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Bergen is Norway’s eclectic mix of city life and dramatic landscapes. From the world-famous UNESCO site, Bryggen wharf, and majestic mountains to Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord, Bergen has many jaw-dropping natural wonders. You’ll need at least 3 days in Bergen to explore the city and its surrounding area properly.
Here’s a summary of what these 3 days will look like:
- Day 1: Mostraumen Fjord Cruise, Fish Market, Bryggen Wharf, Bergenhus Fortress, Mount Fløyen (Fløibanen Funicular)
- Day 2: Mount Ulriken (hike up, cable car down), Bryggens Museum, Bergen Maritime Museum
- Day 3: Choose between the Kossdalssvingane hike (7.2 km / moderate) or Bondhusvatnet hike (5.5 km / easy lakeside trail)
With many affordable campsites in and around Bergen, it’s super easy to go camping in comfort and explore the region while on a campervan road trip around the country. If visiting Bergen with its perfect balance of natural beauty and urban vibes is on your Norwegian to-do list, we’ve got the perfect trip itinerary for you. Use it as is or use it as inspiration to customize your own.
Day 1: Getting Started
Today will be your first day exploring Bergen:
10:00 – Go on a Mostraumen Fjord Cruise. This cruise departs from the harbor and lasts roughly 4 hours. This cruise, traveling along the Osterfjord and then the narrow Mostraumen Strait, gives you a unique view of Bergen and its surroundings from the water. Some interesting sights along the way include the Nordhordland Bridge and Bryggen.
13:00 – Once your feet hit dry land again in Bergen, make your way to the Fish Market. Contrary to its name, you’ll not only find some of the freshest seafood at the stalls, but also many other Norwegian delicacies. Except for tantalizing your taste buds, the Fish Market is a historic visit – it’s been running since the 1200s! The indoor part of the market is open all year round, while the outdoor part is only open during the summer and opens from the 1st of May.
14:00 – Take a stroll along the Bryggen Wharf. It’s just a short walk from the market, and now you’ll get to see your earlier view from the waters up close as you walk along and admire the colorful, hundred-year-old wooden houses. You’ll also find all sorts of interesting little cafes and galleries hiding in between the historic buildings.
15:00 – Check out Bergenhus Fortress. You’ll soon come across it if you just continue walking down the wharf. This is Norway’s oldest fortress and is just as dramatic-looking as it sounds. If you’d like, you can actually explore the fortress grounds as well, free of charge. However, for a small admission fee, you’ll also get to explore other historic parts of the building, such as the Rosenkrantz Tower and Hakon’s Hall.
17:00 – Ride the Floibanen Funicular. This is a unique ride up Mount Floyen, offering spectacular views across the city and its surrounding landscape. We highly recommend you wait to see the sunset from the top. You can bide your time by taking some of the pathways through the forest. Who knows, you may even spot some of our local goats.
19:00 – Time to treat yourself to dinner at Porto13. The restaurant is not far from the funicular once you’ve come down. They serve some of the best pizzas and seafood dishes in Bergen.
Overnight at: You’ll have plenty of options, but you can consider the following to stay close to the city action:
Day 2: All About Hikes & History
From a stroll up a mountain to a stroll through history, today offers it all!
10:00 – Take a hike up Mount Ulriken. The trail starts outside the city and will take about 30 minutes to get to. Ulriken is the tallest mountain in Bergen, and while you’ll be hiking a very well-maintained pathway, this is a bit of a steep climb that will be challenging to most (mostly on the fitness front). Just to give you an idea, you’ll be climbing 1300 steps, so this is going to test you. Of course, this is definitely not an activity we’d recommend for families with smaller kids. Overall, the hike will take about an hour, and we highly recommend you take the cable car down from the top.
13:00 – Check out Bryggens Museum. Did you know that Bergen suffered a disastrous city fire? Well, at Bryggens Museum you’ll find out all about the city’s fascinating and inspiring history.
15:00 – Visit Bergen’s Maritime Museum. This is a great activity for both history buffs and boat lovers. As a coastal city, Bergen has a rich relationship with the sea, and here you’ll learn all about Bergen’s seafaring history.
18:00 – Grab a bite to eat at the harbour. For tonight, we’ll give you a couple of options when it comes to traditional Norwegian cuisine. So, Enhjorningen or Bryggen Tracteursted; the choice is yours.
Overnight at: Either stay at the same campsite or move on to one of our other suggestions, if you’ve got wanderlust.
Day 3: Immersing Yourself in the Landscape
Today marks your last day of exploring Bergen and its surroundings, and today’s focus will be on the landscapes surrounding the city. You have an option of two very popular hikes, which will have you immersed in the spectacular scenery and some of the surrounding natural wonders. Choose between:
Hiking Kossdalssvingane
Time Allocation: +/- 4.5 hours (1.5 hours to hiking trail, 2 to 3 hours for the hike itself)
Hiking Distance: 7.2 km/4.5 miles
This is considered a moderate hike on a very well-maintained pathway, and is both beautiful and diverse. From walking through farmland and forests, to winding your way through mountains and fjords – it’s a hike with incredible views.
Hiking Bondhusvatnet
Time Allocation: +/- 4.5 hours (2 hours to hiking trail, 2 to 2.5 hours for the hike itself)
Hiking Distance: 5.5 km/3.4 miles
This is also considered a moderate hike, but to us, it’s more of a leisurely stroll. This trail is a gravel pathway that takes you all along the lakeshore, and some even take this on with baby strollers!
Depending on the rest of your travel plans, you can either head to the airport or continue with your campervan road trip around the country after your hike.
What Makes Our 3-Day Bergen Trip Itinerary So Great?
One word: options! Our 3-day trip Bergen trip itinerary means you can either use it as part of a longer campervan road trip around the country or a short weekend getaway.
You can also customize the itinerary to best suit you and your party’s needs and personal preferences. If you’d like some more local tips and advice or would like to book your campervan rental in advance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to assist visitors!
