“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”

– Jack Kerouac

After a quick flight from Tromso we arrived in Bergen. We used the light rail to travel to the city center. It was easy, we just followed the signs for the light rail, rode down the escalator, purchased a ticket for about $11, and boarded the train. After a 45-minute ride we were in the center of Bergen.

Laura and I stayed at the Thon Bristol hotel, it was a quick 5-minute walk from the train stop. The hotel has the most bizarre color scheme, but it was clean, comfortable, had a delicious breakfast buffet, and a great central location.

We headed straight to the Bryggen area of Bergen, the area most seen in photos and a World Heritage Site with historic wooden houses along the wharf. The area deemed a World Heritage Site is located between two large black posts on the sidewalk. Some of the buildings at the end of the wharf are newer replicas of the wooden houses that once stood there; the originals burned down in a fire in 1955. We then went to lunch at the fish market. During the warmer months they say you find vendors outdoors, but during this time of year, they are inside one building along with restaurants. I wish we had more time for lunch to have eaten at one of the restaurants versus ordering to-go. As I placed my order for my shrimp sandwich, I was envious of the plate full of fresh fish that went by to be served to a restaurant customer. You definitely have to eat here if you like fish.

Next was the tour I booked through Get Your Guide called Bergen Past and Present. We learned about the history of Bergen and walked primarily through the Bryggen area, explored some additional streets, and ended at the pier near the fish market. We basically had a private tour as it was just Laura and I, along with two other people. Our guide brought us down Skostredet, a fun little street that is full of cafes, restaurants, and bars. We knew this was where we would end up for dinner later in the evening and I highly recommend you check this street out if you are in Bergen.

On our tour we learned the private residences and businesses use over 90% renewable energy, primarily hydroelectric. In Norway, over 88% of new cars purchased in 2024 were electric. Our guide assumed with all the sun in Arizona that we must have high rates of solar energy. I laughed and informed him our rates of solar power across the US and especially in Arizona are abysmal. Like Finland, 70% of the land in Norway is forest land. The scenery is stunning no matter which direction you look, and the air is clean and fresh with no distinct smells. It was nice not to be sneezing constantly or having irritated eyes like I do when I’m home in Arizona.

After our tour we took advantage of the remaining minutes before sunset and headed for the funicular called Floibanen. It was freezing up above the city as the wind was blowing and the sun was setting, but the views were spectacular.

We then head back to Skostredet. Laura picked a spot for a post tour cocktail. She has great taste and can spot a place with a good vibe. We went to Lounge Yvette above Cherie Brasserie. The lounge was cozy and inviting, and the pink gin cocktail was just what I needed after a long day.

For dinner we walked next door to Pergola Mat & Vinbar, a wine bar I had read about from a travel blogger. They have over 450 wines, and serve pizza and antipasto boards. The staff was extremely helpful in picking out a nice Barbaresco to go with my Spicy Nduja pizza, a new favorite of mine since eating one at Jay’s Artisan in Kenmore, New York, just north of Buffalo. The restaurant is small and simple, with a nice relaxing atmosphere, perfect to enjoy wine.

The next morning, we had a couple hours to kill, so we headed out for a walk. We ventured just south of our hotel to the Byparken area. The Byparken has one of the most famous statues in Bergen, the Crying Boy, but to me he looked angry. The park looks like a great area to sit, and people watch, or just to take a break from walking around. It has a nice pond and a number of different works of art, not just “the boy”.

Bergen is so much more than just the waterfront area. It appears as though each neighborhood has its own character with statues, murals on buildings, and the architecture is just beautiful. Laura voted Bergen her favorite city on this trip. We heard from those in Bergen that Oslo is a “dump” compared to Bergen, but we also heard that people in Bergen feel their city is the most beautiful in Norway. It is beautiful, but there was something about Tromso that I truly enjoyed, so I’m not quite ready to vote Bergen #1, but I do know that 24-hours was not enough time to explore this beautiful city.

Ciao 💕