♿ Accessible cities: barrier-free routes Oslo/Bergen 🏙️

Route through central Oslo (gradients/surfaces/lifts)

Bjørvika–Opera–Sørenga loop (~2.5–4 km, 60–90 minutes, virtually no elevation changes).

● Start: Deichman Bjørvika — the city's main media library centre with wheelchair access, automatic doors, lifts and accessible toilets; a convenient place to mark as a meeting point and for breaks.

● Next: along Havnepromenaden (the city's waterfront promenade), which offers many kilometres of continuous and mostly flat pavement. This continuous route along the Oslo Fjord is designed to be accessible by the "orange towers" landmarks and is suitable for wheelchairs.

● Points of interest along the way:

○ Opera House — there is a special entrance for wheelchair users at the main entrance (on the left) and spaces for wheelchairs in the halls (bookable through the box office). Access to the roof is possible via ramps, but the slope is noticeable in places — manual wheelchairs are better with an assistant.

○ MUNCH — wheelchair access, lift, HC toilets (floors 1, 3, 6, 12, 13), wheelchair rental available.

○ Sørenga Sjøbad — flat decking/slabs, handrails; during the season, there are service blocks with HC toilets nearby.

● HC parking (if arriving by car): interactive map of HC spaces throughout Oslo and the municipality's general parking portal. The National Museum has HC parking options on Dokkveien (Aker Brygge). Always check the signs on the street.

Surface and slopes. The loop has wooden decking, smooth granite slabs and asphalt; there may be joints/edges near the water in some places. The route is designed as a "barrier-free" city promenade — choose sections before/after sunset depending on the lighting.

Lifts/status. Before travelling to the city centre, check Ruter's "Traffic status" (including lift closures at hubs) — there may be short-term stops, e.g. at Brynseng.

Route through the centre of Bergen

Lille Lungegårdsvannet and KODE loop (almost flat, 40–60 minutes).

● Start: Byparken/Torgallmenningen → circle around Lille Lungegårdsvannet along a flat promenade with benches and curbs; connects to the KODE museums (short distances, traffic lights).

● Museums on the loop: KODE provides information about accessible entrances (ramps/lifts), lifts, HC-WC and accepts the Companion Card.

● Alternative: Fløibanen (Fløibanen) — the funicular is wheelchair accessible; each trip can usually accommodate up to three wheelchairs/prams, there is a lift to the upper carriage and an HC-WC at the top; at the top there is a viewing platform with a flat surface.

● Toilets in the centre: list/opening hours of public toilets, including HC-accessible toilets at Bryggen (Skur 8) and Strandkaiterminalen.

● HC parking: general municipal page on HC parking rules and zones.

Museums/libraries with access

Oslo

● National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet): building designed according to universal design principles; lift, wheelchair access to all areas, desks/toilets at the same level.

● MUNCH: see above — wheelchair access, several HC-WCs, lifts; priority for wheelchair users.

● Deichman Bjørvika: wheelchair access, lifts, HC-WC; convenient base before/after a walk around Bjørvika.

Bergen

● KODE 1–4: Access via ramps/lifts, lifts in buildings, HC-WC; reserved parking spaces at the Rasmus Meyer collection; companion cards accepted.

● Bergen Main Library: WC/HC-WC for visitors (including paid/free conditions on site).

OT with lifts; WC/HC parking

Oslo (Ruter):

● Most buses, trams, metros and ferries are accessible and adapted — no/minimal steps at entrances, wheelchair spaces are provided. Passengers in wheelchairs travel free of charge (except on-demand services). Always check size/fastening restrictions and operational status.

● Lifts/breaks: check trafikkstatus on the day of your trip.

● HC parking/cards: official card portal and map of HC spaces; warning from the city council — follow the signs.

● Public toilets: city online map layer with toilets (including HC).

Bergen (Skyss/Bybanen):

● Bybanen (light rail): designed with universal design throughout the entire journey (level platforms, accessible navigation). Solutions for wheelchair/pushchair access are in place.

● Useful before travelling: Skyss section "Useful travel information" about children/prams/wheelchairs/dogs/bicycles.

● Toilets/HC-WC: list of public toilets in the city centre and opening hours.

● HC parking: rules and contact details for HC cards/permits.

⚑ Note: lifts/access may be temporarily out of service at some locations. Plan your route so that there is an alternative rest area/toilet/stop within 10–15 minutes.

This overview does not replace instruction/legal/medical advice. Before you go, check local rules/warnings and the status of lifts/transport.

If you notice any inaccuracies in the opening hours of toilets, access to museums/funiculars, or new barriers/detours on the route, please let us know: we will update the map and text as soon as possible (especially during construction seasons on the waterfront and at tram/metro stations in Oslo).