Bergen

a bird's eye view of Bergen, Norway
Bergen was my favorite city in Norway. It was small, historic, beautiful, and filled with great seafood. Being a university town, there is a very vibrant energy to the city too (plus this city had the most cheap food options I saw and in a country as expensive as Norway, that’s pretty important.) The only downside to the city is that it rains most of the rain so you rarely see sun. But don’t let that deter you – the city here is spectacular and so good, I would even consider moving there, something I don’t say about most cities.

Typical Costs

  • Hostel Prices: Hostels in Bergen cost between $35-45 USD per night for a dorm room.
  • Budget Hotel Prices: Hotels in Bergen cost between $70-130 per night. If you want a budget hotel, stick to something local. All the major chains charge around $200 per night or more.
  • Average Cost of Food: Eating out is expensive, with fast food starting from $9 USD and sit-down meals in a decent restaurant nearly always topping $37 USD or more for a main course. McDonald’s or Burger King are around $15. For a cheap quick snack Norwegian-style, look no further than the nearest outdoor grill or convenience store, where you can eat a hot dog or sausage for around $4-6 USD.
  • Transportation Costs: The bus is $5 USD for an adult and $2.50 for everyone else. There is a light rail system that costs the same but Bergen is so small it’s easy to walk around unless you are going to one of the places on the outskirts of the city.

Top Things to Do

  • Bergen Museum of Cultural History – An awesome exhibit of Norse and Scandinavian culture, both rural and urban. Includes everything from archaeological artifacts to furniture and folk art.
  • Fresco Hall – Painted by local artist Axel Revold, in the 1920s, the Fresco Hall is comprised of four panels, featuring illustrations of each region of the city from the time. Considered to be a ‘local treasure’, this is a must see.
  • Fløibanen Funicular Railway – If you want the best view in the city, this is the that will take you there! Mount Floyen is 1,050ft above sea level and overlooks the surrounding islands. Sit back and enjoy the view or take a stroll through the woodland terrain and around the lakes.
  • Gallery Nygaten 7 – Considered one of the most stunning galleries in Norway, the Gallery Nygaten 7 will catch your eye with its bold, dramatic architecture and exhibits.
  • Gamle Bergen – An outdoor museum featuring 40 houses, depicting life during the 18th and 19th centuries. If you are looking fore an interesting and informative tour, this is the place to go! Located near the center of Bergen.
  • White Lady Fjord tour – A four-hour boat tour that offers an amazing look at the famous fjords and the beautiful landscape surrounding Bergen, including various islands, bridges, cliffs, and waterways. A casual way to spend your day and a nice way to get away from the typical city bustle and tourist excursions.
  • Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Milde – Occupying 125 acres of land, the garden is home to thousands of trees, plants, flowers and shrubs. May and June are great months to go because the rhododendrons bloom. July and August is good too because everything else blossoms. The gardens are located outside the center of Bergen.
  • Bergen Aquarium – For aquatic lovers and families alike, this aquarium offers Europe’s largest seal and penguin exhibit, a highly extensive marine fauna collection, and one of Europe’s largest collections of fish and invertebrates.
  • Bergen International Festival – Every year, at the end of May, the Bergen Int. Festival offers a wide array of performing arts, including: music, opera, ballet, theatre, and more. A great way to check out amazing contemporary performances, on various stages throughout the city.
  • Folgefonni Glacier - Just north of Bergen lies Folgefonni glacier. Climb the ice precipices or stroll across the thousand-year-old ice desert. If you can’t make it north to see the fjords, this is a good consolation prize.
  • Rosenkrantz Tower – Dating back to medieval times, this tower served as a residence, as well as, a fortified tower. Offers a beautiful view of the sea front, as it is just a short walk from the fish market, and an inside glance at life of the past. Be sure to check out the dungeon.
  • Bergen Art Museum – In addition to altering exhibits, the Bergen Art museum is hot to three primary collections offering everything from contemporary art to traditional Norwegian art from the 1400’s, to works dated to the 18th century up to 1915.
  • Hang out in Festplassen – A recreation area used for various fairs, amusements parks, feast days, festivals, and more! If you are looking for something engaging, check in here to see if anything is going on, or enjoy the scenery.
  • Ole Bulls Plass – One of the most wel-known meeting places in the city, Ole Bulls Plass is also home for various sculptures. Be sure to stop by and see: The Lying Poet, Ole Bull, and The Blue Stone.
  • Runemanen Mountain – One of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen, and host to some of the most popular hiking trails in the area. If you are looking to get outside, this mountain has a trail for you! There are trails for beginners and intermediates alike.

Money Saving Tips

  • Cook your own food - Go grocery shopping but skip buying lots of fresh vegetables such as peppers or whole chicken fillets as they are very expensive. Minced chicken is cheaper. Avoid eating out!!!
  • Couchsurf - The best way to avoid expensive hostels is to not stay there. Couchsurf (i.e. staying with locals for free) so you can save your money for what is really important – sightseeing and beer.
  • Get a tourism card - The best way to afford all the attractions is to get a city tourism card so you can get free entry into all the attractions as well as free transportation.
  • Walk - The center of Bergen is small and easily walkable. Save money on transportation and walk everywhere. It’s a much better way to explore the city anyways.
  • Stay sober - At $7 USD per drink, going out will destroy your budget. While the Norwegians love to go out and have a good time, if you are on a tight budget, skip the drinks. Better to save your money for sailing around the fjords.