Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, a municipality, and a former county, in the county of Hordaland. The city is located on the south-western coast of Norway, in the county of Hordaland, with its centre situated between a group of mountains known collectively as de syv fjell ("the seven mountains"), although the number of mountains is a matter of definition. Bergen is host to part of the country's large oil industry, as well as deep sea operations. Its harbours are used by everything from small pleasure vessels to cruise ships and cargo vessels, and is the base of many of the country's fishing vessels.
Bergen is an important cultural centre in its region and was one of nine European cities
honoured with the title European Capital of Culture in 2000.
Founded around 1070 AD, Bergen quickly evolved into one of the most important cities in
Norway. It was the country's administrative capital until 1299, and the largest city in
Scandinavia. Bergen was one of the most important bureau cities of the Hanseatic
League, interconnecting the continental Europe with the northern and coastal parts of
Norway, thus becoming a central spot for the vending of stockfish and the commercial hot
spot in Norway. It was the largest city in Norway until the 1830's and has a long maritime
history in shipping and finance.
The city still has relics of its Hanseatic heydays, such as Bryggen (the harbor), a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen is located far west in Norway, sheltered from the North Sea only by a few islands.
It is situated along latitude 60 degrees north, as Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint
Petersburg and Anchorage. The city center is surrounded by mountains.
Due to the city's location relatively far north, close to the northern sea and surrounded by
mountains, special weather conditions occur, resulting in approximately 240 days with
precipitation a year and a mean temperature of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F). In January 2007, a record
of 85 rainy days in a row, was set. Still, local people claim there is no such thing as bad
weather, only bad clothing.
For the rest of us, the trick is obviously to choose the time of visit with caution. If you're
lucky enough to catch the city on a sunny day, you will find an incredible atmosphere as
citizens really know how to appreciate nice weather. City planners have probably had this
in mind the latest years, resulting in open spaces, parks, flowers and lawns scattered all
over downtown.
Bergen is one of the most important cultural centers in Norway. The city is the home of the Bergen International Festival, Nattjazz and Bergenfest, festivals of international renown within their genres. The local symphony orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, was founded in 1786. It is one of the world's oldest orchestral institutions.
Around 2000, a number of artist from the rythmic music scene in Bergen gained international fame. In the domestic press this became known as the Bergen Wave. Musicians and bands with roots in Bergen include Annie, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Erlend Øye, Kings of Convenience, Röyksopp, Sondre Lerche, and Datarock.
Recent years, the people behind the Bergenfest festival have been hosting concerts the rest of the year. International artists who have visited Bergen include Elton John, Black Sabbath, P!nk, Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, Iron Maiden, Roger Waters, Snoop Dogg and Rufus Wainwright. Metallica, Kiss, Foo Fighters, Judas Priest and R.E.M. will all be visiting Bergen in the near future.
These visiting artists have inspired many locals, which has resulted in a thriving
underground music scene.
PLACE TO VISIT
Bergen Art Museum - One of the largest art museums in the Nordic countries, with art from the renaissance as well as contemporary art. The museum houses several of Edvard Munch's works. Kr. 50 (students: kr. 35). (60.389594, 5.327728)
The fish market - Bergen's outdoor fish market has a long history, being the historical center for fish trade. Most tourists find their way here, but with locals changing their shopping habits, the fish market today does not compare to what it once was. This is reflected in that more than 17 % of visiting tourists in 2007 was dissatisfied with the market. Still, you can get a pretty good idea of what the locals eat by having a look at the various fish they sell here, and try some of the stranger ones if you feel adventurous. Free tastes are usually available. Although somewhat crowded, getting around with a wheelchair is fairly easy
Floibanen - Floibanen is a funicular which goes up Mount Fløyen, one of the hills surrounding Bergen. From here, you get a great view of the city. Accessing Fløibanen and the plateau on Mount Fløien with a wheelchair is a piece of cake. More than 1.2 million people rode with Fløibanen in 2007, and it has become the attraction that the most tourists are content with. Expect queues, but don't worry, they move fast. There are no steps where lifts are not available without assistance, and all doors are wide. Single kr. 35, return kr. 70 (Children (up to 16 years): Single kr. 18, return kr. 35. Tickets to and from interim stations are cheaper. Children under 4 years travel free.
St. Jørgen's Hospital - St. Jørgen's Hospital is one of very few preserved leprosy hospitals from the 18th century in Northern Europe. This was where Armauer Hansen discovered the bacteria that causes leprosy in 1873. The Leprosy Museum tells the story about the disease and its history in Norway, in addition to showing life at the hospital. Kr. 40 (children kr. 20).
Statsraad Lehmkuhl - A three-masted barque sail training vessel built in 1914, one of the best kept in its kind. Mini cruises (approximately five and a half hours) available a few times a year, at the cost of kr. 425 including food. Tickets should be bought well in advance. For the more adventurous up to week-long cruises to Europe are available where you live and work as a sailor.
Bergenhus fort - Once the seat of the king, Bergenhus fort is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of Norway. It dates to the late 12th century. The fort is situated close to the international ferry terminal.
The royal hall, Håkonshallen, was built some time between 1217 and 1261. Unlike some
of the other structures on the fort, like the Church of Christ, used for coronation, the hall is
still standing. It is being used today for royal galas. The roof is however reconstructed
after a blast during World War II. The nearby Rosenkrantz tower has the same
appearance as it had in the 16th century. With the old dungeon in the basement, the
tower actually dates back to the same time as Håkonshallen. Two structures of this age
has been built in to the tower. Guided tours of the royal hall and the tower start every hour
between 10AM and 4PM every day from 15 May to 31 Aug in the royal hall. From 1 Sep to
14 May tours are only available between noon and 3PM on Sundays. Entrance fee is kr.
30 for adults and kr. 15 for children and students.
The fortress grounds serve as a city park; you can hang out here and eat that fish you just
bought at the nearby fish market - or just enjoy the sunshine and the view. The park is
popular among locals and tourists, but usually not crowded. It is normally not a problem
to find a good spot for your picnic or a round of frisbee. There is a very good view of the
bay. The use of open fire, including barbeques, and the drinking of alcoholic beverages
are forbidden. Unlike in many other parks, the prohibition of alcohol is enforced strictly
here, as the fort is still a military area with occasional military guards on patrol.
Bryggen - Between 1350 and 1750, this area used to be a Hansa dock, trading and
processing area. Despite neglect and fires (Norwegian cities had a habit of burning down
because everything is made of wood), a considerable number of buildings have survived
and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you enter some of the alleyways
between the storefronts you really get a feel of what Bergen must have been like in the
middle ages. There are a few museums on the history of Bergen and of Bryggen, but the
most interesting aspect is probably that almost all of the buildings are still in use. One
example is the restaurant Bryggen tracteursted, serving food and drinks in a building first
opened for this purpose in 1708.
Wandering about on Bryggen is possible with a wheelchair, but getting in and out of buildings can be very difficult.
Bergen Aquarium -The aquarium has a nice selection of aquatic life, especially penguins and seals. Typical Norwegian aquatic life is well documented, and there is also a collection of tropical fish and animals. Fun for kids. Kr. 150 (kids (3-13 years): kr. 100, family (2 adults and 2 kids): kr. 400)
Bergen Museum – The Natural History Collections The Natural History Collections include botany, geology and zoology. The zoology exhibitions is preserved more or less as they were when they were put up almost a hundred years ago. The geology exhbition is modern and varied and contains samples from most part of the world, in addition to a nice local collection. Around the museum is a garden which is at its finest in spring and summer. There is also a green house where you can enjoy tropical plants. Kr. 40 (Senior citizens: kr. 20, children under 16, students and University of Bergen staff: free. Ticket is also valid at the Cultural History Collections. Access to the garden and the green house is free of charge.).
Vilvite - Sponsored by the state and the city in addition to some of the largest industrial
companies in Norway, this all new science center features interactive exhibitions of
science, technology and mathematics. It targets children and young people with the
intention to inspire the to learning more about science, but is popular also among the
adults. It has special exhibitions about the weather, the ocean and energy, with altogether
75 different interactive machines and experiments. Kr. 120 (children (3-15 years): kr. 80,
families (2 adults and 2 children): kr. 330 (kr. 65 per extra child), students (high school
and above): kr. 80).
Fantoft stave church - Stave churches are built in a distinctive style using the logs of trees as pillars, by the early Christians. This is a reconstruction of a church originally built in Fortun, by the Sognefjord, around 1150. On the 6 Jun 1992 the church was totally destroyed by arson, but is has since that been rebuilt
Gamlehaugen - The castle on Gamlehaugen was the home of Christian Michelsen, former prime minister who freed Norway from the Swedish rule through the peaceful dissolution of the "union" in 1905. Nowadays, the castle is the royal family's residence in Bergen. There is a large and very popular park around the castle. Bathing possibilities. Tour tickets are kr. 50 (children kr. 25
Troldhaugen -This is the house of the famous composer Edvard Grieg, who wrote
the Peer Gynt suite and is Norway's national composer. His country house (just outside
the town center of Bergen) has been preserved in the state it was in when he died in the
late 19th century. You can also see his grave; he was buried on his own estate. There is
a museum devoted to Grieg and his work, and a concert hall with regular concerts. Kr. 60
(groups: kr. 50 (per person), students: kr. 20, children under 16: free)
WHAT TO DO
Bergen Guided Tours, departing from the tourist information. Daily at 11AM from May to September. A three hours long tour by coach to the most important sights in Bergen, including Troldhaugen and Fantoft stave church.
The Bergen Express. 1 May–31 May: Daily every hour from 11AM to 5PM. 1 Jun–20 Jun: Daily every hour from 10AM to 7PM. 21 Jun–20 Aug: Daily every half hour from 9AM to 7PM. 21 Aug–31 Aug: Daily every hour from 10AM to 7PM. 1 Sep-15 Sep: Daily every hour from 11AM to 5PM. A 55 minutes long tour by a diesel-powered train imitation starting at Bryggen, travelling around downtown past a nice viewpoint half way up Mount Fløyen. Kr. 100 (children: kr. 40, families (two adults and two children): kr. 220).
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Classical concerts so to say every Thursday evening at 7:30PM. The program is varied, but the repertoire is usually quite easy listening. The orchestra plays of course a lot of Edvard Grieg's works.
Den Nationale Scene The national theater in Bergen. In a beautifully restored building, the theater presents a variety of plays on three different stages, from traditional Ibsen to contemporary plays. The largest stage (Store scene) is where most mainstream plays are played, while the two smaller stages features more alternative plays, often the most interesting ones. The plays are in Norwegian.
Hiking The mountains surrounding Bergen offers great hiking possibilities. There are
options for anyone from those just looking for a fifteen-minute stroll in the sun to the more
adventurous interested in daytrips and steep hills. Byfjellene (the city mountains) has a
good network of dirtroads and paths, usually well signposted. Good maps are available
in most bookstores – look for Tur- og friluftskart Bergen (1:25 000) from the Norwegian
Mapping and Cadastre Authority (Norwegian: Statens kartverk).
For advice on hiking, as well as hiking opportunities elsewhere in Norway, you should consult Bergen Turlag (Bergen Hiking Association), the local branch of Den Norske Turistforening (Norwegian Trekking Association), located in Tverrgaten 4-6. The Norwegian right to access entitles you to hike in all uncultivated areas.
Mount Fløyen Mount Fløyen is the most central of the mountains. It is easily accessible by the funicular running from downtown, but the better fit will probably choose the 20-minutes walk up. A good compromise can be to take the funicular up and walk down. The way is well signposted, so you won't get lost.
From the top of Mount Fløyen, the 1.8 km (1.1 mi) walk in relatively flat terrain to Brushytten
(the soda cabin) is ideal if you have kids. Brushytten is a kiosk usually open on Sundays.
From late 2007, the cabin is closed for reconstruction. There are several ways to get
there, if you follow the signs, you're on the safe side and will walk on dirtroads all the way
(easily accessible with both a wheelchair or a pram). From Brushytten, you can walk up
the hill to Mount Rundemanen and get a beautiful view. From Mount Rundemanen, a
good choice for a not-so-long hike will be to walk to Sandviksfjellet, and from there down
to Sandviken, where you can get on a bus or walk back to the city center. Another
possibility is to cross the Vidden plateau and walk to Mount Ulriken, the tallest mountain
in Bergen, this will take five hours. You should be somewhat fit to take this trip, and also
prepared for bad weather. The trip across Vidden is among Norway's ten most popular
hiking trips.
For both kids and adults, a popular activity on snowy days is to take the funicular to the top
of Mount Fløyen and toboggan to the city center.
EVENTS
Bergenfest, Music festival from the end of April to start of May. A number of concerts in
most rythmic music genres (pop, rock, hip hop, blues, soul) all over town
Bergen International Film Festival . BIFF is a week-long film festival held in October every year at Bergen kino (the Magnus Barfot multiplex cinema). In 2007 BIFF had 40,000 visitors. In 2008, the festival is from October 15th to October 22nd. Single ticket kr. 65. BIFF discount card: New card kr. 520 (card kr. 20, account kr. 500), account refill kr. 200, enables you to purchase tickets at kr. 40/50 for screenings starting before/after 3PM.
Constitution Day. On 17 May, every business in town, except restaurants downtown,
is closed as the citizens dress up in their finest clothes and celebrate all day long. You
will be stunned by the amount of people in the streets – one can hardly move around –
and by the beautiful national costumes every second person you meet will wear. This is
the day people will look oddly on you if you wear anything less then a suit or dress. At
7AM, there is a twenty-one-gun salute from Skansen, half way up Mount Fløyen, as the
morning parade starts from Dreggen. At 10:30AM, the main parade starts at
Torgalmenningen, goes around town and ends up at Festplassen. The parade is formed
by children and organizations such as sports teams, and only a very few military troops,
unlike in many other countries. The level of nationalism can perhaps be a bit
overwhelming for foreigners, but try to say gratulerer med dagen (literally "congratulations
on the day") to anyone you meet, and you will probably get the same in response, even if
you're not Norwegian at all.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Bergen Airport Flesland is located 19 km south of the city. The main international airports with flights to Bergen are Copenhagen, London and Amsterdam. There are also flights from various cities in the United Kingdom (such as Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen), Prague, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, various cities in Spain and some other airports. There are also a number of domestic flights, such as Oslo, Stavanger and Sandefjord, connecting Bergen to additional international airports. The main carriers in Norway are SAS and the low cost airlines Norwegian Air Shuttle. The Dutch KLM has flights to Amsterdam, Sterling has flights to Copenhagen, Lufthansa to Frankfurt. The smallest airports in Norway are usually served by Widerøe.
There is a frequent airport bus service (Norwegian: Flybussen), which takes about 30-40
minutes to downtown (costing kr. 80, cash only). Taxis are also available but they cost
much more (kr. 250-300 on weekdays, 400 in weekends to downtown). There are some
regular local buses occasionaly going to and from the airport. They have a limited space
for luggage and take longer time, but only cost kr. 23 (refer to the schedules for bus line
523, use buses marked 100 and/or Sentrum, Busstasjonen or Birkelandskrysset).
By train - Bergen is served by a railway line which runs from Oslo. The railway line is
operated by the Norwegian State Railways. The journey takes about six hours and gives
you beautiful views for the last three hours. From passing Geilo, you will cross over a high
mountain plateau and then travel downwards through some of the most wonderful
scenery in Norway. If you buy your ticket online well in advance, fares may be as low as kr.
199 for a one-way ticket. For an additional fee of kr. 75 you may upgrade your ticket to NSB
Komfort, the equivalent of first class, with better seats, free coffee and tea, power supply
and a more quiet spot in the train. The railway station is located on the east side of
downtown, close to the bus station and the Bygarasjen garage.
There should be a special car accessible for people using a wheelchair on all trains
between Oslo and Bergen. A reservation is recommended. The train staff will assist you
to get the wheelchair on board. In Bergen railway station, there are tactile lines on the
floor to assist the visually impaired. The station area is completely accessible with a
wheelchair.
By car - When travelling by car from Oslo, international E-road E16 is the best
choice. The trip usually takes between six and seven hours, depending on the conditions
and whether you choose to make any stops on the way.
From Stavanger, choose E39. The trip takes approximately three hours.
Generally, you will find that inter city roads are of poor quality. This is due to the rather low
traffic and the somewhat difficult conditions in the mountains. Even if some people drive
very fast, you should mind the speed limits (usually 80 km/h) and drive according to the
conditions. In the mountains, help can be hours away. Furthermore, you will find traffic
controls and police in unmarked cars nearly everywhere. Fines are very high.
By bus - Lavprisekspressen travels from Oslo to Bergen. Via the network of NOR-WAY
Bussekspress, Bergen is accessible from almost the entire country. Bus is usually the
cheapest way to travel, but can take some time. The national buses are very comfortable,
but not suitable for people using a wheelchair. Schedules and fares are available online,
and it is also possible to pre-book. Booking may be required on some routes. The bus
station is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the city center. The terminal
for long distance buses is situated on the rear side of the station.
By boat - There are fast boat services from Stavanger as well as several communities
north of Bergen. Because these passenger ferries stop at various small towns on the
way there, you get a great view of the coast, and of the islands in front of it. Fjord1 runs
ferries north of Bergen, Tide runs services south of Bergen (including Stavanger-Bergen
connection). The boat terminal is located on the Nordnes peninsula, across the bay from
the famous Bryggen, next to the fish market, very close to the city center.
