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Bergen is a hot spot for visiting fjords in Norway. With fjord tours going out multiple times a day, any day of the week, the Bergen city center is a busy place! But there’s more to do in Bergen than just hop on a Bergen fjord tour! We spent one night in Bergen on our road trip through Norway, and had a lovely time exploring Bergen by bike!
Now, if you know us, you know we feel the most alive out in nature, exploring the Creation of the world.. and Norway isn’t short of some epic scenery. So, we really didn’t plan on spending much time in Bergen, or really any city in Norway. Our idea was to get out and see the beauty in the nature of Norway. However, we were surprised to find beauty in Bergen’s city center too!
We would never say that even the best of Bergen stands a chance against the nature of Norway, but hey, it’s still nice to hang around Bergen for a day!
Why Visit Bergen, Norway
Bergen is known for being the gateway to Norway’s fjords, but that wasn’t at all why we were visiting. Because you know, traveling on a budget in Norway certainly doesn’t allow for fjord tours! 😉
We actually went to Bergen to catch a ferry to Denmark, beginning our trip back to Scotland. Bergen was our very last slice of Norway we experienced…and with less than 24 hours in Bergen, we quickly realized why people spend time visiting Bergen.
Being the second-largest city in Norway, Bergen does have some hustle and bustle about it, but there’s also slices of Norwegian charm. With the seven mountains surrounding the city, and homes built into the mountains, beauty can be found in the commotion.
Exploring The Best of Bergen | Bergen City Guide
We parked (and slept) in the hills surrounding Bergen, which meant we had quite the trek getting to and from the city center. However, having our bikes on the van allowed for quite an enjoyable time biking in Bergen.
Leaving our parking place, we went straight down to Bergen city center. Having no real plans of what to explore or even the slightest clue what we would see, we just started cycling around! To our surprise, there was so much to see along the water, and we felt it better to explore on foot, so we parked our bikes and walked all around.
Bergen’s Harbor
The harbor in Bergen was definitely the place to be at night. The waterfront is lined with picture-perfect buildings and while we visited there was even a market set up at the harbor. It seems this is something that is out every day!
Bergen’s Harbor Market
Bergen’s harbor market is full of local delicacies, like shark and other seafood. While the smell wasn’t always the most pleasant, we’d argue they had the biggest selection of seafood we’ve ever seen!
Traveler’s Tip…Purchase traditional food from this market and pay nearly half the price you would pay at a proper restaurant… and you get to hang with the locals more! That’s a win-win!
Along with the seafood made to order, we found fish being dried in the traditional Norwegian way and so many locals that were eager to talk to us about our time in Norway. Spending a day in Bergen was the perfect end to our three weeks in Norway!
Where To Stay in Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway Hotels
There are a couple of major hotels in Bergen, like the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel and even some right on the water, but honestly with prices up over 100 USD, staying at a big fancy hotel in Bergen isn’t the best if you’re on a budget! There are some hotels in Bergen for closer to 50 USD, just change your search terms to include only places within your budget.
Our favorite website to search for hotels is Momondo. They compare sites like Booking, Agoda, Expedia and more, showcasing the best prices and the best days to stay! Check out current Bergen Hotel prices here.
Overnight Parking / Sleeping in Campervan in Bergen
We found the absolute perfect place to park for the night in Bergen. Yes, it was a trek to and from Bergen city center, but parking up on the hillside offered the best views of Bergen! Check out this post on 12 exact geotagged locations for wild camping in Southern Norway, including in Bergen.
How To Get To Bergen, Norway
Traveling to Bergen by Train
There is a train stop right in Bergen, and this is a popular way of traveling from Oslo to Bergen as well as from Stavanger. Check out the most affordable way to get to Bergen by train and other transport on Rome2Rio!
Flying into Bergen
There is an international airport in Bergen, and is a great place to fly into if wanting to explore this area! Especially since Bergen is more of a city to see than Oslo.. You can also check flights to Stavanger too. To check flights to Bergen search here!
Driving to Bergen
Bergen is an easy place to drive to, and if you simply park on the outskirts of the city, parking isn’t too expensive. Just be sure to remember where you park your car! There are also parking garages in Bergen, though parking can be quite spendy in the city.
If you don’t have a car, consider renting a car in Bergen. Check Bergen rental car prices below!
Getting Around Bergen
Public Transportation in Bergen
It’s not really necessary to use public transportation in Bergen as many of the streets will be missed if you do! You can take public transport to the town from nearby cities, but we’d recommend walking in the actual town or visiting via bike!
Walking in Bergen
Walking is the best way to see Bergen! It gives you the freedom to sneak down any little alleys and explore the cobblestone streets! You can easily walk around Bergen city center and the Bergen harbor, and use public transport or the little tourist train to see other things!
Bergen by Bike
If you have your own bike with you, you can explore the town via bike, or simply ride in and leave your bike parked near some the city center or harbor. But again, you’re best to do at least some walking! You can also rent bikes in the city at different little bike rental spots scattered around!
In Conclusion
While Bergen may be known as the gateway to Norway’s fjords, our random visit revealed that this incredible city has much more to offer than just fjords and beyond. Despite our initial focus on Norway’s beauty, Bergen’s city center surprised us with its charming streets, beautiful harbor, and lively night market showcasing its local treats and knick-knacks.
Though nothing can quite compare to the dramatic nature of Norway and the fjords further north; spending a day in the Bergen city center added a delightful and unexpected component to our three-week trip through Norway.
