5 Days In Bergen

If you are looking for a short‑haul adventure with big scenery without the scorching heat, Bergen, Norway is a brilliant option. We recently flew direct from Dublin to Bergen, and in just two hours we were stepping out into the fresh fjord air and starting a five‑night stay that worked perfectly for three generations: three children, two parents and two grandparents. Here I share what we did, what worked really well for our family, and why I think Bergen is such a great destination for couples, friends and families.

Getting There: Direct Flight from Dublin to Bergen

One of the biggest advantages for Irish travellers is how easy it is to reach Bergen. We flew direct from Dublin to Bergen in 2 hours with Wideroe. There are also flights to Oslo year round, and Tromso seasonally. 

Where We Stayed: Five Nights in Central Bergen

We based ourselves in an apartment right in the centre of Bergen for five nights. This turned out to be ideal with the extra space, a kitchen for convenience and a central location so we could walk pretty much everywhere.

Bergen is a very walkable city. From our apartment we could be at the harbour, the historic streets and the funicular to Mount Fløyen within 10-15 minutes. For families, couples and groups of friends, staying central is absolutely worth it: you spend less time figuring out public transport and more time soaking up the atmosphere.

A Perfect Day Out on Mount Fløyen

One of our favourite days was our trip up Mount Fløyen, which is one of Bergen’s most famous viewpoints and easily one of the best things to do in Bergen. We took the Fløibanen funicular to the top, which takes less than 10 minutes. You are quickly rewarded with amazing views over Bergen, the harbour and the surrounding mountains.

At the top you can enjoy panoramic views, walking trails, cafés, playgrounds, kayaking for free on the lake, meeting the resident goats, hire bikes or have a picnic.

We opted to walk back down which took about an hour. My Mum is 79 and was well able for it.

Fjord Cruise from Bergen: Half‑Day on the Water

No trip to Bergen feels complete without seeing the fjords from the water. We booked a half‑day fjord cruise from Bergen with Rødne, heading into the Osterfjord and the narrow Mostraumen strait. This was a real highlight. It took 3 hour and the time flew by, the kids loved it too. There is even a  nice café on board. The scenery was stunning, with sheer rock faces, little villages and waterfalls tumbling into the fjord. 

Exploring the Fjords by Car: Day Trip to the Viking Village

Another day we hired a car and headed inland to get a taste of Norway’s famous fjords and countryside. You don’t need to drive far from Bergen before the scenery changes into steep mountains, deep valleys and mirror‑calm water.

Our main goal was to visit the Viking Village in Gudvangen, which was really impressive and authentic, and positioned right on a fjord.

On the way we also stopped at in Voss to eat and at Tvindefossen, a spectacular waterfall. Having a car for the day gave us the freedom to stop whenever we saw somewhere interesting, and it allowed us to experience the fjord landscape at our own pace.

Museums & Rainy‑Day Ideas:

Unfortunately Bergen can be a rainy city, so it is good to have a few indoor options. We were lucky with the weather, but we still made time for some museum visits.

One that stood out was the Troll Museum, which is more child focused. It is fun, a bit quirky and a great option for a rainy afternoon. There are plenty of other museums in Bergen too, so you could easily fill a couple of days diving into art, history and culture if the weather turns.

Bergen – who is it for and when is best to go?

We travelled as a larger family group: three children plus my parents, so I was keen to see how practical Bergen would be for all ages. It turned out to tick a lot of boxes:

• ·         Compact and walkable: Staying centrally meant we walked almost everywhere, which kept things simple. 
• ·         Activities for everyone: From funiculars, goats and playgrounds to fjord cruises and Viking history, there was something for every generation. 
• ·         Easy to combine city and nature: One day you are in a lively harbour city, the next you are surrounded by mountains, lakes and waterfalls.

We visited at the end of June and the weather was perfect. Daytime temperatures were in the high teens/low twenties, which felt perfect for walking, sightseeing and outdoor activities.

In the evenings it was warm enough to sit outside and enjoy dinner, but never so hot that you felt drained from the heat. For anyone who does not love very high summer temperatures, Bergen in the summer is perfect to escape the intense heat of southern Europe and there is 18 hours of daylight! 

Final Thoughts: Is Bergen Worth A Visit?

For me, the answer is a definite YES. Bergen works brilliantly as a short city break from Ireland or a base to begin your Norway adventure. With city vibes along with easy access to fjords, mountains and waterfalls, it has everything.

It’s a great base to explore further afield in Norway. You could take a cruise up the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten, take an internal flight to over 15 other airports in Norway or take a train to view the stunning countryside. My parents took the iconic Bergen to Oslo 7 hour train journey after we left, and they spend 3 days exploring Oslo, which they loved.

We were there during the World Cup and watched Norway play, we even got to row!

If you would like to chat about planning your own Norway adventure, get in touch today.