Fine dining atop Bergen's highest mountain
Bergen may be small compared to many of its Nordic cousins, but that doesn't mean the city among the seven mountains is lagging behind when it comes to incredible experiences.
"We get all sorts of people coming in: hikers, tourists, families with children, groups of friends, and companies."
"Just drop by if you're after an out-of-the-ordinary experience," says Anders Rødseth Isager, head chef and partner at Skyskraperen Restaurant.
The restaurant is situated 643 metres above sea level, at the peak of the famous Bergen mountain Ulriken, and is one of many wonderful experiences in Bergen.
If you're staying at one of our hotels, such as boutique Hotel NO 13 or Clarion Hotel® Bergen, you're within easy reach of all the shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions in the capital of Western Norway.
Here are the things you should experience if you visit Bergen
Ulriken643
High-flying experiences aren't commonplace across Europe, but in Bergen, some great opportunities await.
Ulriken is the highest of the seven mountains surrounding the city. At the summit, you'll find both a café and a restaurant. For those feeling fit, there's a Sherpa stairway with 1,500 steps to the top. A less strenuous alternative is to ride the Perle or Bruse cable cars to the top.
After a long hike up, it's important to refuel with food and drink. That's where you'll find Anders Rødseth Isager and his team, serving up the most delightful dishes.
"We have a dual concept with Ulriken Café, which offers quick and healthy options for those on the go or those who take the cable car to enjoy the view. If you want a more extensive experience, we also have a fine dining section, which we call Skyskraperen Restaurant," explains the chef.
"Here, you'll get a modern Nordic menu with seasonal local ingredients in the form of a 3-course lunch or 5-course dinner menu. Among other things, we use lamb that graze right here on the mountains behind us," he says, pointing out towards the mountain plateau called Vidden.
Skyskraperen
Skyskraperen is open daily from May to September, serving both lunch and dinner. The menu is more limited in winter.
If you pre-book a table, your cable car ticket is included in the bill. What's completely free, however, is the incredible view over the capital of Western Norway.
There's also a fantastic outdoor seating area for the warmest evenings. For those who want an extra thrill on the way down the mountain, there's a zipline open between June and August.
If you have a work event or stag party, Ulriken643 will help make your event truly memorable.
Must-See Museums in Bergen
Bergen is full of fascinating museums – whether you're interested in science, history, or art.
For those who want a taste of Norwegian music history, a visit to Troldhaugen is a must. The traditional villa was the home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. At Troldhaugen, you'll also find the composer's cabin, a small cottage by the water where Grieg wrote several of his most famous pieces. There's also a museum building and café on the premises, as well as a concert hall. Over 400 concerts are held at Troldhaugen each year, and in the summer, you can enjoy a delightful lunch accompanied by the composer's impressive pieces.
Troldhaugen is part of KODE museums and composers homes, which consists of seven locations in total. Here, you'll find more composer homes and more traditional art museums, including one of the world's largest Edvard Munch collections.
The Bergen Aquarium is located in the Nordnes district, just a short walk from the city centre, and is Norway's largest aquarium.
Shopping in Bergen
Bergen has no shortage of great shopping opportunities.
In the city centre, you'll find a mix of shopping centres, chain stores, and independent retailers. The cherry on top in the latter category is Norwegian Rain. Ghanaian-born designer Michael T. Nartey, better known as T-Michael, creates the world's best rainwear in Europe's rainiest city. Together with his business partner Alexander Helle, he started over 15 years ago and has taken the world by storm. They now have shops in Paris and Tokyo, with the flagship is located on Chr. Michelsens gate in their hometown of Bergen. T-Michael has also shared his Bergen favourites with Strawberry.
If you're interested in sustainability and vintage clothing, check out Paulina Vintage Boutique, Slit'an, and Vitti Vintage.
Find more excellent, centrally located hotels in Bergen here.
Experience Bergen's Culinary Traditions
Have you really been to Bergen if you haven't tried the local fish soup?
Purists would say no. Fortunately, the people of Bergen are proud of their culinary traditions, and you'll find several restaurants offering traditional dishes – from fish soup to stockfish.
Check out Pingvinen, Bien Basar, and Bryggeloftet & Stuene.
For the freshest seafood and a unique experience, try Restaurant Cornelius on Holmen – a 20-minute boat ride from Bergen.
If you want delicious, local cuisine with a twist and a fantastic view, visit Restaurant Admiral at Clarion Hotel® Admiral.
At its terrace, you'll be sitting at the water's edge, overlooking the historic wharf, Bryggen, and the harbour, Vågen.
