Bergen, positioned on the southwestern coast of Norway, is a metropolis steeped in historical past and pure magnificence. Generally known as the “Gateway to the Fjords,” Bergen boasts gorgeous landscapes of mountains, fjords, and islands, making it a preferred vacation spot for out of doors fans. With a historical past relationship again to the Center Ages, Bergen can also be residence to charming neighborhoods, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and museums that showcase the town’s cultural and maritime heritage. As Norway’s second-largest metropolis, Bergen is a vibrant hub of artwork, music, and delicacies, making it a must-visit vacation spot for anybody touring to Norway.
On this article I’ll share the very best methods to get round Bergen, some wonderful Bergen street journeys, my favourite eating places and lodges, in addition to the highest issues to see and do whereas strolling the town.
Finest technique to get round Bergen:
Bergen is a compact and walkable metropolis, but when it’s essential to get round extra rapidly or if you wish to discover the encircling space, there are a number of transportation choices accessible:
- Strolling: Most of the prime sights are positioned inside strolling distance of one another, making it simple to discover the town on foot.
- Public transportation: Town has an environment friendly and dependable public transportation system, which incorporates buses and light-weight rail. You should buy tickets at kiosks or utilizing the Skyss cellular app.
- Taxis: Taxis are available in Bergen, and you may both hail one on the road or name a taxi firm.
- Bicycles: Bergen has a public bike-sharing system known as the Bysykkel, which lets you hire a bicycle at varied places all through the town.
- Automotive rental: If you wish to discover the encircling space, you’ll be able to hire a automotive on the airport or within the metropolis heart.
- Fjord excursions: To discover the fjords across the metropolis, you’ll be able to take a guided boat tour.
Bergen Highway Journeys
Bergen is surrounded by gorgeous pure magnificence, and there are a number of close by street journeys that you would be able to take to discover the fjords, mountains, and coastlines of western Norway. Listed here are among the finest street journeys from Bergen:
- Hardangerfjord: Drive alongside the scenic Hardangerfjord, Norway’s second-longest fjord, and cease at charming villages, waterfalls, and fruit orchards alongside the best way.
- Sognefjord: Take a street journey to Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord, and discover the picturesque villages and mountains alongside the best way.
- Flåm: Drive by way of winding mountain roads to the village of Flåm, positioned on the banks of the Aurlandsfjord. From there, you’ll be able to take a scenic practice experience on the Flåm Railway, which is taken into account some of the stunning practice journeys on this planet.
- Atlantic Highway: Take a Bergen street journey to the Atlantic Highway, a dramatic stretch of street that runs throughout a number of small islands and bridges, providing breathtaking views of the ocean and coastal panorama.
- Geirangerfjord: Drive to Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and one in every of Norway’s most iconic fjords, and take a ship tour to see the towering waterfalls and gorgeous landscapes.
- Trollstigen: Drive to the Trollstigen mountain street, a winding and steep street that provides unbelievable views of the encircling mountains and valleys.
Word: A few of these street journeys could require ferries or toll roads, so be sure to plan accordingly and examine the street circumstances earlier than beginning your journey.
Listed here are among the prime issues to see and do in Bergen:
- Bryggen: Discover the historic Hanseatic Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and study in regards to the metropolis’s wealthy buying and selling historical past.
- Fløyen: Take a scenic funicular experience up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views of the town and the encircling fjords.
- Fish Market: Go to the vigorous out of doors Fish Market, the place you’ll be able to pattern native seafood and store for souvenirs.
- Bergenhus Fortress: Discover the historic fortress, which dates again to the thirteenth century, and go to the Rosenkrantz Tower and Haakon’s Corridor.
- Edvard Grieg’s residence: Go to the previous residence of Norway’s most well-known composer, Edvard Grieg, and see his piano and different private belongings.
- Troldhaugen: Discover the gorgeous gardens and go to the museum devoted to Edvard Grieg at his former residence on the outskirts of the town.
- Bergen Aquarium: Rise up shut with a wide range of marine life on the Bergen Aquarium, together with penguins, seals, and fish from Norway’s fjords.
- Fjord excursions: Take a ship tour of the encircling fjords, together with the well-known Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord.
- St. Mary’s Church: Go to the oldest constructing in Bergen, a wonderful stone church that dates again to the twelfth century.
- Leprosy Museum: Study in regards to the historical past of leprosy in Norway and go to the previous leprosy hospital, now a museum devoted to the illness and its therapy.
The place to Eat and Sleep
Really useful Eating places:
- Lysverket – This contemporary Nordic restaurant is positioned within the KODE artwork museum, and gives artistic dishes utilizing native elements. The restaurant has gained a number of awards and is thought for its distinctive service.
- Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant – This seafood restaurant is positioned on a small island simply exterior Bergen, and gives gorgeous views of the fjord. The restaurant serves recent seafood dishes, together with a well-known “Shellfish Platter”, and is accessible by boat or ferry.
- Colonialen – This restaurant gives a mixture of Norwegian and French delicacies, and is positioned in a historic constructing within the metropolis heart. The menu modifications frequently, however all the time options recent and high-quality elements.
- Bryggeloftet & Stuene – This conventional Norwegian restaurant is positioned within the historic Bryggen space of Bergen, and gives basic dishes akin to “Raspeballer” (potato dumplings) and “Fårikål” (lamb and cabbage stew).
- Crimson Solar Restaurant & Bar is a up to date Asian fusion restaurant that provides a mixture of Japanese, Chinese language, and Thai-inspired dishes. The restaurant has a trendy and trendy decor, and the menu contains sushi, sashimi, dim sum, and different Asian dishes. Clients rave in regards to the high-quality elements and inventive taste combos. Crimson Solar additionally has a bar space that serves cocktails, beer, and sake.
- Altona Vinbar & Kitchen is a comfortable and intimate restaurant positioned in a historic constructing within the metropolis heart. The restaurant makes a speciality of Scandinavian delicacies, utilizing native and seasonal elements. The menu contains dishes akin to salmon, lamb, and arctic char, in addition to vegetarian and vegan choices. The restaurant additionally has an excellent number of wines, which clients can strive by the glass or bottle.
Really useful Resorts:
- Lodge Norge by Scandic – Situated within the coronary heart of Bergen, this resort gives fashionable and cozy rooms, a rooftop bar with gorgeous views, and an excellent location near lots of the metropolis’s prime sights. BTW, the breakfast buffet is excellent.
- Clarion Assortment Lodge Havnekontoret – This historic resort is positioned within the Bryggen space of Bergen, and gives superbly embellished rooms, a scrumptious breakfast buffet, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the town.
- Thon Lodge Rosenkrantz – This fashionable and trendy resort is positioned within the metropolis heart, and options snug rooms, a health heart, and a rooftop terrace with nice views of Bergen.
- Grand Lodge Terminus – This historic resort is positioned close to the practice station, and gives elegant rooms with excessive ceilings and vintage furnishings, in addition to an on-site restaurant and bar.
Viking Ocean Cruises to Norway
If you’re keen on visiting Bergen and exploring this unbelievable a part of western Norway, Viking Ocean Cruises has many cruises in-or-out of the Bergen port. Lots of their itineraries embrace stops in Bergen, supplying you with the chance to discover the town and take a street journey to close by sights. Viking additionally supply guided excursions to the encircling fjords, mountains, and villages, permitting you to expertise the sweetness and tradition of Norway in a hassle-free method. With their luxurious ships and distinctive service, Viking offers a snug and pleasurable technique to discover this gorgeous a part of the world. Viking is how I received launched to Bergen and I can not advocate them extremely sufficient.
Conclusion
Bergen is a captivating and picturesque metropolis, identified for its scenic magnificence and wealthy historical past. There are many issues to see and do throughout the metropolis, however when you’ve got the time, a Bergen street journey is a should! Whether or not you wish to discover the fjords, mountains, or shoreline of western Norway, there are many gorgeous pure landscapes and charming villages to find. A street journey from Bergen permits you the pliability to discover at your individual tempo, take within the breathtaking surroundings, and expertise the distinctive tradition and lifestyle on this stunning nation.
In case you have any questions on visiting Bergen, depart a remark under. So, till subsequent time, we’ll see ya on the street…
