{"id":146156,"date":"2025-05-31T06:54:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/146156\/"},"modified":"2025-05-31T06:54:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T06:54:13","slug":"i-swapped-my-sun-holiday-for-a-train-trip-to-europes-rainiest-city-with-highs-of-8c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/146156\/","title":{"rendered":"I swapped my sun holiday for a train trip to Europe\u2019s rainiest city \u2014 with highs of 8\u00b0C"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Bergen
\n\t\tNorway is home to over 1,000 fjords (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n

In true British fashion<\/a>, I\u2019d always turned my nose up at the idea of a holiday that didn\u2019t involve heat.<\/p>\n

The UK summer<\/a> is unreliable at best, and if it wasn\u2019t sun, sea and sangria, really, I didn\u2019t want to know.<\/p>\n

But my eyes were opened by Bergen, Norway<\/a>\u2019s gateway to the fjords, a colourful city nestled between seven mountains and the dazzling western coastline.<\/p>\n

The Scandinavian jewel may be small, but it punches above its weight with an abundance of natural beauty, fascinating history and a surprisingly eclectic food scene.<\/p>\n

After spending four days there, this is my honest review of everything Bergen has to offer. (Spoiler: it gets five stars.)<\/p>\n

A train ride to the fjords<\/p>\n

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Bergen is easily accessible from the UK, with direct 90-minute flights from Manchester<\/a> and London\u2019s Gatwick <\/a>and Heathrow<\/a> airports.<\/p>\n

The city is known as \u2018the gateway to the fjords\u2019 for its location between the two largest fjords in the country \u2014 the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"METRO
\n\t\tBergen is perched on Norway\u2019s dazzling western coastline (Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n

Norway is renowned for these deep, water-filled valleys, carved by glaciers. The Scandinavian<\/a> nation has over 1,000 of these scenic bad boys, more than any other country in the world.<\/p>\n

I travelled to the Sognefjord via the Fl\u00e5m Railway. Widely regarded as one of Europe\u2019s most beautiful train journeys<\/a>, it passes snow-covered rock faces, cascading waterfalls and tiny mountain farms before winding its way down to the fjord\u2019s shore.<\/p>\n

Before setting off, I checked the forecast only for my heart to sink when I saw highs of 8\u00b0C in Fl\u00e5m, where I would be boarding a boat across two of the Sognefjord\u2019s branches.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Bergen
\n\t\tAurlandsfjord is one of the Sognefjord\u2019s branches, part of Norway\u2019s largest fjord (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n

But once on deck, insulated by a turtleneck, a fleece, a sweater and a puffer coat, I soon forgot about the wind biting at my nose and fingers.<\/p>\n

The electric boat slid silently through the narrow passages, flanked by towering cliffs and lush green forest. I craned my neck to marvel at the unspoiled landscape and, busy taking it all in, I could barely feel the cold.<\/p>\n

Balancing tourism and nature<\/p>\n

Western Norway is having its moment, but international interest brings the challenges of mass tourism.<\/p>\n

Stein Ove Rolland, CEO of Fjord Norway<\/a>, tells me that tours to this part of the world have become more popular in recent years, as experienced travellers seek something different to Europe\u2019s better-known destinations.<\/p>\n

Experts believe the rise is linked to the growing number of travellers looking to explore colder climates. Known as coolcations<\/a>, Google searches for \u2018cooler holidays\u2019 soared by 300% between 2023 and 2024, and interest shows no sign of waning.<\/p>\n

Bergen, where temperatures rarely rise above 20\u00b0C even at the height of summer, definitely qualifies for this category.<\/p>\n

Most tourists arrive between June and August, but there were already plenty of visitors during my trip in April. <\/p>\n

The train journey was comfortably busy, but the boat was nearly full, and the local bus at the other end of the fjord struggled to accommodate the influx of passengers.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Bergen
\n\t\tThe Fl\u00e5m Railway starts at Myrdal, 866 metres above sea level (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n

Norway seems nervous about accepting higher numbers of visitors. A tourism campaign was shelved last year over fears of the environmental impact, while local authorities could soon be allowed to charge tourist tax<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In Bergen, the daily number of cruise ship passengers has been capped at 8,000.<\/p>\n

Stein tells me that while tourism has long been an integral part of the area, balancing the needs of guests and local residents can be difficult. He says the region is doing everything it can to protect the natural environment.<\/p>\n

One way they are doing this, he says, is encouraging tourists to visit in the colder months.<\/p>\n

\u2018We no longer market the summer season specifically, but highlight how unique it is to experience Bergen and the surrounding areas in spring, autumn, and winter,\u2019 he explains. <\/p>\n

\u2018In these seasons, there is more space, the nature is just as spectacular, and the food reflects the different times of year.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"The
\n\t\tThe small village of Fl\u00e5m is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year (Picture: Getty Images)
\nEurope\u2019s rainiest city<\/p>\n

Bergen is officially Europe\u2019s rainiest city, averaging more than 200 rainy days per year, thanks to the surrounding mountains which trap moisture coming in from the North Sea.<\/p>\n

But, thanks to the climate, it\u2019s perfect for nature lovers.<\/p>\n

Ulriken, the tallest of Bergen\u2019s mountains at 643 metres, can be hiked in one to two hours. A cable car offers a stunning view of the windblown ridges and inhospitable North Sea that surround the city.<\/p>\n

Mount Fl\u00f8yen, meanwhile, boasts dense forest and winding trails within minutes of the city centre, with a funicular that goes right to the summit.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"You
\n\t\tMount Fl\u00f8yen offers panoramic views of the city (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

I was lucky with the weather, as locals often reminded me; it stayed dry for two of the three days I spent in Bergen.<\/p>\n

When the rain finally came, on my last day in the city, it poured. But despite my aversion to damp climes, I found Bergen striking in the deluge.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s vibrant colours \u2014 rust-red roofs and emerald forest \u2014 held their own amid the silvery sheen of rain, and the downpour created a hushed atmosphere that was strangely comforting.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPacking for Bergen\t\t\t<\/p>\n

As a fair-weather traveller, I\u2019m not used to packing for cold climates. Bergen in spring can experience everything from chilly temperatures to mild, pleasant days with rain and sunshine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The essential clothing items I recommend packing for a tripare:<\/p>\n