Bergen, Norway: Explore Hardangerfjord Crusie Port Excursion

Make sure to include Bergen, Norway on your next cruise through the breathtaking Norwegian fjords! This stunning destination offers a chance to explore the incredible Hardangerfjord, known as the queen of the fjords, where majestic waterfalls cascade into serene waters. Stroll through charming streets lined with picturesque wooden houses that tell stories of the past or visit the all wooden Fantoft Stave Church. Don’t miss the vibrant waterfront and bustling harbor! Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views, local culture, or just a perfect photo op, Bergen has it all.

bergen norway

Bergen, located on the southwestern coast of Norway, is a city that captivates visitors with its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene. Often referred to as the gateway to the fjords, Bergen is surrounded by seven majestic mountains, offering breathtaking views and countless opportunities for outdoor activities. Despite being the second largest city in Norway, it  is still charming with sections of picturesque wooden houses, a lively waterfront, and bustling harbor – Bergen is a charming blend of tradition and modernity. 

Like all cities in Norway, prepare for rainy weather and layers to plan for chanigng temperature. It rained almost the entire day we were in Bergen and the locals said it can go 2-3 weeks of constant rain. So plan for rain and be pleasantly surprised if you get a rare sunny day. The sun did peak through, making some dramatic pictures with clouds – but Bergen, and really the surrounding area was still enjoyable in the rain.

We have lots more articles to help you plan a family cruise, explore Disney vacations, or enjoy a Disney cruise vacation! On our Disney cruise Norway we also stopped at Bergen Norway, charming Alesund Norway,  and Rottedam Netherlands too!

bergen norway cruise port

The Bergen cruise port is right in town making it easy to get right to your planned activitiy or explore the city on your own.

activities in bergen norway

Explore the city of Bergen on your visit. One of the highlights of any visit to Bergen is the iconic Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic area is lined with colorful wooden buildings that date back to the Hanseatic League, showcasing the city’s importance as a trading hub in the past. Strolling along the narrow alleyways, visitors can explore unique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes that invite you to indulge in local delicacies. Don’t miss the chance to try fresh seafood, including the famous Norwegian salmon and traditional dishes like fish soup and stockfish.

For those looking to soak in some culture, Bergen offers a range of museums, including the Edvard Grieg Museum, dedicated to the famous composer who lived in the area, and the KODE Art Museum, which houses an extensive collection of art spanning various eras.

For those on cruise port excursions you can find many bus tours, segway tours, bike tours, tour bergen on foot, and more!

bergan of norway

Use Bergen as a jumping off point to explore the nature of the surrounding countryside! Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Bergen. The nearby fjords, such as the stunning Sognefjord, can be explored by boat, providing a unique perspective on the majestic cliffs and serene waters. Hiking trails in the surrounding mountains beckon adventurers to experience Norway’s natural beauty up close. 

• Mount Ulriken Cable Car for sweeping vistas of Bergen and the surrounding beauty of Norway
• Fantoft Stave Church – This is the building you picture when you think of Norway – it is the wood structure in the Norway pavillion of Disney World’s Epcot. The Fantoft Stave Church was originally built in the 12th century in Fortun and moved to its current location in 1883, this beautiful church features unique wooden frames and intricate carvings. After a devastating fire destroyed the original structure in 1997, it was completely rebuilt, preserving its architectural charm and cultural significance.
• Explore Hardangerfjord – often called the queen fjord
• Kayaking – explore stunning coastlines, serene coves, and encounter a variety of local wildlife.
• Historical Øvre Eide Farm – Experience the charm of traditional Norwegian horse breeds like the Doel and Fjord, famously featured in the Disney movie Frozen. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the friendly native Norwegian Spel sheep and even feed this gentle animal.
• Troll Museum – Discover the enchanting world of Norway’s troll folklore at the Troll Museum in Bergen! After immersing yourself in these captivating tales, take a ride on the Fløibanen funicular to the stunning heights of Mount Fløyen. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and wander through the whimsical Troll Forest, where the magic of these legendary creatures comes to life.

bergen cruise port

We opted for the Explore Hardanerfjord port advenutre to get up close and personal with a fjord.  Please keep in mind this is a long day and you will be in the bus most of the day with quick photo stops along the way. You will see lots of beautfy from the window of your coach! Let me break down what we saw.

bergen fjord cruise

Start out with a quick, 30-minute city tour which might include a stop at the colorful wooden wharf houses of Bryggen if your tour departs promptly as they are biding time until the timed ferry. The Bryggen is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring medieval-style commercial buildings. You will see very quickly in passing Bergenhus Fortress, King Håkon’s Hall, Rosenkrantz Tower and the lively Fish Market. They will point out the Grieghallen, famous concert hall shaped like a piano, and talk about the history of Bergen a little bit. 

bergen cruise ship port

Now you will take a 50-minutes drive along the Bjørnefjord on your way to the ferry. This part of the drive was along main roads, not scenic roads. Then we drove right onto a ferry for a short  20-minute ride. There is a restroom on the ferry and I advise you quickly exit the bus and get in line for the restroom, through the seating area on the lower level (there will be multiple tour buses on the ferry and only 4 toilets onboard).

Note: There is a restroom on the bus, but as in Norway passengers must always wear their seatbelt you cannot use the restroom without asking and having the bus pull over which is not ideal.

bergen city in norway

You will drive another 30 minutes or so until your next photo stop,  an over look of the famed Hardangerfjord, often called the “Queen of the Fjords.” There is a pay toilet (you can use your credit card) and a chance to stretch your legs for 5-10 minutes, but that is about it. We visited on a very rainy over cast day so the vista was not great.

Now we drove another hour along a scenic part of the road where one side of the bus or the other had a constant view of the beautiful fjord.

NOTE: I wanted to share honest pictures from our trip and not just stock pictures so you can see that many days it is rainy and gloomy in much of Norway. It is still beautiful, but not always postcard worthy.

Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall

The next stop is the Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall, where you can walk behind the cascading water without getting wet – well you may get sprayed a little if you get close. It is a short 15 minute roundtrip hike up the back of the waterfall and back down again. The surrounding village of Mundheim is super quaint and cute!

If you have time there are a couple nice gift shops with a variety of souvenirs. As this tour is long, you will not have time to shop afterwards. In fact, we arrived back late and the Disney ship was waiting for our return.

There are restrooms at this location. There are no locks, but you push the red button when you are in to light up a red light on the outside that shows the facility is in use. When you are done you push the green button. So make sure you check the color above the restroom doors before barging in these unisex restrooms.

Lunch at Thon Sandven Hotel

A quick drive will take you to the Thon Sandven Hotel where you will be served lunch. While the menu may vary slightly, you will probably get a couple slices of bread with butter, water, a plate of chicken with dijon mustard sauce / mashed potatoes / mixed vegetables, and a layered carrot cake for dessert.

There is a restroom on the lower level of the hotel and I suggest you stop there before you you leave.

Make sure you make time to snap a picture behind the hotel of the beautiful waterfront and charming houses along the water!

Tokagjel gorge

Then you will drive – some more – along the Tokagjel gorge via several tunnels and reach the mountain plateau Kvamskogen. You will descend to the fjord once more before climbing up to Gulbotn, a recreation area with lit up skiing tracks – although they were not easy to spot. We stopped for a final waterfall picture, although it was not super easy to get a great picture of.

There is a port-a-potty here if you need one final restroom stop.

Drive 55-minute return journey to the pier along the fjord for some more beautiful scenery as you pass by.

Explore Hardanerfjord port adventure

This is a LONG day of driving with just a few stops sprinkled in. It is not great for families with kids. They will be bored and they will need to stop to use the restroom which delays everyone as in Norway you need to pull over to use the restroom on the vehicle. I highly recommend a different tour for kids.

As for adults, it was pretty and nice to get more time closer to the fjord. It is a lot of time in the van, but you will see more of the countryside, roaming sheep, waterfalls, fish farms, and more if you pay attention to what you are passing as you drive. Most pictures will be through the bus window.

As always, I highly recommend you watch the boat go in and out of harbor for breathtaking views of the Norweigan fjords. This is your free port excursion time! It may be rainy, windy, and a little chilly – but take full advantage of this view. You are in Norway! Enjoy it!