A Scenic Escapade in Bergen, Norway – The Capital of Fjords and an Iconic City

A trip to Bergen, Norway, a fjord capital and one of the most iconic cities in Europe is such an amazing journey! Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway surrounded by mountains and fjords which makes the city more scenic and picturesque than Oslo.

Aside from being listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Bergen is very well known for its fjord landscapes, houses clinging on the hillsides, colorful commercial buildings and narrow cobblestone alleys. What a scenic escapade in a small town full of spectacular sceneries and historical sites!

Bergen City at a Glance

How to go to Bergen from Oslo?

If you want to go straight to Bergen after exploring Oslo city, you can take a train that travels directly to Bergen. The fast train ride takes around 6 hours and 32 minutes with a distance of 306 kilometers. The train departs in Oslo as early as 8:25AM and the latest train departs at 11:00PM.

If you have more time to explore Norway, I suggest that you take a different route to enjoy the scenic view through Flam Railways and Fjord Cruise experience going to Bergen instead of taking a direct train ride from Oslo.

We had a train ride from Oslo to Myrdal for about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Then, we had a spectacular train journey from Myrdal to Flam via the Flam Railway (Flamsbana) that offers a panoramic view of the Norwegian fjord landscapes. This is a one-hour journey including a quick stop-over to see the magnificent waterfalls and mountains along the way.

Kjosfossen Falls is the main highlight of the Flam Railway (Flamsbana) experience

Upon arrival in Flam, we had our late lunch while waiting for a two-hour ferry ride that will take us to scenic fjords cruising to Gudvangen. We have enjoyed the wildest and the most beautiful part of the famous Sognefjord – the Naeroyfjord Cruise and we passed by the hanging valleys, towering peaks, breathtaking waterfalls, and steep mountainsides. We travel from Gudvangen to Bergen for about 2 hours by coach.

This is a port in Flam where we had a Fjord Cruise to Gudvangen

We arrived at Bergen about nighttime. We checked in at Scandic Torget Bergen Hotel, located at the center of the city and just walking distance away from the picturesque Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf and the famous Fish Me Market. We had our dinner at Fisketorget (The Fish Market) located just across the hotel. They served fish soup and the famous special platter of king crab, langoustine, crab craw, freshly cooked shrimps and creamy mussels served with bread and salads. The seafood dinner was superb! Just make sure you don’t have allergies on seafoods.

Seafood dinner meal at Fisketorget

After dinner, we had a free walking tour to see the magnificent lights of the city at night time. The city looks quiet and peaceful and you can see few people walking on the streets at night.

The view of the city at night time

Amazing Bergen!

Bergen is such a wonderful place surrounded by mountains, islands, and a gateway to the fjords. The city’s old town was built on the edge of the mountains and situated right in front of the water. This is one of the iconic places that I have visited in Europe and I truly fell in love with the beauty and serenity of this place. Staring at the city’s historical and colorful buildings with nearby ports surrounded by beautiful mountains, fjords, and clear sky is such a delightful experience.

Scenic view of Bergen City

What to see in Bergen?

Bryggen is the most iconic sight in Bergen. The district is known to be the center for trade in the 12^th century. The area has been damaged by many fires in the past centuries and its appearance was rooted after the great fire in 1702. The area was rebuilt and they followed the old-style methods and designs in order to preserve its main structure. It is basically unchanged even after many centuries have passed and in 1979 it has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Bryggen is a historic harbor district where you can see a series of Hanseatic heritage commercial buildings. The colorful wooden buildings on Hanseatic Wharf are the most popular attraction in Bryggen. There, you can see old wooden merchant houses, with narrow alleys, overhanging galleries, restaurants, studios, and boutique shops. Strolling through the narrow alleys between the colorful wooden buildings will give you a glimpse of the past.

The colorful wooden buildings along Old Hanseatic Wharf 

Another famous attraction in Bergen is Mount Floyen, also known as Floyfjell. Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains that make the city looks so impressive. Mount Floyen is the most accessible city mountain with the highest peak of 1300 feet (320 meters) above sea level.

There are three ways to explore and reach the mountain top: join a guided hike, rent a bike, or take a funicular in Floibanen – located in the heart of Bergen city. Reaching the top of the mountain will give you a magnificent view of the city and its surrounding areas.

We took the Floibanen Funicular Railway from the foot of the mountain and go through the mountain to reach the top. It is around 6 minutes ride to reach the top of Mount Floyen.

Floibanen Funicular Railway

On top of Mt. Floyen, you can see the perfect and stunning view of Bergen city and the surrounding mountain landscapes and fjords. There are charming shops and cafes that offer souvenir items, pastries, beverages, and ice cream. There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal with a spectacular view of the city.

Stunning view of Bergen city on Top of Mount Floyen (320 meters above sea level)

Perfect view of Bergen city from Mount Floyen

Bergen is really worth visiting! Staying overnight in town, though it is quick but it’s enough to see the main tour highlights of the city. However, if you have more time, I propose that you stay in Bergen for at least 3 days and 2 nights so you can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the city, explore more places and learn more about the local cultures. The charming, irresistible, and peaceful small-town feel, make me want to go back!

If you need assistance on what places to visit in Norway or in other countries in Europe, please do not hesitate to contact Rakso Travel and our expert Travel Consultant will be happy to assist and arrange your scenic escapade.

 

What are you waiting for? Plan your Norway trip and fly with us soon.

Blog Contributed by: Genelyn Bonto

Photos by: Genelyn Bonto & Ira Gatmaitan

 

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