La Vida Laura

I enjoyed my time in Bergen, but if I am being honest, for my first day or so there, I wasn’t that captivated. Yes, the city was pretty, the harbor was colorful, and everything was neat and tidy – but none of it seemed that memorable, particularly after the jaw-dropping beauty of the fjords. I was enjoying myself, but I wasn’t loving Bergen.

On my last day in town, however, I decided to explore more off the beaten path, and I’m so glad I did. Rather than wandering through the main pedestrian area and the harbor, I ducked into the tiny back streets and lanes. And there? Well, there was where I really fell in love with Bergen. The streets were quieter and everything just seemed that much more charming.

Case in point: everyone goes to gawk at the famous front facades of Bergen’s Bryggen, the historic harbor district, but while poking around looking for a coffee shop, I found myself above and behind the Bryggen, which I found even more fascinating. I loved seeing all the distinctive wooden rooftops from above – it was a unique viewpoint I hadn’t expected to have.

Nearby that, I stumbled upon Kroken Street, a little lane that reminded me of Paris’s Rue Crémieux: tiny, tidy, and very delightful.

On my way to another coffee shop (Kaffemisjonen), I found what might have been my favorite of Bergen’s back streets: an area filled with street art galore. This little pocket felt like a teeny tiny Brooklyn to me – funky art and strong hipster vibes.

And finally, I set out to visit Bergen’s Leprosy Museum (because when you hear there’s a museum dedicated solely to leprosy, aren’t you a bit curious?). Sadly, I arrived too late and the museum was closed – but its courtyard was beautiful, as were the streets around the museum.

Bergen is a cruise ship port, and I suppose it is natural that daytrippers with limited time stick to the harbor area. But if you have longer to stay in Bergen, I highly recommend a stroll through its back streets – there’s a lot of magic to be found there, too.