Bergen in Two Seasons: Winter Magic and Summer Views

Bergen left a lasting impression on me, enough to bring me back twice in two very different seasons. My first visit was just before Christmas in 2023, flying in to see some friends I made on a Scandinavian cruise. The city was blanketed in snow and glowing with holiday cheer, especially around the Christmas market tucked near Lille Lungegårdsvannet. It felt like walking into a snow globe. Handmade gifts, warm lights, and food stalls filled the air with coziness. I had the sausage smothered in raclette cheese three times and honestly would’ve gone back for a fourth. No regrets

The next day I wandered around Bergen’s harbor, explored the fish market, and ducked into the historic wooden alleyways of Bryggen. The whole area still feels like a working port, but with a deep sense of history and character layered into every building.

In June 2025, I came back by cruise and met up with one of those original friends. This time, we took the funicular up to Mount Fløyen for panoramic views that were just as impressive in the summer light. We discovered Trollskogen, a short wooded trail dotted with expressive troll carvings that made the hike feel like something out of a storybook. After a bit of ice cream and a ride back down, we strolled through the same city streets I’d seen in winter, only this time with blue skies and a few quick showers.

What stood out most was how Bergen shifts between seasons. The architecture stays the same, but the energy, the colors, and the mood completely transform. Bergen’s charm lives not just in its scenery, but in how it makes you feel in each moment.