Top Things to Do in Bergen with a Toddler

Known as "the Gateway to the Fjords", the city of Bergen offers a beautiful mix of nature and culture, made up of colourful wooden houses and is situated in between seven mountain peaks, right next to the fjords and the sea.

It's the second largest city in Norway and there is plenty to do here to keep both adults and children entertained. Whether you are looking to venture out into the fjords, do some hiking, explore waterfalls, discover nature playgrounds, visit museums and aquariums, or just enjoy the vibrant food scene (make sure to sample some local seafood!) - Bergen definitely deserves a place on your Norway itinerary!

We spent three nights here after 10 days of driving through the Norwegian countryside and it was the perfect place to round off our trip. I felt like three days was enough to explore what the city has to offer without feeling rushed, and as we had already spent over a week in Norway, we didn't venture too far outside of Bergen. If you are only visiting Bergen however, I would definitely allow a bit more time and do some day trips into the mountains and the fjords!

It is often referred to as the rainiest city in Europe with over 200 days of rain per year, and while the city lived up to its reputation, there was still so much to do in Bergen with a toddler (just don't forget the waterproofs!).

When to visit Bergen with a toddler

The most popular time to visit Bergen is late spring through early autumn (May to September), when the weather is at its mildest and the city is at its most vibrant. Summer brings long daylight hours (Norway has the midnight sun in early summer where the nights don't get fully dark!), which means there's more time in the day to do and see things, and the warmer temperatures make it easier to keep little ones entertained outdoors without the need to bring lots of layers (though do bring waterproofs no matter what season you visit!).

That said, Bergen also has a lot to offer in winter (and it's a lot less crowded!) - in December, the city transforms with festive Christmas markets and things like the Fløibanen and the fjord cruises run all year round. If you are into skiing, you can also visit nearby ski resorts like Voss, which is about an hour away by train or 1,5hr by car.

Where to stay in Bergen with a toddler

Here are a few areas to consider when looking a accommodation in Bergen:

Sentrum (City Centre) - convenient and within walking distance to all main attractions.

Bryggen - also very central and a unique and historic place to stay.

Nordnes - a quieter, more residential area famous for its beautiful wooden houses and close to places like the Aquarium and Nordnes Park.

Nygård (Nygårdshøyden) - a vibrant, budget-friendly area near the University of Bergen. Full of cafes and cultural life.

Sandviken - quiet, charming, and slightly tucked away with charming wooden houses and lovely fjord views.

How to get around Bergen with a toddler

As it is a small city, a lot of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other. That said, it is quite hilly which can make it tiring with a toddler in tow (we did use a stroller, but we'd sometimes have to make a detour to avoid steps and there was a lot of pushing uphill) and on rainy days you might want to avoid walking as much as possible. We teamed up with Visit Bergen for our visit who kindly provided us with the Bergen Pass which gave us free public transport for the duration of our stay, as well as free or discounted access to the main attractions in Bergen. The city is very well connected with both buses, trams and trains, which made it really easy to get around with the Bergen Pass. I would also recommend downloading the app Skyss Reise, Bergen's city travel app which lets you search for routes and buy tickets directly in the app.

Top activities for Bergen with a toddler

Fjord Cruise

No visit to "the gateway to the fjords" is complete without a trip to the fjords! Jumping on a cruise is an easy and safe way to experience the beauty of the fjords with young kids. If you pick up the brochure from the Visit Bergen tourist information office you'll see there are lots of different cruises to choose from of varying length. We decided to go with the half-day cruise with Rødne Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen as we thought this length of cruise would be best for our daughter and because we only had 3 days it would leave us more time to explore the rest of Bergen. This round-trip fjord cruise to Mostraumen is about 3.5-4 hours long and sets off from Zachariasbryggen in the heart of Bergen heading to Osterfjord and reaching Mostraumen before returning to Bergen.

It was a stunning tour into the fjords with a knowledgable guide giving a glimpse of the history of the fjord and greater Bergen. The boat itself was very comfortable and equipped with a large indoor seating area with tables, a cafe offering things like fresh waffles, cinnamon buns and hot drinks, clean toilets and outdoor areas both upstairs and downstairs to take in the views. There was also a small play area under the stairs which was great for our daughter!

It was mostly raining on our cruise, but I felt this added to the drama of the fjords - the low clouds shrouding the mountains and the rain creating rings on the still water. When the boat slowed down as we entered Osterfjord, the crew would let us out onto front deck to get better views of the surrounding landscapes.

The cruise culminates with the beautiful waterfalls of Mostraumen which cascade down from the giant cliffs directly into the fjord below. Here lies the small village of Mo, and as we got here, we were surprised to see the boat moored letting a few people off. When asking about this, we find out that the company have started to offer hikes to a lesser-known mountain called Slottet in Modalen. It's a guided hike with limited spaces, so you need to prebook your space if you wish to do this. The morning cruise will drop you off, and after a few hours, you'll catch the afternoon cruise back to Bergen.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the cruise (despite the wet weather). It felt very family-friendly, with changing facilities, a play area and plenty of room for strollers (Malva even got to visit the captain's deck which was a real highlight!). As the morning cruise gets back around 1pm, I would recommend bringing some food for your kid(s) as the café mainly serves pastries and hot drinks.

Recommended Tours: From Bergen: The Original Fjord Cruise to Mostraumen

If you're booking a tour use code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 for 5% off when using the GetYourGuide app. Click here to install the app.

Bryggen

This iconic row of colourful wooden houses in the Bergen harbour is a must visit on any Bergen itinerary. Bryggen was once one of Europe's largest trading centre which has led to it being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site (a few of the houses were destroyed and rebuilt after the last great fires in 1955).

The once bustling centre of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire in the 14th century, is now home to tiny shops, cozy cafés and craft studios which you can explore whilst wandering the narrow alleyways between the leaning timber buildings. On warm summer evenings it's also a nice spot to grab a drink or a bite by the water!

And if you want to learn more, pay a visit to the Hanseatic Museum & Schøtstuene, housed in the beautifully preserved Finnegården building (it is currently under construction and part of the museum takes place in Schøtstuene). The museum gives a rare glimpse into the lives of Hanseatic merchants and their apprentices between the 14th and 18th centuries.

Mount Fløyen

If you're visiting Bergen, you should try and visit at least one of the 7 mountains surrounding the city! We went up to Mount Fløyen, which at its highest is 400 metres above sea level. Apart from offering scenic views of the city below, it is also home to Bergen's highest playground!

To get here you can either walk up from the city centre which takes about 45 minutes to1 hour. The trail is made up of gravel so it is technically stroller friendly, but it will probably be a bit tough. Alternatively, you can take the Fløibanen funicular all the way to the top (with the Bergen Pass you can get tickets for half the price!). We are usually up for a challenge, but having done a 13-hour hike to Trolltunga a couple of days before, we were a bit worn out and decided to take the Fløibanen both up and down. There were both ramps and lifts, and the funicular itself had plenty of room so it was easy to fit the stroller. (Top tip: if you want to do a bit of hiking but don't feel like hiking all the way up - take the funicular up and hike down!)

When you get to the top, there is a platform where you can enjoy the views safely, as well as some shops, a cafe, a playground and the Fløyentrollet (above). I wouldn't spend too much time at this playground though because there is a better playground in the woods! Once you leave the funicular station behind, you'll get to the Troll Forest where kids (and adults) can go on a hunt to find the different trolls hiding in the woods (just adhere to the signs and don't feed the trolls!). In the middle of the Troll Forest is a massive nature playground with climbing frames, slides and a giant zip line built around the trees. This is one of those playgrounds where you as an adult can't help but unleash your inner child and join in on the play (I'm not sure who had more fun, us or Malva...). We also had an encounter with a nosy squirrel who sneaked some cashews from our stroller - definitely one of the highlights for Malva!

If you wanted to explore a bit more, there are several hiking trails you can take around the mountain peak. And if you want to recharge before heading back down, stop by Fløistuen Café for a coffee or a sweet treat!

Akvariet

As mentioned, Bergen is a very rainy city so I would definitely have a few rainy day activities included on your itinerary (though in Scandinavia we say there's no bad weather only bad clothing!). The Bergen Aquarium is a great choice for a rainy day and Malva absolutely loved our visit!

The aquarium is home to more than 300 species of animals, with everything from sea lions and penguins to reptiles, otters, tortoises and tropical fish. If you time your visit right, you can see the animals being fed and there are also touch pools where you can touch animals like starfish. Malva really enjoyed walking through the shark tunnel and watching the crocodiles up close in the reptiles area, and there was also a cinema, a café and various play areas, including a big outdoor playground.

There is enough to see and do here for a good few hours at least, and as the aquarium is located right at the tip of Nordnes Peninsula, you could go for a (rainy) walk afterwards in the waterfront park right behind.

Recommended Tours: Bergen Aquarium Entry Ticket

Bergen Fish Market

If you're a fish and seafood lover then a visit to Bergen's fish market is a must! Located in the harbour at the heart of Bergen, the famous fish market here has been here since the 1200s. There is both an indoor and outdoor section (the indoor market is called Mathallen and offers slightly fancier options) and you'll find locally caught fresh fish and seafood like Norwegian King Crab, salmon, caviar and even whale!

The indoor market is open all year and the outdoor market is open from the 1st of May and throughout the summer. The busy market stalls are a mixture of fishmongers and restaurants. We ordered some delicious fish soup and salmon sashimi (which melted in the mouth!), and then came back later in the day to buy some salmon to cook at home in our Airbnb.

Whilst this is a bit more on the expensive side and definitely has become a tourist attraction, the fish and seafood we had was incredibly fresh and delicious so I do think it's worth a visit!

Central Bergen and Nordnes

One of my favourite things to do, was wandering the cobbled streets and get lost in amongst the charming wooden houses. Although Bergen is classified a city, it has that small-town feel to it with narrow streets and alleyways and houses mostly out of wood. And as it is small enough to walk most places, this is a great way to soak up the city's charm.

In the centre, stroll down some of the oldest streets like Øvregaten and Kong Oscars Gate, with some parts dating back as far as the city's founding in the 11th century.

Just a stone's throw from the city centre is the more residential Nordnes. This is where you'll find the Bergen Aquarium, but it's also a really charming neighbourhood to walk around with narrow, medieval alleyways and colourful houses, often complemented by rose bushes and flower pots. Nordnes also has a park, playgrounds, an open air seawater pool, as well as some shops, cafés and restaurants so there's enough to keep you entertained for a good few hours if you're looking to venture out of central Bergen.

From Nordnes you can also ride the charming little Beffen ferry - one of the oldest ferries in Bergen that takes you across the harbour to Bryggen. It's only a 10-minute ride but it's a fun experience and you'll get some really nice views of he harbour!

Steindalsfossen & Vøringfossen

If you have the time, I would highly recommend taking a day and explore the nature further out of Bergen. You'll find beautiful fjords, mountains and waterfalls only a short drive out of the city. Though there are tours you can take, I would recommend hiring a car for the day to be able to get the most out of your trip - especially since you'll be wanting to stop every now and then for photos and to admire the views!

A good day trip is taking the Scenic Route out of Bergen and visit two waterfalls - Steindalsfossen and Vøringsfossen. Not only are these waterfalls really impressive, but the drive is beautiful and there are also some great places on the way.

You'll first reach Steindalsfossen, about an hour's drive from Bergen, which is a beautiful waterfall with a 50 meter drop. The most unique thing about this waterfall is that you can actually walk behind it (without getting wet!). The waterfall is just a short walk from the car park and the path is pram friendly (though it's short enough that you can carry your child/let them. walk by themselves).

Next waterfall on the itinerary is Vøringsfossen and though it is a bit further away (another 2-hour drive from Steindalsfossen) this was my favourite waterfall out of all that we saw on our entire Norway trip! If you feel like it's too much driving in one day, there are some lovely places to stay in the area - we spent the night in the village of Eidfjord, right by the fjord. In Eidfjord you'll also find Vik bakery, and I might go as far as to say they make the best cardamom buns in all of Norway, so even if you're not staying here, I would make a pit stop and grab some take away buns!

When you get to Vøringsfossen, there are ramps and steps along the cliff's edge all the sway to the top above the waterfall, offering impressive 360° views of the waterfall. The waterfall itself has a drop of 182 meters, of which 145 meters is free fall, and on a sunny day you'll see rainbows forming around the cascading water, making it even more special.

On your way back, I would recommend a stop at one of the many cider houses as the area is known for its orchards and cider production. We went to Lofthus Sideri which is beautifully set right next to the fjord and offers tastings of their ciders (my personal favourite was the Rebel!). They also have a range of home made apple juices to choose from (perfect fo for little ones and designated drivers!), as well as cheese and charcuterie boards if you want something to nibble on.

An unexpected highlight driving back to Bergen was seeing some mind-boggling Norwegian engineering in the form of Vallaviktunnelen. This road is 7km long and as you drive under the mountain towards Bergen you approach a roundabout... in a tunnel!

If you don't want to rent a car, here are some tours I would recommend starting from Bergen:

Bergen: Hardangerfjord, Voss Gondola & 3 Great Waterfalls

Bergen: Waterfalls of Hardangerfjord Shore Excursion

Bergen: Folgefonna National Park & Glacier Lake Tour

Trolltunga

If you have a bit more time, the iconic Trolltunga hike is only a 2,5-hour drive from Bergen. The hike takes about 8-12 hours to complete, if you choose the closest staring point (there are three different starting points for the hike with shuttle buses in between) and it is hands down the prettiest hike I have ever done!

If you are planning on doing the hike in one day, you will have to set off early so I would recommend booking 2 nights' accommodation in one of the towns nearby (the closest town is Odda which is about a 30-minute drive from the P3 car park). Alternatively, you can do what we did and camp at the top! This was such a magical experience, and meant we could take our time with our daughter, taking plenty of breaks on the way up and down.

If you are thinking about doing the Trolltunga hike, take a look at my detailed guide with practical tips for what do bring, what to wear and how to prepare for this hike: How to Camp and Hike Trolltunga with a Toddler.

It's important to note that the official recommendation is that the hike is not suitable for children under the age of 12, so if you are planning on doing this hike with young kids, make sure you come prepared and stay up-to-date with the latest weather conditions and advice. I would block out a couple of days of your Norway itinerary to do Trolltunga as the weather conditions can change drastically from one day to another and things like heavy fog and strong winds can be fatal. For more information, visit www.trolltunga.com and I would recommend checking out the account @trolltunga_information on Instagram.