How many days · Bergen · Norway
How many days do you need in Bergen?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andreas Sandberg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Bergen, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Bryggen, the fish market, Fløyen, Ulriken and a museum or two. A third day allows a fjord cruise to Mostraumen or a trip to the Hardangerfjord, and a fourth the full Norway in a Nutshell day to Flåm.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 4
- Daylight
- 5.8 h (Dec) to 19 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Bryggen, Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen, Fish Market and KODE art museums |
| 2 days | Good | KODE art museums, Bryggens Museum and Ulriken cable car |
| 3 days | Ideal | Troldhaugen, Bergenhus Fortress and Bergen Aquarium |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Norway in a Nutshell: Flåm and the Nærøyfjord |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Norway in a Nutshell: Flåm and the Nærøyfjord and Hardangerfjord |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Bergen add up to roughly 20–26 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen (2–3 hours), KODE art museums (2–3 hours) and Troldhaugen (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Bryggen | 1–1.5 hours | Bryggen |
| Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen | 2–3 hours | Fjellsiden |
| Fish Market | 45 minutes | Vågen |
| KODE art museums | 2–3 hours | Sentrum |
| Bryggens Museum | 1–1.5 hours | Bryggen |
| Ulriken cable car | 1.5–2 hours | Landås |
| Troldhaugen | 2–3 hours | Paradis |
| Bergenhus Fortress | 1 hour | Bryggen |
| Bergen Aquarium | 2 hours | Nordnes |
| Old Bergen Museum | 1.5–2 hours | Sandviken |
| Mostraumen fjord cruise | 3 hours | Vågen |
| VilVite Science Centre | 2–3 hours | Møhlenpris |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Bryggen and Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Norway in a Nutshell: Flåm and the Nærøyfjord and Hardangerfjord |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 5.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 19 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Bergen with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | About 305 km | 3 days |
| Copenhagen | About 675 km | 4 days |
| Edinburgh | About 701 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Bergen?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Bryggen, the fish market, Fløyen, Ulriken and a museum or two. A third day allows a fjord cruise to Mostraumen or a trip to the Hardangerfjord, and a fourth the full Norway in a Nutshell day to Flåm.
+Is a week too long in Bergen?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Norway in a Nutshell: Flåm and the Nærøyfjord and Hardangerfjord.