It’s common knowledge that Norway, like its Scandinavian neighbours, is kind of an expensive country to visit. But it is possible to explore without splashing all the cash. Bergen was the first stop on my Norway explorations, and is a city I’ve revisited again and again. Here’s how I managed to explore Bergen on a budget.
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If you’re curious: What it’s like to sail on a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
The first time I stepped foot in Bergen it was the 17th May- Constitution Day. The streets were chockablock full of young folk dressed up to the nines in traditional costumes, hair braided and skirts bustling. It was uncharacteristically warm, fairground rides were flashing and whirring, and the smells of fish, cinnamon and donuts all competed for airspace in the hubbub of people. Bergen seemed olde worlde weird and wonderful. And perhaps ironically on this busy day of celebrating Norway in all its glory, I stumbled upon an English man from Cornwall selling pasties out of a van (called Pastyworld). As much as I appreciated Bergen and being in a new country, I was feeling rather homesick. The pasty was a perfect solution.
Pasty consumed, I was ready to embrace Norway (and more specifically, Bergen) wholeheartedly.
Moving swiftly on from the inclusion of a Cornish pasty in a post about Bergen on a budget, I spent approximately three and a half months visiting Norway’s second city on a regular basis. Bergen may be on the small side but I managed to find a selection of hotspots to keep me entertained during that time, for next to no money.
Check out the Bergen Fish Market
Bergen’s fish market has been around since the 1200s, although luckily the fish itself is a lot fresher than that. Praise the Lord.
The outdoor market is open every single day come rain or shine, winter or summer, and is held right next to the harbour in the centre of the city. As well as the fresh fish on offer there’s fruit, veg, baked goods and a tonne of street food to choose from. Who isn’t a fan of food, for goodness’ sake? And if you don’t want to buy anything- this is Bergen on a budget, after all- you can just wander and soak up the atmosphere.
To be honest with you I’ve bought far more pots of berries in Bergen fish market than I ever have fish. But you can get your fill of shrimp sandwiches, skewered fish, salmon caviar and (on a far more controversial level) whale steaks.
Also reindeer. Reindeer is a big thing round these parts.
Climb Mount Fløyen
One of the most brilliant things about Bergen is how close it is to the great outdoors. Mount Fløyen majestically overlooks the city, and is covered with hiking paths. Plus, you don’t need to walk miles outside of Bergen to reach the foot of the mountain- it’s only about a 5 minute walk from the harbour.
If you’re sticking very strictly to your ‘Bergen on a budget’ mantra, you might prefer to bypass the funicular which runs up to a viewpoint at the top of the mountain. The journey takes 5-8 minutes each way but is obviously a great way to save time and energy.
But if you’re a lover of the great outdoors like me, all you need to do is start walking upwards and you’re off! As well as pathways, there’s a lake at the top where you can canoe in the summertime. Canoe hire is completely free of charge- just turn up at Lake Skomakerdiket and as long as there’s a canoe available, it’s yours.
Ticket price for the funicular is 50NOK one way, and 100NOK for a return. (Around €5 one way and €10 return)
Head to one of Bergen’s cozy coffee shops
My time in Norway was divided pretty much equally between two pursuits. Clambering up various mountains, and sheltering from the rain in coffee shops.
Let’s be frank- generally Norwegian coffee costs triple the price that I’d pay at home in England. But as long as you come fully expecting and budgeting for the odd pricey coffee, then a good cosy coffee shop will serve you well. Particularly in Bergen, which is widely speculated as being the rainiest city in the whole of Europe.
Another Norwegian city: The colourful city of Stavanger
My current favourite Bergen coffee shop is Vågal Kaffe Og Vin which has such a cozy vibe that it’s easy to accidentally spend hours whiling away an afternoon in there. The coffee is great and the biscuits are even more great. (And they also serve alcohol into the evening.)
Looking for the best restaurants in Bergen? Check out my guide.
Explore the houses of Bryggen
When Bergen was born many many years ago, its whole existence revolved around the trade that took place at its harbour. In fact the port is still Norway’s busiest. And back in the Middle Ages Bergen became part of the Hanseatic League, which was an alliance of several maritime merchant towns and cities in Northern Europe. These Hanseatic cities all traded with one another and eventually ended up having control over the most important trade routes throughout Europe. As well as just collectively having each other’s backs, helping to defend one another whenever assistance was needed.
Kind of like an old school EU or something.
Another Hanseatic city: 6 Places to Grab a Coffee in Hamburg
The Hanseatic merchants of the area used the brightly coloured wooden buildings of Bryggen to store goods and trade from; although they’ve actually been burnt down and rebuilt a whole load of times. Nowadays Bryggen’s buildings are mostly used as shops and cafes, but they’re also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sight.
And, a visit to Bryggen is completely 100% free.
Check out the fortress
Bergenhus Fortress sits overlooking the entrance to Bergen harbour. The fortress was built at some point in the 1200s and has been in use pretty much consistently since then, though nowadays mainly as an awesome old place for people to visit.
For a long old time Bergen was the capital of Norway, so plenty of royals have graced this place with their faces. Eventually in World War II the German Navy decided to claim the fortress for their own use and set up shop there, constructing a bunker within its walls.
Even if you don’t fancy a look around the fortress you can hang out amongst the roses and trees in the gardens on a sunny day or go and check out the view over the harbour.
( Also on a side note, this is the normal location for the Cornish pasty man’s pasty van, which it goes without saying that I’m a massive fan of.)
Entry to the grounds of the fortress and the Bergenhus Festung Museum is free, but there is a charge of 120.00 NK to climb the Rosenkrantz Tower.
Go for a wander…
Bergen gets a tonne of visitors every single year. Most of them arrive on a cruise ship and stick to the main hotspots, which can cause a strong sensation of claustrophobia if you’re that way inclined. Sometimes in life you just need to get away from the crowds, you know!?
If you venture back- and not even too far back, as the city is rather on the miniature side- there are loads of very cute cobblestone lanes filled with boutiquey shops and clapboard houses in all manner of bright colours for people to discover.
…and whatever you do, don’t get on a Bergen tour bus
There really is no need at all. Bergen is just too small to need it, and especially if you’re visiting Bergen on a budget I’d say it’s a waste of money. (Unless you’re cruise ship crew and want to make use of the free bus ticket and free onboard wifi. Which I think is really nice of Norway, thanks you Norwegian people).
Fancy somewhere a bit more outdoorsy: Heading to Geirangerfjord
Don’t forget to sign up for more intriguing places like Beautiful Bergen!
Lovely post! I’ve been to stavanger and really want to explore more of Norway! I just love the cute colourful houses!
Thankyou 😆 They’re really cute aren’t they!!?