Explore Bergen, Norway: Fjords, Food, and Fewer Crowds

This summer, instead of the usual beach vacation, consider a visit to Bergen, Norway. While the capital city of Oslo tends to top travel lists, the country’s second-largest city is wooing travelers with its natural beauty (it’s surrounded by the stunningly picturesque Seven Mountains), history, cultural gems, and world-class cuisine. But luckily, this destination is relatively under-the-radar, meaning you won’t have to deal with those typical summer crowds. And if touring in the blazing summer heat isn’t your idea of ​​a good time, perhaps best of all, the temperature in Bergen hovers around a refreshing mid-50s all season long. Here, a primer for what to do on your visit:

What to DoFor a panoramic view of fjords, sea, and city, take the Fløibanen funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen, one of the city’s most iconic attractions. For the more adventurous, you can also hike to the top or rent a mountain bike for the trek. For another stunning way to take in the nature on offer in Bergen, there are quite a few short cruise options, that take you through the narrow fjords and close enough to the many waterfalls that you can reach out and touch them.

In town, visit the historic old wharf of Bryggen, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area was used as a trading dock between 1350 and 1750 (although the buildings were rebuilt after a fire in 1702). The colorful wooden houses are picture perfect and rendered in shades of orange, red, yellow, pink, and white. While you’re there, stop at the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, which is the only place you’ll be able to see some of Bryggen’s original preserved interiors. Finish with a bite at Bryggen Tracteursted, a restaurant in one of the historic houses with a menu inspired by western Norwegian culture and local produce.

In the center of Bergen, there is also some surprisingly vivid, colorful graffiti that wraps the smaller, newer buildings and contrasts with the cobblestone and historic wooden buildings. Here, you’ll also find many short streets—some of which are so short they only contain one building. The shortest is Bekketomten, which is just short of 60 feet long.

For architecture and design fans, visit the Fantoft Stave Church, an ornate medieval church made of wood. It was first constructed in 1150 (and rebuilt after a 1992 fire to match the original exactly) and serves as one of the few remaining stave churches left in Europe. Also worth visiting for its huge collection of Norwegian folk art and traditional costumes is Bergen Museum, which is part of the University of Bergen.

However, for a more unusual way to take in Bergen and get a feel for the surrounding mountains, you can also rent a car and drive through the world’s longest tunnel—The Lærdal Tunnel, connecting Lærdal and Aurland—which has surprisingly become a tourist destination. At more than 15 miles long, three large caverns break up the space and create the illusion of daylight.