5 Amazing Places to Visit in Bergen

Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, is also the west coast’s major port and one of Scandinavia’s busiest cruise ship stopovers. Enclosed by a ring of hills recognized locally as the Seven Mountains, the city’s idyllic scenery and spectacular natural harbour has covered its reputation as one of Norway’s most prevalent tourist spots.

Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Colorful Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf is one of Bergen’s most popular tourist attractions. Chock full of restaurants, studios, workshops, and boutique shops, its narrow alleyways and old wooden merchant houses 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.

Bergenhus Fortress

The old Bergenhus Fortress has dominated the entrance to Bergen’s harbor since the late 16th Century, and remains one of the most impressive such structures in Scandinavia. 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.

Mount Ulriken

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.

University Museum of Bergen

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’s museums include 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.

Bergen Cathedral

The earliest recorded reference to Bergen’s splendid cathedral dates back to 1181, when it began life as a monastic church. It was while being rebuilt after fires in 1623 and 1640 that the cathedral received its present façade, while architect Christian Christie added its Rococo interior during renovations in the 1880s.

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