For couples · Bergen · Norway
Romantic things to do in Bergen
Ideas for a couples' trip, from small moments to a special day out.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Bergen's romance lies in its setting: lamplit wooden lanes, harbour views from the mountains and evenings that stay light until late in summer. Even rain adds atmosphere to the wharf and cafés. Couples tend to stay in Bryggen and Vågen.
Key facts
- Romantic ideas
- 5
- Couple-friendly sights
- 3
- Area for couples
- Bryggen and Vågen
- Best months
- May
Romantic ideas
1.Sunset from Fløyen
Ride the funicular up in the evening to watch the sun set over the islands, then walk down through the lit-up lanes.
2.Fjord cruise to Mostraumen
Spend an afternoon gliding past waterfalls and steep cliffs on the Osterfjord.
3.Evening at Bryggen
Wander the wooden passages after the day crowds leave, then have dinner overlooking the harbour.
4.Summer concert at Troldhaugen
Hear Grieg's music in the concert hall beside his villa, overlooking the lake.
5.Nordnes at dusk
Walk through the white wooden houses of Nordnes to the park at the tip of the peninsula for the evening light over the fjord.
Sights couples love
Museum · Paradis
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
Experience · Vågen
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
Park · Nordnes
Nordnesparken and Nordnes sea pool
Come for sunset over the islands on a clear evening; locals swim off the rocks here in summer.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Where couples should stay
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples and culture
Bryggen and Vågen
Around the Vågen harbour, the wooden houses of Bryggen face the fish market, Torget square and the Fløibanen station. Hotels here put you steps from the main sights, the Hurtigruten and fjord-cruise quays, and Bergenhus Fortress. Restaurants along the wharf and harbour are touristy but convenient.
- Good
- Steps from the main sights and boats; Harbour views; Flat walk to most of the centre
- Watch out
- Expensive hotels; Busy with cruise passengers in summer
- Nearby
- Bryggen, Fish Market, Fløibanen, Bergenhus Fortress
Romantic day trips
- Norway in a Nutshell: Flåm and the Nærøyfjord (A full day, about 10–12 hours round trip) — The classic fjord round trip combines the Bergen Railway to Myrdal, the steep Flåm Railway down to the village of Flåm, a boat through the narrow, UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord to Gudvangen and a bus back to Voss and the train to Bergen.
- Hardangerfjord (About 1 hour 15–30 minutes by bus) — Norheimsund on the Hardangerfjord has the Steinsdalsfossen waterfall, which you can walk behind, and summer fjord cruises towards Eidfjord and the Vøringsfossen waterfall.
- Voss (About 1 hour 15 minutes by train) — An outdoor-activity town between the fjords, with rafting, paragliding and skiing in season, the Hangursbanen gondola to a mountain viewpoint and lakeside walks.
- Lysøen (About 1 hour by bus and boat) — The violinist Ole Bull built a fairytale summer villa with an onion dome and carved interiors on this small island south of Bergen in the 1870s.
For dinner
Share local specialities such as Bergen fish soup, Raspeballer and Prawns on bread. Supermarkets sell beer only up to a modest strength and stop alcohol sales in the evening and on Sundays; wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bergen romantic?
Bergen's romance lies in its setting: lamplit wooden lanes, harbour views from the mountains and evenings that stay light until late in summer. Even rain adds atmosphere to the wharf and cafés.
+What is the most romantic thing to do in Bergen?
Sunset from Fløyen: Ride the funicular up in the evening to watch the sun set over the islands, then walk down through the lit-up lanes.
+Where should couples stay in Bergen?
Bryggen and Vågen: The UNESCO wharf, the fish market and the old harbour.