[Multiple cities] Oslo vs Bergen: which art galleries feel most alive right now?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I’d love to combine recommendations into one discussion that’s actually useful for planning a weekend. If you follow exhibitions or just like wandering galleries, please share:

• Which galleries consistently have strong curation (not random filler)?
• Any places that are great for contemporary / experimental shows?
• Where do you go for a “gallery walk” route (several stops close together)?
• Are openings/events worth attending as a visitor?

If you had to pick only one city for galleries—Oslo or Bergen—which wins for you, and why?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

I’ve spent time gallery-hopping in both cities, and my strong claim is that Bergen’s art scene feels more alive right now, even if Oslo technically has more heavy-hitters. From what I’ve seen, Bergen galleries take more risks with contemporary and experimental shows, and the curation feels less like it’s trying to please everyone. Oslo has some undeniable best sights when it comes to big institutions, but the energy can feel a bit polished and safe on a random weekend. I really liked how easy it was in Bergen to do a compact gallery walk, where several spaces are close enough that you can wander without checking your phone every five minutes. Exhibition openings there felt surprisingly welcoming as a visitor, not awkward or overly insider-y. but there’s a nuance… if you’re only in town briefly and want guaranteed scale and variety, Oslo still delivers more consistently in one stop. It feels like Bergen wins on mood and momentum, while Oslo wins on volume and prestige. If you had to choose just one city for a gallery-focused weekend, which would you pick, and do you plan around openings or just wander and see what sticks?

 

[Alex Turner]

I’m firmly in your camp on the smaller boats. The cruise that really sold me was the Flåm to Gudvangen run through the narrow parts of the fjord, about two hours and never felt rushed for a second. Being that close to waterfalls and cliffs makes a huge difference compared to sitting behind glass. I wore a windproof jacket, fleece, and trail shoes, and still appreciated ducking inside now and then. Price-wise it wasn’t cheap, but it didn’t feel like a tourist trap either — the scenery does all the work. Big boats make sense in rough weather, but they lose intimacy. Did you consider doing a fjord cruise as part of a longer drive instead of a straight out-and-back route?