4 hidden gems in Bergen that you need to have on your radar

Norway’s second city Bergen is a hotbed of bars and cosy cafes, with pretty streets winding up the foot of Mount Fløyen and colourful wooden buildings along the quay. It’s also one of the rainiest cities in Europe - which might be one of the reasons why its music scene is so dynamic. My personal theory, is that the rainier the city, the better the music, because what else are you going to do when you’re stuck inside?

The hometown of Kurt Nilsen, Sigrid, Myra and Kings of Convenience is a student town with a palpable zeitgeisty energy. It’s also on the coast and surrounded by mountains, with dramatic fjords just a short boat trip away. You can be living it up in a bar in the evening, walking off that hangover on a mountain the next day, then taking a boat trip down a fjord for a wow-inducing look at Norway’s electrifying nature in the afternoon.

If you’re lucky enough to visit this charming city, these are the places to make a beeline for:

Related: Why does this small Norwegian town produce some of our favourite music producers?

This luxury hotel in the heart of the city is in the former stock exchange building and is known as a hub for musicians and artists in the city (check their Instagram @bergenborshotel for a great playlist). Musician Sondre Lerche had his album launch party here, and is a regular guest. Along with sleek, modern Scandi-styled rooms, you’ll find Bare Restaurant in the building, Bergen’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, which sources up to 90 per cent of its ingredients from local farmers, fishermen and hunters.

To complete the appeal, coming soon is Bar Bareksten, a cocktail bar and tasting room from Bergen’s gin king, Stig Bareksten. We can’t wait to hear if the former bouncer-turned-multi award-winning gin distiller will also create tasting events pairing his gin with heavy metal here - we’ve heard they are a riot.

There’s a lounge feeling at Café Norge at the weekend that will have you feeling particularly chill. The cafe-slash-wine bar, based inside Hotel Norge, invites DJs in at the weekend, and stays open late. While its Bubble Brunch, a Saturday brunch with bubbles, is also super popular, the place really comes alive when the sun goes down and the decks come out.

If the 1990s vibe is your thing, you could go on to No Stress, one of the city’s most popular cocktail bars, with a relaxed living room feel and retro gaming consoles in the corner.

Our top packing tip: bring a swimsuit. Bergen has two floating saunas which you can rent out for a group or book a space in, all with mountain and bay views. Alternatively, Nordnes Sjøbad has a 25-m heated seawater swimming pool where generations of Bergensers have taken to the water.

You don’t have to go far to find great music in Bergen - just about every bar and pub has its own stage. One to keep an eye on is USF Verftet, an old sardine factory turned arthouse and concert venue. Its outdoor terrace has fantastic sunset views, and there is plenty of music to enjoy all year round. Don’t miss its Nattjazz festival, which next year celebrates 50 years.