How to Spend Two Days in Bergen, Norway: The Perfect Two Day Itinerary

Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway, is significantly less visited than Oslo, the capital of Norway, but no less magical. When planning your itinerary for Norway, make sure to plan at least two days in Bergen to truly experience this beautiful city and the surrounding areas. It is a real treat to visit and may just be the highlight of your trip to Norway.

As to what to do with your precious 48 hours in Bergen, I’ve been there and “done that” and learned a lot. It’s a beautiful city and there’s plenty to keep you busy. Let’s get started!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

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Introduction to Bergen, Norway

Bergen, Norway offers unique opportunities for everyone from the outdoorsy to the city folks and from the foodies to the cultural travelers. In fact, the biggest concern for most visitors will be only having 48 hours in Bergen!

Getting Acquainted with Bergen

From the moment you arrive in Bergen, the city will welcome you with cobblestone roads and quaint alleyways lined with traditional Norwegian wooden houses.  This adorable city is situated around the water and is surrounded by mountains. Not only does it make Bergen truly stunning, but it also makes it easy to navigate with water frequently in sight.

In the 2 days in Bergen itinerary below, you’ll get specifics about how to spend your time in the city, but definitely set some time aside to just wander through the narrow alleyways that weave through the town and into the hillsides. You’ll find dozens of random staircases that take you to the more “local” parts of the city. Fair warning though, the street signs are not always easy to find or follow through the alleys. Take a map with you!

Now, let’s take a look at the 2 day itinerary for Bergen to get you going!

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The Ideal Two Day Itinerary for Bergen

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With just 2 days in Bergen to see all that this charming city has to offer, you may be concerned about how to tackle your trip. While there are a number of things to do in Bergen, you’ll want to start with the most important sights and then expand your schedule to include some of the lesser known sights that best fit your interests.

Here is how to structure your two days in Bergen to make the most of your limited time.

Learn 11 things to know before you go to Bergen.

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Day 1: Explore In and Around the City Center

With just two days in Bergen, you’ll want to spend your first day in Bergen’s city center. This is best done on foot as Bergen is quite walkable and safe. Just set out on foot from your hotel and cover as much distance as possible. Or, sign up for a City Tour on Foot to take in the top things to see in Bergen with a knowledgable local guide.

Begin Your Day at Byrggen

Start your first day in Bergen at the iconic Byrggen. This waterfront area is full of old wooden houses that feature restaurants and souvenir shops. This part of Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you’ll be transported back hundreds of years as you wander in and out of the wooden houses and the alleyways in-between.

Byrggen is also the most famous view of Bergen, so make sure to take your camera!

Lunch at the Bergen Fish Market

From Byrggen, head for lunch at the Fish Market in Market Square. The Bergen Fish Market is centrally located and offers a wide mixture of fish, fresh product, and handicrafts. With so much coastline in Norway, you’ll find a great selection of fresh seafood to choose from which will allow you to find a fresh, and authentic, lunch!

Spend the Afternoon Taking in the Key Sights of Bergen

Fill in the remainder of your day in downtown Bergen with some of the other top sights that are of most interest to you:

• Learn more about Bergen at one of their many museums, like the Bergenhus Fortress Museum, Bergen Maritime Museum, KODE Museums, Grieg Museum, or Old Bergen Open Air Museum.

• Admire the Gamlehaugen Royal Residence, which is nestled into a public park.

• Spend a couple hours hiking up Mount Ulriken, Bergen’s tallest mountain, or take the cable car to the top.

• Visit Nordnes Park, home to a totem pole and the Bergen Aquarium!

• Church hop from St. Mary’s Church to St. John’s Church and Bergen Cathedral.

Read all about the 21 top things to do in Bergen.

Admire Sunset from Mount Floyen

Come sunset time, head up Mount Floyen, either by hiking or Funicular. The 45 minute hike takes you through forests and past stunning views – including some hidden troll statues in the woods!

If you’d rather take the Funicular, the Floibanen, you’ll make it up to the top faster and with no exertion. It’s also a better option in the winter when the hiking path can become quite slick.

From the top you’ll have amazing views over Bergen and the connecting waterways and fjords. Perfect for watching the sun sink down over the city.

Retreat to Your Hotel in Bergen & Seek Out Dinner

After sunset, return to your hotel to either check-in or clean yourself up for dinner. It’s worth reiterating that visiting Norway is expensive, and this goes for hotels in Bergen and food!

To help find restaurants that are close, delicious, and within your budget, make sure to ask your accommodations for restaurant recommendations! It’s also one of the best ways to learn about the local delicacies!

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Where to Stay Over Night in Bergen

With only two days in Bergen, the location of your accommodation is important. You want to be close to the city center so you can walk around to the main points of interest, both during the day and at night. (Bergen is very safe!)

Here are recommendations for hotels in Bergen to keep you centrally located, at any price range:

• Budget Accommodation:  City Hostel Bergen – offers affordable private rooms and even less expensive dorm rooms

• Mid-Range Accommodation: Bergen Bors Hotel

• Luxury Accommodation: Hotel No13.

Find the best areas and hotels to stay in around Bergen.

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Day 2: See the Famous Fjords of Norway

For your second day in Bergen, you’ll want to check out the nearby fjords. Afterall, the natural beauty which is what draws most people to Norway!

Book a Fjord Tour from Bergen Ahead of Time

Fjord Tours from Bergen should be planned in advance. This is for a couple of reasons.

• You will have the hours set and can fit in a few more of the city sights on either side of it allowing you to better plan your two days in Bergen.

• You will have the broadest range of fjord tour options available and be able to read reviews on them to ensure you pick the best option. If you wait until you arrive in Bergen, it is possible the fjord tours will be sold out, particularly if you are visiting Bergen in high season.

While it might sound unusual to spend one of your precious two days in Bergen on a fjord tour, it would be a big miss to leave Bergen without taking in the natural beauty of the area. It is after all what makes the area so unique and well known.

Fjords near Bergen to Explore

There are quite a few fjords located near Bergen, so you’ll have your work cut out for you on selecting the best one.

• Take a full-day tour of Naeroyfjord & Flamsbanen

• Cruise Mostraumen Fjord

• Consider doing the Norway in a Nutshell Tour – as a tour or as a “Do It Yourself” trip!

• Take a private tour to Sognefjord, Gudvangen, & Flam

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Maximize Your Two Days in Bergen

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Planning for how to spend two days in Bergen can be overwhelming with so many activities to take in. Here are a couple of additional ways to make the most out of your 48 hours in Bergen.

Save Money on Attractions and Sights with the Bergen Card

If you’re planning to fit as much as possible during your 2 days in Bergen, you may want to consider getting a 24 or 48 hour Bergen Card. It will get you free or discounted admission to museums, attractions, events, and sightseeing tours, as well as free travel on the buses and light rail.

Learn more about the Bergen Card.

Travel Directly to the Tourist Attractions with the Hop-on, Hop-Off Bus in Bergen

Hop around Bergen with ease with the 24 hour hop-on, hop-off bus. It offers 13 stops around the city to hit as many of the highlights as possible over one day. If you are not up to walking extensively or just want to see as many of the top attractions in Bergen as possible, this may be your best option to get around.

Learn more about the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus in Bergen.

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How Many Days Do You Need in Bergen

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While this guide has focused on how to spend two days in Bergen, you can certainly vary your amount of time in the city. If you have just one day in Bergen, you will likely feel rushed to see all of the sights and truly experience the area. However, how many days to spend in Bergen will largely depend on what your interests are.

With 2 days in Bergen, you’ll be able to see all of the highlights and fit in a couple of personal interests. But if you really like hiking, you should add on at least one more day. Or if you want to see every museum in Bergen, you could easily spend one day just on that, so add another day to your Bergen itinerary.

There’s no one size fits all itinerary for Bergen, but 2 days is a good place to start!

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Plan More of Your Trip around Norway

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Now that you have lots of ideas of how to spend two days in Bergen, let’s take a look at other information to make your trip to Norway a success.

• 11 Things to Know Before Visiting Bergen, the Fjord Capital of Norway
• Where to Stay in Bergen, Norway: Best Areas and Hotels in Bergen
• 21 Top Things to Do in Bergen
• 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Norway
• 15 Best Sights and Experiences in Oslo
• Do It Yourself “Norway in a Nutshell”
• 8 Amazing Places to Stay in Tromso: Hotels for Your Bucket List

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