After last week’s flashbulbs and film premieres in Cannes, this week’s Jet Set Weekly invites you to breathe deeply, travel slowly, and marvel quietly — beneath endless skies and beside mirror-still waters. Welcome to Bergen, Norway, the gateway to the fjords and one of Scandinavia’s most photogenic escapes.
May is the start of fjord cruise season, when spring brings blossoms to the mountains and the Midnight Sun begins its magical rise in the north. And Bergen — with its colourful harbour, cobbled streets, and stunning natural surroundings — is the perfect launch point for this northern adventure.
🛳️ Sail into a Postcard
Bergen is known as the “Gateway to the Fjords,” and for good reason. From the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf to the mountain peaks of Mount Fløyen, this compact coastal city blends history, charm, and jaw-dropping nature.
Cruises from Bergen carry you into the dramatic fjords of Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Nærøyfjord, where waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs and snow-dusted peaks rise above deep blue water. Whether you’re kayaking in the fjords, riding a glass-roofed train through the mountains, or simply watching the light dance across the water at midnight, the feeling is always the same: wonder.
🌞 What Is the Midnight Sun?
From late May through July, Norway experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight — a phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun. While Bergen itself sees very late sunsets, just a short flight north takes you into full midnight light territory.
Use Bergen as a base, then head up to Tromsø or Lofoten Islands to experience the surreal calm of sunlight at 2 a.m. — best viewed from a boat deck, mountain hike, or cozy cabin window.
🧭 What to Do, Eat & Explore
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Must-do: Ride the Fløibanen funicular for panoramic views of Bergen and its surrounding islands
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Local bites: Try fish cakes, smoked salmon, or traditional raspeballer (potato dumplings) at the Bergen Fish Market
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Adventure tip: Book a full-day fjord cruise or the Norway in a Nutshell tour — includes train, boat, and bus through spectacular terrain
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Best day trip: Hardangerfjord for fruit orchards in bloom and glacier hikes
✈️ Where Stillness Meets Splendour
If you’re feeling the need to slow down, to reconnect with nature, or simply to watch a world where the sun barely sets — Bergen offers an elegant, understated alternative to Europe’s urban frenzy.
It’s not a scene. It’s a setting.
And it’s never looked more peaceful than in spring.
🧳 Catch Jet Set Weekly every Wednesday in GTA Weekly — and follow us on social media for more travel escapes, trendsetting destinations, and global lifestyle guides.
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