Bergen in 48 Hours: A Slow, Scenic Introduction to Norway

Bergen felt easy from the moment I arrived. The way Scandinavia greets you with hygge feels strangely familiar, even as an American. I visited in early June, when the city is bright but still a little chilly, and the first thing I noticed was how steady everything felt. No rush, no “big wow” chaos of a crowded city. Just a quiet coastal calm that made me slow down without even thinking about it.

Day One: Getting a Feel for the City

I walked through Bryggen to ease into the morning, letting the narrow wooden alleys set the pace. The buildings are just as colorful as the photos suggest, but moving through the corridors feels different in person—tight, echoing, almost like stepping into a sound pocket where everything softens. I grabbed a coffee and wandered until the crowds started to grow. If you can, go early; the quiet changes everything.

Later, I took the Fløibanen up to Mount Fløyen. The ride is quick, and the view at the top makes Bergen look neatly arranged—rooftops, harbor, and mountains all folding into one another. I walked along a few trails, letting the breeze wake me up. And because locals insisted, I tried a hot dog at Trekroneren afterward. Simple, casual, perfect for an easy first night.

Day Two: Fjords, Flåm, and a Ridiculously Pretty Train Ride

If you’re choosing one “big” outing, take the public ferry through the fjords. Skip the tour boat—you don’t need it. The regular ferry is cheaper, a bit busier, and honestly the best way to see the landscape. The whole ride is overwhelming in the best way: steep cliffs, bright green hills, and water that somehow looks dark and glowing at the same time. I filmed everything for the first twenty minutes before giving up and just watching.

In Flåm, I felt immediately small in the mountains' space. I had a baked potato with local smoked salmon and sat by the water for a while. The whole village feels tucked into the landscape, quiet in a way that makes you want to stay an extra hour or two.

The train back to Bergen turned out to be my favorite part of the day. It winds past waterfalls, tiny hillside homes, and long stretches of impossibly green valleys. I kept my forehead against the window, letting the scenery roll past (and, naturally, scrolling Zillow for a future vacation home).

Songs That Kept Me Company

🎧 Slow Running — Hazlett

for the wide, unhurried stretch of the fjord ferry.

🎧 Girl From The North Country — Bob Dylan

for wandering Bryggen with that faint, familiar ache of nostalgia.

🎧 Only The Winds — Ólafur Arnalds

for the quiet rhythm of the train heading back toward the city.