Bergen, Norway
60-second confidence challenge
Your challenge today Confidence Challenge in Bergen:
The biggest challenge may be navigating Bergen’s steep hills and unpredictable weather. Rain is part of daily life here, so it’s easy to lose motivation when the skies open up. The confidence builder? Embrace flexibility. Bring a lightweight rain poncho, waterproof shoes, and plan indoor stops between attractions. Locals say, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” You’ll find your rhythm — rain or shine.
Cruise the fjords with me here in Bergen
Today’s destination is Bergen, Norway
It’s Sunday morning in Bergen, and I’ve just come from church. There were 16 servers on the altar, so it was a high mass and lots of singing. It was good. The priest ended the high mass by saying, “For those tourists who are here and for those locals who know the beauty of Bergen, imagine how beautiful it will be in heaven if it’s this beautiful in Bergen.”
Here’s more about my experience on my first day solo in Bergen.
I ate a healthy, fresh fruit-and-pudding lunch under a shady tree on a bench in the city park (more on that in a minute) and shared my meal with some of the birds here. It is a beautiful fountain with a lake around it and a children's amusement park nearby, so it’s really a family-friendly environment.
It’s called Lille (LEAL) Lunge-gårds-vannet, (luh-njigahrdsvan), a small lake in the city center surrounded by paved walking paths and several art museums.
As a tourist, what could you do? Get cruise ideas from the Travel Info Center.
If the weather is pleasant — and in Bergen, that’s a big if — explore the accessible harbor paths or take a fjord sightseeing cruise. Many of the larger tour boats now have wheelchair access and restrooms.
Mos-trau-men fjord cruise 3 hours MOOS-trah-men. A great time to do this was 4-7 pm Sunday
Seen on the Moustramen Fjord Cruise in Bergen
Went on the cruise from the Tourist Harbor. The crew that I spoke with, Enders, gave me a cinnamon roll Stillingsboller- SKILL-ings-bool-ler treat. Famous Cinnamon Roll. I’ll mention it again in a minute.
Enders makes $60k a year to start; works 14 days on, 14 days off.For instance, a boat worker with 2 years of experience made between $69,000 and $72,000 per year, working 12-hour days on a 14-on, 14-off schedule..
4-7 pm Sunday. I did not have a reservation and hopped on the next ship, which left in 5 minutes.
Saw plenty of fjords on this cruise. Windy and warm. Great day on the ship. Two dogs on board a vessel made it special for passengers, too.
Another day, I took Public Transportation: It was starting to rain, and I had no plans for the afternoon. I took a random bus, #40. Went under two tunnels. Found myself in a neighborhood in the city's eastern part. Took another bus back. Got off. Walked around the neighborhood looking for the other bus #86. That was only for seniors looking for a hospital, so it was the minibus. The driver was nice, but I was wrong. Got on bus 5, one stop. Near the park with the fountain. Walked 24 minutes to the swimming pool, taking my time. Pool great. Walked back in the drizzle, which became rain. Stopped in the Bang & Olufsen store and dreamed about products. Surround sound wireless. Awesome.
Bergen, Norway, is the gateway to the fjords. This charming coastal city blends maritime history with stunning scenery — and it’s surprisingly manageable and welcoming for solo women travelers over 50, including those using wheelchairs or mobility aids.
Bryggen Wharf and Bergen’s History
Start your day at Bryggen Wharf, the city’s most famous landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The colorful wooden buildings along the harbor date back to the Hanseatic trading era. While some alleyways are narrow and cobblestoned, the main harbor promenade is smooth and level. Stop at the Bryggens Museum, which is fully accessible and offers rich context on the city’s medieval roots.
From there, roll or stroll along the waterfront to the Fish Market (Fis-ke-torget). It’s flat, lively, and ideal for sampling local seafood—perhaps salmon, shrimp, or fish soup —with outdoor seating overlooking the boats.
A swim at the Nordnes Seawater pool is so worth it. I took the long way there.
First, I took the random bus, #40. Went under two tunnels. Found myself in a neighborhood in the city's eastern part. Took another bus back. Got off. Walked around the neighborhood looking for the other bus #86. That was only for seniors looking for a hospital, so it was the minibus. The driver was nice, but I was wrong. Got on bus 5, one stop. Near the park with the fountain. Walked 24 minutes to the Nordnes swimming pool, taking my time. Pool great. Walked back in the drizzle, which became rain. Stopped in the Bang & Olufsen store and dreamed about products. Surround sound wireless. Awesome.
https://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/nordnes-seawater-pool-p5669873
Foodies in Norway?
On board the ship with an officer
Let's talk food for a minute. I loved the food here. A favorite food in Bergen is: a cinnamon roll Stillingsboller- SKILL-ings-bool-ler treat. Famous Cinnamon Roll. Unwrap it.
On my next visit to Bergen, I’m going to these spots:
The Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest and best-preserved fortresses in Norway. Parts of it are accessible, with ramps and paved walkways connecting key areas. It’s peaceful, with views of the fjord and passing ferries.
Take a short ride on the Fløibanen (FLUR-ban-en) Funicular to Mount Fløyen. The funicular is wheelchair-accessible, and once at the top, there’s a viewing platform with sweeping views of Bergen’s rooftops and harbor. The café at the summit is also fully accessible — a perfect sunset stop.
By the lake mentioned earlier, (Leal) Lunge-gårds-vannet, (luh-njigahrdsvan) The KODE Art Museums complex, which includes four interconnected buildings, is entirely wheelchair-accessible and features Norwegian and international artists, including Edvard Munch.
Next, head to the University Museum of Bergen, which is barrier-free and rich with exhibits on natural history, culture, and archaeology. The staff are known for being very accommodating to solo travelers.
For lunch, relax at one of the accessible cafés in Torgallmenningen Square, a broad pedestrian zone with flat terrain. The Bergen card is 440 for a day, but many things are closed on Monday. Not worth it if you want to use it on a Monday.
https://www.fjordsandbeaches.com/norway-in-a-nutshell-tour-on-your-own/
https://www.newsinenglish.no/2025/11/04/metro-back-on-track-train-delays-rise/
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/norway/bergen
Bergen’s beauty lies in its blend of nature and culture—colorful houses, misty mountains, and friendly faces. It’s a city that welcomes you to slow down, breathe the sea air, and enjoy the simple pleasures of independent travel.
My missteps: I thought I missed my train to Bergen.
But then I didn’t.
I got on a train, but had a 7-hour delay in Voss. I’ll talk more about Voss in a future episode. It was a lovely city, even if you were delayed. There’s really no alternative if you want to travel here and see the landscape, because during the summer, there will be delays. So know in advance you will get them.
2 Travel Mistakes to Avoid in Bergen:
Don’t underestimate how early attractions close — many museums and shops shut down by 4 or 5 p.m. A common mistake is arriving too late and missing out. Check hours in advance and make mornings your busiest time for sightseeing.
Also, skip renting a car. Streets are narrow, parking is limited, and everything you’ll want to see is reachable on foot, by tram, or by accessible taxi.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you on the next journey.
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