Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bergen?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Bergen?
Three days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Bergen, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The many shops, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the small town charm on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Bergen as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bergen's Landmarks and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour ($8)
Is 4 days enough time in Bergen?
Four days is more than enough time to see everything that Bergen has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the many shops, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the small town charm at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Bergen, Norway
How to spend 4 days in Bergen
With 4 days in Bergen, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present ($30)
- Private Bergen Walking tour with Funicular ($225)
- Private Walking Tour of Bergen ($208)
Is 5 days enough time in Bergen?
Five days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Bergen, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Browse the shops, browse the museums, admire the historic sights, and soak up the small town charm. You could also use Bergen as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend 5 days in Bergen
If you have more than 5 days in Bergen, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
The small-town atmosphere of Bergen is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a relatively small town with a lot of activities and green space to explore.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present ($30)
- Best Views of Bergen - Segway Day Tour ($78)
- Segway Night Tour of Bergen ($96)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Bergen, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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