Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bergen?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bergen?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Bergen during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the many shops, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the small town charm.

Bergen is a coastal city in southwest Norway that serves as a gateway to the country's beautiful fjords. The surrounding landscape offers spectacular views from mountains and hilltops. The city is also by the country's deepest and longest fjord, Sognefjord. In the compact city center you'll find wooden houses and interesting sights.

Do you have one or two days to visit Bergen? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Bergen?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, Bergen is a fun city that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. To fully embrace Bergen, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to three days to browse the shops, browse the museums, admire the historic sights, and soak up the small town charm. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Bergen

Don't miss Bryggen during your trip to Bergen, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Bergen is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bergen?

Two days or a full weekend in Bergen is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to three days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the many shops, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the small town charm. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Bergen, Norway

How to spend 2 days in Bergen

With a weekend (two to three days) in Bergen, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Shopping in Bergen is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

The public transit in Bergen is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Bergen, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.