Bergen is a magical destination for families, where breathtaking fjords meet charming cobbled streets and there are endless family adventures to choose from. You can explore the familiar colourful wharf houses at Bryggen, take a scenic funicular ride up Mount Fløyen, bring the children for an indoor ice experience; there’s no shortage of adventures in this charming Norwegian city.
With three direct flights a week from Dublin to Bergen on Widerøe Airlines (Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday) and a quick two-hour journey, Norway is easily accessible from Ireland. It’s no surprise this Nordic gem is becoming a top pick for travellers and families craving a unique adventure. Founded in 1934 by aviator Viggo Widerøe, Widerøe Airlines is Norway’s third-largest airline, and also offers some international flights from Bergen, including Lanzarote and Alicante. On arrival in Bergen airport, you then take a 40 minute trip on the light rail train (outside the airport) to ByParken station (the last stop in Bergen Central) You can purchase Bergen Cards which gives you free access to buses, the light rail and many attraction discounts.
Wait to activate your travel card until you arrive in Bergen, as the countdown starts immediately. After our final train stop, we took a short 10-minute walk to the Scandic Neptun Hotel, perfectly located near the harbour. Our junior suite comfortably fit four and with our Bergen Cards over the next few days, we explored the city without needing a taxi.
Bryggen, the iconic harbour district, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with colourful buildings, alleyways and charming craft shops, including a year-round Christmas store. The colourful buildings are on the Unesco World Heritage list, it burned down in 1702 and when they rebuilt, they found traces of houses dating back to the 1100s. A small part of Bryggen at the end of the street, was burned down in 1955 and also rebuilt (it is now the Radisson Hotel and a museum)
Family things we did:
Bryggens Mueseum – Located behind Bryggen Wharf, the museum is a short seven-minute walk from our hotel. Children will love searching for secret codes, earning a prize, while adults can explore the preserved excavation site and historical exhibits. A café offers a perfect break before leaving with a deeper appreciation of Bergen’s history.
Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen
The Fløibanen Funicular, operating since 1918, takes visitors from Bergen’s city centre to Mount Fløyen in just three minutes. At 320m above sea level, it offers stunning views, hiking trails, a lake, a café, a restaurant and a playground with a giant troll—perfect for families. Whether day or night, the views are breathtaking.
Vannkaten Waterpark – It’s a 20-minute ride on the No. 3 bus from the main harbour and the waterpark is located right across the road from the bus terminal. We spent over two hours screaming down slides, diving off boards and climbing walls to reach even more slides—easily could have stayed longer! A perfect way to enjoy a rainy afternoon.
Magic Ice – A ‘cool’ place to visit for the children. You receive a warm poncho and gloves before you enter a room that is -5 degrees. There is a an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink included in the entry price. Take a seat on ice couches while sipping your drink. A fun, unique experience.
Morning Dip at Nordnes Sjøbad – As a regular sea swimmer, I had to try Bergen’s legendary outdoor heated pool. A 20 minute walk from our hotel, it’s popular with locals and always busy. We swam in the heated pool for an hour before our hair started turning to icicles! With a sauna and sea access for the brave (which I tried), it left us refreshed and recharged.
Mostraumen Fjord cruise – You can’t go to Norway and not experience a Fjord cruise. We opted for a 3.5 hour cruise to Mostraumen onboard Rødne Fjord Cruise, which is perfect timewise with young children. There is WIFI onboard but we left all devices at the hotel, to really enjoy the cruise. The ship is very spacious, extremely comfortable and quite fast and they have a small shop onboard for snacks and tea. We sailed through narrow fjords, sailed past steep mountains and I lost count of the waterfalls we passed as we journeyed up 27-kilometers through Osterfjord to Modalen, Norway’s second smallest municipality. We sailed on through the Mostraumen straits and got up close to a towering waterfall. I really felt a sense of peace and was mesmerised by the beautiful landscape only an hour out of Bergen.
Visit Øvre-Eide Farm – A 15-minute bus ride from Bergen Central, Øvre-Eide Farm feels like a world away. Owner Arild gave us a tour of his traditional home, where we enjoyed local food in a fairytale-like room overlooking a lake and mountains. Popular for weddings, mother-baby groups and Knit & Drink events, the farm also offers a taste of Norway’s heritage. Arild and his colleagues changed into their authentic, national clothing which they all wear on their national day on May 17th. This farm is ideal for children who love horses, bunnies, feeding the sheep and nature.
With stunning landscapes, rich culture and easy access from Dublin, Norway is the perfect destination for a unique family getaway. Whether you’re seeking adventure, history or a cultured escape, Bergen and beyond has something for everyone.
Tips:
• There are cobblestone pavements around Bergen so wear comfortable walking shoes.
• The Bergen Card offers free or discounted entry to attractions, events and tours, plus savings on dining and parking. It includes free Skyss bus travel, boats to Askøy and Nordhordland and Bergen’s Light Rail (the light rail takes you from the airport into Bergen Central) Activate it upon arrival, as time counts down from activation.
A standard family room at the Scandic Neptun Hotel (sleeps four) from €133 per night, all tours can be booked directly with the individual businesses. The Fjord cruise to Mostraumen with Rødne Fjord cruise is approx. €73 per adult and €36 for children, under fours go free. For more information and inspiration, go to – www.visitbergen.com
Credit to some photos in my published article to Visit Bergen and Arne Veim.