Bergen Travel Guide: One Day in Bergen, Where to Stay and Getting Around

Bergen Travel Guide: One Day in Bergen, Where to Stay and Getting Around

Bergen had been on our list for years. When we found a direct flight from Berlin, it became the first stop of our Norwegian fjords trip. It’s one of the most enchanting cities in the North, and it captures the spirit of Northern Europe perfectly. It rains here around 250 days a year. Still, the colourful wooden houses, historic harbour and steep mountains won us over instantly. So here’s our Bergen travel guide, with transport tips, hotel picks and a step-by-step one-day itinerary!

Spending longer in Norway? We’ve got you covered before or after Bergen. Read our Norwegian fjords itinerary, and if you’re heading to Oslo, don’t miss our Oslo accommodation guide! 😉

Is one day enough for Bergen? Yes! The main sights are close together. With a good plan, you can see Bergen properly in a single day.

How to Get to Bergen

We flew straight to Bergen. Coming from further away? You can also fly in via Oslo, or land in Oslo and rent a car there. On the way back, we took Bergensbanen, one of the world’s most beautiful train routes, from Bergen to Oslo. We got a road trip and didn’t miss out on the train views!

Thinking of renting a car? Here’s our DiscoverCars link. We’ve used it for years to compare prices and read reviews on one screen. Our experience has always been good, and we usually get a better price. In Norway, we rented without a second thought, and it cost us €60 a day. Book ahead, though! Last-minute rentals can be really pricey, and we heard of people paying €150 a day.

• Getting from the airport to the centre: The cheapest, easiest way from Bergen Flesland Airport is the Bybanen light rail (Line 1). It takes about 45 minutes to the centre. Flybussen airport buses also run, but the tram is much cheaper. We rented a car at the airport and drove into town.

Bergen Travel Guide: Where to Stay

Bergen is compact and easy to explore on foot. The key tip in this Bergen travel guide: stay in the centre to save time.

• Sentrum & Bryggen (City Centre): Ideal for first-timers and anyone short on time. You can walk everywhere straight from your hotel.
• Citybox Bergen: A modern, budget-friendly pick with self check-in and a great location. It’s excellent value. For chain-hotel comfort, try Scandic Torget Bergen by the harbour, at around €140 a night.
• Clarion Hotel Admiral: A unique waterfront view, right across from the historic Bryggen houses.
• Bergen Børs Hotel: A more upscale option in a former stock exchange building, right in the heart of the city.

Wondering where we stayed? This time we took a chance on something we’d spotted on Instagram: Birdbox, a mountain cabin 15 km from Bergen! We loved this tiny but spectacular cabin with its bird’s-eye view over the city. We picked up groceries on the way and had dinner with that amazing view. Yes, the toilet is outside and there’s no one around. You also have to walk a bit from the car park. But it was totally worth it, and Leo especially loved it.

If you love unique stays like we do, definitely check it out. Like the idea? Here’s the link here. ;))

In summer, it doesn’t get dark in Bergen until around 10–11 pm, which is great for sightseeing. We went in May, and it got dark at 10:30 pm. That’s when you really feel how far north you are!

Bergen Travel Guide: One-Day Itinerary

1. Bryggen

The first image that comes to mind when you think of Bergen is its colourful wooden houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen is a port city, so most sights are around the harbour and these houses.

These charming buildings have survived many fires and been carefully rebuilt. Don’t just take photos out front! Explore the narrow wooden passages and back alleys between them, too. We loved the atmosphere here even more than the city’s main sights. For us, this is the heart of any Bergen travel guide.

2. Fisketorget (Fish Market)

Just past Bryggen, right on the harbour, is the fish market, one of the city’s beating hearts. It opens in the morning, with fresh seafood on display. If you’re not a fish lover like me, though, the smell is strong! Prices are high, as everywhere in Norway. Still, it’s a nice stop for a quick lunch or seafood tasting with a harbour view. No Bergen travel guide would be complete without it.

3. Mount Fløyen and the Fløibanen Funicular

For panoramic views over Bergen and the fjord, head up Mount Fløyen. The Fløibanen funicular leaves from the city centre and climbs 320 metres in about 5–6 minutes.

You can buy a one-way ticket up and walk back down through the forest. The trail takes about 40–45 minutes and is lovely, with the scent of pine and great views. We skipped it because we were tired and had Leo with us. Otherwise, we’d definitely have done it. It’s our favourite tip in this Bergen travel guide.

At the top, you’ll find a viewing terrace, picnic spots and walking trails. Don’t miss the Fløyen playground, especially if you have kids.

4. Torgallmenningen Square and Byparken

After coming down from Fløyen, walk to Torgallmenningen, the city’s main square. Bergen’s shopping streets meet here, and you’ll often see street performers.

From the square, you’ll reach a park around the Lille Lungegårdsvannet lake. Its walking paths, green spaces and mountain views make it perfect for a coffee break. Nearby, we recommend Klee Coffee. There’s also Fly Chicken, a popular local fast-food spot.

Those were the places we saw in our one day in Bergen. A second day would have felt a bit repetitive, since it’s a small city. That’s why this Bergen travel guide focuses on one well-planned day.

Where to Eat in Bergen and Practical Tips

As for food, we had lunch at Trekroneren, a very famous sausage stand. Then we had coffee at Kaffemisjonen and Fjåk Chocolate. The next morning, before heading off, we tried pastries at the famous Godt Brød Korskirken bakery. Everything else came from the supermarket. We didn’t expect much from Bergen’s food scene, and we were right. Everything is very expensive, and the flavours are average. So booking a place with a kitchen and cooking pasta for dinner is perfectly fine. You won’t miss a thing! ;))

One last tip for this Bergen travel guide: a rain-free day in Bergen is pure luck! It rains for much of the year, so pack a raincoat and comfortable waterproof shoes. An umbrella won’t help much in the wind.

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