Bergen

Bergen, Norway's second largest city, lies in the fjords of Norway's western coast, surrounded by the Seven Mountains. The city is a stop along many shipping routes that run along the Norwegian coastline, and it's also a popular jumping-off point for wilderness tours that explore the network of islands that surround it. On land, you'll find narrow cobbled streets winding between old wooden buildings, shops dating back to the Hanseatic period, and modern tower blocks.

Because of its proximity to the Norwegian Sea and its mountainous landscape, Bergen is notoriously rainy throughout much of the year. Winters, although cold, are warmer than any other Norwegian city. We suggest visiting during the summer, when the temperatures are slightly warmer - but pack a sweater!

Nevermind that Bergen's weather is usually pretty wet, or that it boasts the famously high prices of Scandinavia – there's still something undeniably charming about 

Bergen.

Similar to Rome and its seven hills, Bergen is surrounded by The Seven Mountains. It's one of the reasons Bergen is so visually impressive – and also the reason why Bergen is so rainy. But if you catch a nice day in Bergen (I promise that they do exist!), you'll definitely want to get up on one of these mountains.

The most accessible of the Seven Mountains is Mount Fløyen, which can be reached by funicular from Bergen's city center. The Fløibanen is a fun way to get up the mountain, and the views at the top are truly fantastic.

Mount Fløyen offers excellent views of Bergen, the peninsula, and its surrounding fjords. At the top, there are viewpoints and a restaurant as well as numerous hiking trails.

Many choose to take the funicular up and down (50 NOK single ride, 95 NOK round-trip), but you can actually also hike up partially before taking the funicular mid-way for 25 NOK. This is what we opted to do, walking for ~30 minutes and enjoying the scenery before hopping on the funicular for the rest of the way up. The funicular only stops at the mid-way point once every hour so be sure to ask for a time-table at the bottom of the mountain if this is what you decide to do.

There are 10 goats that call Mount Fløyen home and are the first in the world that use something the Norwegians call open-grazing technology. These goats are equipped with solar-powered GPS collars and allowed to freely roam anywhere they please. No fences, no borders, happy goats.

Located close to the entrance to Bergen's harbor, Bergenhus Fortress has been a staple in Bergen for centuries. Some of the current buildings date all the way back to the 1240s, though there's evidence that there's been a structure on the spot since before 1100. Back when Bergen was the capital of Norway (up until 1299), the fortress served as the royal palace.

Just like most notable things in Bergen, the city's fish market has a long history. Its spot near the harbor has been used for centuries as a meeting/trading place for merchants and fishermen, and today the fish market is one of Norway's most-visited outdoor markets.

Like any city, Bergen has a nice collection of museums. But Bergen's museums are (in my opinion) more unique than what you typically find in an average city. Some of the museums are Hanseatic Museum, KODE, Leprosy Musuem, Bergen Maritime Museum and Old Bergen City Museum

Stave churches are famous in Norway, and the Fantoft Stave Church is especially famous in Bergen. The original church was built in 1150 in Fortun, and was moved to Fantoft in 1883. But then it was sadly destroyed in a fire in 1992. The current church is a reconstruction, but a very good one that's still an excellent example of traditional Norwegian design.

When you're out, grab a hotdog from popular Treknorenen hotdog stand and continue exploring the cobblestone streets

This hotdog stand offers up the largest variety of hotdogs I’ve ever seen, even including Norwegian specialty Reindeer hotdogs on the menu. In the evening there are sometimes live bands playing in some of the nearby alleyways, so continue exploring.

Bergen nightlife has something for everyone, and travelers are enticed by some unique choices. Check out the city's record store with a bar, and an art gallery filled with ice sculptures and drinks in glasses made of ice.

Apollon: Choose from a number of local beers or sip on a coffee while perusing one of Norway's oldest record stores with everything from metal to classic rock to folk and indie compact discs (and other formats of days past). Sometimes you can catch a live musical performance.

Dyvekes Vinkjeller: For less of a partying atmosphere and more upscale-feeling nightlife in Bergen, visit this popular wine bar (where you can also grab a beer) with a medieval-looking wine cellar year-round. The spot has a nice outdoor terrace that both visitors and locals love in the months with warmer weather in Norway. Away from the tourist crowds, this makes for a wonderfully charming night out, featuring a very cozy and historic basement from the 1300s—don't miss going downstairs.

Lastly, if you want a really epic adventure from Bergen that will include fjords, mountains, and trains, then you want to look into doing a Norway in a Nutshell tour. My friends did this self-guided tour from Oslo to Bergen, but you can do it roundtrip from Bergen in 1 or 2 days, too.