Bergen in Two Seasons: Cruise Port Charm from Snow to Sun

Bright yellow Bergen sign on a cliff face

Sailing into the Bergen cruise port, you’re met with a city that feels both historic and refreshingly alive. Bergen (Bergen – Pronounced BEHR-gen) is one of Norway’s most photographed destinations, framed by colorful wooden buildings, fjords, and green hillsides.

As the gateway to the western fjords, Bergen has a long maritime history and was once part of the Hanseatic League. Today, its UNESCO-listed waterfront, Bryggen, draws visitors for its preserved architecture and cultural depth.

Whether blanketed in snow during a December visit or glowing under soft summer skies, Bergen offers a warm welcome in every season. Its natural scenery and cozy urban energy are equally unforgettable.

My first visit to Bergen was in December 2023, when I flew in to reconnect with friends I had met on a cruise earlier that year. The streets were dusted with snow and the city’s Christmas Market was in full swing near Lille Lungegårdsvannet. Wooden stalls offered handmade ornaments, warm drinks, and cheesy sausage buns I couldn’t resist ordering three times. Between the twinkling lights and the ferris wheel reflecting off the frozen lake, it felt like I had stepped into a Nordic snow globe.

The next day, I explored the harbor on foot, taking in the smell of the fish market and the texture of Bryggen’s wooden alleyways. These buildings are centuries old, but the neighborhood still feels like it belongs to working locals. The combination of quiet history and daily life gave the city a kind of grounded magic.

In June 2025, I returned by cruise and saw a completely different side of Bergen. One of my friends met me at the port and we rode the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. From the overlook, the city and its fjords opened wide under bright skies. We wandered into Trollskogen, a small forest trail where expressive troll carvings added a bit of whimsy to the landscape. Back at sea level, we enjoyed ice cream in the sun and walked familiar streets now green and glowing with early summer.

If You Have More Time…

  • KODE Art Museums – A group of galleries with everything from Edvard Munch to modern design, set in historic city buildings.
  • Bergenhus Fortress – This stone stronghold near the harbor is one of the oldest fortresses in Norway and offers scenic views.
  • Old Bergen Museum – Step into reconstructed wooden homes and cobbled streets that recreate 18th century Bergen life.
  • Fantoft Stave Church – A stunning example of traditional Norwegian wooden architecture rebuilt after a fire in the 1990s.
  • Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen – Take a boat tour to see narrow fjords, cascading waterfalls, and steep cliffs just beyond the city.
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