I love Norway. Yes, it’s expensive, even for those of us visiting from the UK, U.S. or Australasia when most countries we travel to are cheaper than home.
But, as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. In Norway’s case, that means you get to visit one of the safest, most beautiful countries in the world.
Now, I love Oslo, Norway’s capital city. It’s a wonderful place for a city break, with great dining, vibrant nightlife and the beautiful Oslofjord as a backdrop. But what Oslo lacks is a personal feel. That’s why Bergen is my favourite city. It has everything Oslo can offer, bar the Nobel Peace Prize museum, but it also has a small-town, local feel about it.
Bergen is So Easily Accessible
Whilst Bergen’s accessibility is particularly convenient, it’s true for everyone too. In my case, and for anyone else who lives on the remote Shetland Islands, Bergen is the destination of our only international flight.
Scottish regional airline Loganair flies a turboprop between Sumburgh and Bergen twice a week through the summer months. That aside, our only other non-stop flights are to the Scottish mainland.
Even if you live somewhere that’s slightly better connected than I do, which I imagine would apply to most of you, Bergen’s connectivity is a reason to visit. Bergen Airport is the second busiest in Norway, second, of course, to Oslo Gardermoen.
It sees daily flights to cities in every corner of Europe, and for those coming from further afield, there are plenty of options to connect to Bergen. Major European hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and London all have several flights a day to Bergen.
Even better, Bergen is really well connected to the rest of Norway. This is great if you want to explore the whole country, or at least a little more of it, on one trip – something I highly recommend doing.
My favourite means of travel from Bergen is the Bergensbanen. This super-scenic train line connects Bergen with Oslo in around six hours. The views are stunning, the tickets are cheap (by Scandinavian standards, that is) and the train is very comfortable, with a well-stocked buffet car.
If I’m not heading east to Oslo, I love flying up the coast from Bergen. Wideroe, a Norwegian regional airline, is always my go-to. Many of their routes operate as “milk runs,” meaning they stop in several small communities on the way to their destination. If you want to travel directly, the low-cost airline Norwegian has a hub in Bergen.
If you have a little more time to spare, the Hurtigruten Coastal Express is a fantastic way to travel. It has its roots in the golden days when travel was a romantic affair. Their ferries sail every day and run the length of the Norwegian coast.
It’s Home To My Favourite Hotel
Bergen has many fantastic places to stay. From budget options, which start at around $75 a night, to uber-luxurious properties which will set you back $500 plus per night.
But my all-time favourite, not just in Bergen, but in the world, is Opus XVI. This is the place I stayed on my very first visit to Norway many moons ago. Unlike many places we romanticise as travellers, Opus gets better every time I return.
Aside from great rooms with the best minibar selection I’ve ever seen, Opus has a beautiful piano bar which is the perfect place to relax in the evenings. I always go with the intention of doing a bit of work at night, but every time I end up snuggled on the sofa by the fire with a book (and, naturally, a few too many glasses of wine). Their breakfast buffet is fantastic too.
It’s Steeped in History
Like most Scandinavian cities, Bergen was founded by the Vikings. In Bergen’s case, it was King Olav Kyrre who founded the city in 1070. He’s one of the lesser-known Viking leaders, but he was of great importance. He was Harald Hardrada’s son and became king after the Vikings retreated from England.
Beautiful Bryggen, the old town around the harbour, is the best place to indulge in Bergen’s history, though the whole town is littered with historical buildings. Bryggen, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, was the site of the first Viking settlement in the city.
The City is Surrounded by Nature
Why I love Bergen more than Oslo, for example, is how close it is to nature. That’s not to say that Oslo isn’t. Take a cruise to the Oslofjord islands and you’ll feel a million miles from any urban landscape.
But in Bergen, no cruise is necessary. Instead, you just have to venture up the mountain. As mountains go, it’s unimpressive, but as beauty and nature go, it’s wonderful.
When I say Mount Floyen is unimpressive as a mountain, I mean there’s a paved path up it which even I can climb without getting too out of breath. To avoid that risk, someone very kindly decided to build a funicular from Bryggen to the tip of the mountain.
Once you reach the top, there’s no end of things to see and do. There is a restaurant, Floirestaurenten, right by the funicular station. You’ll pay more than you would in the city centre, but that’s to be expected given the location, and the food is good. You’re also more than welcome to just pop in for a coffee or a beer if you’re not hungry.
Then, there’s the view. Looking down on Bergen from Mount Floyen is a sight for sore eyes. Once you’ve done a double take, don’t head back down until you’ve made the short circular walk around the lake.
