Norway's culture capital and a charming World Heritage city located close to the famous fjords, Bergen is filled with not only historical and cultural sights, but also with a good amount of outgoing atmosphere. The beautiful city is located in mountainous surroundings, offering you an easy gateway into the astonishing Norwegian nature. Bergen offers also shopping facilities, art museums, concerts and cruises to the most famous fjords of Norway.
The Norwegians are known as an outdoor sport loving people who head into the forest and mountains of their beautiful homeland much more often than many of us. Offering excellent possibilities for many outdoor sports including hiking in Bergen and golf in Bergen, this coastal city is one of the most popular outdoor cities of Norway. The most popular place for outdoor people to visit in Bergen is Mount Floyen, which can be conquered either by foot or with Floibanen, a funicular taking you up to the mountain and offering spectacular views over the Norwegian coast. Spas in Bergen offer you refreshment in between your other activities. If you want to enjoy the coastal landscapes and stunning fjords of Norway a little bit longer, there are also spectacular cruises from Bergen available from a short day-trip to several days long excursions.
Bergen, Norway's culture capital and the gateway to the fjords
The second largest city in Norway, Bergen is a fascinating city with a wide variety of diverse cultural sights and museums. All art lovers should visit Bergen Art Museum, which is one of the largest in Scandinavia. Furthermore, the 12th century Bergenhus Fort is a must-see for all history lovers. Another historical sight in Bergen that enjoys wide popularity is Bryggen, the World Heritage -nominated old wharf of Bergen, which reminds us from the times when Bergen was an important Hanseatic trading place, and which pleases many with its colorful wooden houses standing in the waterfront of the city. Bergen also has a lively music scene with festivals and concerts in Bergen available to suit many tastes. You can also choose guided sightseeing tours in Bergen, such as for example a ride in the local tourist train, Bergen Express, or if you drive further from Bergen, in even more famous Flåm railway, which is one of the steepest railway lines of the world, and a highly popular touristic sight.The Norwegians are known as an outdoor sport loving people who head into the forest and mountains of their beautiful homeland much more often than many of us. Offering excellent possibilities for many outdoor sports including hiking in Bergen and golf in Bergen, this coastal city is one of the most popular outdoor cities of Norway. The most popular place for outdoor people to visit in Bergen is Mount Floyen, which can be conquered either by foot or with Floibanen, a funicular taking you up to the mountain and offering spectacular views over the Norwegian coast. Spas in Bergen offer you refreshment in between your other activities. If you want to enjoy the coastal landscapes and stunning fjords of Norway a little bit longer, there are also spectacular cruises from Bergen available from a short day-trip to several days long excursions.
Photo: Matthias Ripp, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
These cruises will give you a chance to admire the amazing coastal landscapes such as those of Geirangerfjord, the most famous of all Norwegian fjords.
Practical information for your trip to Bergen
Bergen has a moist maritime climate with warm summers with up to 20°C temperatures from June through August, whereas winters (November- March) have below zero temperatures. Rainfall is received in Bergen all around the year. Overall, if you travel here for summer activities, visit Bergen between May and September, and if for winter sports, come between December and March.Located in western Norway, Bergen is in most cases best reached by air. Flights to Bergen are available from many European airports, in addition to which this coastal city is easily reachable also by train from Oslo or by ferry from Denmark, Iceland and many UK and domestic destinations. Walking is the most common way to get around inside the city, but if you want to travel longer distances, also buses and taxis are widely available, and also renting a car in Bergen is possible.
Bergen is a popular holiday city with well-maintained services for tourism information, as well as for hotels in Bergenand restaurants in Bergen. If you do not have shortage of money, there are also excellent possibilities for shopping in Bergen and many suitable places for nightlife in Bergen. Tourism services in Norway have one unpleasant feature, which is their high price. Overall, Norway is a very expensive country, which however offers excellent use for your money. Bergen is also a very safe destination, where many locals speak also English.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Stavanger
