Bergen

 

 

The city of Bergen has a long history dating back over a thousand years, when it was an important trading center for fishing, especially for cod in the north. Today, the city offers a perfect combination of nature, culture and attractions boasting several historic buildings such as the Church of Santa Maria, built between 1130 and 1170, the Rosenkrantz Tower (a 1560 watchtower that offers a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains), the Bergen Cathedral in Gothic style dating back to 1150 (in one of the oldest places in the city, famous for its architecture and the XVII century pipe organ), and the old Bryggen wharf, which recalls the city's importance as part of the Hanseatic League's commercial empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century.

 

The historic center of Bryggen, built in the 14th century, is characterized by a row of colorful wooden houses, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The houses with unique architecture along the harbor, once used as warehouses, now host shops, cafes and restaurants. The old city, called Bryggen, with its colorful buildings and narrow winding alleys, is ideal for strolling in a lively atmosphere.

 

 

Bergen offers many opportunities to discover its culture, starting from galleries and museums. The Bryggen Museum provides an overview of the history and culture of the city, while the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, in an ancient building in the old town, presents objects and documents on the history of Bergen's Hanseatic merchants. Instead, in the art and design collection of the KODE Museum, in four buildings in the center of Bergen along the Lille Lungegårdsvann lake, you can discover the masterpieces of Edvard Munch, Nikolai Astrup, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, JC Dahl and contemporary art works.

 

 

Furthermore, Bergen is also known through its musical history by visiting outside the city center the Edvard Grieg Troldhaugen Museum, a renowned composer, or by participating in jazz concerts or the famous annual classical music festival, the Bergen International Festival. There are also museums dedicated to the history of fishing and trade such as the Norwegian Fisheries Museum and the Maritime Museum of Bergen dedicated to the Norwegian fishing tradition, the history of navigation with ship models, paintings or marine archaeological finds.

 

 

In Bergen, there are many outdoor activities that can be done, such as mountain excursions, fishing or water skiing. Here nature is lush and one of the most suggestive ways to admire the city is from Fløyen Park on a hill with a panoramic view, reachable from the city center with the Fløibanen cable car up to Mount Fløyen, where you can continue along several hiking trails.

 

The must-do excursion in Bergen is dedicated to the Norwegian fjords, which are inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. In fact, Bergen is located south of Sognefjorden (the longest and deepest fjord in Norway which includes the Nærøyfjord, also on the World Heritage List) and north of Hardangerfjorden, two of the most visited fjords in Norway. Half-day or full-day tours are available to visit them, which can also be combined with cycling, kayaking, or rafting. Additionally, along the coast of Bergen, there are thousands of small islands to visit in the summer.

 

 

The stops, between a visit to the city or an excursion in the surroundings, are dedicated to tasting local delicacies. Bergen is famous for its fresh fish cuisine and the bars, open until late, liven up its vibrant nightlife by serving local drinks and Norwegian beer. Seafood, the heart of the city's culinary culture, can be purchased at Bergen's famous fish market. In restaurants, you can taste recipes based on fresh fish, mussels, scallops, lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.

 

 

Among Bergen's typical dishes to try are the traditional fish soup and Persetorsk, made from previously marinated cod pressed with salt and sugar. Bergen's gastronomic creativity has also been recognized by UNESCO, which designated it as a Creative City of Gastronomy.

 

Bergen. Copyright © Sisterscom / Depositphotos

 

Bergen is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

 

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With the ecological bus you can get on or off at the points where the best attractions of the city are located. Wi-Fi on board and audio guide available in 7 different languages (English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch and Norwegian). The full sightseeing tour takes approximately 50 minutes for unlimited rides in 24 hours. Stops include Bryggen, the fish market, Bergen Aquarium and Mount Fløyen funicular station. Information and reservations: hop-on hop-off bus valid for 24 hours to visit the city of Bergen.