Is Ulriken Worth It? An Honest Answer From the People Who Run It

By the Ulriken643 team · Updated November 2026

This page is written by the people who run the Ulriken cable car. We would rather give you an honest answer than a disappointing day.

What you get on Ulriken

Ulriken is the highest of Bergen's seven mountains at 643 metres. The cable car, Ulriksbanen, has run since 1961 and takes about five minutes from the lower station to the top. At the summit you get:

• A 360-degree view over the city, the islands to the west and the mountains towards Hardanger to the east
• High-mountain terrain straight away. The Panorama Trail to the summit cairn takes about 20 minutes each way on boardwalks
• Ulriken Café (drop-in) and Skyskraperen Restaurant (reservations)
• The Ulriken Zipline, a 300-metre line operated by Bergen Basecamp
• The start of Vidden, one of Norway's best-known day hikes

Ulriken is a great choice if...

• You want the highest viewpoint in Bergen and the feeling of being on a real mountain
• You want a meal with a view. Skyskraperen serves a 3-course seasonal lunch and a 5-course tasting menu
• You want to hike, from a 20-minute walk to the cairn to the five-hour Vidden hike
• You want a zipline or a more active day
• You are visiting on a busy cruise day and want more space around you
• You want an evening outing. From April to September the cable car runs until 23:00

When to wait or plan differently

• The summit is in cloud. Check the live webcam on ulriken643.no. If you only see white, wait an hour or choose another day. Tickets have no fixed departure time.
• You have less than 1.5 hours. Ulriken is about 15 minutes from the city centre each way. With less time than that, you will feel rushed.
• It is a Monday between October and March. The cable car is closed on Mondays in the winter season, and closed throughout January 2027 for maintenance.

What it costs and how long it takes

From February 2027 a return ticket is NOK 460 for adults, NOK 190 for children aged 4–16 and NOK 1,110 for a family of two adults and up to three children. The Ulriken Express bus from Torgallmenningen takes about 10 minutes. Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours in total for a short visit, or half a day with a walk and a meal. See our guides to prices and to how much time you need.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ulriken the best viewpoint in Bergen? It is the highest. From 643 metres you see the whole city, the coast and the mountains in every direction.

Is Ulriken too touristy? Ulriken is a local favourite as well. Many people from Bergen hike up the steps or ride up after work, so you will meet as many locals as tourists.

Is it worth it with children? Yes, especially for school-age children. The cable car ride, the Panorama Trail and ice cream at the top make a good half day. Children under 4 ride free.

What if it is cloudy? Check the live webcam before you go. Clouds often lift during the day. See our guide to clouds, rain and the webcam.