The best things to do in Bergen are close together: Bryggen, the fortress, the fish market and the Fløibanen funicular are all within a short walk. Rain is normal here, so plan one indoor stop for every outdoor one. Most museums cost NOK 120–200 for adults, and under-18s often get in free.
We checked prices and winter hours in October 2026. Three places that many guides still list are closed or limited this winter: the Troldhaugen villa, Gamle Bergen and Fantoft stave church after 1 December.
Getting to Bergen and around
From the airport: The Bybanen light rail runs from Flesland to the city centre in about 45 minutes. Adults pay NOK 51, and children and seniors NOK 26. Flybussen takes about 30 minutes and costs NOK 189 online or NOK 220 on board.
In the city: The centre is small enough to walk. The Bergen Card gives free Skyss buses and light rail, including the airport line.
Bryggen and the old town1. Walk through Bryggen
The old wooden wharf is UNESCO-listed, both the buildings and the cultural layers under them. Walk the narrow passages behind the front row, not just the quay. It costs nothing and takes about 30 minutes.
2. Bryggens Museum
This museum sits on top of the excavations that followed the 1955 fire. You see what the medieval town left behind. Adults pay NOK 170, and under-18s are free. It is open daily 10–17 but closed 23–26 and 31 December.
3. A guided walk with Bryggen Guiding
The guided walk takes 90 minutes in English and starts from Bryggens Museum. It is the easiest way to get into the back courtyards with context.
4. Håkonshallen and Bergenhus Fortress
The royal hall was built between 1247 and 1261. It is a three-minute walk from Bryggen. Adults pay NOK 120, and the Bergen Card gives free entry. Note that it is closed 7–13 December and 21–31 December. The fortress grounds are free and open 07–23.
Up the mountains
5. Take Fløibanen to Fløyen
The funicular has run since 1918 and climbs to 320 metres in 4–8 minutes. A winter adult return costs NOK 145, and NOK 80 one way. It runs from 07:30 to midnight, and dogs ride free.
6. Walk down from Fløyen
Buy a one-way ticket up and walk down. The path is about 3 km and takes around 45 minutes. In winter the gravel can be icy, so wear shoes with grip.
7. Hike Vidden from Fløyen to Ulriken
This is the classic mountain walk between two of the city mountains. It is about 13 km, and you should plan 5–6 hours. In December the daylight is short and the plateau is exposed. Only go with good weather, proper boots and an early start.
8. Ride Ulriken643
Ulriken is the highest of the city mountains. A cable car return costs NOK 435 for adults, and the Bergen Card gives 10% off. From October to March it is closed on Mondays. It opens 9–19 Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and 9–23 Thursday to Saturday.
9. Use the Ulriken Express bus
The bus leaves from Torgallmenningen about every 30 minutes, 09:00–18:30. An adult return costs NOK 150. It saves you finding the lower station on your own.
Art and music
10. KODE art museums
One ticket of NOK 200 covers all the KODE art museums on the same day, and under-18s are free. The main buildings are on Rasmus Meyers allé by Festplassen. With the Bergen Card, entry is free from October to April.
11. Munch at Rasmus Meyer
The Rasmus Meyer building holds KODE’s Munch collection. If you only have an hour for art, spend it here. It is part of the same NOK 200 ticket.
12. Dinner at Lysverket
Lysverket is a Michelin-listed restaurant inside the KODE building. Book ahead for weekends in December.
13. Troldhaugen, Grieg’s home
The villa at Hop is closed for renovation until summer 2027. The park is always open, and the museum building opens only for events and concerts. Go for a concert, not for a regular visit this winter.
Food and markets
14. The Fish Market and Mathallen
In winter the outdoor fish market is closed, and the indoor Mathallen hall takes over. It opens Monday to Saturday 09–21:30 and Sunday 10–21:30. It is closed on 25 December. Prices are high, so read the menu before you order.
15. Bondens marked at the fish market square
In winter the square hosts a farmers’ market every other Saturday. It is a better place than the tourist stalls for local cheese and cured meat.
16. The gingerbread town, Pepperkakebyen
Bergen has built a gingerbread town every Christmas since 1991. In 2026 it is open from 14 November to 10 January at byROMMET, Kong Oscars gate. Adults pay NOK 199, and children 3–15 enter free on weekdays. Pre-booked tickets do not skip the queue, so go early on a weekday.
17. Bergen Christmas market at Festplassen
The market runs from 20 November to 22 December 2026, with free entry. It has over 90 stalls and a Ferris wheel. It opens 12–21 on weekdays and 10–21 at weekends.
Rainy-day plans
18. Bergen Aquarium
Akvariet is on Nordnes and is open daily 10–18. It is the classic rainy-day plan with children.
19. VilVite science centre
Hands-on science for children at Thormøhlens gate 51.
20. A swim at Nordnes Sjøbad
The outdoor pool by the sea at Nordnesparken stays open in winter. In winter it opens Tuesday 07–13, Wednesday and Thursday 16–21, and Saturday 10–15. It is closed on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.
Walks on the flat
21. Nordnesparken
A park on the Nordnes peninsula, where the aquarium and the sea pool also are. You get open views of the boat traffic. Combine it with the aquarium or a swim.
22. Gamle Bergen park
The open-air museum with 55 wooden houses is only open from 20 May to 13 September. The park around it is open all year. Take bus 3, 4, 12, 16E or 19 to the Gamle Bergen stop.
23. Fantoft stave church
The rebuilt stave church in the woods south of the centre opens Tuesday to Saturday 10–16 until 1 December 2026. After that it is closed until 15 May 2027.
24. Skyskraperen at the top of Ulriken
The restaurant on Ulriken serves lunch with the whole city below you. From October to March it opens Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 13–17, and Thursday to Saturday 13–23. Book a window table for the late afternoon.
25. Buy the Bergen Card if you do three paid things
The card covers buses and the light rail, gives free KODE entry in winter and half price at Bryggens Museum. It also gives discounts on Fløibanen returns and Ulriken. Do the maths against your own list before you buy.
Our verdict
If you only have one day, walk Bryggen, see Bryggens Museum and take Fløibanen up before dark. Add KODE if it rains. In December, the gingerbread town and the Christmas market fill the evening.
More city guides are in our Norway hub. If you continue south, read things to do in Stavanger. Our best places to visit in Norway covers the rest of the country. Norwegian readers can use our version for Norwegians.
The light rail from Flesland costs NOK 51, and Fløibanen costs NOK 145 return in winter.