According to Ehuacom, the Norwegian city of Bergen has quite a lot to offer in terms of history, culture and art. In that sense you can speak of a metropolis. However, Bergen feels compact, charming and cosy. Student life also has its advantages. During the Middle Ages, the city of Bergen was designated a Hanseatic city. Its location offered many opportunities for trade between Scandinavia and a large part of Europe. The export of dried fish in particular was booming at that time. In return, the Norwegians received grain and luxury products. A still visible part of this history can be seen in the harbor of Bergen and the Bryggen district. Historic wooden houses are furnished as craft shops and various museums offer you various information about the history of the city. The modern part of the city can be found mainly south of the harbour. Streets like Strandgaten, Chr. Michels gate, Torgallmenningen and Olav Kyrres gate, for example, are excellent for an afternoon of shopping. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all the beauty that the Norwegian city of Bergen has to offer.
Top 10 sights of Bergen
#1. Bryggen
The Bryggen district, which is registered on the Unesco World Heritage List, forms the center of the ancient trading city. The strategic and easily defendable location of the city of Bergen provided many trade opportunities with Norway. In particular the trade in dried fish and shipping. This is how the Hanseatic League was born. Despite the many fires that have ravaged the city, the traces of this are mainly visible in the Bryggen district. Formerly known as Tyskebryggen, the quay is lined with distinctive wooden houses painted in cheerful colours. They form the characteristic picture for the city of Bergen. Other attractions of Bryggen include the Bryggens Museum, art galleries and good restaurants.
#2. Bergenhus
The Bergenhus district was originally named after the fortress of the same name that was built there in the thirteenth century. During the Middle Ages, this castle of Mons was inhabited by the royal family. Later the complex was used as a military area. Now nowadays Bergenhus is a tourist attraction, where concerts and events are regularly organized. During your visit to this historic structure, you can admire the remains of Bergen’s first cathedral, the Gothic banqueting hall Håkonshallen, the tower Rosenkrantztårnet and the Sverresborg, among others. A statue of King Haakon VII was added in the twentieth century.
#3. Fisketorget
Fish has long been an important source of income for the city of Bergen. The fish market ‘Fisketorget’ in the harbor of Bergen is therefore an attraction that you should not miss. Before dawn, people are already working hard in the Fisketorget. Fishermen and merchants gather here to trade. The restaurants in the area find one of their main ingredients here and make sure they get there early. Later in the day the locals and of course the tourists follow. Besides the fish, including a number of spectacular species, it is also nice to see the activity and the average coexistence here. In addition to fish, other fresh products and dishes are also sold.
#4. Floibanen and Ulriksbanen
The natural landscape in Norway, and therefore also around the city of Bergen, is quite impressive. From the center of the city, a trip with Fløbanen tramway is therefore recommended. This means of transport gives you the opportunity to make a trip to the top of Mount Fløyen in a relaxed way. The trip takes about eight minutes. Of course, the trip can also be done on foot, but that requires sufficient stamina and strength. The view over the fjords, the city of Bergen and the mountainous landscape is exceptionally beautiful. Once at the top, there are various walking routes to follow, you can have a bite to eat and there are play areas for children. Another cable car is the Ulriken cable car. During the crossing to this highest mountain in the region, you get an increasingly beautiful view. Once at the top there are beautiful views to enjoy, you can take a variety of walks, visit the mountain shop or relax in the restaurant.
#5. Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene
At the Finnegården in Bergen you can visit one of the oldest wooden buildings in Bergen. This is where the Hanseatic Museum is located. This museum offers you the chance to get acquainted with the history and culture of the Hanseatic traders. The museum brings the eighteenth century back to life, so to speak, so that you can experience how people lived in those days. In the Schøtstuene, which is located a little further, you can then admire the ‘meeting room’ from that time. At the time, hot meals were also served here. At that time, people were not allowed to light fires everywhere, so there were special areas for this. The historic Schøtstuene is part of the Hanseatic Museum. Children under the age of 16 enter for free.
#6. Fjorden
Bergen is located on the west coast of Norway, which is rich in fjords. Bergen is therefore a good starting point to discover these natural coves. This is possible through a multi-day cruise where you will see several fjords. However, there are also half-day or full-day boat trips where you sail through or along one of the fjords nearby Bergen. There is often a stop of about an hour at a place or village worth seeing, after which the boat returns to Bergen.
#7. Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen
On the ‘troll hill’ in a bay of Bergen, the former home of composer Edvard Grieg is located. This house was built in the nineteenth century to a design by Schak Bull, an architect from Norway. Grieg lived here until his death in 1907. Because of his unprecedented talent, he was also called the ‘Chopin’ of the north. His life consisted of playing the piano at an early age and later also composing. The fact that it has benefited him is clearly visible when you enter his former home. He himself spent a lot of time in the neighboring house. Because he was bothered by the noises in the house, he liked to isolate himself there. He and his wife are buried nearby in a rock by the lake. In that place the rock catches the last rays of the sun from a setting sun. It was Grieg’s wish to be buried there.
#8. Byparken Bergen
‘s first public park was Byparken. This green heart of the city is located south of the harbor and west of the Lille Lungegårdsvannet pond. The square on this pond ‘Festplassen’ is regularly the location for various festivities. Byparken features a statue of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. The music dome from 1886 is a gift from a businessman. The popular Bergen Kunstmuseum and the Bergen Kunsthall are located directly at the park.
#9. Akvariet i Bergen
The Norwegian city of Bergen is very suitable to visit with children. Especially when combined with a visit to Akvariet i Bergen. This is the largest aquarium in Norway. In addition to countless colorful fish species, you can also enjoy penguins, sea lions, crocodiles, snakes, spiders and much more.
#10. Bryggens Museum
The Bryggens Museum is now located on the site where old remains of the first settlement in Bergen were found. A special piece of history was discovered after the heavy fire in 1955 during excavations. This revealed a lot of information about the period we know as the Middle Ages. The exhibition is therefore filled with all kinds of objects that were found at the time. Think of everyday objects, weapons, foundations of houses and other living or working materials. The Brygens Museum can be found on Dreggsallmenningen in Bergen.
