Day Trips from Bergen

If you get tired of Bergen's attractions, there’s plenty more to do within easy reach of the city. Here are some ideas to kick-start your planning.

Bergen is one of Norway’s most visited cities, and for good reason. The colourful Hanseatic wharf at Bryggen, the funicular up Mount Fløyen, and the lively fish market keep most visitors busy for a couple of days.

Add in museums, galleries, and a thriving café culture, and it’s easy to see why many people linger longer. There are so many great things to do in Bergen.

But Bergen is also perfectly placed for exploring western Norway. Known as the “gateway to the fjords,” the city is surrounded by islands, waterfalls, glaciers, and historic coastal towns.

Whether you want to soak up culture, taste local food, or lose yourself in nature, there’s a rewarding day trip waiting.

Many of these destinations can be reached by public transport but others require a car or organised tour. Some can be squeezed into a single day, while others are better if you add an overnight stay.

Either way, Bergen is one of the best bases in Norway for exploring beyond the city.

Øygarden Islands

Drive west from Bergen and you’ll soon find yourself in the Øygarden archipelago, a scattering of more than 6,000 islands and skerries strung out along the coast.

For centuries, these islands formed the city’s shield against the Atlantic, and today a series of bridges makes it surprisingly easy to explore them by car. The journey itself feels like an adventure, as the road hops from island to island with ever-changing views of sea and sky.

This is a landscape shaped by extremes. Rugged rocks meet windswept heathland, with the smell of salt and heather carried on the breeze.

On calm summer days, the water sparkles between sheltered inlets, while in winter the Atlantic hurls waves against the outer islands. Standing at a viewpoint, you can really feel the raw edge of Norway’s coastline.

To learn more about the people who have called this area home, stop at the Øygarden Coastal Museum. The exhibitions trace life here from the Stone Age, through the heyday of fishing villages, to the modern offshore oil industry

You don’t have to plan a packed itinerary to enjoy Øygarden. Simply driving across the bridges, pulling over at viewpoints, and taking short walks is rewarding in itself. Birdlife is abundant, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot sea eagles soaring overhead.

On stormy days, Øygarden becomes even more dramatic, making it one of the best places near Bergen to appreciate the raw power of the ocean without venturing too far from the city.

Fedje: The Village in the Ocean

Known locally as Havets smil, which translates to “the smile of the sea,” Fedje is one of the most distinctive small communities along Norway’s west coast.

Remote and windswept, the island feels far removed from city life, yet that sense of isolation is exactly what makes it so appealing.

To get there, you drive north from Bergen for around ninety minutes before boarding a short ferry that glides across to the island. The journey itself sets the tone, carrying you steadily away from the bustle of urban Norway into a quieter, more elemental world.

With only about 500 residents, Fedje is the kind of place where everyone knows each other. The small white church, the compact grocery store, and the handful of local shops all reflect the modest scale of the community. Visitors often notice the slower pace of life here, which contrasts sharply with Bergen’s lively harbourfront.

Nature, of course, is Fedje’s biggest draw. The Hellisøy lighthouse, a 19th-century cast iron tower, is the island’s proud landmark. Standing against the waves of the North Sea, it offers sweeping views across the ocean and back towards the coast of Hordaland.

For walkers, the North Sea Trail is a rewarding way to explore. The path threads through heathland, past sheltered coves, and along rugged cliffs where the Atlantic winds can be fierce.

In the calm of summer, the island feels almost gentle, with wildflowers brightening the heath and seabirds wheeling overhead. In the winter months, Fedje takes on a very different character as storms roll in from the sea, giving the island a raw and powerful beauty.

Osterfjord Cruise

If you want to experience the beauty of a fjord without committing to a long journey from Bergen, the Osterfjord cruise is an ideal choice.

Operated by Rødne Fjord Cruise, this round trip lasts about four hours and departs directly from Zachariasbryggen, the pier beside the famous fish market in the heart of Bergen.

Stepping aboard feels effortless compared with organising a full-day road trip, and within minutes you are gliding out of the harbour and into the waterways that surround the city.

The route heads north through the Osterfjord, a waterway framed by steep slopes and dotted with small villages. The highlight comes as the boat squeezes into the Mostraumen strait, a narrow passage where the cliffs press close on either side.

Here, waterfalls tumble straight down the rock face into the fjord, and in the summer months goats can often be seen grazing on the impossibly steep slopes above. The crew sometimes even guide the boat close to the cascades so passengers can feel the cool spray of fresh mountain water.

Although the Osterfjord does not have the towering walls of Geirangerfjord or the dramatic isolation of the Nærøyfjord, it offers a genuine taste of western Norway’s fjord scenery in a compact and accessible way.

For visitors who are short on time, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to experience this landscape.

The cruise runs throughout the year. In summer, extra departures make it easy to fit into your schedule, while in winter the fjord has a quieter, more atmospheric quality, with snow often dusting the surrounding mountains.

Voss

Two hours east of Bergen by train or car lies Voss, long known as a hub for outdoor adventure.

In winter, it’s one of western Norway’s biggest ski resorts, with alpine slopes at Myrkdalen and plenty of cross-country terrain. Reliable snowfall has made Voss a favourite among Norwegians looking for a winter getaway.

In summer, Voss transforms into a centre for extreme sports. Kayaking, paragliding, mountain biking, and hiking all thrive here, and every June the town hosts the Ekstremsportveko festival, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world.

Amid the modern shops and cafés of the town centre, the medieval Voss Church (Vangskyrkja) offers a link to the past. Built in the 13th century, it’s said to stand on the site of a pagan temple, reflecting the long religious history of the area.

Flåm & the Nærøyfjord

Arguably Norway’s most famous fjord, the Nærøyfjord is narrow, steep-sided, and unforgettable. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is often described as one of the most beautiful fjords in the world.

At its narrowest point the waterway is barely 250 metres across, yet the surrounding mountains soar more than a thousand metres above the surface, creating a dramatic sense of scale.

The Nærøyfjord is the highlight of the classic “Norway in a Nutshell” route, and while it makes for a long day from Bergen, it can be done if you set out early. Travelling by train or bus through Voss to Gudvangen, you can board the ferry that winds its way through the fjord to Flåm.

From there, the celebrated Flåm Railway offers one of Norway’s most memorable rail journeys, climbing from the fjord to the mountain plateau and connecting with the main Oslo–Bergen line.

In summer, this combination of ferry and railway is extremely popular, so advance booking is essential. Crowds fill the ferries and trains, yet there are still quieter ways to explore.

Renting a kayak allows you to experience the fjord at water level, where the sheer cliffs tower above and waterfalls plunge down beside you. Guided kayak tours are available in Flåm, and they offer a more personal connection to the fjord than the larger vessels.

The villages that dot the fjord add to its charm. Gudvangen has a Viking experience centre, while Aurland is known for its wooden church and the spectacular Stegastein viewpoint. Flåm itself has become a major tourist hub, yet it retains a cosy atmosphere in the evenings once the day-trippers have gone.

If you have time, staying overnight allows you to enjoy the fjord at its most tranquil, when the light softens and the water often lies perfectly still.

Hardangerfjord

Stretching more than 170 kilometres inland, the Hardangerfjord is Norway’s second longest fjord and one of its most varied.

Unlike the narrower fjords to the north, Hardangerfjord opens wide, with fertile valleys and orchards that have earned it the nickname “Norway’s fruit garden.” In spring, the slopes are blanketed in apple and cherry blossom, while autumn brings a harvest of apples and plums that are pressed into award-winning ciders.

From Bergen, it takes about two and a half hours by car to reach the fjord region, making it possible as a long day trip, though an overnight stay is even better. The road east passes through scenic countryside, and once you reach the fjord, car ferries and bridges make it easy to hop between villages on either shore.

Towns such as Norheimsund and Øystese provide good bases, while Ulvik and Eidfjord offer quieter settings.

Hardangerfjord is as much about experiences as it is about scenery. The Hardanger Maritime Centre in Norheimsund tells the story of boatbuilding traditions, while nearby you can visit Steinsdalsfossen, a waterfall with a path leading behind the curtain of water.

For more adventurous travellers, the region is home to some of Norway’s most famous hikes, including Trolltunga, a challenging trek to a dramatic rock ledge, and HM Queen Sonja’s Panoramic Trail, a scenic ridge walk above the fjord.

Eidfjord, towards the inner end of the fjord, is a gateway to the Hardangervidda plateau, Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The journey from sea level to the high mountains in such a short distance is one of the things that makes this part of Norway so remarkable.

The Hardangervidda Nature Centre in Eidfjord is a good introduction before heading up to explore the vast uplands.

Although Hardangerfjord lacks the sheer drama of the Nærøyfjord, it compensates with variety and accessibility. Between its fruit orchards, waterfalls, cultural sites, and hiking opportunities, it showcases the many faces of western Norway in one region.

Haugesund and Karmøy

South of Bergen lies Haugesund, a coastal town often described as the birthplace of Norway.

This is where King Harald Fairhair is said to have united the country more than a thousand years ago. The legacy of that story lives on at Haraldshaugen, Norway’s national monument, which marks what many believe to be the king’s burial site.

Haugesund today blends history with a maritime spirit. The town centre has a relaxed atmosphere, with a waterfront lined by cafés and bars, and festivals such as the Norwegian International Film Festival and Sildajazz bringing bursts of energy in summer.

From Bergen it is possible to reach Haugesund by car in around three and a half hours, making it suitable for a long day trip if you are keen, though staying overnight allows more time to explore.

Just south of Haugesund lies Karmøy, an island that feels steeped in history. The reconstructed Viking Farm at Avaldsnes brings to life the saga age with longhouses, costumed interpreters, and seasonal events.

Nearby stands St. Olav’s Church, built in the 13th century by King Håkon Håkonsson, a reminder that this coastline was once a seat of royal power.

Karmøy also offers a more natural charm. The island’s west coast is lined with broad sandy beaches that face the North Sea.

The fishing village of Skudeneshavn, at the southern tip of the island, is a highlight. Its white wooden houses and narrow streets form one of Norway’s best-preserved old towns, and wandering here feels like stepping back in time.

Planning Your Day Trips

From fjords and glaciers to lighthouses and Viking villages, Bergen offers easy access to some of Norway’s most memorable sights. The Osterfjord cruise and trips to Voss can be managed by train, while Hardangerfjord and Fedje are best with a car.

If you’re short on time, the Osterfjord cruise gives you fjord scenery without leaving the city for long.

For a real showstopper, Flåm and the Nærøyfjord are hard to beat. And if you want to go off the beaten path, Fedje and Øygarden deliver raw coastal landscapes far from the crowds.

Wherever you choose, a day trip from Bergen is a reminder of why this city is known as the gateway to the fjords.