Bergen – a City Surrounded by Fjords and Mountains


The versatile Bergen is ideal for active holidaymakers and culture lovers. In Bergen, the tourist enjoys wonderful nature, an atmospheric city and delicious food.

BERGEN

A combination of city vacation and nature

Bergen is Norway ’s second largest city, located on the country’s west coast, just over 400 kilometers from the capital Oslo. The city is known for its amazing natural sites as well as its rich culture and history.

You can spend a varied holiday in Bergen, as you can go sightseeing and outdoor activities in the city. In addition to the mountains and fjords, the city’s most famous attractions include museums, art galleries and the old port area of ​​Bryggen.

Although Bergen is a city of more than 250,000 inhabitants, it has managed to retain the atmosphere typical of small towns. Bergen’s restaurant offers are well worth a visit, as well as interesting cafés and nightlife venues.

Bergen is an atmospheric city surrounded by beautiful nature

Bergen is an atmospheric city surrounded by beautiful nature.

Get ready for the rain

Bergen’s climate includes mild winters and cool summers. Temperatures rarely rise to high, but are only around 20 degrees even during the warmest times of summer. In winter there may be a few degrees of frost.

It often rains in Bergen, which is good to remember when planning a trip. According to it, you should pack rain gear especially if there are a lot of outdoor activities in the plans. Fortunately, the city’s numerous attractions offer interesting things to do even on rainy days.

Outdoor activities in stunning scenery

The surroundings of Bergen offer a wide range of outdoor and sports opportunities, such as hiking or cycling. The city is also a great base for nature walks a little further afield.

There are seven mountains around the city, the most popular of which are Fløyen and Ulriken. One of Bergen’s most popular hiking trails connects just these two destinations, starting at Mount Ulriken and ending at Fløyen.

Norway is known for its fjords and Bergen is a great place to explore the fjords as the city does not have to go very far to find the largest and most amazing fjords in the country. You can combine a holiday in Bergen with a mountain cruise of your choice or go on a self-guided excursion.

Culture and fish delicacies

Bergen is an interesting city of culture, with its old traditions and long history as a major trading center. Bergen is also the hometown of Norway’s most famous composer, Edvard Grieg .

Bergen has numerous museums, and one of the city’s most popular attractions is the art museums, which feature works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch , for example . The city also hosts many cultural events such as concerts and festivals. The largest of these is the Bergen International Festival, which features a wide range of different arts.

Naturally, a lot of seafood is eaten in the coastal town of Bergen. The city has several quality restaurants serving delicious dishes conjured from fish and other seafood. You can also enjoy fish dishes at the harbor markets. However, in the best restaurants, the price level is really high, which is worth considering when considering a travel budget.

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN BERGEN

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN BERGEN

Bergen is conveniently reached by plane, train or bus.

Arriving by plane or by land

Finnair flies directly from Helsinki to Bergen in the summer from May to October. For example, on SAS and Norwegian flights, you can get to Bergen in Oslo by changing planes. The city’s airport is located about 20 kilometers from the city center and the trip folds by taxi or bus.

Bergen can also be reached from Oslo by train or bus, which, however, takes quite a long time. The train journey takes about seven hours and the bus takes a couple more hours.

Accommodation in Bergen

There are several dozen hotels of different levels in and around Bergen. Many hotels offer free Wi-Fi, which is important for travelers, and breakfast is often included in the room rate.

In addition to hotels, you can stay in Bergen in a hostel, rental cottage or campsite. The location of the accommodation should be chosen according to whether the itinerary includes sightseeing in the city center or nature excursions outside the city.

Although Norway is known as an expensive tourist destination, Bergen’s hotel prices are surprisingly positive. If you are on the move in time, you can grab a night in a four-star hotel in the city center for as little as 100 euros.

Getting around Bergen

Bergen city center is easy to explore on foot, as many of the most popular attractions are a short distance away.

When moving to other parts of the city, you should take advantage of Bergen’s efficient public transport, such as buses and the Bybanen tram. Bybanen runs from the center to Lagunen Shopping Center and is especially convenient for tourists as the route passes many well-known attractions.

Tickets can be purchased, for example, from ticket machines or kiosks. If you plan to use a lot of public transport, you should buy a series ticket instead of individual tickets, for example. The Bergen Card provides free use of buses and trams. The card is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours of your choice.

ATTRACTIONS OF BERGEN

ATTRACTIONS OF BERGEN

The Bryggen area is one of Bergen’s most popular attractions.

Bryggen

Bryggen is an old port area that is part of Bergen’s history as a major trading port and a member of the Hanseatic League. Bergen is one of the oldest port cities in Northern Europe.

Most of Bryggen’s original buildings have been destroyed by fires and later restored. Bryggen has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Today, Brygge with its colorful buildings is one of Bergen’s most popular attractions. There are many restaurants, cafés and shops in the lively area. Exploring Bryggen is worth starting with the Bryggens Museum, which tells the history of the area.

Mount Fløyen

Mount Fløyen is one of the mountains surrounding Bergen and a popular destination to visit, especially in sunny weather. Upstairs is an observation deck with stunning views around Bergen.

A cable car takes you to the top of Mount Fløyen in a few minutes and is open every day of the year. A return ticket costs an adult about ten. One-way tickets are also available if you want to walk in the other direction.

At the top of Mount Fløyen, there is plenty to do for even longer, as the mountain has numerous outdoor trails that can be reached on foot or by bike. The routes vary in length and challenge, so everyone is sure to find a suitable opportunity to explore the scenery of Mount Fløyen on their own level.

Fisketorget

Fisketorget is a traditional seafood market in the port area of ​​Bergen. At the market you can go shopping, enjoy seafood dishes or tour and watch while enjoying the atmosphere of the market.

In addition to seafood, the market sells fruits, vegetables and souvenirs, for example. In summer, the market is open every day from morning to evening, while in winter it is only possible to visit the market on weekends.

Edvard Grieg Museum

Just outside Bergen is Troldhaugen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg and now serves as a museum. The museum’s exhibitions present Grieg’s life and works. Concerts are sometimes held in Troldhaugen.

Troldhaugen can be reached, for example, by car or the Bybanen tram, which is about a 20-minute walk from the Hop stop. Admission to Troldhaugen costs just over ten euros.

THE BEST OF BERGEN

THE BEST OF BERGEN

From Bergen you can make excursions to Norway’s famous fjords.

The most amazing fjord destinations near Bergen

1. Sjordfjorden
2. Nærøyfjorden
3. Geirangerfjorden
4. Aurlandsfjorden
5. Hardangerfjorden

The best ideas for families with children

1. Visit to Bergen Aquarium
2. Family activities at VilVite Science Center
3. Trolley trip up to Ulriken Mountain
4. Canoe trip on Fløyen’s Skomakerdiket Lake
5. Exploring the harbor fish market

The best seafood restaurants

1. Cornelius
2. Enhjørningen
3. Bryggeloftet & Stuene

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