Bergen City Break 3-Day Itinerary

May 1, 2026

Bergen in Norway is a compact coastal city surrounded by mountains and fjords. It is known for its historic harbour, colourful wooden buildings, and easy access to the stunning scenery of the Norwegian fjords.

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It’s a place where you can move between city streets and dramatic landscapes in a matter of minutes.

Three days is enough time to see the main highlights and get a feel for how the city works, from exploring the Bryggen waterfront to taking the funicular up Mount Fløyen for views over the city. This itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your time in Bergen, balancing key sights with space to explore at a relaxed pace.

I recently spent three incredible days in Bergen and absolutely fell in love with the city and its surroundings. Read on for my top tips on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in the city – and beyond.

How to get to Bergen

Bergen is really easy to get to from the UK. Jet2 offers flights to Bergen from several international airports including Birmingham, Edinburgh, and London Stansted. I flew from Manchester Airport.

The Bergen flights from Manchester Airport take around an hour and a half. Be sure to book a window seat if you can as the views when you’re coming into land are pretty spectacular.

You can also book your flights and hotel as a package with Jet2. They offer city breaks to Bergen which also includes 22kg of luggage – perfect for all the layers you’ll need when you get there!

How to get from the airport to the city centre

Getting from Bergen Airport to the city centre could not be easier. You can catch the Bergen Lightrail from outside the terminal and this has a direct line to the city centre.

You can buy a single ticket at the station and travel is also included with the Bergen Card which gives you discounts on tours, activities and restaurants in the city.

The journey takes around 45 minutes.

Bergen weather

Bergen is located on Norway’s west coast and is surrounded by seven mountains. The city experiences mild winters and cool summers with plenty of rain – it’s one of the rainiest cities in Europe.

The weather when we visited in April was changeable with bright, sunny spells, a couple of rain showers, and some foggy days. The temperature was cold, hovering around 5°C (41°F) but feeling much cooler thanks to the wind chill.

When you’re putting together your Bergen packing list, be sure to add plenty of layers and a waterproof coat.

Things to do on a Bergen city break

Bergen offers a good mix of history, nature, and easy city experiences, all within a compact and walkable centre. Below are some of the best things to do to make the most of three days in Bergen.

Summary – things to do in Bergen

Ulriken Cable Car
Fantoft Stave Church
Take an e-bike tour
Cider tasting at Siderbar Bergen
Take a sauna cruise
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen
Take a food tour
Take the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen
Have a drink at Magic Ice
Take a day trip to Hardanger
See the northern lights
Take a dip in the Nordnes seawater pool

Ulriken Cable Car (Ulriken643)

Take the cable car up to the top of Bergen’s highest mountain, Ulriken, in the largest gondolas in Norway. If you go on a clear day, you’ll get amazing 360 degree views of the city and beyond, including the fjords and mountains.

Unfortunately when we visited it was really foggy so we didn’t get the best views, but it was still a cool experience. You could also choose to get the cable car up and then hike back down which I would have loved to do.

At the top there’s a restaurant and a cafe plus some options for shorter hiking routes.

Fantoft Stave Church

This stave church is a replica of one that was destroyed in a fire in 1992 (did you know there have been many fires in Bergen over the years?). It’s open for visits during the summer season and makes a nice spot for a photo stop.

Unfortunately it was closed when we visited, but it was still pretty cool to see from the outside.

Take an e-bike tour

Get to know the city by exploring it on two wheels on an e-bike. A local guide takes you through some of the city’s most historic and beautiful streets, telling you more about it along the way.

Cycling around the city is actually really easy, even for a complete novice like me! You are allowed to ride on both the pavement and the road which feels a little safer and the streets were really quiet for cars.

And oh my goodness, how easy is it riding an e-bike? I just popped it into turbo and made short work of any hills in my way!

Cider tasting at Siderbar Bergen

Siderbar is a newly opened bar in the city and the decor inside feels like you’ve stepped into a chic grandma’s house. It’s Norway’s first bar dedicated to cider.

You can book a tasting of Norwegian craft ciders, or just pop in for a drink if you’re short on time. I’d never done a cider tasting before and I really enjoyed this one, as there was such a variety between the different types.

Cider production is huge in Norway and produces create different flavours thanks to their climate, terrain and local conditions.

Take a sauna cruise

Taking a sauna cruise was definitely a highlight of my time in Bergen. We went with City Sauna and set sail through the picturesque waters, enjoying views of the city as we kept warm inside the state-of-the-art wooden sauna.

There were two stops for swimming and, while the water was very cold and I only lasted about one second in, it was super refreshing and I felt amazing afterwards.

You can book a sauna cruise for up to 12 people so it’s a fun thing to do as a group – it would be a perfect activity for a girls’ trip.

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen

Bryggen is the historic harbour district of Bergen that’s made up of 62 colourful wooden buildings. It has had to be rebuilt several times following fires in the city, using traditional methods and patterns.

The Hanseatic wharf has been an important part of the city for centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, Bergen itself is a World Heritage City.

Walking through these narrow alleyways and underneath overhanging galleries feels like you’re stepping back in time.

Inside the buildings you’ll find all kinds of makers from potters to jewellers and leather crafts to artists, some selling traditional crafts. There are also some souvenir shops – I picked up a fridge magnet and a miniature building for my collection!

Take a food tour

If you love eating and trying new things then a food tour is a fantastic way to explore Bergen. You’ll learn more about the eating habits of Norwegians including when and what they like to eat.

We did the A Taste of Bergen food tour with I Love Bergen Tours and we visited some great spots in the city trying all the food that Bergen is famous for, including stockfish, brown cheesecake, and even whale!

The stops included:

Fish Me (restaurant at the Fish Market) – fish platter including stockfish (dried cod), whale, shrimp, gravlax, and smoked salmon
Dogtails – Pinnekjøtt hotdog (lamb hotdog with parsnip topping and blueberry ketchup)
Fjak – hot chocolate and brown cheesecake
Siderbar – cider tasting
Fløirestauranten – restaurant at the top of Mount Fløyen where we had a cold cheese and meat platter, a fish dish, and steak

Take the Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen

If you didn’t get your fill of spectacular views from the cable car, then you can get the Fløibanen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen to enjoy some more. The funicular is a two carriage train that has transported people for over 100 years.

It takes just six minutes to get to the top and you can buy your tickets at the station or in advance on the app. When you get out, take in the stunning surroundings.

There are some goats that live up here too and they’re super friendly and chilled out. You’ll often see them asleep and you’re encouraged to pet and cuddle them.

You can also do some hikes from here with lots of options available for both short and longer routes, with some accessible routes too. We took a short hike around Skomakerdiket lake.

Have a drink at Magic Ice

If it’s not quite chilly enough for you outside, head to Magic Ice, an ice bar. The ice sculptures in here are reworked by sculptors several times a year so you’ll get a different experience each time you visit.

You’ll be given a warm poncho and gloves to put on, but be sure to wear layers as it was still cold – I mean, it is ice after all! Included in your entrance ticket is a welcome drink served in an ice glass. You can choose either alcohol or a soft drink.

Take a day trip to Hardanger

If you want to experience some of the spectacular nature during your trip to Norway, then you have to get out of the city and take a day trip to Hardanger. There’s plenty to do in this area, including a RIB tour on the fjord and tasting cider at one of the cider farms.

Summary – things to do in Hardanger

Steinsdalsfossen waterfall
Cider tasting
Have lunch at Brakanes Hotel
RIB tour of the Hardangerfjord

Steinsdalsfossen waterfall

This is a really impressive waterfall, especially when the weather has been wet. There is a viewing platform at the top, although the views of the cascade from the bottom are just as impressive.

You can also walk underneath the waterfall without getting wet which I loved! It’s a cool experience to listen to the water thundering down as you walk through.

Cider tasting

At Hardanger Juice and Ciderfactory and Syse Farm, we learnt more about why cider is produced here and got to taste several different varieties. There are very strict alcohol laws in Norway and so some of the ciders we tasted were alcohol free – perfect for any drivers visiting.

Lunch at Brakanes Hotel

On the edges of Hardangerfjord, you’ll find a stunning hotel called Brakanes Hotel. We stopped here for a delicious lunch of turkey and seasonal vegetables.

The turkey was so moist and flavoursome, so tender that it melted in your mouth. It was such a simple meal but really tasty and the surroundings of the hotel were beautiful.

RIB tour of the Hardangerfjord

We took a RIB boat tour of the fjord with Hardangerfjord Adventure. On the boat, you’re sat straddling the seat with a handle to hold on in front of you – this feels surprisingly secure as the boat reaches speeds of up to 56 miles per hour (90 kilometres per hour).

You’re given a flotation suit, a beanie hat, and goggles if you need them. I would definitely recommend them.

I sat at the very front and I learnt what it means when someone says “hold on your hats!” – quite literally! My eyes were streaming too, from the wind, but it was so much fun twisting and turning around the fjord.

Our guide told us more about what life was like for the remote communities on the fjord who have to travel by boat. During the winter, the fjord freezes over and the children ski out to catch the boat to school each day.

See the northern lights

If you’re visiting Bergen between September and April then you may get an opportunity to see the northern lights (or aurora borealis as they’re also known). You’ll need a clear night and to get away from the lights of the city to see them.

You can also download an app on your phone to find out the forecast and the best place to see them. We thought they would be visible on our last night but unfortunately we didn’t get to see them.

Take a dip in the Nordnes seawater pool

If you don’t fancy swimming in the sea, you can get your water fix by taking a dip in the Nordnes seawater swimming pool instead. Located in the Nordnes park, the pool is heated to 29°C (84°F) and there’s also a diving board, sauna, and shower facilities.

You can also swim in the sea here, so you can swap between the two to get some warm and cold water therapy.

Unfortunately the swimming pool was closed when we visited Bergen. It is open all year round but closes for a few weeks between the summer and winter season for maintenance so check this before you visit.

Where to eat on a Bergen city break

Bergen has a varied food scene, from casual bakeries and fish markets to top quality restaurants focusing on local produce. Here are some of my recommendations for where to eat while spending three days in Bergen.

Summary – restaurants in Bergen

Skyskraperen Restaurant
Allmuen Bistro
Fish Me
Bryggen Tracteursted

Skyskraperen Restaurant

This restaurant is at the top of Mount Ulriken and has some spectacular views over the city and its surroundings on a clear day. You can make the most of these with its floor to ceiling windows.

The interior is cosy and contemporary with sheepskin blankets to use in case you’re cold. Dishes here are made using seasonal produce and so the menu varies according to the time of year.

I really enjoyed the Jerusalem artichoke soup which tasted so fresh. We also had duo of beef which was perfectly cooked and a strawberry popsicle with brown cheese, a super cute dessert.

Allmuen Bistro

The meal we ate at Allmuen Bistro was my favourite of the entire Bergen visit. The interior is all low lighting and contemporary art – there was a very interesting piece right above our heads which provided a good talking point for the evening!

The restaurant offers a locally sourced tasting menu created using seasonal ingredients. In fact, the menu is so seasonal that they don’t even post it on the website, they just create the dishes using produce that they source that day.

We shared a menu of delightful dishes including T-bone steak, langoustines, bread, creamy mashed potato, potato fondant, and vegetable dishes.

I love being surprised by food in a restaurant as I’m not in the least fussy and I can never decide what I want to order, so this was perfect for me.

Fish Me

Fish Me is located at Bergen’s historic fish market and has been there for over 25 years. They offer fresh seafood from along Norway’s coast.

Lots of their fish and shellfish can be chosen live and all preparations are done on-site at their fish market. They also do a range of sushi.

Here we ate cold platters with smoked salmon, gravlax, mackerel, and even whale, plus main courses of monkfish and seafood pasta. The food here was fabulous and if you’re a seafood lover than Fish Me absolutely cannot be missed when you visit Bergen.

We asked about the whale, as eating whale is very controversial but we were told that it isn’t so in Norway and that their government sets out rules to make sure that the whales are hunted sustainably, for both the whales themselves and Norway’s fish population.

I was torn about eating it but I did try it. It was ok – the texture was like a cured meat, rather than fish, and it was quite salty. I don’t think I would order it as a meal but I didn’t hate it.

Bryggen Tracteursted

Bryggen Tracteursted is a traditional restaurant in a wooden building in the Bryggen part of the city. They serve classic Norwegian dishes with modern flavours, including gravlax and stockfish.

Here, we had a variety of hot and cold dishes to share, again perfect for me as I love to try a bit of everything. I tried reindeer tartare here which was very tasty.

Where to stay on a Bergen city break

We stayed at the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen with Jet2holidays. The hotel has a perfect location, near to Bryggen and within easy walking distance of some of the best sights in the city.

The hotel was comfortably furnished and had everything you needed to enjoy an incredible city break. The interiors are bright and welcoming and the beds super comfortable.

There’s also heated flooring in the bathroom – great for warming your feet after you’ve been walking about in the cold!

The buffet breakfast was the highlight for me as there was so much to choose from, including cooked options and more traditional Norwegian food.

Discover more about Jet2holidays.

FAQs

Is Bergen a good city break?

I think Bergen is an excellent choice for a city break. The short flight from the UK and the ease of getting to the city centre from the airport means you can really make the most of your time here.

There’s plenty to do and see and a good mixture of culture, history, and adventurous activities. The people are super friendly and the food is fantastic – what’s not to love?

Is 2 days enough for Bergen?

You could probably see most of the sights of the city during two days in Bergen, however I don’t think it’s enough time if you want to see some of the spectacular nature outside the city as well. I think three days is the least amount of time you’d want to spend in Bergen, but you could easily do more.

What is the best time of year to visit Bergen?

Spring and summer are great times to visit Bergen. The weather is cool but perfect for exploring outdoors and walking around.

If you visit before April, you also might get the opportunity to see the northern lights.

How much is a cup of coffee in Bergen?

Bergen, like the rest of Norway, is quite expensive. Coffee prices are comparable to London at around £5-6.

Is Bergen English-friendly?

Most people in Bergen speak wonderful English as Norwegians learn the language from a young age, and so can understand you without problems. A lot of the signage is also in English.

It’s a good idea to learn a few key phrases before you go. Try “takk” for thank you, “hei” for hello, and “ha det” for goodbye.