Official Language:
Norwegian
Secondary Language:
English
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Currency:
Norwegian Krone
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Population:
Approximately 220,000 people call Bergen home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Bergen Norway: Bergen has a temperate, and cool climate. May through October has daily highs in the 60's (-15°C) Nights can be very cool, even in the summer.
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Bergen, the second largest city in Norway, is located in the Western Fjords, and is a spectacular fjord region that covers the area from Stavanger in the south to Kristiansund in the north. Many of the fjords are only 330 feet wide in places. Vertical cliffs rise over 3300 feet on either side. The longest fjord is Sognefjord and runs for over 124 miles into the interior. Others fjords include the Ryfylke Fjords, Hardanger Fjord, Sunnfjord, Nord Fjord, Geiranger Fjord and Romsdal Fjord.
In western Norway the landscape takes on an awesome beauty, with iridescent glaciers, deep fjords that slash into rugged, snowcapped mountains, roaring waterfalls, and secluded valleys that lie at the end of twisting roads. From Bergen the most beautiful fjords to visit are the Hardangerfjord (best at blossom time, May and early June), to the south; the Sognefjord, Norway's longest fjord, immediately to the north; and the Nordfjord, north of that. A popular excursion on the Nordfjord takes visitors from Loen to Olden along rivers and lakes to the Brixdal Glacier. On the Hardangerfjord you can stop over at a resort such as Ulvik or Lofthus. From many vantage points, it's possible to see the Folgefonn Glacier, Norway's second-largest ice field. It spans more than 260 sq. km (100 sq. miles). Other stopover suggestions include the summer resorts (and winter ski centers) of Voss and Geilo. Bergen has survived many disasters, including several fires and the explosion of a Nazi ship during World War II. It's a town with important traditions in shipping, banking, and insurance, and its modern industries are expanding rapidly.
Begen is a delightful old Hanseatic trading town. It is now known as the "Rhododendron City". Centred around a busy harbour with a thriving fishing industry. The history of bergen dates back to the early eleventh century when Olav Kyrre established a settlement and a royal residence here. In 1240, Bergen replaced Trondheim and became the capital of Norway. The city then quickly prospered under the guidance of the Hanseatic League. Much of the city’s architecture now reflects the lifestyle of the Hanseatic merchants.
Enjoy the city of Bergen and take a stroll to the old part of town. See the impressive 12th-century Bergenhus fortress. The old Hanseatic Wharf is home to the reconstructed gabled buildings that house workshops, boutiques and restaurants. Mornings are a delightful experience in Bergen with colorful flowers, as well as a fish & fruit market alongside the waterfront. Bergen, with its many attractions; its good hotels, boarding houses, and restaurants; and its excellent boat, rail, and coach connections, makes the best center in the fjord district. It's an ancient city that looms large in Viking sagas. Until the 14th century, it was the seat of the medieval kingdom of Norway. The Hanseatic merchants established a major trading post that lasted until the 18th century.
Bergen Port is located in the center of Bergen. There are two main port areas for cruise ships, Skoltegrunnskaien and Dokkeskjaeret. If your cruise ships dock at the Skoltegrunnskaien is located 670 meters from the fish market in Bergen and Dokkeskjaeret is located 1450 mt. / 4430 Feet from the fish market in Bergen. The port is conveniently located within walking distance of the center of town. Local Transportation in the city of Bergen is efficiently served by bus transportation that can take the tourist to many surrounding destinations. Buses depart from the central station located at Stromgaten 8 (tel. 55/32-67-80). Or, you can opt to rent a car from one of several agencies located in the city. Contact Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633) or National InterRent (tel. 800/227-3876) for more information on rental cars. Finally, you can take a taxi to any destination of your choice. Taxis in Bergen are controlled by a central dispatching office, which can be reached 24 hours a day (tel. 55/99-77-00).
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Attractions |
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The Bergen Art Museum:
is located at Rasmus Meyers Alle 3-7 (55/56-80-00) and is a fabulous collection of galleries that are full of exquisite paintings and artwork. The three primary galleries are the Stenersen Collection, the Rasmus Meyers Collection, and the Bergen Billedgalleri. In the Rasmus Meyers are some of the best Picasso paintings found anywhere. Wonderful works by Miro and Braque can be seen here, as well. Paul Klee's glorious pieces are on display in the Stenersen Collection, and Norwegian greats such as Munch and I.C. Dahl are featured in the Bergen Billedgalleri. The Bergen Art Museum is a splendid establishment full of visual wonders, created by the masters..
The Bergen Aquarium:
One of the most extensive fauna collections in Europe. Aquarium can be found at Nordnesbakken 4 (55/55-71-71) and is a wonderful place for the whole family to enjoy. There are nine glass tanks that surround the indoor hallway, full of marine life that is sure to dazzle you. The 42 small aquariums are fantastic, as well, and being only a pleasant fifteen-minute walk from the heart of Bergen makes visiting the aquarium an absolute must. Among the thousands of animals and plants on display, you will see penguins, seals, piranhas, and giant lobsters.
Toldhaugen:
is located at Troldhaugveien 65 (55/91-17-91) and was the home of composer Edvard Grieg. The ornate Victorian architecture is extraordinary. During the Bergen festival, the house is used as a gathering place, and Grieg's grand piano can be heard once again. Inside, Grieg's paintings, personal items, and furniture remain.
Gamlehaugen:
The king's official Bergen residence was originally occupied in the 19th century by Christian Michelsen, one of the first prime ministers of Norway after it separated from Denmark in 1814. It's open for just a short time each summer. The rambling wood-sided villa lies about 10km (6 1/4 miles) south of the city, overlooking the Nordåsvannet estuary. Its gardens are open to the public all year. Don't expect the hoopla you might see at Buckingham Palace -- the venue is understated, discreet, and (probably for security reasons) aggressively mysterious.
Håkonshallen (Håkon's Hall):
If you walk along the water from Bryggen, you come upon the Håkonshallen, built between 1247 and 1261. It was damaged in a 1944 fire caused by the explosion of an overloaded Nazi munitions ship, and later restored. (The explosion damaged nearly every building in Bergen, and sent the ship's anchor flying almost to the top of a nearby mountain.) Håkonshallen is the largest and most imposing building remaining of a former royal residence when Bergen was the political center of the 13th-century kingdom of Norway. Guided tours are conducted hourly.
Mount Ulriken:
The highest of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen. For one of the grandest views in western Norway, visit Bergen's highest mountaintop, Ulriken, at 642m (2,106 ft.). The attraction lies at Landaas, 5km (3 miles) southeast from the center of Bergen. The Ulriksbanen (tel. 55-55-20-00), the most famous cable car in western Norway, runs up the mountain. A shuttle bus departs for the Ulriksbanen from the Tourist Information Center in Bergen daily from May to September. Off-season departures depend on the weather. Once at the cable-car station, you can walk for 3 hours north along a well-trodden track to the top of the Fløibanen funicular railway, with scenic vistas in all directions.
Mount Floyen and the Funicular (Fløybanen):
If you're looking for one of the best view over the city you should include a trip on famous Funicular. It will take you from the city center to the top of the Mount Floyen. Then you'll be 320 meters above sea level (1050 ft). Check out the magnificent views over the surroundings islands. Numerous paths offer easy walks through beautiful woodland terrain with lakes and mountains. During the summer the restaurant on top of Mount Floyen is open daily. The kiosk and souvenir shop is open all year. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. Situated in the center of Bergen, walking distance from the Fish Market. Departures on the hour and every half hour from early morning to 11 PM, from May to August till Midnight. Extra departures when necessary. This funicular railway is also known as 'Floibanen' and 'Fløibanen' and 'Fløybanen'.
Rosenkrantz Tower:
Rosenkrantz Tower dates back to medieval times. The tower was erected by the governor of Bergen Castle (Bergenhus), Erik Rosenkrantz, and served as a combined residence and fortified tower to Bergen. Earlier structures existed -King Magnus Lagabote’s (Magnus the Lawmender) keep from about 1270 and Jorgen Hansson’s defences from about 1520. Both these were incorporated by Erik Rosenkrantz. The view of the sea front is amazing. You can take a tour of the castle there and learn some interesting stories about life in those days. Guided tours of the Tower and the Haakon’s Hall every hour during summer, starting in the Hall. Situated in the center of Bergen, walking distance from the Fish Market.
Organized Day Tours:
Several different transit options operate throughout the day. The one most aggressively recommended by Bergen's tourist office runs from June to August only. It starts at 8:30am at Bergen's railway station. After a 2-hour train ride, you disembark in the mountaintop hamlet of Myrdal, where you can sightsee for about 20 minutes. In Myrdal, you board a cog railway for one of the world's most dramatically inclined train rides. The trip down to the village of Flåm, a drop of 870m (2,900 ft.), takes an hour and passes roaring streams and seemingly endless waterfalls.After a 1-hour stopover in Flåm, where you can have lunch or take a brief hike, you board a fjord steamer for a ride along the Sognefjord. You reach the fjord-side town of Gudvangen after a 2-hour ride. After 30 minutes in Gudvangen, you board a bus for the 75-minute ride to Voss. There you spend 30 minutes before boarding a train for the 75-minute ride back to Bergen. Arrival is scheduled for 8:18pm.Expect only a rushed overview of each town, as there is more scenery than you can digest in a 12-hour day. The round-trip fare, excluding meals, is 630NOK ($84) for adults, 315NOK ($42) for children under 12. There are discounts for holders of Eurailpasses or Scanrail passes. For more information, contact Bergen's Tourist Office (tel. 55-32-14-80).
Troldhaugen:
Home of the composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907).
Bergen Fish Market:
The market an abundance of fish, flowers, fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. Here you will have the chance to taste the raw oysters or buy freshly boiled shrimps and enjoy by the waterfront. Situated in the very heart of Bergen.
Shopping:
Cruise ship passengers will find traditional items including furs, printed textiles, knitwear, woodcarving, silver, pewter, glass and porcelain. The town center is busy with pedestrians with 3 shopping streets to choose from: Strandgaten, Torgalmenningen, and Marken. Look for the traditional woolens, a Norwegian specialty. A perfect gift to take home is a thick Norwegian sweater to wear on cold nights. A sure reminder of your time in Bergen.Shopping Alexandra at Ragplassen 2 (55/31-00-80) is the best spot for fine jewelry in Bergen. For clothes and other merchandise, visit Sundt & Company on Torgalmenningen (55/32-31-00). Galleriet is found at Torgalmenningen 8 (55/32-45-50) and is a great mall complex with over 70 stores.
Nightlife:
The Den National Scene is located at Engen 1 (55/54-97-10) and is a fabulous theater constructed in the middle of the 19th century, which features performances that range from plays to opera. The Night Spot can be found inside the Hotel Norge, at Ole Bulls Plass 2-4 (55/21-01-00). It is a lively dance bar with a great sound system and a slightly older and refined crowd.
The Bergen Tourist Office:
Bryggen 7 (tel. 55-32-14-80), provides information, maps, and brochures about Bergen and the rest of the region. It's open June to August, daily from 8:30am to 10pm; May and September, daily 9am to 8pm; October to April, Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm. The Bergen Tourist Office can also help you find a place to stay, exchange foreign currency, and cash traveler's checks when banks are closed. You can also buy tickets for city sightseeing or for tours of the fjords.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Bergen-Norway:
Bergen Travel Information
http://www.bergen-travel.com
http://www.virtualbergen.com/
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