Ulriken is the tallest of Bergen's seven mountains, and the Ulriken643 cable car carries you to its summit at 643 metres in a few minutes. The cable car station sits at the foot of the mountain in the Haukeland area, a short bus ride from the centre, and the ride rises above forest and then bare rock. At the top the landscape changes completely: an open plateau with views over the city, the fjords, the islands off the coast and, on a clear day, a long way out to sea. The summit has the Ulriken Café and, on the same level, Skyskraperen, a restaurant that is open by reservation only. There are marked walks on the plateau, and for the energetic a ridge route runs across the mountains towards Fløyen. Weather matters here more than at any other Bergen attraction. The cable car runs in most conditions, but the summit can be in cloud while the city is clear, and in winter it can be cold, windy and snowy, with a very different feel from the harbour below.
Opening hours are seasonal and worth checking before you set out. From October to March, the cable car and café are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 09:00 to 19:00, Thursday to Saturday from 09:00 to 23:00, and Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00, and the cable car is closed on Mondays except on 15 February. Skyskraperen takes reservations only and has shorter or later hours of its own, so book a table if dinner with a view is the plan.
Over Christmas 2026 the cable car is closed from 24 to 26 December and on 31 December, and runs from 10:00 to 17:00 on 27 to 30 December. Importantly, Ulriken has announced that it will be closed for the whole of January 2027 for a major five-year maintenance. If you are visiting in November, you are in the normal winter pattern.
The late-night opening on Thursday to Saturday is a bonus in the dark months. A ride after dusk gives you the glittering lights of the city and the harbour from above, and the café stays open for a hot drink. Check the webcam on the Ulriken643 site before you commit: clouds on the summit are common, and the view, not the ride, is what you are paying for.
Wear proper layers and shoes, because the plateau is exposed and trails can be icy. The Ulriken643 website covers prices and ticket options, and tickets can be bought online ahead of your ride.
Getting there from the centre is straightforward on a city bus towards Haukeland, and the Ulriken643 site lists the routes and the walking route from the bus stop. Many visitors choose between Ulriken and Fløyen, and the honest answer is that they do different jobs. Fløyen is closer, quicker and better for families and for an evening ride. Ulriken is higher, wilder and better for a sense of the mountain landscape around Bergen. If you have two clear days and a love of views, do both.
What to expect
The experience
A cable car ride to a 643-metre summit plateau with a café, a reservation-only restaurant, viewing points and marked walking trails.
Best time
A clear day, checked on the webcam first. In winter, Thursday to Saturday evenings stay open until 23:00 for the city lights.
How long
Two to three hours including the ride, the view and a hot drink.
Tips
Closed on Mondays from October to March, and closed for all of January 2027. Dress for wind and cold, and book Skyskraperen in advance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Panorama chasers and walkers who want a real mountain feel without leaving the city.
- Families
- Fine for children who enjoy cable cars, but the plateau is exposed and cold in winter, so pack layers.
- Couples
- A late Thursday-to-Saturday ride for the lights, followed by a table at the summit restaurant if you have reserved.
- Pair with
- A morning at the Fish Market and Fløibanen on a different day, so each view has its own clear weather.
- Time needed
- About half a day with travel from the centre.
Good questions
How high is Ulriken?+
The summit is 643 metres above sea level, which is where the cable car takes its name. It is the tallest of Bergen's seven mountains.
What are the winter opening hours?+
From October to March the cable car is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Wednesday and Sunday from 09:00 to 19:00, and Thursday to Saturday from 09:00 to 23:00. Always check the Ulriken643 page for changes.
Is Ulriken closed at any time soon?+
Yes. It is closed on 24 to 26 December and on 31 December 2026, and for the whole of January 2027 because of a major five-year maintenance. It runs short hours on 27 to 30 December.
Can I eat at the top?+
There is a café on the summit, and Skyskraperen is a restaurant that takes reservations only. Booking ahead is wise for dinner.
Should I choose Ulriken or Fløyen?+
Choose Fløyen for a quick, family-friendly view close to the centre and Ulriken for height, wilderness and a longer outing. If the weather is clear for two days, do both.
