Wondering what to do in Bergen from your cruise ship? Even though its Norway’s second largest city, Bergen, Norway, is a very walkable city. This means there is plenty to do during your cruise port day without leaving the city. Here are the top 10 things to do in Bergen from your cruise ship.
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Bryggen Wharf
One of the best things to do in Bergen, Norway, is walk around Bryggen. Bryggen is a stunning old wharf, filled with traditionally colorful wooden buildings that date back centuries. The buildings are now occupied by Norwegian souvenir shops, restaurants, clubs and hotels to appeal to the city’s tourists. It reminds me a lot of Copenhagen’s Nyhavn wharf. You can easily walk to Bryggen city center from the cruise port. It’s only about a 10-15 minute walk through Bergen’s business district.
As previously mentioned, you can walk around Bergen from the cruise port and find a number of bars nearby. However, the cruise port is located in a local, slightly more run-down part of Bergen. So, I personally recommend walking 10 minutes to Bryggen (Bergen’s city center) right away at the beginning of your port day. There is one small hill on the walk, but it is short-lived. Most of the walk is flat.
Explore The Old Bryggen Buildings
Likewise, while you’re in the Bryggen area, definitely take time to explore the old building alleyways. The leaning wooden frames and added structural support beams you’ll witness truly make the age of the area come to life. Take note of the fact that most of the Bryggen buildings are leaning. Although the leaning wood structures are slightly unsettling, I can assure you and the building interiors still feel very safe. You can tell that the buildings are regularly maintained to preserve both the safety and architectural integrity of Bryggen.
When we were finding our way through the maze that the Bryggen alleyways make up, we stumbled across a Norwegian flea market. So, if you enjoy flea markets, keep an eye out for the flea market signs.
Floibanen Funicular Railway
Bergen is best known for the Floibanen Funicular Railway. This is another one of the best things to do in Bergen, and it is only a short five minute walk away from Bryggen. To get to the Bergen Funicular from the cruise port, you’ll have a 15-20 minute walk through Bergen’s business district and past Bryggen. You will be able to see the funicular from your cruise ship if you have a balcony stateroom or if you go up to the pool deck.
Once you arrive to the Floibanen Funicular Railway station, the admission purchasing process is pretty self-explanatory. There will be a line for day-of ticket purchase and a separate line for pre-booked ticketed passengers. We purchased the day-of in peak season during the afternoon without any issues. After securing your ticket, you’ll follow the queue to the funicular.
This speedy funicular brings you up 1050 feet (320 meters) to the top of Mount Floyen. Here, you’ll have the chance to see aerial views of the entire city of Bergen as well as the stunning fjord coastline. Needless to say, the Bergen funicular is definitely worth it.
Fantoft Stave Church
In addition, if you love visiting historical churches, the Fantoft Stave Church should be at the top of your Bergen cruise day bucket list. Traditional stave churches can be found all throughout Norway, and they are certainly worth seeing. Like much of Norway, these stave churches are hundreds of years old. What’s more impressive is that, despite their old age and the fact that their exteriors are built exclusively of wood, the stave churches are well-preserved and intact.
To visit the Fantoft Stave Church, located in Bergen, from your cruise ship you’ll have to take a brisk hour walk from the cruise port, take a cruise excursion or hire a vehicle to get there. You can book a private tour to see Fantoft Stave Church, as well as Gamlehaugen Castle, which we’ll discuss next, here.
Gamlehaugen Castle
Situated right near the Fantoft Stave Church is Gamlehaugen Castle, the official residence of the king of Norway. This royal Norwegian castle was built with German influence back in 1899. In the summer months, the rooms of Gamlehaugen Castle’s ground floor are open to the public for visitation. Like Fantoft Stave Church, you ought to book a private tour to visit both this castle and the stave church, such as this private Gamlehaugen tour.
Folgefonna National Park & Glacier Lakes
For all you mountain lovers cruising through Bergen, you can still see the epic mountains, glaciers and glacial lakes in Bergen like those you see in other fjords like Olden and Flam. How? By taking a tour to Folgefonna National Park. Here, you’ll see massive glacial lakes surrounded by an impressive mountain range. This Folgefonna National Park tour from Bergen includes transportation into the national park with a guide, a gentle hike to Bondhusvatnet glacier lake, plus a stop at Steindalsfossen waterfall, where you can walk behind the waterfall itself.
Mostraumen Fjord Cruise Excursion
Alternatively, you can witness the Norwegian mountains from Bergen on a Mostraumen Fjord cruise excursion. In this excursion, you’ll sail through the narrow Hardangerfjord and see innumerable freshwater waterfalls and, if you’re lucky, Norwegian wildlife. You’ll want to book this excursion as soon as possible because it might sell out.
Bergen Walking Tour
On the contrary, if you’re hoping to stay in Bergen during your cruise day but want a bit more structure, consider taking the Bergen walking tour. This guided walking tour will bring you to all the best places Bergen has to offer, including Bergenhus Fortress, Bryggen, Wesenbergsmauet 16, Fjellgaten 2, Floibanen and Skostredet. Wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be getting your steps in!
Alversund Bridge
Lastly, as you arrive and depart from Bergen on your cruise ship, you will pass under the Alversund Bridge. You quite literally take part in this Bergen activity from your cruise ship. This bridge is particularly impressive because large cruise ships barely fit underneath. In fact, until you’re sailing directly under the bridge, it looks as though you will crash into it. When I was sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem Of The Seas, our ship only had nine feet of clearance between the top of the ship and the bridge. Your captain should announce your clearance before you pass under, and the sight is worth stepping onto your balcony or the upper ship decks.
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