Shopping · Bergen · Norway
Shopping in Bergen
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Bergen shopping mixes Norwegian design and outdoor gear in the centre with crafts and knitwear in the Bryggen workshops. Best souvenirs: Norwegian knitwear, Brown cheese and Smoked salmon.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Norwegian knitwear
Where to shop
Bryggen
Craft workshops, small galleries and shops selling knitwear and Norwegian design in the wharf passageways.
Torgallmenningen and Strandgaten
The main pedestrian shopping streets with Norwegian and international brands.
Galleriet
A city-centre shopping mall on Torgallmenningen for rainy-day browsing.
Marken
A cobbled pedestrian street with small independent shops and cafés between the centre and the railway station.
Markets
Fish Market and Mathallen
The harbour-side fish market with indoor and summer outdoor stalls selling seafood and local produce.
Christmas market at Festplassen
Seasonal stalls by Lille Lungegårdsvann selling crafts, food and drink in December.
What to buy
Norwegian knitwear
Patterned wool sweaters, hats and mittens from established Norwegian makers and Bryggen shops.
Brown cheese
Vacuum-packed brunost from any supermarket, a cheap and authentically Norwegian gift.
Smoked salmon
Vacuum-packed smoked salmon from the fish market or delis travels well for a few days.
Outdoor gear
Norwegian rain gear and outdoor clothing from shops in the centre.
Troll figures and Bryggen prints
Classic souvenirs from the shops along the wharf.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Market · Vågen
Fish Market
Bergen has had a fish market at the head of the harbour since the 13th century.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Iconic
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Skillingsbolle, Fish cakes and Local beer. Bakeries across the city, from small independent bakers to local chains such as Baker Brun. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sentrum | $$$ | Torgallmenningen, shopping streets and the KODE museums by the lake |
| Sandviken | $$ | Old warehouses and wooden houses along the fjord north of Bryggen |
| Nygårdshøyden and Møhlenpris | $$ | The university hill, museums, students and cafés |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in NOK. Service is included in Norwegian prices and tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving about 5–10% for good restaurant service is appreciated but optional.
- Queue patiently and take a numbered ticket where shops and pharmacies use them.
- Card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; some places no longer accept cash.
- The Bergen Card pays off if you visit two or three museums and use public transport in a day.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are July–August.
- March: Borealis — experimental music festival (usually March)
- May: Bergen International Festival — music, theatre and dance (usually late May to early June)
- May: Nattjazz festival (usually late May)
- June: Bergenfest music festival at Bergenhus Fortress (usually June)
- September: Bergen Food Festival (usually early September)
- September: Bergen International Film Festival (usually late September)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, families and culture
Sentrum
Torgallmenningen, shopping streets and the KODE museums by the lake
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Bergen?
Norwegian knitwear, Brown cheese, Smoked salmon and Outdoor gear.
+Where is the best shopping in Bergen?
Bryggen: Craft workshops, small galleries and shops selling knitwear and Norwegian design in the wharf passageways.
+What are the best markets in Bergen?
Fish Market and Mathallen and Christmas market at Festplassen.