around Bryggen and the harbour, and stalls at the fish market.

   4. Afternoon

      Bergenhus Fortress

      At the mouth of the harbour, one of Norway's oldest and best-preserved fortresses includes Haakon's Hall, a 13th-century royal stone banqueting hall, and the Rosenkrantz Tower, a 16th-century residential tower.

   5. Evening

      Bryggen and Vågen

      Pubs and bars in old wharf buildings and harbourside terraces, popular with visitors.

2. Day 2: Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen and Fish Market

   Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen, Fish Market and KODE art museums, then Vaskerelven and Ole Bulls plass in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen

      Ride up and walk down via the zigzag paths, or go early in the day to avoid summer queues at the lower station.

   2. Late morning

      Fish Market

      Bergen has had a fish market at the head of the harbour since the 13th century.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Skillingsbolle

      Bakeries across the city, from small independent bakers to local chains such as Baker Brun.

   4. Afternoon

      KODE art museums

      One ticket covers all the lakeside buildings for the day, so pace yourself and break for coffee.

   5. Evening

      Vaskerelven and Ole Bulls plass

      Bars, clubs and late-night venues in the centre near the theatre and the Grieghallen.

3. Day 3: Ulriken cable car and Troldhaugen

   Ulriken cable car, Troldhaugen and Bergen Aquarium, then Nygårdshøyden in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ulriken cable car

      Ulriken, at 643 metres the highest of the mountains around Bergen, is reached by a cable car from its lower station a short bus ride from the centre.

   2. Late morning

      Troldhaugen

      Time your visit for a summer lunchtime concert; take Bybanen to Hop and walk about 20 minutes.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Raspeballer

      Traditional restaurants and cafés offering Norwegian home cooking, often on Thursdays.

   4. Afternoon

      Bergen Aquarium

      At the tip of the Nordnes peninsula, the aquarium shows Norwegian coastal and fjord species, seals, sea lions and penguins, with feeding sessions through the day and a tropical section with reptiles.

   5. Evening

      Nygårdshøyden

      Student bars and cafés around the university with lower prices and a younger crowd.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in VilVite Science Centre (Møhlenpris): It is one of the best rainy-day options for children; allow at least two hours.
• Swap in University Museum of Bergen (Nygårdshøyden): Look for the whale hall upstairs and walk through the Nygårdsparken afterwards.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Bryggen and Vågen keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Sentrum ($$$) suits first-timers, shopping, families and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–18 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 5.8 hours in December to 19 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bergen
• 2 days in Bergen

Questions travellers ask