Bergen
★ 4.7🇳🇴 BergenSuggested visit 3-4 daysBest season June to August is best; rain at any time of year is part of Bergen's character
World HeritageFjordsNordic cultureHanseatic League
Gateway to the Norwegian fjords, combining the colourful wooden warehouses of Bryggen with Nordic heritage and dramatic scenery.
Overview
Bergen is Norway's fjord capital. The wooden houses of Bryggen are a World Heritage Site, and the city is an excellent starting point for exploring the fjords.
History
Bergen was founded in 1070 and in the Middle Ages was an important trading port of the Hanseatic League, where German merchants maintained a trading post for 400 years. Bryggen is the medieval Hanseatic wharf complex; despite repeated fires it preserves the original town plan and became a World Heritage Site in 1979. Bergen is the main departure point for Norway's fjords, close to Sognefjord, the longest in the country, and Hardangerfjord.
Highlights
- •Travel back in time among the colourful wooden houses of Bryggen
- •The Fløibanen funicular for a full view of the city and fjords
- •One of the best-preserved fish markets in Norway
- •A day trip to Sognefjord, the longest and deepest in the world
- •Northern lights and the midnight sun at these latitudes
Practical tips
- •Day trips to the fjords start from here
- •Bring rain gear
Practical information
- Best time
- June to August
- Tickets
- Bryggen free to visit; fjord cruises about NOK 500 to 1,000
- Opening hours
- City open all day; fish market 7:00 to 21:00
- Local food
- Salmon, fish soup and cinnamon buns
- Getting around
- The airport light rail runs to the centre; fjord cruises and the mountain funicular are the main experiences
- Visa
- Norway is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa. The fjord region is busiest in summer, so plan transport and accommodation early.
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