Last month I travelled to Bergen in Norway for what was my third time in the country but first to the city which is known as the ‘Gateway to the Fjords’. I totally lucked out with the weather: the city encounters more rainfall annually than the UK but the three days of my visit offered up clear blue skies, crisp cold, snowy weather and bright winter sunshine. I first fell in love with Norway’s breathtaking nature on my visit to Oslo last year, so it was a treat to see another slice of this country’s outstanding natural beauty.
Bergen is a small city surrounded on one side by snow-capped mountains laden with dense forest, and calm-as-a-millpond waters on the other – it’s a combination that makes for a soothing experience, to say the least. The town itself is a quaint series of cobbled streets, pastel painted houses and wooden clad buildings. I enjoyed very tasty lunches at both Bastant Stølegaten and Da Stefanos, but as I rented an incredibly stylish and comfortable Air BnB apartment (full home tour coming soon!) I decided to enjoy taking time to cook and eat at the apartment in the evenings. One of my favourite things to do was hike up Mount Fløyen to take in amazing views over the city, as well as to take long walks through the forest and around beautiful ice-covered lakes – this really is a great city if you like a main course of countryside with a side order of city! The golden hour I experienced one afternoon in the forest was like nothing I have seen before – it was nothing short of magical. If you’re not keen on hiking up the mountain, you can also ride the Funicular up and down, too. Have you ever been to Bergen, Norway? What inspires you about these pictures?
// Photography by Will Taylor
32 Comments
Great vista from the top of the mountain. Very tempted to book a trip here for the summer. Thanks for the idea.
@James – Experiencing Mount Fløyen was one of my favourite parts of the trip. Well worth a visit!
My mouth is open!! I can’t get over how beautiful it is everywhere in this city. Need to show my husband!
@Virginia – That sounds about right – I walked around most of the trip like that! 😉
I totally see you living there one day, Will. There is not one pic more inspiring than the others but the combination of all of them is fascinating. Thank you for another great travel post! xo
@Gudy – Thank you. It was a very ‘Bright.Bazaar. kinda town! 😉 Big hugs xx
Gorgeous photos Will – very you ! 🙂 xx
@Bridgee – Thank you so much! xx
Gorgeous pictures! But nex time come to visit us here in Portugal 😉
@Sweptcrazy – Yes, that’s totally on my must-get-back-to list! 🙂
such stunning pictures will! i have never visited norway but it is definitely on my list. and those photos at golden hour…WOW!
@Molly – You won’t regret visiting, it’s a beautiful country! 🙂
Bergen and the surrounding areas are so beautiful. We visited Norway in 2012 during the Oslo Marathon & then flew to Bergen to see the fjords. So magnificent 😉 Thank you for sharing your photos
@Asta – I would love to return in the summer to visit the fjords – they look stunning.
GORGEOUS photos!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
@Jillian – Thank you so much! 🙂
These colors are breath taking and send you to a fantasy land that I can stay at forever! Thanks so much for this post!
@Andrew – If you ever get the chance to visit, you must – a simply magical place.
Beautiful photos Will. Love them for the tranquility and colour. You always have a great eye for taking these shots. Always a pleasure seeing your photos. x
@Geraldine – That’s so kind of you to say, thank you. It was a magical city and it’s natural beauty made good shots quite easy to find! 😉 x
Gorgeous pictures!!
@Aurelia – Thank you!
Your Photography is always so beautiful Will. I really love how you started the collage of images with the colourful buildings and then took us into the frozen forest and lakes. I could stare at that last picture all night. xD
@Doris – It’s so lovely to read that you appreciated the journey through the picture layout. Thank you! 🙂 x
I have never been to Bergen but I do hope I will visit it one day (hubby is Norway obsessed – he lived there when he was younger). Lucky you, getting such beautiful weather!
@Lisa – Oh, you must if you can. It’s a treat for the senses!
Such a colourful place! Norway is firmly on my places to visit list – I’ll make it there one day!
I love all the beautiful colour and the amazing landscapes myself. Plus I am dying to know how you put the text and other extras on your pictures. What tools do you use Will?
Jo x
@Jo – Thank you! I use iPhoto and Photoshop! x
Such beautiful photos! I visited Bergen once in my early teens and would LOVE to go back.
@Kate – I totally fell in love with it – a beautiful city in a beautiful country!
Nice article!
I invite you to read my blog in English on daily life in Bergen, with posts on restaurants, sights, leisure, etc.
Hope you like it!