OUR SURVIVAL GUIDE TO BERGEN!

THE WEIRD NORWEGIANS 🇳🇴

Norway can be confusing. The language is… challenging. And the Norwegians – especially Bergensers – can seem like a slightly odd species. To help you survive your stay, here is a simple guide.

First: on behalf of the Norwegian people, we apologize in advance. For people bumping into you without saying sorry, queue-jumping in shops, and the general absence of “excuse me”, “please” and “sorry”.

We’re not trying to be rude – we’re just not fluent in continental politeness.

Norwegians may seem introverted at first. That’s not indifference – it’s hesitation (unless we’ve had a few drinks 🍻). But once you break the ice, you’ll find we’re friendly, open, and very happy to talk English.

We also live in a country with more mountains, sheep and ferries than people – so social skills are… optional.

Some important facts:

💸 Norway is expensive.
A pint can easily cost you $12 / £10. Ask before you buy anything that looks fun.

☕ We drink a lot of coffee. A lot.
And read newspapers like it’s a competitive sport.

🐟 We enjoy some… unusual delicacies.
Let’s just say dried sheep’s head is on the menu.

🌧 Bergen = rain.
It’s basically Europe’s Seattle, just with more umbrellas and waterproof everything.

But underneath it all, Norway is a mix of tradition, irony, and mild chaos – and you’ll get the most out of it if you don’t take everything too seriously 😉

Dress code: smart casual/business casual. Quite informal. Bergensers in general dress as if they just stopped by work in between mountain hiking tours, prepared for heavy rain at any moment.

For all the information you need for staying in Bergen: www.visitbergen.com.

Bryggen

Bryggen in Bergen is located in the center of the city. Comprising a maze of characteristic wooden buildings with pointed gables facing onto the harbor, the old Bryggen Hanseatic wharf is architecturally unique and is included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage of history and culture.

At Bryggen you’ll find a variety handcraft and souvenir shops, selling everything from knitwear, Scandinavian design, Viking gear, embroidery, wool, textiles, trolls, Christmas things and gifts. In general, the opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10-18.

NORWAY IN A NUTSHELL – ROUND TRIP

‘Norway in a Nutshell’ takes you through some of Norway's most beautiful fjord scenery. You can experience the scenic Bergen Railway, the breathtaking Flåm Railway, the Aurlandsfjord, the narrow Nærøyfjord (now included on UNESCOs World Heritage List) and the steep hairpin bends of Stalheimskleiva.

Please note that this is an unescorted travel. You will find more information here. Please contact us if you want to book a trip.  

BERGEN GUIDED TOURS: Ph. +47 55 55 44 54

For different guided tours in Bergen – walks or by bus.

Bergen Aquarium: Nordnesbakken 4

Open: Mon–Sun 09-18. www.akvariet.no

Nordnes Sjøbad:

Outdoor swimming in heated pool with fresh seawater. Open May – Sep daily from from 07 – 20. www.nordnessjobad.no/en

Museums:

KODE Bergen: Nordahl Bruns gate 9 / Rasmus Meyers allé 3, 7 and 9.

Art museums. Opening hours:
Stenersen: Wed-Fri: 10–18, Sat-Sun: 11-16
Rasmus Meyer´s Collection. Wed-Fri: 11–18, Sat-Sun: 11-16
Entrance: NOK 200.

Kode includes The City Arts Collections, Stenersen’s Collection and Rasmus Meyer´s Collection. In the museum you’ll find extensive collections of paintings by both Edvard Munch and Picasso. The museum also shows interiors from old Bergen homes. Visit http://kodebergen.no/en for more information.

$$$$$

Lysverket, Rasmus Meyers allé 9. Tel: +47 55 60 31 00.

Open Tue–Sat from 18. www.lysverket.no

A one-star Michelin restaurant, situated in the old building that used to be Bergen Electricity Bureau. The restaurant is run by Bergen´s number one Chef, Christopher Haatuft and offers an extraordinary culinary experience of seafood from local produce. This is the arena for the Speaker´s Dinner Friday night.

$$$-$$$$

Nama Sushi & Noodles, Lodin Lepps gt. 2 B. Tel: +47 55 32 20 10. www.namasushi.no
Open Mon–Thurs: 15–23 / Fri–Sat: 15–24 and Sun 15-22.

The city’s best sushi bar has garnered good reviews for its minimalist, aquatic-inspired interior and half-sushi, half-noodle menu.

Handelskammeret, Vågsallmenningen 1

Open Wed-Sat from 18. Located at Bergen Børs Hotel.
A hidden gem with wide selection of cocktails served in beautiful, exclusive interior.

Frescohallen, Vågsallmenningen 1, post@frescohallen.no
Tel: +47 413 83 100 Open Mon-Fri: 07-22, Sat-Sun: 08-20

Norway´s new national treasure Frescohallen is a part of the spectacular historical building of Bergen Børs Hotel. At Frescohallen meals are served all hours of the day. Local and fresh, with focus on seafood, grill and signature dishes based on sharing. Also roams a great bar!

$$-$$$

Hoggorm Pizza, Nygårdsgaten 29, hello@hoggormpizza.no.
Tel: +47 990 80 447 Open Mon-Sun: 16-22.
Hoggorm Pizza is owned by Lysverket and was as instant hit when they opened in March 2018. This hole-in-the-wall rustique restaurant is renowned for their original pizza´s all the way to New York Times! They also serve modern nature wine. Located directly opposite of Grieghallen.

You get a 10 % discount here if you show your delegate/speaker pass!

Banzha, Neumanns gate 28, booking@banzha.no.
Tel: +47 457 29 162 Open Tue-Fri: 16-22, Sat: 12-22.
A unique Chinese restaurant with delicious flavors from the Yunnan Province. Banzha opened in May 2022 and immediately received great reviews from food critics.

You get a 10 % discount here if you show your delegate/speaker pass!

JEST Vågsallmenningen 6
Open: Tues-Sat 15-23.

JEST is a café by day and a wine bar by night in Bergen, offering handpicked wines, sourdough pizza, and flavourful bar dishes

TempoTempo Domkirkegaten 6A
Open: Tues-Sat 16- 01.

Vibrant and hip restaurant and bar. Great sesonal food and a large selection of wine and beer.

Pergola Nedre Korskirkeallm. 9B. Tel: +47 917 44 906.
Open Mon-Sat 16-24.

Located in charming and happening area of Skostredet this wine bar offers a selection of 350 wines from all over the world. On the menu you will also find Bergen's most tasty Italian inspired pizza, cheeses, hams, sausages, and probably the best bread in Bergen.

Kulturhuset Vaskerelven 8
Open: Mon-Sat 11-24

This is our late night festival venue on Thursday night! Perfect for lunch and dinner. Fresh seasonal food in a modern casual setting.

Bien Litteraturhuset Østre Skostredet 5-7. Tel: +47 55 56 33 33.
Open Mon-Sat 11-23.

Grab a coffee, lunch or a glass of wine at Bien at Bergen House of Literature. Or stay for a delicious dinner, the same place. The restaurant serves classic Norwegian dishes, based on local ingredients.

Bryggestuen & Bryggeloftet Bryggen 11-13. Tel: +47 55 30 20 70.

Stuene open Mon-Sun 12-23 / Loftet open Mon-Sun 16-23.

Bryggeloftet & Stuene is a traditional local restaurant with characteristic surroundings that have attracted many regulars. The establishment has an extensive and varied menu offering a wide choice of fish dishes based on Norwegian traditions.

Café Norge, at Hotel Norge, 1st. Floor.
Open morning to late night. Reserve table in reception.
Modern kitchen and informal and busy atmosphere.

Burgeren, Teatergaten 18, burgeren.io

The burger in town, known for their smashburger.

BARS AND COFFEE SHOPS

Apollon, Nygårdsgaten 2 A. Tel: +47 55 31 59 43.

Open Mon-Sat 10-00 and Sun 12-00.

The oldest independent record shop in Norway, now turned in to a true record bar with a wide selection of beers on tap, liquors, coffee and tea.

Pingvinen, Vaskerelven 14. Tel: +47 55 60 46 46.
Mon-Sun 16-01.

Definitely the most tasty, calorie infused popcorn in Scandinavia! Eater/bar in the heart of Bergen, featuring traditional Norwegian food in between all the beer-/wine-drinking and popcorn-eating Bergensers.

Café Opera, Engen 18. Tel: +47 55 23 03 15.

Café Opera has become somewhat of a social institution in the city. It doubles as both a café/restaurant and a bar in the evenings. The bar also often has different cultural events like concerts, quizzes, gallery exhibitions, poetry- and club-events.

Kaffemisjonen Øvre Korskirkeallmenningen 5
Open Mon-Fri 08-18.00 / Sat-Sun 10-18.00

One of the best coffee shops in town!

Det lille Kaffekompaniet
Nedre Fjellsmau 2 (by the Funicular). Open Mon-Fri 10-20 and Sat-Sun 10-18.

Bergen’s first and probably smallest coffee shop. Nearby the start of Fløien if you are feeling up for a small hike.

Bergen kaffebrenneri (BKB) Kong Christian Fredriks plass 6.
Open Mon-Fri 08.00-18.00 / Sat-Sun 12-18.