Situated on Norway's west coast, this wharf city of about 300,000 residents (one of the oldest port cities in Europe) is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and fjords. Rich in culture and seafaring history, Bergen boasts a vast selection of cultural activities.
Check out the
Bryggen area of downtown to view old wooden houses dating back to the 1700s (a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site), along with Bergen's best historical sites and museums. Then, for a rest, stop in one of the charming local restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. Finally, to polish off your historic minitour, visit
Old Bergen (Gamle Bergen), a reconstruction of Bergen from the 18th century.
Save some time for a museum or two! Favorites include the
KODE art museums, which host collections from Munch, Astrup, Dahl, and Picasso; the
Bergen Maritime Museum with
various historic and modern boats and ships; and the
fortress museum depicting the military history of Norway, with exhibitions on historical wars, WWII, and modern warfare.
For a unique experience, check out the ice sculptures at the
Magic Ice Bar or take the city's light rail and walk to the reconstruction of the 12th-century
Fantoft Stave Church, also called Trollhaugen or Fantoft Stavkirke. Then, when you're ready for a break or meal, enjoy some regional cuisine at one of the cafes or restaurants. Some local favorites include Altona, Pingvinen, 1887, Cornelius, bare Vestland, Dugg frisk, Spisekroken, Lysverket, and Skyskaperen (on the top of Mt. Ulriken).
Discover more
things to do in Bergen and other interesting
cultural and historical experiences in Norway.
