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Bergen Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Bergen
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Bergen Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Bergen - The historic city of Bergen was medieval
Norway's capital, and is today an international tourist centre and
gateway to the Fjords. It has a spectacular setting on a sheltered
harbour of the North Sea, situated among seven hills that form a
delightful backdrop to the brightly painted wooden houses along the
waterfront, and is one of Norway's most enjoyable cities.
Bergen's history is closely linked to the sea. It became a
major trading port of the medieval merchants of the Hanseatic
League, who dominated European trade during the Middle Ages. The
hub of the city's social life is around the Torget, the picturesque
harbour-side market plaza that is surrounded by an assortment of
cafes, restaurants and pubs, and home to the vibrant fish market.
Flanking one side of the harbour is a colourful row of old wooden
houses, part of the historic wharf area and the remaining influence
of the Hanseatics, from where narrow cobbled streets wind their way
up between the quaint houses of the picturesque old
neighbourhood. The city centre is divided into
two parts: the old Hanseatic town along the wharf area and the
modern centre stretching inland from the harbour. It has a
pleasant, slow pace and a cultured atmosphere with numerous
interesting museums, galleries, an aquarium and surviving medieval
buildings. A cable car and a funicular carry visitors to the top of
two of Bergen's hills, Mount Ulriken and Mount Fløyen,
to enjoy splendid views over the city and coast. Mount
Fløyen is covered in forest with a well-marked series of
walking trails. Boat trips to the fjords are very popular and the
excellent 'Norway in a Nutshell' package tour provides a
spectacular glimpse of Norway's scenery in a day, for those short
on time.
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Bergen
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Bryggen
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What is it? Bryggen, the site of the old medieval
quarter, is a charming, compact area of brightly coloured wooden
homes that once housed the city's merchants. Steep cobbled lanes
are lined with a vivacious blend of cafes and artists workshops.
The Hanseatic wharf area, with many buildings dating from before
the 17th century, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
and is considered to be one of the most important examples of the
civilisation of a medieval settlement in the world. This was once
the working area of the merchants and is the oldest part of Bergen,
characterised by a maze of lopsided wooden buildings with pointed
gables facing the harbour. The Bryggens and Hanseatic Museums as
well as the 12th century St Mary's Church are all in the Bryggen
area. At one end of the wharf is Bergen's famous fish market, a
colourful market also selling flowers, fruit, vegetables and
souvenirs.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Hanseatic Museum
Finnegårdsgate 1A, Bryggen
www.bergen.kommune.no/hanseatisk_/ekstern/museum |
What is it? The Hanseatic Museum is housed in one of the
oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in Bryggen, the former
home of a wealthy merchant. Furnished in the 18th century style, it
provides a glimpse of the working and living conditions of the
Hanseatic merchants during the Middle Ages. The austere layout and
maze-like rooms are saturated by the smell of fish and leave a
lasting impression.
Hours of Operation: Daily 11am to 2pm (May), 9am to 5pm (June to August),
10am to 3pm (1-15 September), 11am to 2pm (16-30 September). From
October to April the museum is closed on Mondays, opening from 12pm
to 5pm on Sundays and 11am to 2pm the rest of the
week
Phone:5554 4690 |
3. Bryggens Museum
Dreggsallmenning 3, Bryggen
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What is it? The archaeological museum was built around
the remains of the oldest buildings discovered in Bergen, dating
from the 12th century, and the ruins have been incorporated into
the exhibits along with excavated tools, ceramics and skeletons.
The museum houses various artefacts and traditional costumes and it
imaginatively attempts to recreate life in the Middle Ages with
displays of domestic implements, handicrafts, runic inscriptions
and items relating to seafaring and trade during medieval
times.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 5pm (May to August), Monday to Friday
11am to 3pm, Saturday 12pm to 3pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm (September to
April)
Phone:5558 8010 |
Bergen
holidays - Top Events
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