Bergen in Winter, Bergen, Norway

I had wanted to visit Bergen in winter for a long time. The idea of a small Nordic city suspended between mountains and the sea, where you can hike in the snow in the morning and warm up in a sauna by the fjord in the evening, sounded almost too perfect.

It turned out to be exactly the kind of destination I love when travelling solo: compact, atmospheric, surrounded by nature and full of quiet corners where you can wander without a plan.

What I enjoyed most was not just the famous sights. It was trekking in the forest above the city, walking aimlessly through the historic centre looking at murals and tags on wooden walls, and ending the day at Nordnes Sjøbad, floating in warm water while the North Sea stretched out beyond the pool.

If you are planning a winter trip to Norway, here is how I would spend five days in Bergen, combining city life, nature and a few small luxuries.

This UNESCO World Heritage site, with its rows of colourful wooden houses leaning slightly towards the harbour, dates back to the Hanseatic trading period in the 14th century. It is one of the most recognisable places in Norway and still feels surprisingly authentic early in the morning. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).