Bergen is a paradise for those into the outdoors, owing to its location amid striking fjords and scenery. Trekking, fishing and golf are all done to excess, while kids will have fun on the Mount Floyen Funicular and boat cruises. In town, meanwhile, is an excellent science centre suitable for visitors of all ages.

Bergen Science Centre (Vilvite)
Vilvite is great for kids with its hands-on exhibits in science and technology, and it is also an excellent learning tool. Also popular with adults, Bergen Science Centre mainly focuses on the weather and the sea, as well as having some fascinating displays on energy. In all, there are 75 different exhibits and experiments. 
Phone: +47 55 594 500; www.vilvite.no/eng

Boat Cruises
Bergen has a fabulous locale amid a slew of fjords, including Norway's longest, the Sognefjord. This monster fjord is 190 kilometres long and 1,220 metres deep, and is great for cruising, while Hardangerfjord hosts the popular Ulvik and Lofthus resort towns. You can book boat cruises online or in the city centre.

Fishing
Bergen’s fjords are loaded to the hilt with fish such as cod, haddock, and mackerel; just a few of the goodies awaiting eager fishermen. While you don’t need a fishing permit to fish in the sea, you will need one to fish farther upstream, although they can be sorted out by the tour company you fish with.

Golf
There are several fine golf courses in and around Bergen and the agreeable climate, when it’s not pouring down, makes this sport a good option for tourists. Arguably the region’s best course is the Meland Golf Club, 22 miles north of town. This par-73, 18-holer has a fabulous setting amid forts and lakes, and green fees aren’t all that steep either. There is also a pro-shop onsite. 
Phone: +47 56 174 600

Mount Floyen
The steep Floibanen Funicular railway is one of the highlights of a visit to Bergen, providing fine views at its final destination at the peak of 300-metre Mount Floyen. The funicular leaves from town every 15 minutes at an angle of 26 degrees. Once you’ve seen the views, you can try one of the many well-marked hiking trails which go through forests, hills and even back to town. 
Phone: +47 55 336 800; www.floibanen.com/eng

Trekking and Walking
There is some great walking and trekking in Bergen, with Mount Floyen offering several established trails. These trails can be reached by way of funicular railway from town. There are six tracks in total, some taking minutes while others take longer and one which even goes back to town. The nearby village of Myrdal also has good walking, as does Mount Ulriken.

Bergen will keep the most ardent culture vulture happy. It has history, fascinating museums, ancient churches and a charming look with its positioning on the water. The backdrop of mountains sets the scene, while the Bergen Art Museum features an impressive contemporary collection and the Bryggens Museum tells about the oldest part of the city.

Bergen Art Museum
Bergen Art Museum boasts the finest contemporary art collection in western Norway - the Stenersen Collection – which includes masterworks by Paul Klee, Miro, and Picasso. There are also works from the 1700s to the 1900s here by accomplished Norwegian artists, including Munch. The museum is located in a fine building overlooking Lille Langegard Lake. 
Phone: +47 55 568 000; http://kunstmuseene.kyber.no/eng

Bergen Theatre
Bergen has several popular theatres and concert halls, including the main Den Nationale Scene theatre, with its traditional Norwegian plays. The Bergen International Theatre puts on Norwegian and international plays, while the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra at Grieg Hall dates back to the mid-1700s. There is also a museum here (Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen) complete with a 200-seat concert hall. 
Phone: +47 55 922 992; www.kunstmuseeneibergen.no/eng

Bryggens Museum
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Bergen, then step into the Bryggens Museum, which has more artefacts than you could poke a stick at. Many items were discovered during large-scale archaeological excavations of the Bryggen area in the 1950s and 60s, with remains stretching to the 12th century. Traditional dance performances are held at the museum. 
Phone: +47 55 583 140

Fish Market (Fisketorget)
The bustling, photogenic Fisketorget harks back several hundred years and is ideal for a wander and dining at lunchtime. Tuck into fresh oysters or boiled shrimp while taking in the fishy scene at the waterfront. Smoked-salmon baguettes are also really popular here while kids will be enthralled by the catch of the day being dragged in.

Gamle Bergen
The open-air Gamle Bergen museum represents Bergen and coastal Norwegian life of the 1700s and 1800s, with its collection of old houses and shops. You can wander among the streets and narrow alleyways to admire dozens of wooden buildings of the old town, including barber, dentist and antiques stores. 
Phone: +47 55 394 300; www.bymuseet.no/en

Rosenkrantz Tower
Something akin to the Tower of London, albeit on a smaller scale, the Rosenkrantz Tower lies at the seaport in Bergen and is in a lovely area. The 13th-century defensive structure was also residential and was built by Erik Rosenkrantz, the one-time governor of Bergen Castle. Additions over the ages include King Magnus the Lawmender's keep and Jorgen Hansson's keep. The tower is southwest of town in Hakonshallen and tours run hourly. 
Phone: +47 55 314 380

St Mary's Church (Mariakirke)
Bergen’s oldest building dates from the early 1100s and is one of the country’s finest examples of Romanesque architecture. Inside is a richly decorated Baroque pulpit, while the altar is the oldest ornament here. The pulpit was a gift from hanseatic merchants and features carved figures depicting many scenes. Tuesday evenings between late June and August see organ recitals at the church. 
Phone: +47 55 31 59 60

Bergen has a decent collection of cafés and restaurants, and although prices are generally steep, the student population ensures some reasonably priced eateries are available if your budget starts to dwindle. You will need to explore the city to find the more authentic restaurants as the likes of McDonalds and other chains tend to hog the town centre.

Those in search of a genuine Bergen culinary experience may be disappointed as there aren’t that many specialised Norwegian dishes. Fish soup is one such dish, however, while other dishes cooked with local ingredients, like reindeer and cod, may reveal what you’re after. Goat cheese-infused Bryggen tracteursted's filet of reindeer is quite tasty.

Bergen shopping can be a lot of fun. There are souvenir shops galore here as well as some interesting department stores and enclosed malls. The old Bryggen area of town is the most interesting place for shopping in Bergen, with its narrow streets and cafés adding plenty of character and atmosphere.

On impossibly wet days, the following shopping centres are ideal for ducking into: the converted old street of Torgallmenningen, known as Galleriet; Bergen Storsenter by the train station; and Kloverhuset in Strandgaten. Visitors from outside of Scandinavia can receive tax refunds when shopping in Norway under the Global Refund system. Pick up a Global Refund Cheque at the shop and show it at the Global Refund desk at the airport.