Family Experiences at Bymuseet

Give the children an unforgettable experience with exciting adventures, historical play and creative activities. Take them on a journey through time and space — right in the heart of the city! All children and young people up to 18 years old have free admission to all our museums.
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Bymuseet is made up of several museums and historic sites across Bergen. Together they offer exciting experiences for children and families throughout the year.

Step into living history, explore the Middle Ages, climb a medieval tower, try traditional crafts or join family workshops and activities. Each museum has its own stories to tell, and together they offer countless ways to discover Bergen’s fascinating past.

Experience Living History

History becomes even more exciting when it comes to life. At Gamle Bergen Museum, you can stroll through historic streets, step inside original wooden houses and meet merchants, servants and civil servants as they go about their daily lives. Discover what life was like in Bergen more than 100 years ago.

Make Something Yourself

Several of Bymuseet’s museums offer hands-on workshops where children can try traditional crafts and make something to take home.

New this summer is our daily Carpentry Workshop at Gamle Bergen Museum, where children can build their own toy or simple wooden tool using real hammers, nails and timber.

At Bryggens Museum, you can visit the exhibition Tales in Thread, where an entire medieval adventure has been woven into ten magnificent tapestries. Be inspired by the textile art—and try weaving yourself.

Explore the Middle Ages

What was life like in Bergen 700 years ago? At Bryggens Museum, discover genuine archaeological finds from medieval Bergen, read centuries-old runic inscriptions and explore the hidden city beneath Bryggen.

See traces of the people who lived here long ago—from beautiful gold rings and elegant swords to a real medieval toilet seat. And if you’re feeling brave, visit the smell station to discover what the Middle Ages actually smelled like.

Just next door, you can explore Rosenkrantz Tower. Climb from the dark prison cellar through floors filled with royal and military history before reaching the cannon loft and enjoying spectacular views across Bergen.

Both museums offer family activity booklets available at the reception. Solve puzzles, search for hidden details and discover fascinating stories as you explore the exhibitions and the tower.

Don’t miss Håkon’s Hall, the great royal hall where kings, queens and knights celebrated coronations and royal weddings for centuries.

How high do you think the ceiling is? In the lower floor you can see where the king’s scribes once worked with their quill pens, while the basement was once home to the royal treasury. Outside, children can also enjoy a family activity trail around the fortress grounds.

Play and Explore Outdoors

Our museums are much more than exhibitions. Explore historic streets, gardens and farmyards, build small boats, play traditional games or join family days and outdoor activities in beautiful historic surroundings.

At Gamle Bergen Museum, the outdoor setting is an important part of the experience. Throughout the summer, the museum is filled with activities for visitors of all ages.