Bergen cruise port guide: what to do, eat and see in one day

This past January, I took a guided tour to Norway with Great Rail Journeys. After flying from London to Oslo, we took the Bergensbanen railway through forests of snow-laden spruce and icicle-hung mountains to Bergen, the country’s second largest city and home to one of the busiest cruise ports in Northern Europe.

I spent a full two days exploring its compact, walkable centre before embarking on a cruise aboard Havila Capella. Here’s everything I found, from its most impressive museums to the best places for authentic Norwegian cuisine.

About Bergen

You’ll find Bergen in western Norway’s Vestland region, nestled among seven mountains and myriad fjords.

Historians believe people have lived and traded here since at least the 1020s, but it was officially founded by Olaf the Peaceful in 1070 and christened Bjørgvin, meaning “the green meadow among the mountains”.

Fast-forward to the 13th century, and the city enjoyed a stint as Norway’s capital, before settling into its role as the kingdom’s commercial centre. Notably, it became a key hub for the Hanseatic League, which was a powerful confederation of merchant guilds that dominated trade across Northern Europe.

Over the centuries, Bergen also suffered dozens of fires. The most significant was in 1702, when 90 per cent of buildings burned. As a result of these blazes, the city frequently had to reinvent itself, creating a palimpsest with many layers to uncover, from Viking runes to medieval folklore.

Today, it remains one of Norway’s most important cities, drawing visitors with its food scene, cultural cachet and access to fjords and mountains. Approximately 600,000 cruise passengers arrive each year on ships from Hurtigruten, Havila Voyages, Viking, Princess Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and more.

Because the port is often the starting or end point of voyages, many guests also opt to spend an extra day or two exploring Bergen more fully.

Port of Bergen: what to know

Given it’s one of the busiest cruise hubs in Northern Europe, Bergen’s port has several docks.

The most popular for cruise ships are Skolten S, Jekteviken Terminal and Bontelabo. However, wherever you moor, you’ll be centrally located. All docks are no more than a 10 or 20 minute walk from the heart of Bergen, where you’ll find shops, cash machines, pharmacies and everything else you’d expect from a modern European city.

The Tourist Information office is similarly within easy reach, located at Strandkaien 3, NO-5014 Bergen. There you’ll be able to book excursions such as fjord tours or buy a Bergen Card, which gives you free or discounted access to museums and attractions, plus free travel on public transport.

Key facts:

• Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
• Population: Approximately 295,000
• Time zone: Central European Time (CET)

Helpful links:

• Port of Bergen (including ship schedule)
• Tourism board
• Annual weather averages
• Taxi service (Bergen also has Uber)

What to do in Bergen

Bryggen

This UNESCO-listed harbour district dates back 900 years, with a jumble of colourful wooden houses built on foundations laid in the 12th century.

Nestled among the labyrinth of alleys, you’ll find boutiques, artisan studios and galleries where you can pick up keepsakes, while also soaking up the heritage of the old Hanseatic wharf.

Bryggens Museum is particularly popular, with archaeological excavations and a rich collection of artefacts. Viking runic inscriptions divulge gossip, jokes and spells from long ago, while tapestries tell tales of knights slaying trolls.

St Mary’s Church, which is Bergen’s oldest building, is another significant landmark worth visiting, even if you don’t go inside.

For something more under-the-radar, consider the Theta Museum, which is the smallest in Norway. Comprising a single room, during Nazi occupation, it was used by the resistance to send secret radio messages to Britain.

How to get there:The walk from the port is approximately 10 to 20 minutes, depending on where you dock.

Price: Exploring Bryggen is free, but the museums require an entry fee. Bryggens Museum is NOK 170 (£13.15) for adults but complimentary for kids and teens under 18, while St Mary’s Church is NOK 100 (£7.75).

DIY or with a tour: Lots of guided tours operate here. We joined one and found it helpful to get a more comprehensive sense of the quarter’s history.

That said, exploring on your own has its advantages, too. You have more time to wander the hidden alleys, hunting for treasures and snapping pictures at your leisure.

Accessibility: Bryggen is only partially accessible to wheelchair users due to the cobblestones and narrow passages. Bryggens Museum and St Mary’s Church are accessible, while the Theta Museum is not.

Worth doing? Yes, if you have limited time in Bergen, this is a top attraction for travellers of all stripes. History buffs will find an abundance of maritime heritage, while kids may get a kick out of the fact that Bryggen was the inspiration for Arendelle in Disney’s Frozen.

Bryggens Museum was one of my favourite places to visit in Bergen, with a fascinating, well-curated collection that has lots to engage children as well as grown-ups.

Fløibanen Funicular

This popular funicular has been transporting locals and visitors up Mount Fløyen since 1918. Carriages with panoramic windows whisk you up the steep incline, ascending to 320 metres above sea level in just six minutes.

At the top, you have access to a viewing platform with expansive vistas of Bergen, from the peninsula stretching out to sea to the majestic mountains that have long shielded it.

This also serves as a starting point for a variety of hikes, from easy loops to more challenging routes. The Troll Forest has a special appeal for families, though guests of all ages are welcome. Along the gentle trail, fearsome wooden sculptures give you a greater sense of Norwegian folklore, culminating in a playground that looks like something out of a fairytale.

Mountain bikes are also available to hire in the summer months. A café and restaurant provide a great place for refreshments after your time in nature, and the shop is well stocked with postcards and souvenirs.

How to get there: It’s approximately 15 to 25 minutes to walk from the port, depending on where your ship docks. The funicular typically runs every 15 minutes, but in high season, there are occasional queues.

Price: In high season, which is from 1 April to 30 September, adults pay NOK 200 (£15.50) and children aged four to 15 pay NOK 100 (£7.75). Babies and children under four travel for free.

During the rest of the year, it’s NOK 145 (£11.20) for adults and NOK 70 (£5.40) for children (4-15). Senior tickets for NOK 100 (£7.75) are also available.

Note that it’s cheaper if you buy your ticket online, through the app or at a ticket machine.

DIY or with a tour: DIY.

Accessibility: The funicular is accessible for wheelchair users. The shop, café, restaurant and viewing platform at the top station are also suitably adapted, and there is an accessible toilet.

Worth doing? Yes, the viewing platform alone makes it a must-do attraction, thanks to sweeping vistas of Bergen and the surrounding mountains. When you factor in the family-friendly amenities and the easy access to nature, you can see why it has broad appeal.

What to see in Bergen

KODE

KODE is a collection of four art museums and three former homes of composers, comprising some of the region’s most significant cultural landmarks and collections.

Rasmus Meyer, for instance, is an art museum housed in a building from 1924. It features the third largest Edvard Munch collection in the world, as well as works by Norwegian artists such as the Romantic painter J.C. Dahl and the Modernist Nikolai Astrup.

Meanwhile, Troldhaugen was once home to composer Edvard Grieg, who was most famous for The Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt. Today, you can visit the villa where he lived with his wife Nina Grieg, his composer’s hut and the couple’s gravesite, as well as a modern museum building and a concert hall. In the summer, daily recitals are held.

All said, 50,000 objects ranging from artworks to musical instruments can be found across KODE, though keep in mind that some collections are occasionally closed for refurbishment or during the off-season.

How to get there: KODE’s collections are in several locations around Bergen. Lysverket, Rasmus Meyer and Stenersen are on the same street, around 15 minutes away from the port (depending on where you dock), but others are a bit further away. For example, Troldhaugen is a 15-minute cab ride or 50 minutes by public transport.

Price: NOK 200 (£15.5) includes entry to all KODE collections. Children and teens under 18 enjoy complimentary admission.

DIY or with a tour: DIY. Several museums offer complimentary audioguides in English, which can enhance the experience.

Accessibility: The collections accommodate wheelchair users. All buildings have lifts and/or ramps and accessible bathrooms.

Worth doing? Yes, though you likely will only be able to do one or two, depending on how long you’ve stopped in Bergen. Which you choose may depend on the season. We found Rasmus Meyer was a lovely way to keep dry in the notoriously rainy winter.

In summer, Lysøen, which was home to the violin virtuoso Ole Bull, is very pleasant; it’s on an idyllic island with many kilometres of hiking trails, plus spots to swim and picnic.

What to eat and drink in Bergen

Trekroneren

This hot dog stand first opened in 1946, and in the 80 years since, it’s become a beloved Bergen institution. Today, you’ll find 20 different sausage options, but the one recommended to us by locals was the Norwegian reindeer hot dog, topped with mustard, lingonberry sauce and crispy fried onions.

We found it sweet, savoury and not too gamey, making it a quick, satisfying bite to top off a day of exploring.

How to get there: You’ll find it on Kong Oscars gate, a historic street in central Bergen, around 15 to 20 minutes from the port on foot.

Price: Despite translating to ‘three crowns’, Trekroneren is slightly more expensive these days. Expect to pay around NOK 90 (around £7) for a hot dog.

DIY or with a tour: DIY.

Accessibility: Yes, it’s a traditional outdoor hot dog stand.

Worth doing? If you eat meat and fancy something cheap, cheerful and authentic, this is a great choice for you. There are more traditional options, such as lamb sausage or smoked bratwurst, if you’re wary of eating reindeer.

The Fish Market

This legendary food market has existed since the 1200s, when it was essential for trade between merchants and fishermen. Today, it’s a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to enjoy everything from open-face shrimp sandwiches topped with caviar to hearty fish soup, expertly prepared sushi and freshly shucked oysters.

The indoor food hall is open all year round, making it a great place for foodies to retreat from Bergen’s characteristic rain in cooler months. From 1 May to 30 September, the outdoor area is open, too, forming a colourful tableau of fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, liqueurs, jams and flowers.

How to get there: It takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes to walk from the port.

Price: Entry to the fish market is free, with a range of dining options at different price points.

DIY or with a tour: DIY.

Accessibility: Yes, the indoor hall is adapted for guests who use wheelchairs.

Worth doing? Yes, if you enjoy seafood, though be aware that some of the dining options are on the pricy side.

Longer out-of-town excursions

• Fjord cruises: Popular options include the scenic Sognefjord, Osterfjord, Mostraumen, Hardangerfjord and Nærøfjord. You can find a good number of half-day options as well as full-day ones. Sauna cruises and fishing expeditions are also available.
• The Flåm Railway: This two-hour round journey is one of the most celebrated in Europe, with views of mountains at jaw-dropping angles, thundering waterfalls and silver fjords. Accessing the route generally requires a train from Bergen to Myrdal.
• Voss: This charming town, located just over an hour from Bergen by train, is often called the adrenaline capital of Norway. Its impressive line-up of seasonal sports includes skiing, hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking and skydiving.

FAQs

What is the nearest medical facility to Bergen port?

Haukeland University Hospital is located around 10-15 minutes from Bergen port by car and is the largest hospital in the region. It offers 24/7 emergency services. If you need an ambulance, 113 is the number to call.

However, for many non-critical ailments, you may want to use your ship’s medical centre, especially if you’re only stopping in Bergen for a few hours.

What cruise lines stop in Bergen?

Bergen is a major hub for cruise ships and caters to a huge number of cruise lines. These range from family-friendly lines like Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises to adults-only ones like Viking.

You also see ultra-luxury vessels from the likes of Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises dock here, along with expedition lines such as National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and Ponant.

What is the weather in Bergen like?

Overall, Bergen’s weather is mild compared to the rest of Norway, thanks to the Gulf Stream, which keeps the sea relatively warm, and the seven mountains that shield the city from harsh winds.

That said, while it doesn’t experience the fierce winters of Oslo or Tromsø, for instance, it does see significant precipitation, earning it the moniker ‘the rainiest city in Europe’.  Whatever you do, make sure to bring an umbrella.

Here’s a cheat sheet on what you can expect from the weather across the seasons.

• Spring: Fickle, with all four seasons frequently showing up on the same day. Temperatures are often between 5 and 10C.
• Summer: It’s warm but unpredictable, with rain still on the cards. With temperatures around 15-20C, it’s a classic ‘coolcation’ holiday spot.
• Autumn: You frequently get rapid changes between rain and sunshine, with typical temperatures between 5 and 12C.
• Winter: Expect a lot of rain, with occasional snow, and temperatures between 0 and 5C.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Bergen?

Northern Lights sightings in Bergen are relatively rare. They do happen on occasion in the winter months, but your chances are much higher in Northern Norway.