Why go to Bergen, Norway?
Bergen, Norway is a quirky place with friendly locals and crazy beautiful scenery. Here are some of my favorite activities that you shouldn’t miss.
Irresistible folksy charm.
The famous wooden houses by the docks are pretty awesome, but they are by no means the only architectural game in town. Adorable housing and intricate architecture surround you at every turn. Just take a walk, because it’s impossible to miss.
Beauty blooms in Bergen.
The gazebo decorated with flowers in the middle of town is utterly charming. It is the perfect spot for snapping selfies or grabbing a sandwich from a nearby café and having lunch.
Bergen, Norway’s fabulous funicular.
You can buy these tickets in advance or at the funicular. If it’s crowded, my suggestion is to leave and grab a snack at a nearby haunt. Go back in a few minutes, because this giant people mover is efficient. Check out my article on the Fløibanen for more tips on this attraction.
On a boat, on a boat in Bergen, Norway!
The RIB boat tour is certainly a lot of fun, and most drivers make bouncy waves while cruising in the harbor. You won’t see epic fjords during this journey, but you will get a good view of the wooden houses throughout Bergen. Additionally, you will see lots of small islands.
Embrace the fjords, Norway style.
You can purchase tickets next to the boat, but the trip sold out every day when I was there. So, my advice is to book ahead of time online.
The double decker boat provides a comfortable ride, but it is always packed. Do yourself a favor and be sure to stand outside on both the upper and lower level. I didn’t realize until the second half of my fjord tour that the scenery looks dramatically different from both vantage points.
You want to stand at the front of the boat for epic views and even better photos. Just be prepared to get elbowed a lot.
Even during the summer, bring a hoodie, because conditions get windy out on the water. I noticed a few people only wearing T-shirts, and they looked miserable. The shortened version of this tour (that’s the one I took) is a little more than 3 hours. It takes you through three fjords, and the scenery is pristine. The water is so clean that it’s unreal. At times, sections of the journey get a touch repetitive, but it certainly is beautiful and definitely worth your time.
The online description said the crew would collect a bucket full of water from one of the waterfalls and pass it around. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen during my trip. Upon reflection, drinking from the same vessel as an actual boat load of strangers is not appealing. Just realize that if this is something you are looking forward to, it might not happen.
Overall.
If you love the outdoors, your visit to Bergen, Norway is sure to suffer from only one thing, a lack of time. Then again, that’s the hallmark of any good trip!
[…] Looking for more Bergen content? Check out this blog post by Pink Luggage Abroad. […]