Treat yourself to a staycation in Bergen
Bergen is perfect for a “staycation” - the term used when someone chooses to stay close to where they live - and preferably at a hotel.
A staycation not only gives you a relaxing heart rate and a good night’s sleep in a hotel bed, it also gives you time for everything you can't do in your everyday life. Set aside a few days and eat dinner at the restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit, drop by the new art exhibition or explore the city’s many streets and shops.
Staycation in the Hanseatic city of Bergen
Who else loves Bergen more than the Bergeners themselves? Treat yourself to a few days off in your separate town at one of our four hotels in Bergen: Thon Hotel Orion, Thon Hotel Bristol Bergen, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen or Thon Hotel Bergen Airport.
Need some inspiration? Below are twelve delicious staycation tips for Bergen city:
1. “Mandatory”
You know: Fisketorget, Fløibanen, Ulriksbanen, Torgalmenningen, Bryggen - even if you’ve been there before, maybe you’re experiencing it differently now?
2. Take an art walk
KODE art museums and composers’ homes are seven different museums gathered under one Bergen umbrella: Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, Harald Sæverud Museum Siljustøl, Ole Bull Museum Lysøen and the old institutions Bergen Kunstmuseum (with the buildings Lysverket, Stenersen and Rasmus Meyers Samlinger) and Permanenten Vestlandske Kunstindustrimuseum.
KODE can offer Norway’s second largest art collection, which includes large collections of Nikolai Astrup, Edvard Munch, J.C. Dahl and Norwegian silver. In addition, you can see a wide collection of Norwegian and international contemporary art, including Norway’s largest collection of Chinese art. There is also a separate art museum for children.
3. Explore Bergen’s music culture
Bendik, Zupermaria, KA2, John Olav Nilsen, Razika, Datarock, Myra, Camels, Fjord Baby, Heartbeat, Sondre Lerche, Smoked Mushroom, Casiokids, Lars Vaular, Kurt Nilsen. There are also classics such as Rune Larsen, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Jan Eggum, Ole Bull and Edvard Grieg. Bergen is definitely a music city.
4. Walk the city
Put on your best walking shoes and go hiking in the city. Bergen is a beautiful city! Walk along the streets in the city centre, walk on tree house spots in the district of Nordnes, which is known for its beautiful old tree houses. Or you can take the trip to Fjellveien, which runs from Munkebotn north of the city centre to Bellevue south-east of the city centre, but you can't expect to walk alone because there are many people travelling here. Another hike you can take is Løvstien, which lies south of the centre of Bergen and runs from Melkeplassen to Langegården.
5. Borrow an umbrella
Most likely it’s raining outside, but we have umbrellas in the reception. Stay alert.
6. Go on a fjord hike
There are several ways to go on an excursion to the fjords. Among other things, you can go on a round trip starting by train from Bergen to Myrdal, from where you take the Flåmsbanen to Flåm, RIB boat to Gudvangen, bus to Voss and train back to Bergen. There are many different tours, long and short. You can find an overview on Visit Bergen’s pages.
7. Take a bathroom
Bergen has three water parks. Head to the AdO arena, Nordnes Sjøbad or Vannkanten for a nice dip.
8. Go to battle
Go to the stadium and shout out! “Hey Fire, hello Fire!”
9. Car trip to nearby gems
Bergen is a fantastic starting point for car trips. You can either drive northwards to the island town of Fedje, or you can travel eastwards towards Hardangerfjord, which has endless possibilities and places to visit. If you want to head south, you can visit Os and check out the unique Lysekloster.
10. Eat Bergen fish soup
Bergen is a food city and has been selected as one of UNESCO’s “creative city of gastronomy”. This is a list of 49 cities selected for their unique culinary culture and their commitment to sustainable and local food. Bergen fish soup is perhaps the heart of Bergen food culture and is highly recommended. Bergen fish soup is available at a number of restaurants in the city.
11. Visit Bergenshus Fortress
Bergenhus Fortress has a long and exciting history. The fortress area is largely open to the public. Take the trip to get an insight into Bergen’s military history.
12. Eat a long and good breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, says the myth. At Thon Hotels, we want to offer a first-class hotel breakfast. Take your time and enjoy. Fresh smoothies, freshly brewed coffee, homemade bread, pancakes, fluffy croissants, a wide variety of fruit and much more.