Bergen is the largest city in the western part of Norway, and the country’s second-largest and happens to be where we live. The municipality’s population is about 278 000, and the metropolitan region has about 420 000 inhabitants. It was founded in 1070, and served as the capital of Norway from the end of the 13th century and onwards for many years. 

The city is an international centre for aquaculture, shipping, offshore petroleum industry and subsea technology. The port is Norway’s busiest in terms of both freight and passengers, with over 300 cruise ship calls a year, bringing nearly half a million passengers to the city.

The city is surrounded by “The seven mountains”. There is (and will probably always be) a disagreement as to which of the nine mountains surrounding the city constitute the seven. Personally, we believe that the following mountains are the seven ones: Ulriken, Fløyen, Løvstakken, Damsgårdsfjellet, Lyderhorn, Sandviksfjellet and Rundemanen. But our vote doesn’t count, as our families haven’t lived within the city borders for 3 generations, as is the requirement for being a genuine “Bergenser”; a real inhabitant of Bergen.

Travel from Voss to Bergen

If you’re staying at Høgelibu there are two ways to travel to Bergen. You can go by train or by car.

Drive to Bergen. If you’re going by car, have a look at our route suggestions and suggestions for sights along the way. Parking in the city centre is expensive, your best and least expensive option would be the “ByGarasjen” parking garage in the middle of the city.

Train to Bergen. You can also go by train. Travel time is 1-1,5 h from Voss Station, depending on if you go by an express train or a local train. There are hourly departures, check out www.vy.no (and download their app) for tickets. You’ll arrive at the Bergen Train station, which is located in the middle of the city, right beside the ByGarasjen parking garage).

Some highlights

• Bryggen. The old sea houses from the Hanseatic time, is on the Unesco’s world heritage list, and is an iconic part of Bergen. You won’t miss it if you’re strolling around in the city centre. Try to go in between the buildings to discover small shops and cafes.

• Fisketorget (the fish market). In the inner end of Vågen (the city fjord), it was once a real fish market, where the inhabitants of Bergen went to buy fresh fish. Although still worth a visit, it’s now dominated by tourists during the summer months. The open area are now filled with touristy booths selling sweaters and souvenirs. The food there tends to be very expensive.

• Mt. Fløyen and Fløybanen (Funicular). Bergen is known for it’s funicular rail, Fløybanen, which brings both tourists and the people living in the Fjellsiden (mountain side) up to Mt. Fløyen and down to the city. There are several nice gravel roads leading up to Mt. Fløyen, and if you are on a budget or simply want to avoid queueing for the Fløybanen (especially when the cruise ships are docking), it’s a lovely walk up (ca. 45 min). There’s a nice view and a restaurant on the top, a playground for kids and a viewing platform. There’s also a network of gravel roads - you may want to hike upwards to Mt. Rundemanen, with it’s even greater panoramic view - or do the classic Vidden hike, from Mt. Fløyen to Mt. Ulriken.

• Mt. Ulriken. The tallest of the seven mountains circling Bergen, Mt. Ulriken is worth a visit. You can hike up the Oppstemten stone steps (starting point) built by Nepali Sherpas or simply enjoy the view while taking the gondola to the top. Anyway, to get to the lower station, take the City Light Rail (Bybanen) Line 2 from the city centre stop at Kaigaten to the underground stop at Haukeland University Hospital and walk (500 m, uphill) to the Gondola. In the tourist season you may also be able to take a shuttle bus departing from the city centre. On the top, you’ll get a splendid view of the greater Bergen area and a view of the ocean. There’s also a restaurant on the top as well as a zipline.

• Ulriken Zipline. When you’re up at the top of Mt. Ulriken, consider trying the zipline located up there. Please book ahead.

• VilVite (Bergen Science Centre). Worth a visit on a rainy day (which there are many of in Bergen) or even a sunny one. A permanent exhibition with different interactive installations, perfect for children and adults of all ages. Website: http://www.vilvite.no

• KODE. Art museum in the city centre. You’ll find different exhibitions as well as permanent ones. More info on their website: https://www.kodebergen.no

• Bergen Aquarium. Not very large, but fun for kids and adults looking at different typse of fish, sharks, penguins, crocodiles and more. On the roof top there’s also an outdoor playground. https://www.akvariet.no/en

Dining

Three of our favourites:

• Godt brød (literally meaning “Good bread” - www.godtbrod.no). Several branches scattered across the city, one is located in the northern end of Marken, one of the pedestrian streets. This is the go-to place for a luxury (Norwegian) breakfast or lunch. Home made bread, with lots of different cheese, meat, fresh orange juice, etc. 

• Spisekroken (www.spisekroken.no). They specialize in veal. Small and cozy restaurant on your way out towards Nordnes. Few tables, book ahead. Klostergaten 8, 5005 Bergen.

• KOGI (www.kogi.no) Korean cuisine. Never tried Korean BBQ or fried chicken? Go there!

Travelling with kids?

There are several playgrounds/-areas scattered around in Bergen. Here are some of them

• ‘7-mountain-slide’ - Made by the artist Imi Maufes, this 25 metres long slide is popular among both children and adults.

• Tollbodkaien playground - A new and fairly large playground within walking distance of the city centre.

• On the roof of the Bergen Aquarium (www.akvariet.no/en) there is also a playground for those with an entrance ticket. The playground is best suited for the smaller kids (2-4 yrs old).

• On the top of Mt. Fløyen, there is a large playground.

Inside tips

• Take a stroll along the small pictoresque streets at Nøstet.

• Lunch at Kranen.

• Go for a walk in the city park, Nygårdsparken.

• Walk up the stairs at Stoltzekleiven. There’s an annual run up the stairs in early fall with hundreds of contestants and the record is 7 min 46 sec. Can you beat it? If you walk up, you can follow the gravel road from the top towards Mt. Fløyen.

• Shopping at Lagunen or Oasen. Rainy day? Take the Light Rail (Bybanen) line 1 to Lagunen or line 2 to Oasen shopping centre.

• Just south of Bergen there is a climbing park called “Høyt og lavt” (literally translated: High and low”) where you can try out zip-lines and a free-fall jump among other activities. More info in their webpage. Also, have a look at the video: