They say it rains in Bergen on more days than a calendar can hold. And yet, this city, nestled among seven mountains, never loses its colors. From the very first step it embraces you with its wooden houses leaning toward the sea, the salty breeze carrying centuries of maritime history, and a sense that you are walking through a fairytale where nature and tradition coexist in perfect harmony.
The charm of Bryggen
The heart of Bergen beats in Bryggen, the historic district now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colorful wooden houses, once warehouses of Hanseatic merchants, seem frozen in time. Their sloping facades and tightly pressed rooftops create a living canvas that brings the past into the present. Hidden in its narrow alleys are small galleries, cafés, and craft workshops where the artistic soul of Bergen continues to flourish.
The harbor and the fish market
Heading down to the harbor, life flows to a maritime rhythm. Leisure boats dock next to ferries bound for the fjords, while the fish market bursts with colors and aromas. Here you can taste fresh salmon, king crab, or even more “exotic” flavors like whale meat. It’s not just a culinary experience, but a glimpse into Norway’s essence: a way of life deeply intertwined with the sea.
Alleys full of surprises
Away from the bustle of the harbor, Bergen invites you to get lost in its cobbled alleys. Houses painted in white or bright hues reveal a quieter, more intimate side of the city. Painted doors, flower-filled windows, tiny yet lively courtyards – every corner hides a detail that makes you feel the city is speaking directly to you.
At the top of Fløyen
The journey reaches its peak with the ascent to Mount Fløyen. Whether you ride the funicular or hike through the forest, the path rewards you with breathtaking views: Bergen unfolds like a painting, its houses, lakes, and fjords forming an unforgettable mosaic. Mist often veils the mountaintops, adding a touch of mystery and magic. It’s in that moment you understand why Bergen is called the “gateway to the fjords.”
A city that lives in the rain
Bergen doesn’t need sunshine to shine. Rain is part of its identity, a veil that makes the colors more vivid and the atmosphere more alive. It’s a city that wins you over not with grand gestures, but with small moments: a stroll through Bryggen, a taste at the fish market, a deep breath of fresh air atop Fløyen.
And if you are lucky enough to visit at the right time of year, the sky may grant you its most magical spectacle: the Northern Lights dancing above the mountains and the sea. That’s when you realize Bergen is not just a city – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
💡 If Oslo is Norway’s capital, then Bergen is surely its soul. A city that teaches you beauty doesn’t always need the sun – sometimes it’s enough to let the rain, and if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights, carry you away.
Traveling Through a Journalist’s Lens
Vivi Margariti – journalist and travel blogger.
Through travelview.gr, she travels, writes, and captures moments that become stories. From Europe’s cobbled alleys to the villages of Greece, she is always in search of the detail that gives a place its soul – and shares it with her readers.
