The dynamic Bergen is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its vibrant cultural life and wooden houses lining the streets that climb up the hills from the busy port of Vågen. It is also the ideal starting point for a long weekend trip to the beautiful Hardangerfjord and its enchanting villages, or the vast network of the Sognefjorden; on the way to the latter you pass by Voss, a true paradise for extreme sports enthusiasts.
The historic and characteristic houses of Bergen, Norway. ©Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock
Two days in Bergen
Bergen is the central destination on this itinerary. If you plan to experience it to the fullest, two very intense days await you between museums, restaurants, bars, shopping and strolling along the picturesque city streets.
Bergen as seen from Mount Floyen, Norway ©Nokuro/Shutterstock
Take an early morning stroll through the heart of Bergen, in the historic harbour, to the old Bryggen harbour with its atmospheric wooden warehouses. Pop into the Bryggens Museum to learn about the history of the neighbourhood, then have lunch at the Torget fish market, where you can eat the exquisite catch of the day. Spend the afternoon admiring the fabulous art collection on display at KODE and end the day with an equally fantastic dinner at Lysverket.
On the second day, have breakfast with coffee and pastries at Kaffemisjonen, then join a food tour and, if you are still hungry, have lunch at Colonialen Litteraturhuset. After lunch, take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Fløyen and hike the trails nearby. For dinner, opt for Norwegian specialities such as reindeer stew or savoury fish cakes served at Pingvinen.
The fertile Hardangerfjord area, Norway ©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet
Day Three: Eidfjord
Although the surroundings of Bergen are accessible by public transport, we recommend renting a car to enjoy the fjord scenery and, on the third day, drive through Norheimsund, a quiet gateway to the picturesque Hardangerfjord.
Norheimsund is the entry point to Hardangerfjord. Of course, as you go deeper into the fjord you will come across more beautiful places, but Norheimsund remains a pretty village, as well as the starting point of the ferries to Eidfjord and therefore a convenient stop for those travelling by public transport.
Stop in Øystese to visit an exceptional art museum, the kind you would never expect to find in a village on the shores of a Norwegian fjord. Then spend the night in the spectacular Eidfjord, which is dominated by craggy mountains and vertiginous waterfalls and can only be reached by ferry or through a series of spiral tunnels.
The scenic valley of Stalheim, Norway ©kennethdiluigi/Budget Travel
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Fourth and fifth day
Take a diversion to the Kjeåsen farm, admire the fabulous scenery of Ulvik, located at the innermost point of the Hardangerfjord and in the heart of Norway's most famous apple-producing region, framed by mountains and with a magnificent view of the fjord.
Stop for lunch in Voss and drive to scenic Stalheim. This beautiful village overlooking the valley is a truly extraordinary place with a rich and interesting history behind it. Between 1647 and 1909, Stalheim was a popular stopping point for travellers on the Royal Mail route between Copenhagen, Christiania (Oslo) and Bergen. In 1780, a road for horses and carriages was built there. Postmen used to stop in Stalheim to rest and change horses, tired after the climb up the valley and the crossing of the Stalheimskleiva gorge, flanked by the thundering Stalheim and Sivle waterfalls.
Today, a modern road climbs up from the valley floor through two tunnels, but the old post road (Stalheimskleiva) is still active and climbs at a dizzying 18% gradient; since, for some strange reason, it is used by tourist buses, it is currently one-way and can only be travelled downhill.
After a morning walk through the streets of Stalheim, you return to Bergen in time for your flight home.
Kjeasen farms overlooking Hardangerfjord, Norway ©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet
When to go
June The International Festival in Bergen and Veko in Voss, with extreme sports and music events.
May The blossoming of the orchards overlooking Hardangerfjord, in a carousel of colours.
August and September The ideal months for climbing the Pulpit of Rock or Trolltunga.
