Inevitably, almost every cruise ship setting sail for the Norwegian fjords will dock at Bergen cruise port. Epitomised by cobblestone streets, pretty wooden houses and a backdrop of pine-tree draped mountains, it’s an absolute beaut of a place. There’s so much to see and do while docked in this picturesque city, but it’s also the perfect starting-off point for exploring the natural wonders of western Norway.
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Where is Bergen cruise port?
Bergen is located in the Vestland region, on the west coast of Norway and at the crossroads of two large fjords: Hardangerfjord (home to my fave port, Eidfjord), and Sognefjord (for Flåm, Skjolden and Vik). But if you’ve already booked yourself onto a cruise, you might know that.
There’s space for four ships to dock at Bergen cruise port at a time, and most will park themselves here. This port is just footsteps away from Bergenhus Fortress, and only about ten minutes walk from Bryggen. (More on Bryggen later, but I’m telling you now, you can’t dock in Bergen and not visit Bryggen. It just wouldn’t be right.)
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve docked at Bergen cruise port, but every once in a blue moon my ship has berthed at this spot on the other side of the wharf. This port is slightly less convenient to arrive in, and as it’s a slightly longer walk into the city, there tends to be a shuttle bus provided.
Both ports have limited facilities- there’s no terminal building in Bergen- however they’re both within walking distance of the city centre.
If you’d rather not walk from Bergen cruise port, but still want to get an overview of the city, you could take the Bergen Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, which stops at both of the terminals as well as all the main sites.
Bergen cruise port: the eco-warrior
If there’s one thing that Norway has taught me, it’s that two things can be very much true at once. On the one had, this is a country that profits massively from exporting oil and gas to the rest of the world. This is an industry that is not environmentally friendly in the slightest, although tellingly, Norway doesn’t use much of that oil and gas itself. The majority of this country’s energy is generated by hydropower. The streets are silent in part because of the smaller population, and in part because all of the vehicles run on electricity.
The air is so clean it almost tastes sweet.
And then of course, there’s Bergen cruise port. In an attempt to curb the effects of the cruise industry on this stunning city and its exquisite surroundings, the port is fully equipped for ships to use ‘shore power.’ Whilst docked in Bergen, ships can switch off their engines and basically plug in to the port, resulting in zero emissions.
Not all ships are equipped for this, so the best way to encourage companies to embrace this is, of course, to focus on the money aspect. Ships which are capable of connecting to shore power pay less to dock at Bergen cruise port, than those ships which are not.
Logistical Statisticals: Before you visit Bergen cruise port
- Currency is the Norwegian krone. Don’t panic if you’ve not got any physical cash, as I’m yet to come across anywhere in Norway (other than the stave church at Vik), that doesn’t accept cards.
- It’s very easy to get by in Norway with only English, however a few words of Norwegian wouldn’t go amiss! (Hi = hei, takk = thankyou. I’ll let you research the rest yourself.)
- Bergen is widely accepted to be the rainiest city in Europe. It sees 200-239 rainy days a year. Pack an umbrella and a raincoat.
- It’s a hilly city, so best not strut outside in your stilettos, folks.
- Norway in general is an expensive country to visit. Prices are higher here than most of Europe, so be prepared to fork out a little extra.
A very brief introduction to Bergen
You don’t need to look far to get a sense of the history of Bergen. The city centres around the old wharf, which boats have sailed in and out of since its very beginnings in the 1000s. Cobblestone streets trickle up and down forested mountainsides, and although this is Norway’s second city, it’s generally very quiet and very at one with nature.
Back in the Medieval times, Bergen was one of the most important ports in the Hanseatic League- a network of market towns and merchant guilds who dominated the trade routes in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea. The league was established by German immigrants- and although not everybody welcomed them, they did bring prosperity to the places that they settled in. Put simply, if you were part of the league, you were gonna be A-ok. There are plenty of European towns and cities linked by their Hanseatic past- Hamburg, Riga, Bruges, Visby and Tallinn were all members of the club, so to speak- but Bergen was the most important in Scandinavia.
And pals, although Bergen is no longer Norway’s capital, its port is still pretty crucial to the city’s success. Firstly, of course there’s the cruise industry: Bergen cruise port welcomes hundreds of cruise ships every year, and this doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Secondly, there’s the trade: whether that’s general cargo or of highly valuable oil, of which Norway is one of the world’s largest exporters.
The Best Things to Do in Bergen cruise port
One day docked in Bergen cruise port is actually a really decent amount of time to either see the city, which is very compact and walkable, or get out on a boat into the fjords and mountains that surround it. If you’d rather explore the city with a guide who can give you lots of information, there are plenty of fantastic options available, and I’d always recommend booking tours with an external company like Get Your Guide or Viator. These are often far better value than tours operated by cruise ships, and more of your money goes to local operators. If you have time to explore at a more leisurely pace, Bergen is completely possible to explore on your own.
Visit Bryggen
Stepping from the colourful facade of buildings into one of the dark alleyways behind them is like stepping back in time. Bryggen is where Bergen is said to have been founded, and these wooden warehouses and creaky floorboards paving the streets were became home to the Hanseatic merchants who set up office here in the 1300s.
Bryggen has suffered from a couple of fires in its time, and the biggest of these in 1702 basically destroyed the area completely. The majority of the rickety structures that make up the area today were built after that fire, and they are downright charming I tell you. Low ceilings, uneven floors, and creaks for days, they’re nothing if not characterful. They’re also officially on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and it’s no wonder.
The warehouses of Bryggen no longer house dried fish and offices; these days they’re home to shops, cafes, restaurants, and museums. For coffee, head to Kaf Kafe, and if you’re lucky enough to have an overnight stay in port get to To Kokker for delicious Norwegian food in a traditional setting.
I’d strongly advise avoiding Bryggen during the middle of the day in summer as these narrow streets get crowded very quickly during peak time. Here’s its exact location on Google Maps.
Do an Escape Room in the heart of Bryggen
Pals, if you’re docking at Bergen cruise port and are freaking out about the rain, do not panic. Bergen is notorious for the rain, possibly even more notorious than England is, if you can believe it. As crew members who dock here regularly, we’re always searching for ways to get off the ship, even if on a rather depressing day, weather-wise.
Enter: Escape Bryggen. These escape rooms are in one of Bryggen’s historic buildings, and having visited several times with several different groups, I wholeheartedly recommend them to one and all. The rooms are so well-designed, and the team that work here are just downright wonderful. In actual fact, whether it’s raining or not, a trip to Escape Bryggen is a brilliant use of your time. I guarantee it.
Get the funicular to Mount Fløyen
Bergen is a city completely surrounded by mountains, in fact there are seven in total. The most easily accessible, especially if you’re docked at Bergen cruise port, is Mount Fløyen. And if you’re wondering which mountain is Fløyen: it’s the one that provides the glorious pine-tree filled backdrop for the whole harbour area.
If you’re a hiker, there are plenty of footpaths leading up the mountainside, away from the cobbled streets and pretty houses that line its lower slopes. The views across the city are stunning, and it normally takes about an hour to reach the top on foot (as long as you don’t take too many rest stops on one of the benches en-route.) This option is, of course, completely free.
If, however, you’re feeling a little less active, or are just running short on time, you could take the Fløibanen Funicular to the top. The funicular whooshes its passengers to the top of the mountain in six minutes flat, and back down in the same amount of time, so not including queueing time, you’re laughing!
Find the Fløibanen entrance right in the centre of Bergen.
Although it’s possible to buy tickets for Fløibanen in person at the ticket office, at peak times there can be quite a queue. If you purchase from their website in advance, you can avoid this.
At the top of the mountain, the choice is yours. You could stick to the viewpoint, grab a coffee and a cardamom bun, or even a full meal in their restaurant, and say hello to the goats who hang out amongst the pine trees. There’s also a really brilliant playground, if you’re visiting with kids. But if you fancy embracing nature even more, there are so many hiking trails around Mount Fløyen. It’s the perfect way to explore Norwegian nature whilst you’re so close to the heart of Bergen.
Find some Mount Fløyen hiking paths here.
Enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar
Norway is a country extremely used to the cold, and so one thing they do really, really well is ice bars. And Bergen, of course, has its own. Grab a ticket to the Magic Ice Bar, where you’ll be given a poncho and gloves to wrap up warm, and a welcome drink served in a glass made entirely of ice. The bar is filled with ice sculptures displayed with magical lighting, so there’s plenty to look at. It’s a very cool way to go for a drink in Bergen. (Get it!?)
Head to the fish market
This may be tourist central station, but Bergen is famous for its plentiful fresh seafood, and the market is obviously the best place to see it (and sample it.) Traders have been selling fish and other goodies here since the 1200s. There are two sections to this market which is located right on the harbourfront: Mathallen, the indoor market, and the outdoor one. Whether you’re just there to browse, or you want to try some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste, it’s worth a visit.
Explore Bergen’s cobblestone streets
There are some adorable neighbourhoods in Bergen which are only a short walk from Bergen cruise port. Whilst just having a wander might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is certainly mine, so I’m including it on this list because personally I think exploring these beautiful streets is 100% worth it.
Stølen is the area closest to Bergen cruise port (at least, to the main cruise port), and it’s characterised by narrow winding lanes, chunky cobblestones and white clapboard cottages with beautiful chimney-stalks sprouting from their rooftops. Ferns and colourful little flowers grow either in flowerpots on doorsteps, or from the side of the mountain which forms the solid wall on one side of the neighbourhood.
Nordnes is my favourite part of the city, and it’s far less-visited by tourists. Nordnes is a little peninsular which juts out into the fjord, and although there are plenty of residential buildings in the form of pretty wooden houses with steep sloped rooftops, there are also parks, boutiques and restaurants to be foraged out. This area feels more like a small, quiet town, and I blooming love it here. (It’s also the home of Bergen Aquarium, FYI)
Of course, it’s really important to remember when wandering through a residential neighbourhood: you’re a visitor, so be respectful that these are peoples homes!
Bergen’s Museums
Another one for the rainy days in Bergen, if rain really isn’t your thing. (It’s not my thing either, so there’s no judgement here.)
Bergen is home to several really great museums, but I’m going to highlight just two of them for you here, pals! First up is the Bryggens Museum, which is very close to the cruise port and an excellent way to learn about the story of Bergen. Secondly, for something far more fantastical but equally as important when learning about Norway and Norwegian culture: get yourself down to the Troll Museum. Filled with folklore and plenty of interactive exhibits, this is as intriguing for adults as it is for children.
Eating and drinking in Bergen
There are so many wonderful places to eat and drink in Bergen, whether you’re after traditional Norwegian food or something more international. Cozy cafes with freshly-baked buns make wonderful places to people-watch, and dining outdoors is a thing, come rain or shine: most restaurants and cafes have outdoor seating complete with, often, blankets and heaters. Although chain restaurants are plentiful- see the below Bergen branch of McDonalds- I urge you all to get into the city and see what independently-owned treats you can find!
Read my complete list of recommendations for eating and drinking in Bergen.
The best excursions from Bergen cruise port
As a crew member, I find Get Your Guide or Viator great value options for booking excursions in the ports I visit, and both use local operators. They’re often far more affordable than a cruise excursion, and in places like Bergen cruise port, there are plenty of tours which are specifically designed with cruise passengers in mind- so they’ll guarantee to return you to the ship well before your sail away.
If you want to fit in several Bergen sights in one day, head out on an excursion which will take you on a cruise into the fjords, up Mount Fløyen, and around Bryggen. This excursion normally happens in a smaller group (or occasionally a completely private tour), and it’s a great way to see everything the city has to offer.
The Mostraumen Channel is a narrow passage at the end of the Osterfjord, and sailing through this pass, past mountain walls and waterfalls, is a breathtaking experience. It’s also something that there’s no possibility to see from your cruise ship- ships are just too bloomin’ big to get through. Book onto a Mostraumen Fjord Cruise on a smaller boat to see this stunning scenery up close.
And for something more active, head out to explore the islands surrounding Bergen by kayak. The rugged nature around the Oygarden Islands is absolutely exquisite, and whether its the eagles above or the clear fjord waters below that you want to see, a kayak is a great way to view them.
This really is a beautiful city, and Bergen cruise port couldn’t be better positioned as a jumping-point for you to explore it. Whether you’re after nature, history, or a good old fashioned ice bar, there’s so much to see and do here that even on a rainy day there are plenty of options.
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