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Fantoft Stave Church & Gamlehaugen: Bergen's Royal & Medieval Secrets

Discover two of Bergen's most overlooked treasures on a private half-day: the hauntingly beautiful Fantoft Stave Church — a 12th-century Norse masterpiece — followed by Gamlehaugen, the Norwegian Royal Family's official Bergen residence, surrounded by parkland and fjord views. Rare, refined, and deeply Norwegian.

What to expect

Your guide collects you at the pier and drives south to the Fantoft hillside, where the black-tarred stave church rises dramatically from the pine forest — its dragon-head roof finials and carved portals an authentic echo of Viking-age Norway. Next, Gamlehaugen's neo-Gothic manor and its sweeping Nordåsvatnet fjord gardens offer a glimpse of royal Norway at its most graceful. The park is open to the public and the setting is one of the most photogenic in the Bergen region.

Book it with
Bergen Driver Guide (Romain — authorized private guide & driver)
Fantoft Stave Church entry NOK 80 per person; private driver-guide (half-day, up to 4 guests) from approx. NOK 3,500–5,000 for the vehicle
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Good to know

Fantoft Stave Church is open May–September; confirm opening hours directly before visiting. A private vehicle is strongly recommended as public transport is time-consuming. The half-day circuit (3–4 hours) returns to the cruise terminal comfortably before all-aboard. Gamlehaugen's interior is open on selected dates — check visitbergen.com for the current season's schedule.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Bergen — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Viking Ocean · Viking Astrea
7 nights · round-trip from Bergen, Norway
from $4,499
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Viking Ocean · Viking Vela
7 nights · round-trip from Bergen, Norway
from $4,999
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Oceania · Oceania Marina
14 nights · calls at Bergen
from $5,220
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Viking Ocean · Viking Saturn
14 nights · round-trip from Bergen, Norway
from $5,999
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See all cruises to Bergen →
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