Bergen’s Attractive Location and History

Bergen is located by the water and surrounded by lush green mountains. It is the most attractive city of Norway and the second largest city after the capital, Oslo.

The history of this city has its roots in trading and may have started as early as the 1020s. At the end of the 13^th century it became a bureau city of the Hanseatic League until the mid of 18^th century. What remains of the quays, is the historic Bryggen with the Hanseatic Museum.

What to see in Bergen? And it is all concentrated in Vagen bay in the city center. And it is the center of the historical core of the city.

  1.      Floibanen is the only funicular railway in Norway. It takes you to the summit of Floyen (320 m above sea level) and offers fantastic views over Bergen. Hiking tours are available from June to August.

  2.      Bryggen is a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings lining the eastern side of the Vagen harbor. Since 1979 Bryggen has been the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

  3.      Hanseatic Museum – stockfish and grain trader’s museum. Here you can learn about the Hanseatic League and its day to day life and activities.   

  4.      Picturesque Streets – on the other side of the bay (right across from Bryggen), along the Markeveien, as you walk toward the end of the peninsula, keep looking to the left and you will see charming narrow cobbled streets going down. This is a place where you want to simply wander up and down the streets and take lots of photos. This was actually my favorite part of the city (if you like taking pictures). And not crowded as historic center is, especially when the big cruise ships arrive.  

Outside city center:

  5.      Troldhaugen – museum detailing composer’s life and work, Edvard Grieg. By Light Rail toward “Nesttun”, station “Hop”, 20 minutes from the center.

  Where to stay?

  Thon Bristol has excellent location, right at Markeveien St, which takes you to the picturesque area. A few blocks from Floibanen, Bryggen and Hanseatic Museum.

  Where to go from Bergen?

  1.      Scenic Train Ride from Bergen to Oslo is considered one of the world's most scenic train rides by Bergen Railway www.nsb.no

  2.      Sognefjord  is Norway's longest and deepest fjord. The fjord cruise from Gudvangen to Flam takes you through Sognefjord's famous arm of the Naeroyfjord, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site. http://en.sognefjord.no/visitor-information/getting-to-and-around; to Gudvangen by express bus or NSB train.

  3.      Geirangerfjord is the most spectacular fjord of Norway and UNESCO World Heritage Site; by express bus to Andalsnes, from Andalsnes by local bus to Geiranger during the summer time only. 

   










      Bryggen

  

 

                                                                                                  Edvard Grieg's house