Bergen Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
- For other places with the same name, see Bergen (disambiguation).
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. Historically, it has been an important trading center. It is a major cultural center in Norway, hosting many festivals and music events. It is known to have a rainy weather, but it is not that bad, and on a sunny day the city is a beatiful sight. The best time to visit is in the spring/summer.
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Get in
Bergen is served by a railway line which runs from Oslo. Beautiful views over the mountains, the journey takes about six to eight hours depending on if you take an express or regional train. The railway station is located on the east side of downtown, most attractions and hotels are well within walking distance.
There are fast boat services from Stavanger and several other communities north of Bergen. Because these passenger ferries stops at various small towns on the way there, you get a great view of the coast, and of the islands in front of it. Fjord1 runs ferries north of Bergen, HSD runs services south of Bergen (including Stavanger-Bergen connection). The boat terminal is located on Nordnes, across the bay from the famous Bryggen.
Bergen is the southern terminus for Hurtigruten, which is a week-long passenger ship route all the way to Kirkenes in the far north of Norway. The terminal is located on Puddefjorden, somewhat south of downtown.
There are car ferries which run to Newcastle (Fjord Line) and northern Denmark (Fjord Line and Color Line). The terminal is the Skoltegrunn pier, very close to Bryggen. This is perhaps the best option if you intend to bring your car with you to Bergen and don't want to drive across the mountains from the east. These ferries run only once or twice a week, so check the schedules.
Bergen's International Airport is located 19 km south of the city. The main international destinations are Copenhagen, and Amsterdam. There are some international flights to various cities in the United Kingdom (such as London, Edinburgh and Aberdeen) and some other seasonal destinations. There are also a number of domestic flights, and Oslo, Stavanger and Sandefjord provide some additional international destinations. The main carriers in Norway are SAS and the low cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle. The Dutch KLM has flights to Amsterdam where there are several connections. There is a frequent airport bus service which takes about 30-40 minutes to downtown (costing NOK 72). Taxis are also available but they cost much more (NOK 200-300 to downtown.) The "ordinary" city busses to the airport run only Monday-Friday at certain times, and don't have space for much luggage. They are slightly cheaper than the airport bus.
Get around
Walking is the best way to get around! Bergen is a tight city, located in a narrow space, between two fjords and seven mountains. The downtown is small, as the physical limits are set by the nature. You can walk across the downtown in 20 minutes in any direction.
There is a good local bus service and a information boot that covers the whole county at the bus station (ground floor at Bystasjonen). You can also reach them at telephone 177. This number works for local transport information in the whole country, I believe. Use it! They will figure out the best means of public transportation. There is also a free bus service that drives through downtown 6 days a week every 10 minutes during normal working hours.
Car is a nightmare downtown. Park your car at one of the car parks. There is very limited parking space downtown. And the downtown is divided into zones, like four slices of pizza. You cannot cross from one zone to another. You have to drive around, as there is no way to drive across. Most streets are one-way streets. So if you do not know what you are doing, you will not make it!
There is a regular bus service between airport and downtown. The trip takes 30 minutes and costs around NOK 70. Frequency is at regular hours is 15 minutes, evenings every 30 minutes. There is always a bus from airport to downtown after the arrival of a plane. However, there is not always a bus to the airport. Particularly, late in Saturday evening the last flight has a bad bus connection.
Using taxi is expensive. There are a few places where the taxis are parked waiting for customers. You can find them behind the railway station and at ‘Ole Bulls plass’. In addition, there are several places that open during the day and closed during nights. Their own rules prohibit picking up customers nearer than 300m from these. So, if a taxi will not stop for you, you need to find where they are parked. Alternatively, call 07000 or 08000 for a cab. Taxi from downtown to the airport is around NOK400.
Learn
The University of Bergen, most of its premises situated at Nygårdshøyden, participates in EU's ERASMUS student exchange networks, and has several of its programmes taught in English.
See
Bergen Fish Market
Bergen's fish market has a long history, being the historical centre for fish trade. With locals changing their shopping habits towards supermarkets, the fish market today does not compare to what it once was. Held every day, this fish market doesn't just sell fresh and prepackaged fish but also other foods, and souvenirs for the tourists. Still, you can get a pretty good idea of what the locals eat by having a look at the various fish they sell here, and try some of the stranger ones if you feel adventurous.
Bryggen
This small area used to be a Hansa dock, trading and processing area. Despite neglect and fires (Norwegian cities had a habit of burning down because everything is made of wood), a considerable number of buildings have survived and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you enter some of the alleyways between the storefronts you really get a feel of what Bergen must have been like in the middle ages. There is a museum on the history of Bergen and of Bryggen.
Bergen Aquarium
Fløibanen
Fløibanen is a funicular which goes up Mount Fløien, one of the hills overlooking Bergen. From here, you get a great view of the city, and of the other surrounding mountains. You can also hike up Fløien; this will first take you through some housing, and but after a short while you will end up in the same park the cable car goes through. The hike takes about 1.5-2.5 hours up, and about 1.5 hour down.
Grieghuset - "Troldhaugen"
This is the house of the famous composer Edvard Grieg, who wrote the Peer Gynt suite and is Norway's national composer. His country house (just outside the town centre of Bergen) has been preserved in the state it was in when he died in the late 19th century. You can also see his grave; he was buried on his own estate. In the summer season "Troldhaugen" is open every day 0900-1730. Cafeteria. It's possible to take buses no. 20-24 from the city centre (Olav Kyrres gate or Bus station), and then walk from Hop or Nesttun. It's quite a long walk, though, and it can be a bit difficult to find the way.
Fantoft Stavkirke
This is one of Norway's tradition stave churches - churches built in a distinctive style using the logs of trees as pillars, by the early Christians. While this one is neither the oldest, nor the most authentic one (it has been restored extensively), this one is close to a city centre. It is highly recommended that you visit one of these churches if you go to Norway; it's as close as you're going to get to the real vikings. It is on the same bus line as the Grieg House.
Bergenshus Festning
This is the old fort of Bergen, which dates to the 13th century. Several kings of Norway are buried here, though the chapel has since been demolished. The royal hall from the same period (haakonshallen) is still standing, though. The fortress grounds also serve as a city park; you can hang out here and eat that fish you just bought at the nearby fishmarket - or just enjoy the sunshine and the view.
Ulriken
Though not the tallest mountain in Bergen, (Gulfjellet is the tallest), the 643 m high Ulriken is the most iconic mountain in the city. There is an aerial tramway, Ulriksbanen which transports people up to the top where there are good views over the city. Sadly, the service on Ulriksbanen has been somewhat erratic, and has been closed on some occasions.
Do
Eat
It is difficult to find places to eat outside the central downtown. You can find restaurants in all price ranges.
Near the theatre (central downtown)
There are several places that give you value for the money near the Theatre (Den Nationale Scene).
- Cafe Opera has great food and cakes for the money. This is a place with many regular customers. During the day they serve lunch and cakes. Early in the evening it is a place for dinner and beer. Late night is for dancing. You can spend your whole day here!
- Cafe Jonsvoll, has great food for the busy ones. You can drink your coffee and watch the world pass in front of the windows. This is a popular place for drinks in the evening. Café Henrik in the second floor is a great beer place, no food served, crowded in the evenings.
- Naboen is restaurant that creates food from local ingredients. Ground floor has a restaurant with two price ranges. You can get the best priced gourmet food in Bergen. They also have a 'Swedish' meny, where dishes cost around NOK 90, but still prepared from first class ingredients, and you get to enjoy the freshly baked bread and white table cloths. For dinnertime dining you probably should make a reservation first. There is a crowded pub in the basement. Entrance through the restaurant.
Near the rail station (eastern downtown)
- Landmark. Situated in the same building as Bergen Kunsthall, a contemporary art museum, this café/bar is also a major cultural hub, hosting concerts, audio/visual installations and political debates. The place to visit for those interested in the contemporary art scene or the music circuit.
Near University (western downtown)
- Le Rustique. In Christiesgate 9 (just above the tunnel opening) you can find this bakery with the best croissants north of Paris.
Nordnes (northern downtown)
You should take time for a walk on Nordnes. And check out the small alleys, know as smau. Knøsesmauet, branching off the central Markeveien to the left leaving the centre, is probably the most picturesque of the lot.
- Cafe Kippers is located 1 km north from the theater, at USF Cultural Center. This is the best place for outdoor beer in Bergen. They have a huge pier and best evening view in Bergen. Their food is great during the winter. During summer they open a second kitchen that does not have the same quality, as they are catering ten times as many people, and you should be prepared for a long wait. But sea, sun and beer make the whole thing worthwhile.
Drink
You might want to take a deep breath and a few shots before heading into the insanity of Bergen. Brilliant nightlife fuelled by mad students abound near the University, while the harbour area is the home of more upmarket places.
- Garage (Nygårdsgaten/Christies gate) is the rock haven of Bergen. Always crowded, this rock pub-with-a-basement-stage is the second home of every black-clad character in Bergen.
- Legal (Nygårdsgaten) is a 50's drinking den with brilliant music and ambience.
- Hulen (Møhlenpris) is a club inside a cave! Run by students, this place is truly unique. Good concerts and the best rock disco in town.
- h-bar (Allégaten) is a small bar run by physics students, situated in the bomb shelter of the Physics Department of the university, and is open on Fridays from 7 PM to 1 AM. Also a popular place for the math-student neighbours of the department, if particle physics and algebraic geometry is your idea of a fun discussion on a night out, this should be right up your alley.
- Logen. This bar and concert venue is where actors from the repertory theatre and intellectuals of every stripe meet over beer and drinks. There is a strict no-music policy, which leaves room for conversation. Frequently houses roaming exhibitions of visual art, often ones of astounding quality.
- Fotballpuben (Nygårdsgaten) is where you watch the evening game. Football from every corner of the globe, except Trondheim...
- Fincken (Nygårdsgaten) is the center of gay nightlife in Bergen, although these days Fincken is mixed crowd with plenty of men that aren't gay by any stretch of the imagination. On weekends Fincken is cordoned off and valid ID is (theoretically) required to enter.
- Mood is a huge disco for people around 20-35 who dress nice, look pretty, and behave.
Sleep
The Bergen YMCA is a decent youth hostel right in the center of town, with a rooftop terrace where you can sit and look out over the old town centre.
Other bargain accommodation options (with phone numbers) include; Marken (55 31 44 04), Crowded House (55 90 72 00), Jacob's Apartments (98 23 86 00), Montana (55 20 80 70), Intermission (55 30 04 00), Scandia (55 21 00 35), Villa Balconen (55 96 40 60), or Intermission (55 31 71 78).
Get out
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