Bergen, Norway

1. The Floibanen Funicular

A funicular is a railway track that goes straight up a mountainside. The Floibanen Funicular takes you over 450 feet up the side of Mount Floyen to see the beauty of Norway. It takes approximately six minutes to reach the top, and once up there, hiking and vista viewing should be in mind. There are six stops along the Funicular since many locals use this as a mode of transportation and not just a sightseeing tool. The top of the mountain also houses a restaurant, souvenir shop, and park for the whole family to play and take refreshment.

Vetrlidsallmenningen 21, 5014, Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-55-33-68-00

2. Rosenkrantztarnet

The Rosenkrantz Tower was once home to King Eric Magnusson until 1299. This tower is considered the most important historic monument in all of Norway. With a history starting around 1270, the tower has changed, rebuilt, and escalated in size and grandeur since then. Today’s guests can climb all the narrow stairways to reach the top of the tower for a gorgeous look over Bergen and the waters. Given the piecemeal building of the tower, the rooms all vary in size, and the ceilings and floors do not match from room to room. It remains a piece of the Bergenhus fortress, so be sure to check out the rest of the fortress during your visit.

Bergenhus 4, 5003 Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-55-30-80-38

3. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Bryggen is Norwegian for dock, so visitors should expect plenty of gorgeous buildings with a view of the water. The original dock, and some of the surrounding building date back to the Middle Ages. Though fires have ravaged the site, most of the current buildings are still over 300 years old. Today, guests can check out the famous Fish Market, Bergenhaus Fortress, shops, and restaurants on the Wharf. The most popular attraction on the Wharf may be the brightly colored row of buildings. In fact, UNESCO named Bryggen a World Heritage site in 1979 because of its age, importance, and architecture.

Bryggen, 5003 Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-55-55-20-200

4. Bastant Stolegaten

When you’re ready to get some Brunch in Bergen, you may want to check out Café Bastant. AS a bakery, pub, and restaurant, Café Bastant is a triple threat to your hunger. The bakery at Bastant creates delicious rolls, loaves of bread, pastries, and cakes that can be preordered or purchased on the spot. Popular cakes, like the Suksesskake, known as the Success Cake, are offered year-round. Food and baked goods can be selected for delivery, meaning you won’t even have to leave your hotel to get some of Bastant’s best goodies. Some popular sandwiches to order are the shrimp with mayo, lemon, and dill, or brie with fig jam, apricots, and grapes.

Stolegaten 8!, 5003 Bergen, Norway

5. VilVite Bergen’s Science Centre

VilVite is a fantastic attraction to visit when you’re in Bergen. It is fun and educational for the whole family, and you are pretty much guaranteed a great time. They believe that learning through play helps you learn better and retain new knowledge, so all exhibitions are hands-on. One of the most popular exhibits in the G-Force, which is the only one like this in Europe. The Creative Garden gets visitors into a technology-building setting, where everyone can experiment and build. Science shows are performed every weekend for families, which often include flames and explosions.

Thormohlens Gate 51, 5006 Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-55-59-45-00

6. Aksdal I Muren

With an average high of 64 degrees during the summer in Norway, you may find that you require some warmer clothing than you originally planned. Whether you want a taste of Norwegian style, warmer clothes, or just to shop for something new, Aksdal I Muren is the place to go in Bergen. Aksdal has been selling jackets and other cold-weather items since 1883. They sell some popular European brands, such as Barbour and Blaest Rainwear. No matter what, be sure to consider when you’re visiting, since the weather can get quite wet and cold. You may find yourself in need of galoshes, raincoats, or scarves.

Ostre Muralmenning 23, 5012 Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-55-24-24-55

7. KODE Art Museum of Bergen

KODE is more than just one building, it is a group of museums and composer homes in the Bergen area. The Art Museum of Bergen, in particular, crosses four buildings. Each is called KODE, with a respective number. KODE 1 is where most of the permanent exhibits are housed, KODE 2 is where the temporary exhibits are shown, KODE 3 is where the Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists are hung, and KODE 4 is the children’s art museum. Though some travel is required to hit all four buildings, they are worth it for the whole family.

Rasmus Meyers Alle 9, 5015 Bergen, Norway, Phone: 47-53-00-97-04

8. Fantoft Stavkirke

Fantoft Stavkirke is a stave church located in Bergen. With roots back to 1150, this historic church is worth a tour when visiting Bergen. Stave churches were once a huge part of Norway, but the Fantoft Stavkirke saw a tragedy in 1992 when a fire burned it to the ground. Not to be disheartened, the church was rebuilt to look exactly as it once did in 1150. Be sure to check out the amazing architecture and the old Norse elements, like the dragon heads that adorn the steeple. This is not open year-round, only during the summer months.