The Bergen Beer Festival

The Bergen

Beer Festival

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The weekend just gone 1-2nd September saw the sun finally shining on the city of rain to welcome the Bergen ølfestival (beer festival). Crowds of locals and tourists headed to the events, both on Friday and Saturday, to sample many of the local breweries offerings. Set within the Rosenkrantstårnet grounds, it felt like a big sunny beer garden, with a fantastic atmosphere.

As well as a good sunny afternoon out, visitors could purchase a small beer glass and tokens and wander round the various tents to sample local beers and meads from the norwegian breweries. In addition to beer, there was also a food festival with plenty of delicious dishes to try.



The beer festival will be back next year, so if you are planning a visit to Bergen, the festival is a recommended stop (info here). After tasting what is on offer, visitors can also stop off in a bar and sit outside Bryggen to soak up the atmosphere whilst people watching and gazing out at the fjord.

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Dining above Bergen, Norway. Mount Ulriken

Ulriken is the highest mountain (of seven) which dominates the skyline of Bergen. They say that you have not seen Bergen until you have been to the top of Ulriken. There are trails to hike to the top, however, if you do not feel like walking the steep ascent, there is a cable car that takes you directly to the top.

With the stunning views, the Mountain’s restaurant, Sky:Skraperen, serves local and traditional Norwegian food. For lunch, Sky:Skraperen offers diners a selection of beautiful food from local cheese and meat boards, traditional meat broths and Norwegian lamb sausage as well as some traditional sweet options.

The restaurant also offers a “Ulriken by night” experience where several, local dishes are served to guests.

With breath-taking views and good, local food, Ulriken offers a great experience for the visitors od Bergen.

There are a number of activities available on the mountain including hiking, the Ulriken zip line (booking advised) and yoga (every Saturday through July).

For more information, visit the mountain’s website here.

View the Sky:Skraperen menu here.

Things to do in Bergen

Origionally Bjørgvin (the green meadow among mountains), Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and is located in the west. A popular tourist attraction on the harbor in Bergen is Bryggen (Norwegian for the Wharf). Bryggen is a series of colourful buildings that line the harbour leading out into the fjord. As it is quite touristy, theres many bars, restaurants and cafés dotted along it, so a great place to go and have a drink in the evenings if the sun is out. It is also a great place to take a walk along in the day time and then head up to Fisketorget i Bergen (the fish market).

Fisketorget has been trading since the 12^th century and is a great place to visit in the city if you are a fan of seafood. It is traditional to pick up fresh shrimps or oysters and eat on the sea front. The market also has fresh fruit, bread and gifts on offer.

After Fisketorget, you can easily walk up to the shopping centre of the city. There are a number of shopping malls within a stones throw of each other with a couple of department stores also. The Scandinavian brands, for fashion and interiors, are really popular at the moment so it is nice to take a look in the stores. Stores in Bergen include Høyer, Day Birger et Mikkelson, Monki and Kouture.

FOSS Jewellery of Os, Norway.

Foss is an independent jewellery designer and retailer from Norway. Opening shop back in 2011 Foss designer, Janicke, began to design and produce beautiful hand made jewellery. The Foss retail space is currently within the Amfi Mall, in Os, just south of Bergen.  

The Foss range offers necklaces, bracelets and rings, however, arguably the Foss signature design is the Guardian Angel necklaces. 

Made with sterling silver, the necklaces are each hand made and unique, individual pieces. The moto behind the angels is "Du må ikke fare fortere enn skytsengelen din kan fly" which from Norwegian translates to " you must not travel faster than your guardian angel can fly" in english. The necklaces make excellent gifts, with a heartfelt, sentimental edge. Guardian Angel Necklaces retail between £45 and £75. 

Shop from the FOSS UR OG SMYKKER online store, or visit their Facebook or Instagram for more. 

Fashion and the Fjords - Helly Hansen

Norway was blessed with beautiful weather at the weekend, so many took to their boats and spent the weekend on the fjords or soaking up the sun on beaches of the many islands dotted around in the water. 

Swans on the Fjord, view of the glacier over the fjord, behind the mountains

Islands, arial view of Bergen and boating, flying the flag.

Norwegian brand Helly Hansen provides the wardrobe for such adventures. 

Helly Hansen was originally a clothing company set up for marine activities. They were "born by the sea"

The collection sticks to the red, white and blue colours of the Norwegian flag, and also adds to the whole marine feel. 

Women's W Crew Jacket in off white. 

Women's W Breeze Polo in off white.

Women's W HH QD Shorts in off white.

Women's W HH 5.5 Sailing Shoe in off white and blue aqua.

Men's Crew Insulator Jacket in navy. 

Men's HP Lazer Polo in off white. 

Men's HP Trunk in navy.

Men's HH 5.5 sailing shoe in navy. 

Happy sailing!