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Bergen Tourist Information

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Bergen Tourist Information - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• (0.01 mi) Scandic Torget Bergen
• (0.04 mi) Magic Hotel Kloverhuset
• (0.12 mi) Opus XVI
• (0.07 mi) Bergen Bors Hotel
• (0.15 mi) Charmante - Skostredet Boutique Hôtel
• (0.01 mi) Fish Me Fisketorget
• (0.02 mi) Lokalt & Lekkert
• (0.02 mi) Sabi Sushi Strandkaien
• (0.02 mi) Seaside
• (0.02 mi) Kvamme Kolonial & Fetevare
• (0.01 mi) Fjord & Glacier Tour – BERGEN
• (0.02 mi) Farmers Market Bergen
• (0.02 mi) Norway Active
• (0.04 mi) Fish Market
• (0.04 mi) Escape Hunt Bergen

Bergen Turistinformasjon

Strandkaien 3, Bergen, Bergen

[email protected]

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Bestill aktiviteter og opplevelser for hele Bergensregionen. Her kan du kjøpe Bergenskortet og veksle valuta. I Turistinformasjonen får du gratis råd og veiledning. Du kan også kjøpe en rekke produkter og tjenester.

Her er noe av det Turistinformasjonen tilbyr:

Gratis brosjyremateriell  Vi har brosjyremateriell fra Bergen og Fjord Norge, samt digitale utstillinger som veileder- og inspirerer deg videre på reisen.

Valutaveksling  Turistinformasjonen i Bergen kan være behjelpelig med valutaveksling og kjøpe produkter og tjenester i fremmed valuta.

Helligdager: For endringer i åpningstider i forbindelse med helligdager, se visitBergen.com her:  https://www.visitbergen.com/praktisk-informasjon/turistinformasjonen

Last updated: 09/04/2023

Source: Visit Bergen

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A Guide to Bergen

• Take a ferry onNærøyfjord

Dine on the freshest seafood Norway has to offer

Admire the art in the kode museums.

• Conquer MountFløyen
• Embrace the city’s heritage

Norway’s second largest city is situated on the west coast , and its charming, small town feel is enhanced by the seven mighty mountains that act as its natural enclosure; not to mention the breathtaking fjords that are only a short drive away. The city’s waterfront is adorned with houses of every colour, and the fishing heritage of the area dominates its modern day attractions. A few days here is highly recommended, leaving you with enough time to discover everything Bergen has to offer, whilst ensuring you make the most of what is a gateway to some of the world’s most unspoilt wilderness. Anyway, here are a few things to cram into your itinerary when you visit…

Take a ferry on Nærøyfjord

Just inland from Bergen is the stunning Nærøyfjord. A cruise on the fjord can be combined with a scenic morning train ride to Voss, before heading onwards to Gudvangen, where you can catch a ferry across the water to Flåm. Nærøyfjord is one of the narrowest fjords in Europe, and its beauty has been recognised internationally since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. With any luck, you will witness goats grazing alongside the fjord and playful seals lounging by the water’s edge as you leave Gudvangen. 

Bergen’s fish market is one of Europe’s finest, with a huge selection of spectacular seafood. All produce on the stalls is fresh, and whilst a bite to eat is notoriously expensive, a wander through the market alongside the beautiful harbour is a great way to spend a morning. The city is also home to a number of fantastic seafood restaurants, offering traditional Norwegian cuisine to open minded tourists, including locally caught whale, incredible salmon and world class shellfish.

The four KODE buildings are made up of five museums, the Edvard Grieg Museum (Troldhaugen), the Harald Sæverud Museum (Siljustøl), the Ole Bull Museum (Lysøen), as well as the Bergen Art Museum and the West Norway Museum of Decorative Art. In total, Kode presides over a staggering 43,000 works of art, among which are paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations and videos, as well as furniture, artisanal handcraft and design. There are few places in Europe better than Bergen for those with a passion for the artistic, and there is no doubt that at least one of the famous KODE buildings will cater to your taste. 

Conquer Mount Fløyen

For an unforgettable view of the city, grab a place on the tram which climbs up to the peak of Mt Fløyen. At over 300m high, you will have an enchanting panorama of the city below, as well as access to plenty of well-marked hiking tracks which lead into the forest. All the possibilities are mapped out on a Walking Map of Mount Fløyen, which you can pick up from the Bergen tourist office in the city centre.

Embrace the city’s heritage

Several sights and museums pay homage to Bergen’s history, and the industries which helped it become so prosperous. From the Maritime Museum to the soon to re-open Museum of Fisheries, there is no doubting the influence that the sea has had on the city. Alternatively experience some of Bergen’s religious history by heading to the beautiful cathedral, Domkirke, where regular organ recitals still occur inside a building with a turbulent history. 

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15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bergen, Norway

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Lura Seavey Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Bergen, Norway's second largest city, is also the west coast's largest port and one of Scandinavia's busiest cruise ship stopovers. Surrounded by a ring of hills known locally as the Seven Mountains (De syv fjell), the city's idyllic setting and stunning natural harbor has cemented its reputation as one of Norway's most popular tourist spots .

It's also one of the country's leading cultural destinations, hosting popular summer arts and music events, such as the Bergen International Festival , the Nattjazz Festival, and Bergenfest. Bergen is also home to one of Europe's oldest orchestras. Founded in 1765, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra was the summer home of composer Edvard Grieg.

Bergen is also full of museums that explore the city's rich history, celebrate art, and even let visitors get hands-on with science. To learn more about these and other fun things to do in one of Norway's best places to visit, be sure to read our list of the top tourist attractions in Bergen.

See also: Where to Stay in Bergen

1. Tour Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

2. hike mount fløyen (fløyfjell), 3. grieg museum (troldhaugen), 4. hanseatic museum and schøtstuene, 5. bergenhus fortress, 6. visit the kode museums, 7. mount ulriken, 8. old bergen museum (gamle bergen), 9. explore norway's largest fjords, 10. university museum of bergen, 11. vilvite bergen science center, 12. bergen cathedral, 13. explore market square, 14. lisøy island, 15. gamlehaugen: the royal residence, where to stay in bergen for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to bergen.

Colorful Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf (Tyskebryggen) is one of Bergen's most popular tourist attractions. Chock full of restaurants, studios, workshops, and boutique shops, the charming narrow alleyways and old wooden merchant houses of this UNESCO World Heritage Site simply beg to be explored.

Guided English-language walking tours of Bryggen are available from June through September, where you can learn about the Hanseatic merchants and life in medieval Bergen, as well as visit ruins from the Middle Ages. While here, check out the fascinating Bryggen Museum with its many displays and artifacts dating back to the 14th century and the city's early settlers.

Address: Bryggen, 5003 Bergen

Official site: https://stiftelsenbryggen.no

To the northeast of Bergen rises Mount Fløyen. Also known as Fløyfjell, this 319-meter peak offers magnificent views of the city and the surrounding area. For the most dramatic vistas, time your visit for early morning or at dusk.

If walking is not your thing, you can take the Fløibanen, a fun 844-meter-long funicular railway that carries over a million passengers to the top every year. Once here, the views over Bergen are simply breathtaking.

When you're done with the spectacular views of Bergen, leave the station behind and head to Blåmann . At 551 meters, this tall mountain peak offers superb views from the top that are well worth the effort.

Address: Address: Funicular: Vetrlidsallmenningen 21, 5014, Bergen

Official site: http://floyen.no/en/

Located just a short trek to the south of Bergen, Troldhaugen is famous as the former home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg . Built in 1885, the well-preserved home is now the site of the Grieg Museum and is dedicated to the life and work of the composer.

The Greig Museum is housed in the villa where Edvard and Nina lived, as well as a number of newer buildings constructed for the purpose of commemorating the composer's life and work. Visitors can also see the composer's hut, Greig's private workspace by the lake where he retreated for concentration.

The site also houses Troldsalen , a chamber music performance hall, which seats 200 people and overlooks the composer's hut and lake. Concerts are performed here regularly from June through September.

Address: Troldhaugvegen 65, 5232 Paradis-Bergen

The best preserved of Bryggen's 18th-century merchant homes, Finnegården has housed the Hanseatic Museum since its opening in 1872. This former counting house provides an excellent insight into the lives of the German merchants from the Hanseatic League.

The building, which was constructed in 1704, has its original interior and includes displays of weapons, furnishings, and equipment. Also part of the museum, the assembly rooms and kitchen of Schøtstuene sit in Bryggen next to St. Mary's Church and contain additional exhibits about the merchants' community.

Address: Finnegården 1a, 5003 Bergen

Official site: http://xn--schtstuene-2cb.no/english/

The old Bergenhus Fortress (Bergenhus festning) has dominated the entrance to Bergen's harbor since the late 16th century, and remains one of the most impressive such structures in Scandinavia. A highlight of a visit is seeing the medieval-era banqueting hall, Haakon's Hall (Håkonshallen).

Completed for Norwegian King Håkon Håkonsson in 1261 and fully restored in 1950 after damage, this impressive hall is open to the public year-round and is the largest surviving such structure from this period in the country.

Also of note is the Rosenkrantz Tower, built in the 1500s on top of an older structure from the 1270s.

Be prepared to spend time in the excellent Bergenhus Fortress Museum with its fascinating exhibits relating to the contribution of women and resistance groups during the 1940-45 German occupation. Afterwards, stroll up to the walled remains of Sverresborg , a fortress built around 1660 on the remains of an even older 12th-century castle.

Address: Vågen, 5003 Bergen

The KODE consists of four locations in central Bergen, all of which are located along Lille Lungegård (Lake Lungegard) . KODE1 , previously known as Permanenten, holds several of the museum's permanent collections, including the Silver Treasure, which features works in silver and gold that were created locally. KODE1 is also home to the Singer Collection, which includes works by the Old Masters as well as antiques from Asia and Europe.

KODE2 is home to a variety of changing exhibits and installations, as well as a comprehensive art book store. KODE3 is best known for its large collection of work by Edvard Munch, and the museum offers English-language guided tours daily June through August. KODE4 houses the museum's collections of Modernist art as well as the Kunstlab , an interactive art museum for children. The Kunstlab is free for kids 16 and under.

Also under the management of the KODE are the city's three historic composers' homes, including the Edvard Grieg Museum , the Harald Sæverud Museum , and the Ole Bull Museum .

Location: Rasmus Meyers allé, Bergen

Official site: http://kodebergen.no/en

Hiking up Bergen's tallest mountain is one of the most popular things to do here for tourists and locals alike. There are multiple trails, with the most common starting points at either the Ulriken Cable Car station or the Montana Hostel. The hike is relatively steep and takes between one and a half and two hours, but tourists are rewarded with gorgeous views of the city and the opportunity to rest up at the summit's restaurant.

Expert hikers can undertake the five-hour hike along Vidden Trail , which stretches from here to Mount Fløyen.

The Ulriken Cable Car is, of course, an equally enjoyable way to climb and descend the mountain. This popular attraction includes a seven-minute ride to the top and provides excellent views and photo ops along the way. A restaurant is located at the top of the ride, along with an exciting zipline adventure.

Address: Haukelandsbakken 40, 5009 Bergen

Official site: https://ulriken643.no/en/ulriksbanen/

Tucked away in the old city district of Sandviken is the Old Bergen Museum (Gamle Bergen). This fascinating open-air living history museum brings tourists back to the early 19th century, and is chock-full of interesting buildings and costumed characters drafted in to share the city's history.

The museum opened in 1946 as part of an effort to save Bergen's historic buildings and now preserves 55 original wooden houses, which once stood in the center of town.

While exploring the old city, visitors can watch the living history interpreters go about their day, ask questions, and get a sense of the atmosphere of Old Bergen. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year that reflect typical celebrations from the time period, and performances are put on in the town square several times a day.

Address: Elsesro, Nyhavnsveien 4, 5042 Bergen

Official site: www.bymuseet.no/en/museums/old-bergen-museum

Bergen's location is ideal for exploring many of the country's stunning natural waterways, earning its nickname as the "Fjord Capital of Norway." It sits between two of Norway's largest fjords, the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord. Visitors will have no problem finding cruise tours that depart from Bergen, offering the opportunity to admire the unforgettable sight of the fjords from the water.

The Hardangerfjord can easily be explored in a day trip. As Norway's second-largest fjord, it's notable for its rugged landscape.

The Sognefjord takes more effort to explore, but is well worth the extra time. It is the longest and deepest fjord in the country , stretching more than 200 kilometers long and reaching depths of 1,300 meters below sea level. The best way to access Sognefjord is from the town of Flåm, which is easily reached by train in about one hour, or can be reached via a somewhat harrowing mountain road in about 2.5 hours.

Tourists should be sure to leave some time to explore Flåm and the network of hiking trails that commence here. Despite its population of only 400, it is home to several tourist attractions, including a 17 th century church; a historic hotel; and Flåmsbana Museum , which is conveniently located next to the train station.

Those who don't have enough time to explore one of the bigger fjords can also take a shorter trip on one of the smaller fjords. The three-hour Bergen: Mostraumen Fjord Cruise is a great option that departs right from Bergen, offering a narrated tour with plenty of photo opportunities.

Bergen is famous for its university, which in turn is famous for its world-renowned museum collections. Well worth spending a day at, the University Museum of Bergen (Universitetsmuseet i Bergen) includes the Natural History Collection , the Cultural History Collection , and the Seafaring Museum . When you're ready for a break from all that learning, take a stroll in the university's lovely Botanic Garden .

If you are interested in gardens, stroll across to nearby Nygårdspark for a peek at the flora and famous Unicorn Fountain by Gustav Vigeland . Afterwards, make your way to the Norwegian Arboretum , a superb collection of more than 5,000 plants from around the world.

Address: Haakon Sheteligs plass 10, 5007 Bergen

Language barriers won't keep you from learning from the numerous interactive exhibits at the VilVite Bergen Science Center. Popular with families, the museum encourages visitors of all ages to get in some hands-on fun while learning about science.

Exhibits include an opportunity to experiment with hydropower, forecast the weather on-screen, and stand inside a bubble. You can also try your hand at navigating an oil tanker, or delve into the deep-sea world of offshore drilling in a Virtual Reality experience.

Other exhibits explore the properties of physics, energy, and weather. There's also a fun 3D film experience to enjoy.

Address: Thormøhlens Gate 51, 5006 Bergen

Official site: www.vilvite.no/english/

The earliest recorded reference to Bergen's splendid cathedral dates back to 1181, when it began life as a monastic church. Bergen Cathedral (Bergen domkirke) has been rebuilt a number of times after fires, including in 1623 and 1640 after which the cathedral received its present façade. Its Rococo interior was added during renovations in the 1880s by architect Christian Christie.

The cathedral is open to visitors on weekdays during the tourist season, from the beginning of June through the end of August. English-language guided tours are available during this time. Off-season, the cathedral is only open on a very limited basis.

Address: Domkirkeplassen 1, 5003 Bergen

At the southeast end of the city's beautiful main harbor, Bergen's Market Square is always bustling. Its busy quays are where local fishermen land their catches each morning and, along with the 700-year old Fish Market (Torget) , it's a fascinating spectacle for early risers.

This is also where the city's best restaurants purchase their seafood daily; be sure to make note of the catch of the day, so you can sample it at lunch and dinner.

Address: Grensegrenden 1, 5035 Bergen

On Lisøy, an island in the suburb of Fana , sits the romantic 1873 villa of the famous Norwegian violin player and composer, Ole Bull . The grounds of Villa Lysøen (Ole Bulls villa på Lysøen), have been open to the public since 1973, and tourists can explore the 13 kilometers of paths, enjoy a picnic in a gazebo, or relax by one of the numerous ponds.

There is also an on-site museum, Lysøen Museum, which offers guided tours of the home and grounds.

The ruins of Lyse Abbey (Lysekloster), also known as the Monastery of Lyse , are another major attraction on the island. Founded in 1146 by monks from York, England, this was the first Cistercian house in Norway.

Address: Lisøy, Fana, Bergen

Bergen's Royal Residence (Gamlehaugen), an exquisite Renaissance structure, has been extended several times to act as a fortification and display of power. It is now the Norwegian Royal Family's Bergen residence.

Tourists are able to climb to the roof, where there are excellent views over the city, and tours include other areas of the building, including the ominous dungeon. Also fun is having the chance to explore the mansion's grounds, designed in the style of a classic English Garden.

Address: Gamlehaugvegen 10, 5230 Paradis, Bergen

Official site: www.bymuseet.no/?vis=78

Bergen is a compact city, and most of the top tourist attractions lie within walking distance of each other around the waterfront. For easy access to these sites, the best place to stay is close to the harbor, especially near Bryggen, Bergen's World Heritage-listed old wharf, or Torgallmenningen, the city's main square. Here are some highly rated hotels in these convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels:

• Locations in Bergen don't get better than that of The Hanseatic Hotel , which occupies an old heritage building on Hanseatic Wharf, Bryggen. The large guest rooms feature exposed beams and wood-paneled walls.
• Right next to Bryggen, the contemporary Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Bergen includes breakfasts in the rates, while the ultra-modern Hotel No 13 serves complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner. It overlooks Torgallmenningen, steps away from a shopping center.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Located in a central location and just a short stroll from Bryggen, Clarion Collection Hotel Oleana oozes style, with contemporary furnishings and comfy beds dressed in bold hues. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and an evening meal are included in the rates here, and also at its sister hotel, the pet-friendly and plushly-appointed Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret . The latter occupies a quirky former bank building near Bryggen.
• In a picturesque residential area, but still within walking distance of all the city sights, the boutique Klosterhagen Hotel feels more like a B&B than a hotel, with its friendly staff and intimate size. It lacks a lift, but the staff help carry luggage on request, and the rooms are bright and modern.

Budget Hotels:

• True budget hotels are rare in expensive Bergen, but Basic Hotel Bergen offers good value, in a lively area of town, about a 10-minute walk from Bergen train station and Bryggen. Its well-appointed rooms come with flat-screen TVs.
• Also only 10 minutes on foot from Bryggen, Marken Gjestehus is a well-run hostel with shared and private rooms and comfortable beds.
• Hopping around Town: Perfect for those who want a hassle-free way to get to the city's top tourist attractions, the City Sightseeing Bergen Hop-On Hop-Off Tour provides transportation and interesting commentary for tourists. Route stops conveniently include the Skolten Cruise Terminal , the Hanseatic Museum , Mount Fløyen Funicular , and the Bergen Tourist Information Center .
• Bergen's Best Photo-Ops : Best Views of Bergen - Segway Day Tour is a great way to cover plenty of ground and catch all the city's best spots with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide. This small-group tour is perfect for photo-ops, with stops at the best of Bergen's scenic vantage points.
• Fjords for Miles: Those hoping to explore some of Norway's most beautiful fjord landscapes and its largest fjord can take a full-day private tour to Sognefjord, Gudvangen, and Flåm , which includes private transportation, personal attention, and a flexible itinerary based on your interests. It includes visits to Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord, as well as a scenic ride on the Flåmsbana railway.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

At the Heart of the Fjords: Bergen sits near the expansive Hardangerfjord, the country's second-largest fjord. The region surrounding Hardangerfjord is known for its stunning glaciers and waterfalls and has been a popular tourist destination since the 19th century. The Sognefjord , the largest of Norway's fjords, is within driving distance from Bergen and makes a great day trip along the scenic coast.

Exploring Coastal Cities: Stavanger, the country's third largest city, sits about three hours south of Bergen and is a major cruise ship port, full of tourist attractions and things to do . The island city of Ålesund sits well to the north along the west coast and is best known for its Art Nouveau architecture. For more ideas see our article on the top attractions in Norway .

Inside the Arctic Circle: If you want to see the spectacular aurora borealis (northern lights) or the midnight sun, head to the port city of Tromsø , which sits about 350 kilometers inside the Arctic Circle and also offers plenty of other things to see and do. You can also witness these famous sights from the Lofoten Islands , a popular tourist destination, which is known for its beaches, camping, and Alpine mountains - not to mention the surprisingly mild climate.

• (A) Express coastal ships to Northern Norway (Hurtigrute)
• (B) Ships to Sognefjord and Nordfjord
• (C) High speed catamarans to Sognefjord and Nordfjord
• (D) High speed catamarans to Haugesund and Stavanger to the Hardangerfjord and Sunnhordland
• (E) Ferries to Newcastle, Iceland, Faroes and the Shetland Islands
• (F) Excursion boats
• Leprosy Museum
• Bergen University
• Harbor Area
• Municipal Museum Of Art
• Museum Of Applied Art
• Museum Of Technology
• Nygårdsparken
• Rasmus Meyer Collection
• St Mary's Church
• Schøtstuene
• Fishery Museum
• Bryggen Museum
• Hanseatic Museum

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Bergen Touristeninformation

Strandkaien 3, Bergen, Bergen

[email protected]

• View in Map

Access for wheelchairs

Das Informationszentrum für Fremdenverkehr, Kultur und Erlebnisse für die ganze Region Bergen finden Sie in der "Torghallen" auf dem Fischmarkt.

In der zweiten Etage der neuen “Torghallen ” haben Sie eine Panoramaaussicht auf den Hafen und Bryggen.

Geldwechsel der üblichen Währungen Bergens beste Öffnungszeiten für Geldwechsel. Wechsel der gängigsten Währungen.

Tickets für Sightseeing, Fjordfahrten und Konzerte Reichhaltiges Angebot an Stadt- und Hafenrundfahrten sowie Angebote über alle bekannten Rundfahrten und Fjordfahrten mit Bergen als Ausgangspunkt. Abfahrtstelle für mehrere Fahrten direkt vor der Touristen Information.

Die Bergen Card Die Bergen Card berechtigt zu zahlreichen Vorteilen, entweder gratis bzw. starker Ermäßigung. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf S. 34-37. Verkauf von der Bergen Card in der Touristen Information. Schauen Sie nach dem Zeichen in diesem Guide.

Souvenirs aus Bergen Kleiner Souvenirladen mit ausgewählten traditionellen Souvenirs und Geschenkartikeln. Unentgeltliche Broschüren. Komplettes Informationsangebot mit Broschüren über Bergen und Fjord-Norwegen, sowie Ausstellungen als Anregung für Ihre Weiterreise in Norwegen.

Zugtickets Verkauf von Zugtickets für alle Fahrten

Last updated: 09/04/2023

Source: Visit Bergen

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Accommodation

As it has been raining ever since she arrived in the city, a tourist stops a young boy and asks if it always rains here. “I don’t know,” he replies, “I’m only thirteen.” The joke isn’t brilliant, but it does contain a grain of truth. Of all the things to contend with in BERGEN , the weather is the most predictable: it rains on average 260 days a year, often relentlessly even in summer, and its forested surroundings are often shrouded in mist. Yet, despite its dampness, Bergen is one of Norway’s most enjoyable cities, boasting – amid seven hills and sheltered to the north, south and west by a series of straggling islands – a spectacular setting. There’s plenty to see in town too, from sturdy old stone buildings and terraces of tiny wooden houses to a veritable raft of museums , while just outside the city limits are Edvard Grieg’s home, Troldhaugen , as well as the charming open-air Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen) museum.

The Bergen International Festival

Drinking and nightlife, edvard grieg, the great giver: rolf stenersen, guided tours in bergen, recitals at troldhaugen, saving money: the bergen card, the fløibanen funicular railway, troldhaugen, the ulriksbanen: a bird’s-eye view, witchery in bergen: anne pedersdatter.

More than anything else, though, it’s the general flavour of the place that appeals. Although Bergen has become a major port and something of an industrial centre in recent years, it remains a laidback, easy-going town with a firmly nautical air. Fish and fishing may no longer be Bergen’s economic lynchpins, but the bustling main harbour, Vågen , is still very much the focus of attention. If you stay more than a day or two – perhaps using Bergen as a base for viewing the nearer fjords – you’ll soon discover that the city also has the region’s best choice of restaurants , some impressive art galleries and a decent nightlife.

Brief history

Founded in 1070 by King Olav Kyrre (“the Peaceful”), a Norwegian survivor from the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, Bergen was the largest and most important town in medieval Norway and a regular residence of the country’s kings and queens. In the fourteenth century the town also became an ecclesiastical centre, supporting no fewer than thirty churches and monasteries, and a member of the Hanseatic League , as by this time the town had become a prosperous port linked to other European cities by a vigorous trading life, with fish being the main commodity. The League was, however, controlled by German merchants and, after Hansa and local interests started to diverge, the Germans came to dominate the region’s economy, reducing the locals to a state of dependency. Neither could the people of Bergen expect help from their kings and queens: rather, in return for easily collected taxes from the Hansa merchants, Norway’s medieval monarchs compelled west-coast fishermen to sell their catch to the merchants – and at prices the merchants set themselves. As a result, the German trading station that flourished on the Bryggen, Bergen’s main wharf, became wealthy and hated in equal measure, a self-regulating colony with its own laws and an administration that was profoundly indifferent to local sentiment.

In the 1550s, with Hansa power finally evaporating, a local lord – one Kristoffer Valkendorf – reasserted Norwegian control, but not out of the goodness of his heart. Valkendorf and his cronies simply took over the monopolies that had enriched their German predecessors, and continued to operate this iniquitous system, which so pauperized the region’s fishermen, right up to the late nineteenth century. Bergen’s merchants benefited from Norway’s neutrality in World War I, developing their trade and expanding their fleets, but it was only after World War II that the town got into its stride, transforming itself from a fish-dependent backwater to the lively city of today.

Finding budget accommodation in Bergen can be a bit of a problem at the height of the season, but is almost always straightforward during the rest of the year. There are three hostels, a choice of guesthouses, and some of the central hotels are surprisingly good value. Also among the better deals are the rooms in private houses – or private rooms – that can be reserved through the tourist office. The vast majority provide self-catering facilities and some are fairly central, though most are stuck out in the suburbs; prices are in the region of 500–700kr per double per night. They are popular, so in summer you’ll need to arrive at the tourist office early to secure one for the night.

Bergen takes justifiable pride in its performing arts , especially during the Festspillene i Bergen (Bergen International Festival; t 55 21 06 30, w fib.no ), held over two weeks at the end of May and the beginning of June, and presenting an extensive programme of music, ballet, folklore and theatre. The principal venue for the festival is the Grieghallen , on Edvard Griegs plass, where you can pick up programmes, tickets and information; these are also available from the tourist office. The city’s contemporary arts centre, the USF Verftet Kulturhuset , down on the Nordnes peninsula ( t 55 30 74 10, w usf.no ), contributes to the festival by hosting Nattjazz ( t 55 30 72 50, w nattjazz.no ), a prestigious and long-established international jazz festival held over the same period.

As a general rule, Bergen’s café-bars– and indeed some of its restaurants – provide the city’s more appealing drinking destinations, but there is a scattering of late-night bars and clubs too, the best of which attract an arty/boho crew.

Bergen has a first-rate supply of restaurants , the pick of which focus on seafood – the city’s main gastronomic asset. The pricier tourist haunts are concentrated on the Bryggen, but these should not be dismissed out of hand – several are very good indeed. Other, marginally less expensive, restaurants dot the side streets behind the Bryggen and there’s another cluster on and around Engen. Many locals, however, tend to eat more economically and informally at the city’s many café-bars that are dotted all over the city centre – as are the city’s coffee houses.

The composer of some of the most popular works in the standard orchestral repertoire, Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) was born in Bergen, the son of a saltfish merchant. It was, considering the region’s historical dependence on the product, an appropriate background for a man whose romantic compositions have come to epitomize western Norway, or at least an idealized version of it: certainly, Grieg was quite happy to accept the connection, and as late as 1903 he commented that “I am sure my music has the taste of codfish in it.” In part this was sincere, but the composer had an overt political agenda too. Norway had not been independent since 1380, and, after centuries of Danish and Swedish rule, its population lacked political and cultural self-confidence – a situation which the Norwegian nationalists of the day, including Ibsen and Grieg, were determined to change. Such was their success that they played a key preparatory role in the build-up to the dissolution of the union with Sweden, and the creation of an independent Norway in 1905.

Musically, it was Grieg’s mother, a one-time professional pianist, who egged him on, and at the tender age of 15 he was packed off to the Leipzig Conservatory to study music, much to the delight of his mentor, Ole Bull . In 1863, Grieg was on the move again, transferring to Copenhagen for another three-year study stint and ultimately returning to Norway an accomplished performer and composer in 1866. The following year he married the Norwegian soprano Nina Hagerup (1845–1935), helped to found a musical academy in Oslo and produced the first of ten collections of folk-based Lyric Pieces for piano. In 1868, Grieg completed his best-known work, the Piano Concerto in A minor , and, in 1869, his 25 Norwegian Folk Songs and Dances . Thereafter, the composer’s output remained mainly songs and solo piano pieces with a strong folkloric influence, even incorporating snatches of traditional songs.

During the 1870s Grieg collaborated with a number of Norwegian writers, including Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Henrik Ibsen , one of the results being his much acclaimed Peer Gynt suites, and, in 1884, he composed the Holberg Suite , written to commemorate the Dano-Norwegian philosopher and playwright, Ludvig Holberg. It is these orchestral suites, along with the piano concerto, for which he is best remembered today. In 1885, now well-heeled and well known, Grieg and his family moved into Troldhaugen , the house they had built for them near Bergen. By that time, Grieg had established a pattern of composing during the spring and summer, and undertaking extended performance tours around Europe with his wife during the autumn and winter. This gruelling schedule continued until – and contributed to – his death in Bergen in 1907.

Many of the twentieth-century paintings in the Bergen Kunstmuseum collection were bequeathed to the city by Rolf Stenersen (1899–1978), one of Norway’s most prominent men of letters. Stenersen donated his first art collection to his hometown of Oslo in 1936 (see Stenersenmuseet) and was in a similar giving mood 35 years later, the beneficiary being his adopted town of Bergen. He was something of a Renaissance man – one-time Olympic athlete, financier and chum of Munch – who seems to have had a successful stab at almost everything, even writing some highly acclaimed short stories in the 1930s.

Guided tours of Bergen and its surroundings are big business and the tourist office has a flood of details. In the city itself, the most popular choice is City Sightseeing Bergen’s On&Off Sightseeing Bus , which takes in all the central sights, including the aquarium and Torget (every 30min; 150kr; t 97 78 18 88, w city-sightseeing.com ). Troldhaugen and Fantoft stave church are also on many guided tours, including those offered by Norled (May–Sept 1 daily; 350kr; t 55 23 88 87, w norled.no ).

There are lots of fjord sightseeing trips too, with Fjord Tours ( w fjord-tours.com ), one of the leading companies, offering a wide range of tours including “Norway in a Nutshell” and the whirlwind “Hardanger in a Nutshell” (May–Oct 1 daily; 10hr; 820kr). A further, rather more economical option is Rødne Fjord Cruise’s Hurtigbåt passenger express boat excursion from Bergen to Rosendal and its manor house (May–Sept 1–2 daily; 7.5hr; 500kr; t 51 89 52 70, w rodne.no ). All tours can be booked either direct with the company concerned or at Bergen tourist office.

Troldhaugen offers a top-ranking programme of Grieg concerts , held in the Troldsalen, throughout the summer both at lunchtimes (early June to Sept 1 daily; 30min; 100kr) and in the evening (mid-June to mid-Aug 2 weekly; 1hr; 220kr). For evening performances free buses leave from near the tourist office one hour before the concert begins. Tickets can be bought online ( w kunstmuseene.no ) or from the tourist office, but are snapped up quickly.

The Bergen Card is a 24-hour (200kr; children 3–15 years 75kr) or 48-hour (260kr; children 3–15 years 100kr) pass that provides free use of all the city’s public transport (except for the airport bus) and free or substantially discounted admission to most of the city’s sights, plus reductions on many sightseeing trips. Discount details are given in the official Bergen Guide booklet. Obviously, the more diligent a sightseer you are, the better value the card becomes – doubly so if you’re staying a bus ride from the centre. The card is sold online and at a wide range of outlets, including the tourist office and major hotels.

Dating back to the 1910s, the distinctly Ruritanian lower terminus of the Fløibanen funicular railway on Vetrlidsallmenningen is a delightful introduction to one of the city’s major attractions, whose trains shuttle passengers up to the top of Mount Fløyen – “The Vane” – at 320m above sea level. When the weather is fine, you get a bird’s-eye view of Bergen and its surroundings from the plateau-summit, and here also is a large and popular café-restaurant. Afterwards, you can walk back down to the city in about 45 minutes, or push on into the woods along several well-marked, colour-coded footpaths (pick up free trail maps of the summit at the lower terminal). The shortest and perhaps the most enjoyable is the 1.6km-loop trail to Skomakerdiket lake and back.

Troldhaugen (Hill of the Trolls), about 8km south of the city centre off Highway 580, was the lakeside home of Edvard Grieg for the last 22 years of his life – though “home” is something of an exaggeration, as he spent several months every year touring the concert halls of Europe. Norway’s only composer of world renown, Grieg has a good share of commemorative monuments in Bergen – a statue in the city park and the Grieghallen concert hall to name but two – but it’s here that you get a sense of the man, an immensely likeable and much-loved figure of leftish opinions and disarming modesty: “I make no pretensions of being in the class with Bach, Mozart and Beethoven,” he once wrote, “Their works are eternal, while I wrote for my day and generation.”

A visit begins at the museum , where Grieg’s life and times are exhaustively chronicled, and a short film provides yet further insights. From here, it’s a brief walk to the house , a pleasant and unassuming villa built in 1885, and still pretty much as Grieg left it, with a jumble of photos, manuscripts and period furniture. Grieg didn’t, in fact, compose much in the house, but preferred to walk round to a tiny hut he had built just along the shore. The hut has survived, but today it stands beside a modern concert hall, the Troldsalen , where there are recitals of Grieg’s works in the summer (see Edvard Grieg). The bodies of Grieg and his wife – the singer Nina Hagerup – are inside a curious tomb blasted into a rock face overlooking the lake, and sealed with twin memorial stones; it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk off from the main footpath, but few people venture out to this beautiful, melancholic spot.

Providing panoramic views over Bergen and its surroundings, the Ulriksbanen cable car (daily: May–Sept 9am–9pm; Oct–April 9am–5pm – weather/wind permitting; 145kr return; t 53 64 36 43, w ulriken643.no ) whisks passengers up to the top of Mount Ulriken , where there are walks and a café. The cable car’s lower terminal is behind the Haukeland Sykehus (hospital) about 6km east of the centre; to get there by public transport, take city bus #2 or #3 (Mon–Fri every 10–20min, Sat & Sun every 20–30min) from Småstrandgaten.

In 1590, Anne Pedersdatter was burnt as a witch here in Bergen and, remarkably enough, the court proceedings have survived. They reveal a strong-willed and sharp-tongued woman, who antagonized many of her neighbours, whose chosen course of revenge was to accuse her of being a witch . As far as the judge was concerned, the crucial bit of evidence came from Anne’s maid, who said she had been used as a horse to transport her mistress to a Sabbat (Witches’ Sabbath). Clearly, Anne’s maid either had a grudge or was suborned, but no matter – and despite the objections of Bergen’s bishop – she went to the flames. Anne was not alone: 300 “witches” were executed in Norway in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries – 250 of them women – in a cruel mix of misogyny and superstition that had spread across most of Europe.

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Tourist information in Bergen

The Tourist Information in Bergen is situated by the Fish Market in Bergen city centre. You can buy our round trips to the fjords at the Tourist Information in Bergen.

Strandkaien 3 NO-5013 Bergen

It is open almost all year around and it is an excellent place to go when you want tips about what to do in Bergen.

Opening hours

Monday - Saturday 9am-4pm

Call the Tourist Information

The number to the Tourist Information in Bergen is (+47) 55 55 20 00.  For more information, visit  The Tourist Information in Bergen .

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VISITOSLO/Mona Linds

Tourist Offices

When you’re visiting Norway the tourist guiding service has highly standard. The local tourist information offices have deep knowledge about adventures in their local area. Pay them a visit during your stay, or contact them in advance to get good advice. They can help regarding accommodations, maps, hotels, brochures etc….

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Bergen Tourist Information

Strandkaien 3, Bergen, Bergen

[email protected]

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Access for wheelchairs

Bergen's Tourist Information Centre is situated in Strandkaien near by the Fish Market. In these beautiful and spacious surroundings, information is available about what to do in Bergen and all of Fjord Norway. Besides obtaining free help and advice, you can also buy a range of products and services from us.

Last updated: 09/04/2023

Source: Visit Bergen

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