Things to do in Bergen with kids? Find the kids' favorites at the Aquarium
Are you looking for things to do in Bergen with kids? Something other than bounce houses, water parks, and yet another round on the tablet? When there’s no Brann game and the weather isn’t tempting you to go up Fløyen, maybe it’s time to visit the Aquarium again. Here, real animals, real experiences, and new favorites from A to Z await you. Meet everything from axolotls and acrobatic California sea lions to charming penguins and slender eels. Right in the heart of Bergen. Just around the corner. No matter the weather.
Time for another visit to the Aquarium
A local family experience right in the heart of Bergen
When you live in Bergen, it’s easy to forget all the wonderful things that are right nearby. The Aquarium is often one such place. And a visit here is rarely exactly the same from one time to the next. The kids grow up. Their perspectives change. Their favorite animals change. Suddenly, it’s not the penguins that draw the most attention, but the snakes, the otters Bella and Gizmo, the axolotls in the Tropical Room, or the crocodile down in the Concrete Jungle. It’s never too childish to visit the Aquarium. Quite the opposite. The more times you visit, the more both adults and children discover. So if you’re wondering what to do in Bergen with kids, the answer might be closer than you think. Maybe it’s time for another visit.
That's why the Aquarium is perfect for children and families
A world of real animals and real experiences.
At the Aquarium, you don't have to choose between experience, reason, entertainment, and learning. Here, most of it happens at the same time, all in one experience. The children get up close to real animals, watch how they move, hear their sounds, smell the sea, and ask questions before the adults have even had time to finish thinking.
Put your tablet aside for a bit.
No one needs to keep swiping here. Just stand still and look. Let your tablet rest for a moment. Replace the screen with the large windows that offer a view of playful sea lions, dreamy fish, and curious otters.
You don't have to do everything
Some children head straight for the penguins. Others linger by the sea lions, otters, jellyfish, or fish in the Rotunda. Some need a break in the restaurant. Others want to go down to the lower levels to see the crocodile, the snakes, or the axolotl. The great thing is that you can follow your curiosity.
Three favorites the kids are sure to remember
The penguins, the city's charming kings and queens
The popular penguins have found their natural spot right where you enter the Aquarium. They probably feel a bit like kings and queens of the hill. Sometimes they stroll around. Other times they stand completely still and zone out a little—they do that, too. For many children, the penguins are a natural first stop.
The California sea lions that almost say hello
The California sea lions Amy and Keela are among the main attractions at the Aquarium. They bark, swim, and almost seem like they’re saying hello. During the sea lion show, there’s one highlight after another. This isn’t a tablet. It isn’t a video. Here, things are happening for real, right in front of you.
Bella and Gizmo spark the children's curiosity
The otters Bella and Gizmo are playful, fast, and easy to grow fond of. They live in their own habitat and offer an intimate glimpse into what life as an otter might be like. It’s easier to remember facts about otters once you’ve actually met Bella and Gizmo. It doesn’t feel like school. It feels like genuine curiosity.
