1. Things to do
  3. Bryggen and Bergen fish market

Bryggen and Bergen fish market – UNESCO heritage meets fresh seafood

Bryggen's colorful wooden buildings have stood since the 1700s, when Hanseatic merchants dominated Northern European trade. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site sits steps from Bergen's famous fish market – where you can taste fresh seafood pulled from Norwegian waters that morning. Two must-see Bergen experiences, a few minutes apart.
2 min readUpdated: Mar 4, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
Dusk view of waterfront with boats and hillside town lights.

Bryggen harbour in Bergen

The Bryggen area - one of Bergen's main attractions - consists of a series of commercial buildings that line the eastern side of the fjord in Bergen. Its architecture is unique and since 1979, it has been listed by UNESCO as one of the world's most significant examples of the history and culture of a medieval settlement. The administrative buildings of Bryggen housed clerks from many areas, especially Germany. The warehouses were filled with goods, particularly fish from Northern Norway, and cereal from Europe.
During its history, Bergen has experienced many fires and around a quarter of the buildings now date back to the time after 1702, when the older wharf-side warehouses and administrative buildings burned down. The rest predominantly consists of younger buildings, although there are some stone cellars that date back to the 15th century.
Brightly lit wooden buildings in Bergen with moonlit night sky.
Today, Bryggen is a fascinating honeycomb of workshops – where painters, weavers and craftsmen produce fine-quality, original items. Bryggen also has a wide selection of places to eat and museums telling the story of Bryggen and Bergen.

Facts about Bryggen:

  • Part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th centur
  • The first German clerks were established at Bryggen in 1230
  • Included on Unesco´s Wold Heritage List in 1979
  • Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape
  • Location: Bergen city centre, next to the Fish Market
  • Price: Free admission, open air attraction
People walking in narrow wooden alley with historic charm.

At Bryggen you can:

  • See the unique architecture, listed on UNESCOs World Heritage List
  • Learn the story of Bryggen and Bergen in one of the museums
  • Visit workshops where weavers and craftsmen produce fine-quality, original items
  • Relax and get something to eat in beautiful surroundings
Fishmonger at Bergen market prepares seafood at a stall surrounded by fresh fish, boats, and waterfront buildings.

Bergen fish market

The Bergen fish market is a picturesque and lively spot in the heart of Bergen. As the name would suggest the stalls in the market mainly sells fish, but you can also buy fruit, vegetables, handcrafted objects and souvenirs. A lot of people enjoy buying fresh shrimp and eat them by the market stalls or at Bryggen next to the fish market.
People sit on benches by the Bergen harbor, enjoying sunshine with boats and a glass building in the background.
The Bergen fish market is most active during the summer, during the winter season and colder periods a lot of trade has moved indoor to the Mathallen.
A market vendor with short, curly red hair smiles while holding up a large lobster at a seafood stall.

Find a tour from Bergen

Staying in Bergen? Find your perfect fjord tour.
Woman in yellow sweater leans from green train window, gazing at autumn forest landscape.
Early Bird Summer Rates
Norway in a Nutshell®
From: 1 day
The famous Norwegian fjord and rail journey

Ride the famous Bergen Railway, Flåm Railway and cruise the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord on Norway's most famous tour. Start from Oslo or Bergen.

From 2460 NOK
View map
Grass-roof cabins on hillside overlook fjord, waterfall, peaks.
Early Bird Summer Rates
Geirangerfjord in a Nutshell™
From: 2 days
Geirangerfjord cruise and scenic train journey

Cruise Geirangerfjord, journey Trollstigen Mountain Pass, Rauma Railway and Dovre Railway. Start from Oslo, Bergen or Ålesund.

From 3337 NOK
View map
standing at the scenic viewpoint overlooking the dramatic 182-meter Vøringsfossen waterfall cascading into the valley
Early Bird Summer Rates
Hardangerfjord in a Nutshell™
1-day tour
Hardangerfjord cruise and Vøringsfossen waterfall from Bergen

Discover Norway's most popular waterfall and cruise the scenic Hardangerfjord on a day trip from Bergen

From 1991 NOK
View map
Hikers standing on Preikestolen plateau during a scenic hike, overlooking the Lysefjord far beneath in Norway.
Early Bird Summer Rates
Lysefjord in a Nutshell™
From: 1 day
Preikestolen, Lysefjord and charming Stavanger

Hike to Preikestolen, cruise the dramatic Lysefjord and discover charming Stavanger. Start from Oslo or Bergen.

From 3660 NOK
View map
Boat on Sognefjord with flag flying, wake trailing behind on calm water.
Early Bird Summer Rates
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™
From: 1 day
Discover Sognefjord by cruise & rail

Ride the Flåm Railway and Bergen Railway, and cruise the full length of the Sognefjord. Start from Oslo or Bergen, and add extra days of your choice.

From 2745 NOK
View map
Turquoise fjord with cruise ships, forested mountains and snow.
Early Bird Summer Rates
Geirangerfjord and Norway in a Nutshell®
5 day tour of Geirangerfjord and scenic railways

The ultimate roudtrip including Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and scenic rail journeys. Start from Oslo or Bergen.

From 8459 NOK
View map
Havila coastal cruise ship sailing through scenic Norwegian fjords between Trondheim and Bergen
Early Bird Summer Rates
Cities and Coastal Cruise with Norway in a Nutshell®
4 day tour of Oslo, Bergen & Trondheim by train and coastal cruise

Experience Norway's cultural cities, scenic rail journeys and Coastal Cruise on this roundtrip. Start from Oslo or Bergen.

From 11803 NOK
View map
Scenic Flåm Railway journey through mountain landscapes in Norway
Early Bird Summer Rates
Preikestolen & Lysefjord including Norway in a Nutshell®
3 day tour of Preikestolen, Stavanger, scenic fjords and railways

Cruise the Lysefjord, hike the iconic Preikestolen, and experience the local charm of Bergen and Stavanger. The tour starts and ends in Oslo or Bergen.

From 7100 NOK
View map

Top things to do in Bergen

Book an exciting activity as part of your Nutshell tour or as a stand-alone booking. Check out our exciting collection below!
Cozy glass-fronted waterfront restaurant glowing warmly at twilight, reflections shimmering on calm water surface.
Fjord cruise and dinner at Cornelius
Bergen • 5 hr
From 1695NOK
Available all year
Peaceful mountain lake reflects glacier and forest, dock at right.
Fjord & glacier tour from Bergen or Voss
Multiple locations • 13 hr 15 min
From 2930NOK
20 May - 30 September
Colorful fjord boat on calm water with mountain reflections.
Bestseller
Fjord cruise Bergen to Mostraumen
Bergen
From 890NOK
Available all year
Yellow Ulriken cable car ascending to mountain top restaurant in Bergen with fjord and city views below
Ulriken Gondola & lunch with a view over Bergen
Bergen • 2 hr 30 min
From 1081NOK
Available all year
Bryggen’s colorful buildings in Bergen reflected in a sea, with people walking under cloudy skies.
Guided UNESCO walking tour in Bergen
Bergen • 2 hr
From 795NOK
Available all year
Close-up of smiling woman in front of yellow kayak with blurred town in background.
In high demand
Guided kayak trip in Bergen
Bergen • 5 hr
From 1890NOK
1 May - 15 October
Four people ride Segways past colorful Bryggen buildings in Bergen, with scenic mountains in the background.
Guided segway tour in Bergen
Bergen • 2 hr
From 895NOK
2 May - 30 September
Fresh seafood platter with oysters, clams, and sea urchin on ice, served elegantly at sophisticated indoor event.
Fjord cruise and shellfish tower at seafood restaurant
Bergen • 5 hr
From 2295NOK
1 March - 19 December
A sailboat with "NOR 10144" sails on calm waters with a mountainous landscape, clear blue sky, and distant coastal town.
Sailboat cruise in Bergen
Bergen
From 920NOK
Soon available
A gourmet seafood platter on a two-tiered stand with mussels in garlic sauce, prawns, crab claws, and fresh greens.
Seafood platter in Bergen
Bergen • 2 hr
From 1060NOK
Available all year
See all activities in Bergen

Learn more about Bergen and Western Norway

Get inspired with more articles about Bergen and Western Norway.
A Christmas market at night with a brightly lit Ferris wheel, festive tents, and a reflective body of water.
Christmas in Bergen
Bergen is one of the top destinations for travelers to Norway, and Christmastime in Bergen is a real experience. Enjoying the festive season in Bergen is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, with plenty of fun and cozy sights to see and activities to take part in – from Christmas markets to the world’s biggest gingerbread town, Bergen has it all!
Bergen Bryggen wharf at sunset with pink evening sky and UNESCO World Heritage colorful wooden buildings
Plan your dream trip to Bergen
Plan your Bergen adventure with our local expertise. From UNESCO-listed Bryggen to spectacular fjord cruises, discover the best ways to experience Bergen and the fjords.
People at Stegastein viewpoint over fjord, golden light on cliffs and water.
Exploring Western Norway
Western Norway is located along the Atlantic Coast of the country. The entire region has a population of approximately 1.4 million people, and is known for its amazing landscapes, cascading waterfalls, stunningly deep fjords, good food and friendly people.
Aerial view of a bustling coastal city with cruise ships docked in a lively harbor, colorful buildings, and green hills under a sunny sky.
Norwegian Harbors & Coastal Cities
Although Norway’s interior offers its fair share of beauty, the coast is what a lot of tourists flock to see. The country has no shortage of fantastic harbors and coastal cities that offer tons of wildlife, unique architecture, and other intriguing elements that you will not be able to find anywhere else. If you are interested in traveling to Norway, then here are the harbors and coastal cities that you will want to put at the top of your list.