Bergen City Add-On
Norway
As the gateway to Norway’s majestic fjords and home to its iconic railway, Bergen offers a scenic and cultural city experience that's easy to combine with your Norwegian ski holiday.
-
Culture
-
Family Friendly
-
Honeymoons
-
Nightlife
-
Non-Ski Activities
-
Quick Transfer Time
-
Village Charm
If you’re flying to Bergen before heading to Western Norway’s resorts, such as Voss and Myrkdalen, adding on a couple of days in this historic city just makes sense.
Nestled between snow-dusted mountains and the magnificent Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord fjords, Bergen marks the start of the iconic Bergen Railway, one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. This railway takes you directly to the slopes of top ski resorts like Voss and Geilo, which you can experience on our Bergen Railway Ski Safari. With effortless travel and spectacular views along the way, extending your stay in this picturesque city couldn’t be easier.
A coastal hub and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bergen is an enchanting, compact city that is easy to navigate, whether by foot or by light rail (Bybanen). Wander the atmospheric streets of Bryggen - the colourful, wood-clad harbourside dates back to the Hanseatic era. Explore cobbled alleyways, charming shops, and local galleries, or ride the iconic Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen for panoramic winter vistas.
While Bergen is a popular summer destination, winter attracts fewer crowds and better access to attractions. Sip hot chocolate in a cosy café, sample freshly caught seafood at the lively fish market, or indulge in Bergen’s iconic Skillingsbolle - soft, buttery cinnamon buns.
Travelling around the festive season? Like all of Western Norway at Christmas, Bergen transforms into a festive Nordic wonderland. Twinkling lights, seasonal markets, and the world’s largest gingerbread village - it’s a bucket-list destination for families and couples alike.
Both the Ski & Fjord Explorer Ski Safari and Freeride the Fjords Ski Safari begin in Bergen and include skiing in Myrkdalen or Voss. Alternatively, fly into Bergen for our Bergen Railway Ski Safari, which takes you by train to ski in both Voss and Geilo, before returning to the city for your flight home. Want to stay a little longer? Extending your trip to explore Bergen couldn’t be easier.
Accommodation
We’ve stayed at or visited all our Bergen accommodation, so ask for our expert advice and recommend the best options for you.
Attractions
Bergen is a city full of charm, history, and natural beauty. Here are some of our favourite attractions:
Sightseeing
- Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf - a UNESCO World Heritage site, this collection of 62 colourful, historic wooden buildings lines the harbour. Today, they house shops, offices, and restaurants.
- Ulriken Cable Car - take a ride to the top of Bergen's highest peak for breathtaking views and a romantic meal at the Sky Skraperen restaurant.
- Mount Fløyen - climb or hop on the funicular for sweeping panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords. Once at the top, enjoy walking trails through lush pine forests.
- Fløibanen Funicular - a quick six-minute ride takes you to the summit of Mount Fløyen. Expect spectacular vistas of the city and fjords.
- Fjord Cruise - even in winter, taking a fjord cruise from the harbour is a must, with dramatic landscapes that will take your breath away.
- Walking Tours of Bryggen - discover Bergen's rich history and learn how it became a key port in Northern Europe.
History and Culture
- The Hanseatic Museum - dive into Bergen’s trading past with fascinating exhibits showcasing the Hanseatic merchants who once ruled this port.
- Bryggens Museum - built on the original medieval foundations, this museum offers a closer look at Bergen’s vibrant history.
- Troldhaugen - visit the home of Norway’s legendary composer Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina. This peaceful site is where many of his masterpieces were created.
- Bergen Art Museums - explore four museums surrounding Lille Lungegård Lake, covering everything from Renaissance art to contemporary works.
- The Gingerbread City - each December, a miniature gingerbread version of Bergen is created, with contributions from schools across the region. It's a festive treat!
Food and Dining
- Fish Market (Fisketorget) - one of Norway's most popular outdoor markets, located at the heart of Bergen’s harbour. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy seafood snacks or pick up seasonal delicacies.
- Bien Basar - a historic food hall turned restaurant offering both Norwegian and continental dishes, with home-cooked specials throughout the week.
- Fish Me - known for its impressive platters of fresh, local seafood, this is a must-visit for lunch.
- Bryggeloftet & Stuene - for a truly Norwegian experience, head here for traditional meals. Their fish soup is a must, especially on chilly days.
- Street food - Trekroneren is a quirky hot dog stand famous for its unique toppings, including lingonberry sauce.
- Fjåk - chocolate lovers will be in heaven here! Explore a wide range of rich, creamy, and unique chocolate varieties.
- Sweet tooth - Skillingsbolle is a Bergen favourite! Be sure to grab a cinnamon bun at any local bakery. For something a little different, why not try Brunost: a sweet, caramel-like cheese, traditionally served on waffles, crispbreads, or pastries.
- Cornelius Seafood Restaurant - for something truly special, take a 30-minute boat ride to this restaurant on Holmen Island. Known for its daily-changing menu and extensive wine list, its location even inspired Disney’s darkly comedic satire, The Menu.
Looking for more Bergen tips? Read our blog, written by our resident Norwegian, on What to Do in Bergen in 24 Hours.
Holiday combinations
The resorts and experiences which work with this city add-on.-
Ski resortGeiloGeared towards families and first-timers, Geilo ski holidays are an all-round winter experience that begins with a breathtaking rail journey.
-
Ski resortMyrkdalenRelatively undiscovered and blissfully uncrowded, Myrkdalen ski holidays offer gentle, quiet slopes for beginners and untracked off-piste for the adventurous. -
Ski resortVossA magnet for adrenaline sports, Voss ski holidays combine a fantastic all-abilities ski area with a buzzing historic town, connected by a state-of-the-art gondola. -
Ski resortHemsedalThis vibrant resort has easy off-piste, great family facilities, and a superb après scene. Set in an unspoilt valley, Hemsedal ski holidays hold wide appeal. -
Ski resortTrysilOne of Norway’s best family resorts and its largest ski area, Trysil ski holidays feature wide pistes, easy-going terrain and guaranteed snow cover.
Our Prices
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you.
To give you the most choice and best value, we create every holiday from scratch. This means that the quotation you receive is unique, based on your preferred departure dates, group size and holiday preferences.
We save you time and get the most for your money.
We sift through the prices and promotions for every airline, hotel and resort, exploring all options. We don’t publish all our prices online. Instead, we give personal quotations within 1-2 days of receiving your request.
Customer Reviews
What our customers say about Bergen.
Gallery
Interested?
Let’s start crafting your perfect tailor-made ski holiday
Every holiday is tailor-made, just for you. Our ski specialists will look at your enquiry and will be in touch within a day or two. We promise it's worth the wait!