Our official arrival time in Bergen was 9 am but we were alongside the wharf around 8:30.    We sailed from Eidfjord through the Norwegian Fjords HardangerfjordenHan yesterday evening and then Byfjorden this morning to Bergen.

This will be our fifth consecutive port day in Norway and our fifth day transiting some of the most beautiful waterways in the world.    Every day brings similar but spectacular views from every point on the ship.

The weather has been consistently cold – in the 40s,  but depending on the wind and rain, it determined how enjoyable the day would be walking around the port.    The weather forecast for Bergen was for rain with a possibility of snow, and we ended up getting everything.

Bergen, located on Norway’s western coast, is a vibrant and picturesque city with a unique blend of rich history, stunning natural beauty, and modern culture.  Also known for its colorful wooden houses, vibrant music scene, and lively atmosphere, Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, behind Oslo.   One of the top attractions in Bergen is the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, a series of wooden buildings dating back to the 18th century. The wharf is a reminder of Bergen’s importance as a center of international trade during the Hanseatic League and is now home to various shops, restaurants, and galleries.     The tourist information center and fish market are also located at Bryggen Wharf.

Many attractions in Bergen don’t open until later in May, so if you are visiting earlier in the year, check the hours, as many are seasonal.

Bergen has several lovely yarn shops and time permitting, we will visit and least one and maybe more.

Here are the yard shops we discovered in Bergen – Let me know if you are aware of a shop not listed.

• Husfliden – Vågsallmenningen 3
• Modellstrikk – Vaskerelven 15
• Strikkelykke – Strandgaten 76
• Norwegian Spirit – Strømgaten 4 · In the Bergen Train Station
• Nilsen På Bryggen – Bryggen 3

Our plan for today was to take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen, which offers stunning views of the city and surrounding fjord.   In the past, when we visited in the summer, we enjoyed taking the funicular to the top but then walking down to the city via a paved trail.   Today we would ride the Fløibanen funicular both ways due to the cold weather.

There are several different spots where you may moor in Bergen.    Walking to the central city is never more than 3/4 of a mile.    HoHo buses will often schedule a stop nearby on cruise ship days.

We left the ship around noon.    We could see the top of Mount Fløyen from the ship and the visibility looked good at the moment, but the weather had changed from clear to cloudy several times this morning already.

The walk to town was about 3/4 of a mile, but we wanted to go to Mount Fløyen first, which was about 1 mile, so we were looking for a taxi – none were available.   We happened to walk past the mobility shuttle bus, which was about to leave, and after spotting Judy’s cane, they waved us over along with a few others to fill up the bus, and we were off.   Good timing!

The bus dropped us off next to the Tourist Info Center, where we met John and Pam from Table 89, who were also heading up to Mount Fløyen.    We bought tickets for the funicular at the tourist info center, which may save time on busier days.   As it turned out, there wasn’t any line for tickets at the funicular about 1/4 mile from the tourist information center.   You can also buy tickets online in advance HERE.    We met fellow cruiser Ellen, and we all walked over to the Fløibanen funicular lower station.    The funiculars leave about every 15 minutes, and take about 8-12 minutes to get to the top.  There are a couple of stops along the way.

Fløibanen Funicular

As we left the upper arrival station, the magnificent vista exploded into view.   The weather would change quickly, but for the moment, we enjoyed partly cloudy skies and almost unlimited visibility with light wind.    There is a gift shop that sells coffee and the Floistuen Cafe, which has sandwiches, pastries, and light snacks.

The summit is the starting point for some hikes, or you can walk back to the city.   There are also a few trolls available in the area which can make for some cute photographs.

We met Susan here from Table 89, and we all headed down on the next funicular after spending about 45 minutes enjoying the view and some coffee.

REINDEER HOT DOGS

One of our favorite places to grab a quick snack in Bergen is the Norwegian sausage and hot dog stand – Trekroneren, which translates to Three Kroner.   Three Kroner was the original price of the sausages back in 1978, and the name stuck, although the current price is 80 NOK or around $7.50 USD.   They sell a variety of sausages, but the one we came for was the Reindeer Meat Sausage is what we came for, and we ordered two to share between the six of us.     They didn’t have a knife to divide the dogs, but John came prepared with a small pocketknife which did the trick.   The sausages are pretty large, so look at them in the window before you decide how many to order.

PINGVINEN

There isn’t any seating area, so you have to eat the sausages standing and with the weather so temperamental, we gobbled them down and headed down the street.    Our group was still hungry and wanted to eat in a local restaurant.    My previous research discovered a local restaurant called PingVinen, about 3/4 mile away, but back in the ship’s direction.   It was also across the street from the yarn shop Modellstrikk.

We enjoyed a pleasant stroll down the main street which runs along the eastern edge of the harbor and then turns into a nice pedestrian mall for a couple hundred yards before we get back on the street and arrive at PingVinen.

PingVinen is in a historic building and has been serving customers since 1928.  The interior of Pingvinen is warm and inviting, with wooden furnishings, exposed brick walls, and soft lighting.   Using locally sourced ingredients, the menu features classic Norwegian dishes such as fish cakes, meatballs, and salted cod.  In addition to the food, Pingvinen is also well-known for its extensive beer selection.

The six of us could get around one large table, and everyone ordered meatballs except me.  I ordered the Deer Burger Sandwich and a local draft beer.    Service was prompt, and we were soon enjoying our delicious Norwegian Food.   After about one hour, we headed outside to walk to the ship, but the weather took a turn for the worse and it started snowing/sleeting, and the wind picked up. Umbrellas didn’t work in the stiff breeze, but the wet sleet didn’t last long, and the snow flurries weren’t too bad for walking.

Everyone ducked into the nearby yarn shop Modellstrikk, and Judy picked up a few skeins of 100% merino wool by Knitting for Olive .

We all headed out to the street, and twenty minutes later, we were back on the ship.   Before we returned aboard, the snow and sleet stopped, and the sun returned.   It was a amazing day for rapidly changing weather.

Back on the ship we had another wonderful dinner in the MDR and then headed off the World Stage for comedian Sid Davis’s second show.   He is hilarious with some remarkably fresh insight and humor about cruising and life in general.