Day 1: Bergen

Tips:

• If you enjoy walking or hiking there are some great trails in Bergen to experience. Remember your hiking boots and walking gear to make sure you don’t miss out!
• Peak season is between May and August.
• Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe, and the wettest city in Norway, be sure to bring a rain coat.
• If taking the light rail tram from the airport, you have to buy a ticket before boarding and scan the ticket once onboard to avoid paying an extra charge.
• Mount Fløyen is the easiest of Bergen’s seven mountains to climbing, try to visit on a clear day to enjoy a superb aerial view of Bergen.
• If walking / hiking isn’t for you, you can pre-book in advance tickets for the Fløibanen funicular to ride to the top of Mount Fløyen.

Exploring: Day 1:

Bergen has colourful architecture, a forested mountain backdrop, a dazzling waterfront, a funicular, a cable car and a historic Fish Market. It’s a very easy place to explore on foot and most of the key attractions are located around the Bryggen, a maritime wharf of colourful wooden buildings.

Lunch: Lovetann Kaffebar

Located in a quiet corner of the city, this quaint cafe definitely lives up to its great reviews. It has a small outside patio area where you can sit and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and colourful houses opposite that decorate the pretty street.

Offering a nice selection of soups (vegan options included) served with tasty fresh bread.

After we finished, the chef asked us if we enjoyed our lunch, which was a nice touch and shows the attention to detail.

If I lived in the city, this would definitely be my regular coffee spot.

Afternoon hike: Mount Fløyen

Whenever I arrive in a new place one of my favourite things to do is to wander around its cobbled streets and make a conscious effort to immerse myself in my surroundings.

In Bergen, there are constant reminders of Norway’s natural beauty – after all this is troll country. Trolls have featured in Norwegian folklore since the 9th century.

Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, so there are plenty of ways to explore and surround yourself with nature. Hikes and walking trails are easily accessible from the city centre, and you don’t need to be part of an organised group to take part in the climb. 

Mount Fløyen is classed as one of the easier hikes because it’s less steep than the others and an easy trail to follow. Its highest point is 400m (1,300ft) above sea level, and the walk from Fløyen and back takes about 2-3 hours in total. 

To experience true Bergen you must climb at least one of the famous seven mountains. If you’re not up for the hiking challenge, there is a funicular that runs to the top. The Fløibanen is a popular ride, so it’s worth buying tickets in advance. 

Timings:

Weekdays from 07:30 AM to 23:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 AM to 23:00 PM

Fløibanen runs on the hour and half-hour in the morning, and every 15 minutes from 10:00 to 19:00. Between 19:00 and 23:00 departures are again on the hour and half-hour.

If you choose to walk up the mountain, the trail begins from the narrow streets surrounding the city centre and meanders around the residential streets with its pretty wooden houses. You don’t need a map as the path is well signposted and you can follow the funicular tracks. Plus there often lots of other hikers to follow.

At the top of Mount Fløyen there is a large viewing platform that allows visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the city centre. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day you’ll be able to look out towards the North Sea and see way beyond the city into the fjords. 

Mount Fløyen is also home to six mountain goats, called “Boots”, “Elvis”, “Småen”, “Festus Gilde”, “Flekken” and “Alf”. They are protected for grazing livestock.

Dinner: Fish Market, Bergen

Timings:

Daily from 09:00 AM to 23:00 PM

With a history dating back to the 1200s, the Fish Market used to be an important meeting place for local merchants and fisherman. Fisherman who lived outside the city used to row into the Fish Market to sell their catch of the day, before rowing back home.

Today, its become an indoor and outdoor market hosting an array of fresh fish and seafood restaurants. It is a tourist attraction, meaning the prices are high, but by Norwegian standards the fish is cheap, and the vendors will give out free samples.

It’s not a typical food market because there is no local frenzy. Instead, it is a lunch or dinner hotspot offering some of the best Norwegian seafood in Bergen. Its more than a market, it’s a destination. Go hungry, as you’ll be tempted by the aroma of the fish kebabs and the selection of smoked, cured, raw and grilled fresh fish. As well as the typical salmon, cod and mackerel, there is also king crab, lobster and sea urchin. 

One of the things we were surprised to see is that so many stalls were serving whale burgers, something we don’t agree with. Nordics apparently have a tradition of whaling that dates back to the Middle Ages, so whale meat is like big game deer or elk, and today Norway is one of only three countries that still hunts whale commercially.

I can safely say we skipped this local delicatessen and opted for the fresh Norwegian salmon and seafood paella instead – both are a must try!