We stopped by for a weekend in Bergen before and after embarking on a Trolltunga hike. I have heard so many people talk about how expensive Norway is. I was really bracing myself for the worst.
To be honest I needn’t have. It’s not any more expensive than London, apart from maybe a beer, then again I don’t drink beer, so that’s that. Everything else was great, the views, the people, the mountains, even the weather was behaving itself for the majority of the trip.
The plan for Norway was to visit Bergen for the weekend, explore for 2 days then head off on a road trip through Norwegian fjords, hopping on and off ferries, this plan would later bite us in the arse at the end of the road trip as we forgot that the last ferry leaves at 11 pm.
I scoped out where to stay, what see and do in the city and where to get the best views too. Seven mountains surround the city center of Bergen so finding a spot for a good view is not that had.
First things first we hired a car, surprisingly reasonable. For four days we paid about £115. I booked this in advance and it’s more or less what I would pay in London if not less. A tip on booking the car rental online is to go directly to the site of the rental cars.
I booked twice via Avis and then Europe car for an Avis car. When we picked up the car I ended up having to give them my details again because Europe car hadn’t passed on all my details when I was collecting the car. Shop around for the prices and once you find one book directly with the car rental.
This way you will save a lot of time when you pick up your car as the middlemen websites don’t transfer your details over to the car rental company. So now imagine if a few people book through this middlemen sites you will all have to wait a long time in the queue for all your details to be taken down again when all that was required was to reconfirm them and collect the car.
One most of my recent trips around Europe I have found renting a car a lot easier to explore as I can do it on my own timetable than having to figure out buses, trains, and all sorts. Our trip around Andalucia and Iceland we explored via our own self-guided touring and exploring. It feels a lot more relaxed too.
Also See:
- Where To Get The Best Views In Bergen
- What To Pack For Norway
- Top Tips For The Trolltunga Hike
- Tips On Camping In Odda
Top Things To Do On A Weekend In Bergen Norway
For Bergen, if you are only visiting Bergen you definitely do not need a car as getting around on their buses and trams are so much easier. You can purchase the Bergen Card in advance which allows you free entry to museums and attractions as well as free public transport.
The majority of sights are also within working distance but to get your barrings around the city as well as see things that are slightly further afield you can also do a hop-on hop-off bus tour. As far as were to stay in Bergen, we stayed right in the heart of the city, just a few meters from the fish market and harbor. We stayed at P-Hotels but you have plenty of hotel options in Bergen that are close to tourist sights, just make sure you book well in advance as most place sell out quickly. Below I am sharing places and things to do in Bergen.
1. Food First – Located between the fjords and Bergen’s 7 mountains. A perfect weekend in Bergen should definitely include exploring the fish market and sample freshly caught seafood. You can also dine alfresco or grab something on the go.
2. Visit Bryggen – Check out Hanseatic out the old historical buildings. Bryggen is also known as Tyskebryggen and is a series of commercial buildings that line the harbor. These have historical significance to Bergen and are now listed as UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
3. Shop till you drop. Bergen is known as the leading shopping city of the west coast of Norway so you will have plenty of places to spend that cash or hide from the rain.
4. Take a short Fjord Tour – I will be sharing more on this with tips and length of these tours. Tours can be as short as 3 hours or as long as a couple of days involving a part train and part boat cruise as you explore Norway’s beautiful scenery.
5. Practice staying fit while you travel. If taking the cable cars up Mount Floyen or Ulriken lacks adventure or adrenaline kick for you, you can opt to take the bike in the cable car and then ride them down the mountain dirt tracks. You can also hike up the mountain and back down by foot or cable car.
We saw people running up the mountain and made it look as easy as eating a bowl of cereal. Having hiked 22km to see Trolltunga a few days before, there was no way my legs were up for anymore Tomb Raider antics. The third adrenaline kick is by way of paragliding!
You will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views of the city. For More on practical tips for Norway check out Kelly’s guide from A Girl With Passport.
6. Check out Hanseatic Museum – Housed in one of Bergen’s oldest buildings and shows how German merchants from The Hanseatic league lived and worked. You also have plenty of galleries in the city. Another set of galleries that stood out for us were Kode art museums. This sits right by a beautiful park perfect for a little picnic after getting a little culture.
7. Explore beautiful parks – With seven mountains surrounding Bergen, you are not short of green spaces. We loved the small park near Green Park and right next to Kode museums. This has Lille Lungegardsvannet, a small natural lake that has gotten smaller over the years as the city reclaims the land.
8. Visit Fantoft Stave Church – This was originally built in 1150 in Sogn then moved to Fantoft in 1883 but then burnt down in 1992. It has since been rebuilt. Not the easiest of places to get to but easier if you have your own car.
9. Get the best view of Bergen. There are two popular viewpoints in Bergen. Both offer superb views. I particularly preferred Ulriken643 to Mount Floyen.
10. Cafe hop – The city is filled with cute and quirky shops to cafe hop.
11. End your weekend in Bergen with an evening stroll. Head to the harbor for an evening walk. See Bergen’s beautiful harbour at night.
12. Where to stay in Bergen. Stay right in the heart of the capital while exploring the city.We stayed at P Hotels which is only a short walk from the fish market, harbor, and shops.
You also have Radisson Blu that sites on the other side of the harbor but only a few meters from the Fish Market and cafes and shops. Other option like Scandic Bypark, Ole Bull Hotel and Apartments and Best Western Blu.
Your photos are lovely! And you have some very helpful information! I am definitely inspired to visit Norway someday. Hopefully soon!
Niki
Chasing Departures
Love the pictures and you look super styllish!! I am going to Norway in August so I will save this post for when I fly into Oslo. Makes me even more excited to go. Thanks for sharing!!!
I am sure you will love Norway. Enjoy your visit.
This post makes me miss Bergen so much! You're right that it isn't as expensive as everyone says… totally doable on a budget if you're smart about it. It looks like you had such amazing weather when you went! I'm jealous 🙂 I did two hikes when I was there but wish I had time for more. What amazing views!! PS: your foggy fjord shot is ahh-mazing. Great guide!
Thank you! Norways is definitely one those place you have to revisit a few times as there is just so much to experience.
Wow, I didn't realize there was so much to do there! Thanks! And as always, such beautiful, stylish photos!
Gorgeous photos! Noting the different things you suggested here as I'll be in Bergen for a few short days soon! The weather looks great for your trip though except being out in the fjords. Sheesh I might need to bring along a rainjacket for real =S
Thank you. It was raining when we too the tour out on the Fjords but the weather actually made that experience even better as the mist and fog created such an errie but magical atmosphere.
What a beautiful place to visit! We can't wait for our trip to Norway next year. Gorgeous photos too!
Thank you. I am sure you will love Norway when you visit.
I have never done much research on Norway since it hasn't been at the top of my list but this looks like a great trip! I love all the colorful buildings in a row but I think the fjord tour would probably be my favorite thing. The city looks so beautiful at night!
wonderful photos! The city looks so beautiful with amazing views