8 best outdoor things to do in Bergen

Outdoors in Bergen

Viewpoint · Fjellsiden

1.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.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Iconic
• Views
• Kids
• Outdoors
• Nature

Viewpoint · Landås

2.Ulriken cable car

Choose a clear day; low cloud often hides the summit view entirely.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Views
• Outdoors
• Nature
• Photo spot

Museum · Paradis

3.Troldhaugen

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

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Art
• Couples
• Outdoors

Aquarium · Nordnes

4.Bergen Aquarium

Check the feeding times on arrival, then walk to Nordnesparken next door for sea views.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature

Museum · Sandviken

5.Old Bergen Museum

Go in summer, when the houses are open and guided tours run; take a bus north from the centre.

Time needed

1.5–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Kids
• Outdoors

Experience · Vågen

6.Mostraumen fjord cruise

Sit on the open deck on the side facing the cliffs in Mostraumen, and bring a warm, waterproof layer even in summer.

Time needed

3 hours

Cost

Expensive

• Nature
• Views
• Couples
• Kids
• Photo spot

Museum · Nygårdshøyden

7.University Museum of Bergen

Look for the whale hall upstairs and walk through the Nygårdsparken afterwards.

Time needed

1.5 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Kids
• Rainy day
• Nature

Nature · Ulriken

8.Vidden hike from Ulriken to Fløyen

Only attempt it in clear weather with proper boots and layers; fog rolls in fast and the plateau is exposed.

Time needed

5–6 hours

Cost

Free

• Active
• Nature
• Views
• Free
• Outdoors

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 8, 1 free, 2 low cost, 4 mid-priced, 1 expensive. Book ahead for Mostraumen fjord cruise. The longest visit is Vidden hike from Ulriken to Fløyen; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Mostraumen fjord cruise: Book ahead in summer, when cruise-ship passengers fill sailings.

How to fit them into 5 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Fjellsiden and Landås): Fløibanen and Mount Fløyen → Ulriken cable car, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 2 (Paradis and Nordnes): Troldhaugen → Bergen Aquarium, at least 4 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Sandviken): Old Bergen Museum, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 4 (Vågen and Nygårdshøyden): Mostraumen fjord cruise → University Museum of Bergen, at least 5 hours.
• Half-day 5 (Ulriken): Vidden hike from Ulriken to Fløyen, at least 5 hours.

The best months to be outside

• June: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 14 rainy days, busy crowds. Very long days with only a short dusk around midsummer; peak fjord-trip season begins.
• July: highs of 19°C (66°F), about 15 rainy days, very busy crowds. Warmest month and busiest with cruise ships and fjord travellers; rain is still frequent.
• May: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 14 rainy days, moderate crowds. Often one of the brightest months, with long evenings, fruit blossom in Hardanger and 17 May celebrations.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• Nordnes — A peninsula of white wooden houses, the aquarium and a seaside park
• Sandviken — Old warehouses and wooden houses along the fjord north of Bryggen
• Nygårdshøyden and Møhlenpris — The university hill, museums, students and cafés

More of Bergen

All things to do in Bergen · Where to stay · When to go.

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