Vestland is Norway's fjord county, home to Bergen, the Sognefjord, the Hardangerfjord, the Nærøyfjord, Europe's largest mainland glacier and a coastline of islands and surf beaches.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Vestland.
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1
Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
UNESCO-listed row of colourful wooden gabled warehouses on the Vagen harbour, the surviving core of the medieval Hanseatic trading post. Narrow timber passages, craft studios and restaurants fill the buildings today.
Tip: Walk the rear passages (smauene) between the buildings for the best atmosphere · Combine with the Hanseatic Museum and Schotstuene · Wooden floors are uneven; wear flat shoes
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2
Fløyen and the Fløibanen Funicular
Bergen funicular rising 320 m in about 6 minutes from the city centre to the Fløyen viewpoint, with city and fjord panoramas, forest trails, a playground and the Skomakerdiket lake.
Tip: The Bergen Card gives 50 percent off return tickets · Walk down through the forest (about 50 min) instead of paying for the return · Bring a rain jacket; Bergen has about 230 rain days a year
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3
Ulriken643 Cable Car
Cable car to the top of Bergen's highest of the seven mountains (643 m), with a restaurant, a sky bar and views over the city, fjords and islands.
Tip: Family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children) about NOK 1,050 (~$109) · Check the web cam on the website before going; the summit is often in cloud · Hike the Vidden trail from Ulriken to Fløyen (4-5 hours) with a one-way ticket down
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4
Bergen Fish Market (Fisketorget)
Harbourside market with fresh seafood stalls selling smoked salmon, king crab, fish cakes and prepared meals, plus a covered Mathallen hall open year-round.
Tip: A fish-cake or smoked salmon sandwich costs roughly NOK 150-250 · Ask for samples before buying · Gulls steal food; eat under cover
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5
Bergenhus Fortress and Håkonshallen
One of Norway's best-preserved medieval fortresses. Håkonshallen is the 13th-century royal banquet hall of King Håkon Håkonsson and the Rosenkrantz Tower is a 16th-century keep.
Tip: The fortress grounds are free to wander · Check bymuseet.no for guided-tour times in English · Rosenkrantz Tower has steep, narrow stairs
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6
Norwegian Aquarium (Akvariet i Bergen)
Large aquarium at the tip of the Nordnes peninsula with sea lions, penguins, otters, and tanks of North Sea and tropical species, with daily feeding shows.
Tip: Combine with a swim at Nordnes Sjobad next door · Buy tickets online for a small discount · Quietest after 15:00
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7
KODE Art Museums
Four connected museums beside Lille Lungegardsvann holding Edvard Munch, J.C. Dahl, Picasso and Klee, plus the Grieg and Silver collections.
Tip: Bergen Card covers entry · Lysverket restaurant in KODE 4 is a fine-dining option · Thursday evenings often have later opening
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8
Troldhaugen (Edvard Grieg's Home)
Villa where composer Edvard Grieg lived from 1885 to 1907, with his composing hut, a concert hall, a museum and the tomb where he and his wife Nina are interred.
Tip: Lunchtime Grieg concerts run in summer · Combine with Fantoft Stave Church (Bybanen to Fantoft) · Bring comfortable shoes for the lakeside walk
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9
Fantoft Stave Church
Replica of a 12th-century stave church from Fortun in Sogn, rebuilt after a 1992 arson attack, set in woodland south of Bergen.
Tip: Open mainly in summer · Pair with Troldhaugen on a southern Bergen half-day
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10
Flam Railway (Flamsbana)
One of the world's steepest standard-gauge railways: a 20 km, 55-minute ride from Flam on the Aurlandsfjord up to Myrdal at 866 m past waterfalls and mountain farms.
Tip: Sit on the right side going up from Flam for the best waterfall views · Kjosfossen waterfall stop has a brief platform stop · Book at flamsbana.no or vy.no; summer departures sell out
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Unesco_and_heritage
Viewpoints
Glaciers_and_waterfalls
Hikes
Museums_and_culture
Markets_and_trains
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Bergen Card
- The Bergen Card gives free Bybanen and Skyss bus travel across Bergen, free or discounted museum entry, and 50 percent off Fløibanen. Prices start around NOK 380 (~$40) for 24 hours; buy at the Bergen Tourist Information office (Strandkaien 3) or bergenskortet.no.
- Getting Around
- The city centre is compact and walkable. Bybanen light rail runs from Byparken to Bergen Airport Flesland. Skyss buses and Skyss app tickets cover the region. The regional railway (Vy) runs Bergen-Voss-Myrdal-Oslo.
- Best Areas To Stay
- Bryggen, Nordnes and Sentrum for sightseeing; Sandviken for quieter, residential stays; Voss or Flam for fjord-country bases.
- Regional Note
- Vestland is large. Bergen sits on the coast; the main fjord attractions (Flam, Gudvangen, Urnes, Borgund) are 2-4 hours inland by train, bus or car.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy the Bergen Card if you plan to visit 3 or more paid attractions in a day
Carry rain gear year-round: Bergen averages about 230 rain days a year
Book the Flam Railway and Nærøyfjord ferry online in summer
Many stave churches and glaciers are only open May-September
Plan fjord days by train or bus; renting a car makes sense for Nordfjord and Jostedalen
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Bergen?
2 to 3 days covers Bryggen, Fløyen, Ulriken, the Fish Market and a museum. Add 2 to 3 more days for Flam, Hardangerfjord or the glaciers.
Is the Bergen Card worth it?
Usually yes if you visit three or more attractions per day, because it includes public transport. A 24-hour card costs about NOK 380 (~$40).
What is the best time to visit the Vestland fjords?
June to August has long days and every road and stave church open. May and September give fewer crowds with cooler weather.
Can I do the Flam Railway as a day trip from Bergen?
Yes. Take the train Bergen-Myrdal, ride the Flam Railway, then return via Voss or the Nærøyfjord ferry. Allow a full day (10-12 hours).