Making the most of Bergen
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise vessels arrive at Skolten in Bergen’s Vagen Harbor. Most use the Skolten terminal, a short half-mile waterfront walk from Bryggen wharf. Bigger ships may berth at Dokken, around half-a-mile west of the Fish Market, where complimentary shuttles are provided.
Bergen is the southern endpoint of Hurtigruten, the week-long coastal passenger route calling at communities all the way north to Kirkenes.
Sailing into or out of Bergen involves passing impressive bridges before the ship zigzags among beautiful islands and inlets towards open water.
Bring a printed or downloaded map ashore.
Bergen and its surroundings offer numerous attractions, yet surveys suggest visitors often value the atmosphere, architecture and cultural landscape more than conventional sights. Choose a few places, then spend the remaining time in a park or café, walking through the city, attending a concert or hiking in the mountains.
Bryggen is a World Heritage Site where Bergen’s earliest buildings stood beside the harbour from the 11th century. Distance from Bergen Port: 500 m.
Bryggens Museum occupies a handsome modern building and interprets discoveries from archaeological excavations at Bryggen between 1955 and 1972. Visitors can examine the foundations of structures dating from the 12th century. Distance from Bergen Port: 500 m.
Old Bergen is an open-air collection of characteristic wooden homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Arranged along squares, streets and narrow lanes, it includes a bakery, dentist, photographer, jeweller, shopkeeper and tailor. Distance from Bergen Port: 3 km.
Haakon’s Hall was constructed under King Haakon Haakonsson between 1247 and 1261. In the 13th century, when Bergen served as Norway’s political centre, it formed the royal residence’s largest and most imposing building; today it is used for royal ceremonies in central Bergen. Rosenkrantz Tower dates from the 1560s, when Bergen Castle governor Erik Rosenkrantz built it as both a home and fortification. Distance from Bergen Port: 500 m.
Bergen Aquarium holds one of Europe’s largest North Sea fish and invertebrate collections, together with tropical marine and freshwater displays. Indoor and outdoor pools bring visitors close to seals and penguins, and a striking film is shown across five screens. Distance from Bergen Port: 2 km.
The Hanseatic Museum / Schøttstuene occupies one of Bergen’s oldest and best-preserved timber buildings. Furnishings in the style of the 1700s recreate the domestic world of Hanseatic merchants. Distance from Bergen Port: 500 m.
Getting around
Every bus stopping at the harbour continues into the town centre. Purchase a ticket directly from the driver using NOK.
Walking is the easiest option within the city centre, which can be crossed in any direction in 20 minutes. Bergen’s most central streets generally provide good access for disabled visitors.
Ride the Floibanen funicular for broad views across Bergen and the neighbouring hills, about 2 km from the harbour. At the top of Mount Floyen, safety equipment and canoe hire on the lake are free, while paddle boards can be rented for a small charge.
The hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus calls directly at the cruise terminal.
Alternatively, take the Ulricken 643 cable car to Bergen’s highest mountain. A connecting bus leaves from the Fish Market, and a combined bus-and-cable-car ticket costs 245 NK, or roughly 40 US dollars. An attractive restaurant stands at the summit.
Norway ranks among the world’s most costly countries, and taxi fares reflect this.
Nearby places
Built as a private home in 1885, Troldhaugen belonged to Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, celebrated internationally for his Piano Concerts and folk music from Norway. It stands 8 km from Bergen Port.
Food and shopping
Bergen’s renowned outdoor Fish Market carries an extensive seafood selection, including salmon, cod, turbot, herring, crab, lobster and shrimp. Distance from Bergen Port: 1 km. It is now somewhat tourist-focused but remains enjoyable.
Torggaten is the principal pedestrian shopping street and square, bordered by restaurants, cafés and department stores.
Bergen is an excellent place to buy souvenirs, with Norwegian jumpers, T-shirts, postcards, trolls, crystal and jewellery widely sold. Bryggen shops beside the cruise berth usually charge considerably more than retailers in the town centre.
Money
The Norwegian crown, or Norske krone, is abbreviated kr. An øre equals 1/100th of a krone. Approximately 1.00 EUR = about 9 NOK, and Norway is among the most expensive countries worldwide.
Norwegian cash machines are called Minibank.
Almost every shop takes major cards including Mastercard and Visa. Carry a passport or driving licence because identification is required for credit-card payments.
Staying connected
Norwegian is Norway’s official language and is closely related to, and mutually understandable with, the two other Scandinavian languages. English is spoken extensively.
McDonalds and various cafés provide free Wi-Fi.
Opening Hours and
Norwegian shop hours have improved, but many small retailers still shut early on Saturday, commonly at 1 PM or 3 PM, and almost all close on Sunday. Door signs often show "9-21 (9-18)", meaning 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturday.