Western Norway Travelers Recommend

With three days in Bergen, you have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, see the historic sights, journey into the surrounding countryside, and even visit a fjord or two. Here are a few ideas.

Day 1: Explore the City

Spend your first morning in Bergen getting your bearings and doing some sightseeing. A small-group walking or Segway tour is a good way to discover attractions such as Vagen harbor and the UNESCO-listed Bryggen quarter. To customize the itinerary and explore at your own pace, opt for a private tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

In the afternoon, head to Bergen’s fish market, in business since the 13th century. Besides vendors selling produce in the outdoor market, you’ll find some restaurants indoors. After dinner, stick around the harbor and pop into a bar for a glass of Norwegian beer or aquavit.

Day 2: Get Active

Start your day with a kayak tour around the island of Herdla, around 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Bergen. Paddle among reefs and islands as your guide shares information about the area’s history and wildlife. Most tours include a picnic lunch and round-trip transport from the city.

In the afternoon, check out more of Bergen using your Bergen Card, which offers free or discounted admission to attractions such as the Bergen Maritime Museum, as well as complimentary public transit and discounts at select restaurants. After dinner, zip through the streets of Bergen on a Segway. Small-group tours usually take travelers around the wharf, then up to the peak of Mount Floyen for a nighttime view of the city.

Day 3: Head for the Fjords

Bergen’s easy access to nature means visitors are never far from some of Europe’s most stunning landscapes. Get out of the city and experience the majesty of Hardangerfjord, one of Norway’s prettiest fjords, on a small-group or private tour from Bergen. Tours typically include a visit to the Hardangervidda Nature Centre and stop at Voringsfossen, one of Norway’s biggest waterfalls.

Another option: travel to the fjordside village of Flam by boat or train. The Flam Railway takes you from Aurlandsfjord up to the mountains of Myrdal, and has been described as one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. A boat cruise takes you through Sognefjord, one of the longest and deepest fjords in the country, stopping at coastal villages along the way. 

The coastal city of Stavanger is best-known as Norway’s prosperous oil town. Despite the discovery of black gold offshore, though, Stavanger’s historic center remains a charming collection of well-preserved wooden buildings, looking much like they did in the 18th century. Stavanger’s small size means you can see a lot in a single day. Here are a few ways to spend it.

Morning: City Sights

Stavanger is a compact, highly walkable city, and a walking tour is an enjoyable way to see the sights. You have several options for getting your bearings and visiting the main landmarks on a morning tour. You can book a private tour that can be customized to your own interests and offers flexibility in length and departure time. Another option is making your own way around town armed with a downloaded audio guide that fills in the details on such attractions as Stavanger’s sculpture trail, Vagen harbor, and Stavanger Cathedral. Alternatively, a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour lets you board and disembark at any of its stops around town.

Afternoon: Fjord Cruise

Stavanger’s proximity to nature means that you are within easy access of some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery. On an afternoon tour of just a few hours you can explore the 26-mile-long (42-kilometer-long) fjord of Lysefjord in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). Departing from Stavanger’s harbor, you’ll then head for the outlying fjords, passing close to the striking rock formations that make this landscape so distinctive. Crew provide enlightening commentary on the flora and fauna in the area as you make your way. Tours typically provide extra-warm marine suits and dry bags to keep you and your belongings safe and dry.

Night: Street Art and Food

Back in the city, make some time for a self-guided street-art tour before dinner. Home to the annual NuArt festival, Stavanger has earned itself a reputation as one of the world’s best places to see street art. Strolling around the city you’ll easily come across murals and smaller pieces by internationally known artists including Faith47 and ROA. Having worked up an appetite, finish off your day with a good dinner. Stavanger’s best restaurants, largely clustered around the harbor, take great pride in using prime local products such as shellfish and strawberries.

The port town of Alesund may not be as well known as Oslo, Bergen, or Trondheim, but it’s a lively town in an attractive coastal setting and home to some of Norway’s finest examples of art nouveau architecture. With just one day in town, you’ll want to see as much as possible. Here’s how to do it.

Morning: Take in the City Sights

Begin your day by getting acquainted with Alesund’s most important sights—many of which are in the city center easy walking distance from one another. Private or group walking tours cover such attractions as the art nouveau town center, St. Olavs Plass, and Kongens gate. Hop-on-hop-off-bus tours include additional stops at far-flung attractions such as the Aksla Viewpoint and Norwegian Aquarium and have the added benefit of allowing you to set your own itinerary and pace. Some sightseeing bus tours also provide passengers with a discount booklet for local businesses.

Afternoon: Take to the Water

Get a different perspective on the city and admire the art nouveau architecture from the water on an afternoon architecture-themed kayaking trip. You’ll get a little exercise and enjoy the views as you learn more about the buildings and their history. An even more energetic alternative is to combine a kayaking excursion with a hiking trip. Tours typically include kayaking through Brosundet before crossing Aspevagen, south of the city toward the island of Hessa, where you begin your hike up Mount Sukkertoppen. From the top, enjoy views of the Atlantic, the Sunnmøre alps, and Alesund.

Night: Soak Up the Scene

By evening time, you’ll likely have worked up a good appetite. As Alesund is home base for Norway’s largest cod-fishing fleet, you won’t have trouble finding excellent seafood for dinner here. Most of Alesund’s best restaurants are clustered along the waterfront, so just wander the main streets and pick one that takes your fancy. If you want to continue your evening afterward, have a nightcap at one of the city’s watering holes, from chic wine bars to a lively Irish pub.

Two days in Bergen give you time to fully explore this beguiling city and its culture. You’ll also get a taste of the wild landscapes nearby. From historic landmarks to natural wonders, here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: The City

**Morning:**Spend your first hours in Bergen getting your bearings and doing some sightseeing. A small-group walking or Segway tour is a good way to familiarize yourself with the city and stop by the top attractions. To customize the itinerary and explore at your own pace, opt for a private tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour.

**Afternoon:**After lunch, it’s time to see Bergen like a local: on a bicycle. Ask the bike rental staff to suggest a route tailored to your ability and interests. 

**Night:**Round out your first day with a meal at Bergen’s famed fish market, which has been in business since the 13th century and stays open until late evening. As well as vendors selling seafood, fruit, and vegetables outside, you’ll find some excellent restaurants in the newer indoor section. 

Day 2: Culture and Kayaks

**Morning:**Explore the waters around Bergen on a kayak tour of the island of Herdla. Paddle among reefs and islands as your guide shares historical background on the area, pointing out ruins from World War II and spotting rare birds. Tours typically include a picnic lunch and round-trip transfers.

**Afternoon:**Get a taste of Bergen’s robust art scene by visiting some of the city’s art spaces. The lakeside KODE: Bergen Art Museum is the biggest, but you’ll also find plenty of smaller galleries, such as the artist-run Entrée. Some museums are included on the Bergen Card, which you can purchase online.

**Night:**After dark, zip through the streets of Bergen on a Segway. Small-group tours take visitors around the wharf and along cobblestone alleys, then up to the peak of Mount Floyen for a sweeping view of the city and harbor.

Recognizable by its colorful wooden buildings reflected in harbor water, Bergen is one of the prettiest cities in Europe, and filled with more attractions than its compactness might suggest. The city’s small size means you can see a lot in a single day, from historic landmarks to mountain views. Here are some options.

Morning: Take in the Sights

Bergen is a walkable city, making an on-foot tour an enjoyable way to see the sights. Most walking (and Segway) tours cover the main landmarks, such as St. Mary's Church, Vagen harbor, and the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Bryggen quarter. For more flexibility, opt for a private tour that allows you to customize your itinerary and explore at your own pace. Another option is a hop-on hop-off bus tour: book online and redeem the ticket voucher at any of the tour stops, then get on and off the bus route as you wish.

Afternoon: Pedal Around the City

For lunch, head for one of Norway’s best-known outdoor markets, the fish market, which has been in business since the 13th century. As well as vendors selling seafood, fruit, and vegetables outside, you’ll find some excellent restaurants in the newer indoor section. Afterward, work off the meal by renting a bicycle and traversing Bergen like a local, cycling through neighborhoods and taking in the scenery. Staff at bike shops can typically suggest routes tailored to your ability and interests.

Night: Segway Under the Stars

After savoring a dinner of freshly caught seafood at one of the restaurants clustered around the harbor, get ready for one last sightseeing adventure. See Bergen in a whole new way by zipping through its historic streets on a Segway. After winding through the wharf and along cobblestone alleys—at their most peaceful after dark—head up Mount Floyen. Enjoy the view, then return to the city and toast your trip with a drink in one of the harborside bars.