I ❤️ Norway. After last year’s weekend in Stavanger it was Bergen’s turn this year. 

I had been twice before in 1992 & 2022 but this did not detract from my latest visit, this time with my big sister. We packed a lot in. 

Thursday afternoon

This was spent reorienting and visiting the World Heritage site of Brygge, the Hanseatic fish warehouses now in use as shops and restaurants. 

The colourful wooden buildings have burnt down a few times but were faithfully reconstructed on each occasion. 

We wandered the alleyways and browsed in souvenir shops stuffed with trolls, elk, incredibly expensive jumpers and Christmas(!) decorations. 

The nearby fish market also made for a colourful interlude with its dried cod, king crabs, sea urchin & whale meat to name a few. 

Friday

Train time. Bergen to Flåm and back via Myrdal. 

The train out was 2 hours late due to flooding so we missed our connection on the Flåmsbana down to the village on the Nærøyfjord. 

We therefore had to get the later train and instead of 3 hours down in the valley we had 25-minutes!

However, the trip was mainly about the journey and a 50% refund softened the blow. 

The incredible train journey down the mountain corkscrews through tunnels at precipitous angles.

As you descend you can look back and see the tracks up above that you have earlier traversed. It is said to be one of the world’s most scenic train rides and is certainly up there in my opinion. 

The 50-minute journey includes a 5-minute stop at Kjosfossen waterfall – frozen solid on this occasion. 

I undertook this journey in 92 when there was just a small souvenir shop and cafe. Now there were several shops, tourist information, restaurants, bars and a museum. 

We just had time to grab an eye wateringly expensive sandwich and head back after a few photos. 

It was lightly snowing which made a nice change from the rain we had endured up until then. 

Back in Myrdal the train was again delayed. Another 50% refund. 

Saturday

Time for a 3-hour fjord cruise. Actually taking in five fjords, we started traversing the central Osterfjord and culminated in Mostraumen.

We glided past Brygge, cameras at the ready. The bracing cruise was exceptionally picturesque, the highlight being when we ended up surrounded by ice floes. 

The sun shone in the bright blue sky. Something of a winter rarity in a city said to be Europe’s rainiest. This made for some great shots though it remained refreshingly cold. 

Sunday

On our last day we undertook a very informative and light hearted free walking tour booked through Guru. You just pay a tip at the end. 

Sammy was a guide – a guy born in India and now a citizen of the world. He certainly knew his facts with a stream of nuggets. 

A fun couple of hours indeed. 

After a quick lunch we took the funicular up Mount Fløyen for some fab views on another clear sunny day. 

Back down again and time for an ice-cream before taking the light rail back to the lufthavn. 

Logistics

We flew on Norwegian, a 2 hour flight from London and stayed in the very good Keyser Appartments near the university and a 12 minute walk to the centre. 

The light rail from the airport cost about £4 each way and takes around 40 minutes to the centre. 

I booked the train tickets with national rail operator Vy several months beforehand for the best price. 

The fjord cruise cost £65 through Get Your Guide. 

The funicular is about £14 return. If you have time, save some money by ambling back down the 45-minutes to the centre.