Bergen Norway

During a school break, we decided we needed a break from the house; it was time to go on a trip. We consulted our scratch-off map of Europe and chose Norway. We hadn’t been, the flights were affordable, and they had a direct flight right out of Amsterdam for under 100. It was a win! We could see the Tulips at Keukenhof and then fly directly to Norway. We decided to split our time between Oslo and Bergen. Spoiler, Bergen was much more relaxed and family-friendly! There are two ways to get to Bergen.

Via train

There is a 6.5-hour train from Oslo to Bergen, The Bergen Line. The trip is voted as one of the most beautiful, and scenic in the world. There are tons of additional stops along the way where you can choose to ski, hike, or bike. We even saw people cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing while camping in feet of snow with their dogs. We are not this hardcore, hard pass; but it’s an option for the ultra adventurers. Once arriving at the train station in Bergen Centrum, you can easily take a short walk to your hotel or take a taxi. We walked and it was easy. 

Note: often the cheapest train option is the night train.

 

We flew into Oslo and chose to take the night train to Bergen. The night train was a good option because we wouldn’t waste any daylight hours and would spend our money on a train rather than a hotel, which I can assure you are extremely expensive in Norway. If you’re on a budget and can sleep anywhere, this is a good option for you. We cannot and chose the sleeper car. After our train arrived an hour late, we and our children were beyond tired and made our way to our sleeper car to find two twin-sized bunk beds. Note: double-check what you are purchasing before pushing buy, as this is a very tight fit. While 2 twin bunk beds are possible to fit into, it is not comfortable, I do not recommend.

Lockers

If taking the night train, I would highly recommend placing your luggage in train station storage lockers. The large lockers can fit roughly 3 suitcases. They do also have specialty lockers for skis. The price is between NOK 30 – NOK 60 per day depending on the size of your locker. 

Via plane

If arriving by plane you can choose to take a short 45-minute train, the Bergen Light Rail, to the Bergen Train Station or bus. The cheapest way is via the City Light Rail (Bybanen). It costs NOK 40 for an adult and NOK 20 for a child. With the Bergen Card, you can travel on the City Light Rail and all Skyss buses throughout Bergen for free.

Where to Stay

$$$

• Bergen Børs Hotel
• Opus 16

$$

• City Box Bergen City
• Hotel Augustin

Bergen Card

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to get the Bergen Card THIS LINK shows what’s included in the price of the card so you can make a pros and cons list. You can purchase a card at the visitor center, above the fish market.

Day 1

1. Floibanen Funicular and Mount Fløyen. 

FIRST THING in the morning go to the Floibanen Funicular! After about 9:30 the line is out the door and way down the street. Mount Fløyen and the funicular are rated as the best things to do and see in Bergen. The carriages are over 100 years old and the 5-8 minute ride is absolutely stunning. Plus, the funicular is free, or reduced-price depending on the time of year, with the Bergen Card. Mount Fløyen has a cafe (with excellent cinnamon buns), a restaurant, a shop, a large playground, a troll walk, panoramic views, and is a starting point for several hiking trails, which are clearly labeled. 

You have an option to pay for the funicular round trip, one way, or not at all and simply walk straight up the mountain and back down. If you are an early riser and want a workout, hiking up before the sun rises would be stunning. We, however, do not function so early in the morning and the 8:00 opening time was really pushing it for us. Perhaps the sunset is more our speed. We chose to pay for the funicular up and walk down, to still have the views but avert the whining or too much movement so early in the morning. The walk down was about 50 minutes, so add extra time for the incline if walking up. It is stroller friendly, but I would recommend strollers with inflatable bike tires for comfort. 

 

 

 

 

Watch out for Gnomes!!

 

 

 

 

2. Stop for Lunch at the Daily Pot. This is a hip, local place with tons of character. They serve soups, salads, and sandwiches that are suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or those with gluten sensitivities. You can customize everything with different vegetables or meats, like a subway or chipotle (only MUCH better). Sometimes when traveling healthy eating takes a back seat, but with Daily Pot, we were able to eat affordably and healthily. We enjoyed that the food was fresh, packed with healthy vegetables, and very importantly, quick. Note: they do run out of some items throughout the day, so be prepared for disappointment if you choose to go later in the day.

3. Walk Around the City Center. Getting acquainted with the city on the first day is always a must. Bergen’s city center isn’t giant; you can easily walk through all the streets, parks, and shops. The town is adorable! Even their Mcdonald’s has a beautifully Bergen-esque charm, which isn’t always an easy thing to do.

You can get a Google Map Walking Tour link here!

• Torgallmenningen Square
  • This square, like Bypark, was put in to provide some space to quell the rampant fires. This area is filled with chain shops and malls. At one end of the square is a square Maritime Monument. My son was convinced this was a statute for pirates and enjoyed telling stories about every “pirate” depicted and chasing birds in the square.

• Kong Oscars Gate
  • This street was named after King Oscar I of Norway and Sweeden. The street is quieter than the more touristy areas, is very beautiful, and houses many significant buildings of the area, including an old leprosy hospital, which is now a museum, and several schools. Additionally, over in this area is the most Popular Hot Dog stand, Trekroneren. While it doesn’t look like much, don’t let the cover fool you. This is the cheapest snack or lunch, you will find in Bergen and has exceptional reviews. Their most popular hot dog is a reindeer dog top with a berry sauce.

• Bergen Cathedral
  • The Bergen Cathedral has been around since the 12th century and has witnessed quite a lot in its day, from fires to cannonballs. Today you can walk around the area as well as a visit inside. It often hosts musical events and, of course, church services.

• Bryggen
  • Bryggen is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest area in Bergen. It consists of 58 colorful houses that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. It is home to the Hanseatic Museum as well. The buildings themselves are a time capsule to a world prior, a time when Bergen was the country’s capital and one of the largest (and oldest) trading ports in Northern Europe. In these houses and you will find inlets filled with shops, local art studios, and small artists shops of all kinds. It is home to a small, local art district. 

• St Mary’s Church
  • This is the oldest building in Bergen. Historians believe it was originally built in the 1100s. It is worth taking a look at this incredibly old, gothic-influenced church.

• Bergenhus Fortress and Rosenkrantz Tower
  • The fortress is one of the oldest and best-preserved fortifications in Norway, first being built in the 1500s. During its years of use, it served as a royal seat, an Episcopalian office, and a military fortress. The tower was built in 1560 and is one of the most important Renaissance structures in Norway. Today most of the fortress is open to the public free of charge. However, a climb to the top of the tower as well as other cultural events must be paid for at the office/gift shop, located inside the fortress. Currently, the complex is under renovation and parts of the complex are not accessible. 

• Fish Market
  • Right along the wharf is the Fish Market. The market offers fish and seafood, as well as local fruit and vegetables. The restaurants, located inside, offer fresh seafood for dine-in or takeaway. There is, additionally, an outdoor market steps from the indoor, year-round location, which is open during warmer months. The Fish Market has been operating since the 1200s and is an amazing place to stop by and visit, even if not ordering.

4. Stop for dinner at the Bergen Fish Market (Fisketorget). They have a year-round indoor market, as well as a seasonal, outdoor market open during the warmer months which have been an iconic, local fish trading location since the 1200s. They serve freshly caught seafood for dine-in or takeaway. My kids found this place especially exciting and could have stayed watching the sea animals for hours as if they’d never been to an aquarium

Day 2

1. Get a coffee/tea and breakfast at Godt Brøt. There are several located around the city and all are spectacular. During our trip, both our children decided to hit a growth spurt and were constantly hungry. We bought a loaf of bread from Godt Brøt and a container of peanut butter

 and jelly and carried it around everywhere. One day B woke up and couldn’t fit in any of his pants. He began crying and said, “my butt doesn’t fit”. Seriously, this PBJ making kit was a lifesaver.

 

2. Cruise and see the Fjords. You absolutely can’t travel to Norway and not witness the breathtaking fjords. There are several different cruise options, a dinner cruise, a short cruise, a long cruise, an expensive cruise, a still expensive but less dramatically priced cruise, etc. We chose the 3.5 hour Mostraumen cruise. However, if you can’t decide what is best for you, let the Tourist Information in Bergen help. They listen to what you’re looking for, provide some options, and you can purchase tickets through them. If you already have an idea of what you’re looking for you can get tickets in advance at visitBergen.com or https://rodne.no/en/. Family ticket options are available!

3. Grab a quick bite. We went with Siam Ratree Thai Restaurant. It was filled with tons of veggies, is filling, and has a 4.5 star review on TripAdvisor. 

4. Visit the Hanseatic Museum. The museum covers Bergen’s unique history and the imprint German merchants had on the area, as they traded fish and grains. The museum shows what life and work were like for these merchants between the years 1360 and 1761. Currently, the museum is being renovated to provide a more inclusive layout in the future. The museum has moved to Schøtstuene, which houses many of its exhibitions. 

5. Complete Your Walk around the City. Take pictures, pop in the shops, sit and have a break or have a drink.

6. Visit the Magic Ice, Ice Bar. The bar is made entirely of ice, even the “glasses”. Inside you will find an ice-art gallery with several sculptures whose inspiration came from famous international artists.

7. Ball Out for Dinner. Make a reservation and visit the Michelin Starred Restaurant, Bare. We were, unfortunately, unable to go during our trip, as much as it was in the plan. Instead, we returned to Daily Pot and were absolutely not disappointed in our second option. Round 2 was just as good as the first.

Day 3

1. Byparken & Kode Museums. Byparken, or City Park, is the city’s first park. It was created to break up the houses and provide a fire break area. This is a nice place to stroll, eat a snack or picnic, people watch, or watch the ducks and swans swim around in the central pond. More or less connected to Byparken is the Code Museums, which is separated into four different genres and museums (only one ticket purchase is necessary). If you love art and enjoy a nice stroll indoors, the museum has excellent ratings and is considered a must see destination. Additionally, they have a KunstLab section for children with hands-on workshops and exhibits. 

2. Grab a bite at Løvetann Cafe & Bistro

3. Bergen Aquarium

• • The aquarium is a good place to break up the trip with some fun kid activities. In addition to the indoor aquarium, they have an outdoor area where you can see keepers training sea lions or feeding penguins and otters, as well as a tropical area where you can find rare snakes, geckos, spiders, and insects.

4. Shopping!! Around town, you can find all the wool sweaters, all the pelts, and all the artist prints your heart desires. Our favorite area for shopping is in the little passageways of Bryggen.

**If leaving later in the day, many hotels have an option to hold luggage. If that is not possible, the lockers at the train station are another great option. We went ahead and took our luggage down to the train station early that morning since we were leaving by train so we wouldn’t have to rush later.