Bergen, Norway: What are the Must Sees and Do's?

[swdke]

Will soon be in port in Bergen, Norway, what are the must see and do sights and activities not to miss? Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

A search of the board finds:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1881652&highlight=bergen

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1859085&highlight=bergen

 

just to list a small number. DIY is very easy, and I would suggest a rapid run to the funicular if that is what you are going to do.

 

The sail in to the port is very pretty. We had recording breaking highs, but Bergen is technically known as the wettest place on the western coast of Norway.

[hallasm]

The funicular as suggested above - and then don't miss Bryggen and the Fish market - easy walking from the port.

this is a very short Bergen video from my June visit:

[Norwegianlatvian]

The funicular as suggested above - and then don't miss Bryggen and the Fish market - easy walking from the port.

this is a very short Bergen video from my June visit:

 

A friendly advice from a Norwegian: Be careful if you want to buy something here. The prices for basically everything is higher than most other places in Bergen.

[hallasm]

A friendly advice from a Norwegian: Be careful if you want to buy something here. The prices for basically everything is higher than most other places in Bergen.

 

Nice atmosphere - for the fish market - good being at a cruise - it's not allowed (or necessary) to bring food onboard - I also realized that canned fish were from Bornholm in Denmark.

[KirkNC]

Cable car on a clear day and the old town, very easy to DIY.

[TLCOhio]

Will soon be in port in Bergen, Norway, what are the must see and do sights and activities not to miss? Thanks!

 

For our fellow Ohio resident and somewhat nearby neighbor, many excellent tips for Bergen have been already been made. Below are my visual samples and suggestions. More info below.

 

My key suggestions for this time of the year is have a Plan A and Plan B. Weather can impact things in Bergen. You might have great sunny weather as we enjoyed. Hopefully!! Or, you might have some rain or wether challenges during part of the day. Much also depends on the number of ships in port for that day. Plan and prepare accordingly. More on Norway from my live/blog connected below.

 

As the seat of Norway’s medieval kingdom of Norway for six centuries, Bergen is a former Viking stronghold encircled by deep fjords, towering mountains, and sweeping glaciers. Today's Bergen has much of the medieval flavor remaining around Bergen's harbor. We explored the cobblestone streets, saw its pastel-color wooden houses, bargained in some of the many artisans' workshops and visited the famous and always-entertaining Fish Market. You can watch the locals haggling over today's catch and enjoy a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips.

 

Rated by Frommers as more scenic than Oslo, Bergen was the base of the medieval Hanseatic merchants. Those historic timbered houses are set around Bryggen or The Wharf, a center for crafts and workshops. Its prime row is mostly reconstructed 14th-century structures, some of which were originally destroyed by fire. Det Hansseatiske Museum depicts commercial life on the wharf in the early 18th century and is highly rates with well-preserved wooden structure. Its art museums are highly-rated with religious icons, local art, etc.

 

In the afternoon, after some of the big crowds had lessened, we took the Floibanen funicular railway to the top of a 1050-foot high peak for scenic views. This cable car has been operating for over 80 years and was refurbished in 2002. The Funicular Lower Station is situated 150 meters from the Fish Market. At the top of the Mount Floyen, there are hiking trails and places for lunch or dinner. The trip takes seven minutes and both cars are on the same cable going up and down. Mariakirken or St. Mary’s Church is the most outstanding Romanesque church in Norway. Bergen is Norway’s largest port and has a population of 252,000. Scenic Bergen completed our voyage with its dramatic backdrop of seven rounded mountains and cobble-stoned streets. It entices you to take memories and photos cherishing the land of the Norsemen. Here is the link to this rail option:

http://www.floibanen.com

 

Their good and helpful Tourism Office can be accessed on the web at: http://www.visitbergen.com/en

 

We docked at the fairly handy Skoltegrunskaien Pier. This put us within about a 10-15 minute walk of the main attractions at the market and warehouse area.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 117,472 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

Here’s a close look at these historic Bergen Hanseatic merchant warehouse building fronts, people taking pictures, etc. :

 

 

 

Right near the Hanseatic merchant warehouse area is the Bergen Fish Market with lots of options to buy food to eat on site or just watch, enjoying the “show” as people ask questions and buy the various fresh fish items.:

 

 

 

From the higher hill areas of Bergen, here is the view of the rooftops and other harbor area places.:

 

 

 

Bergenhus Festning Castle is located in the entrance to Bergen’s harbor and is one of the oldest, best-preserved castles in Norway. Shown is Rosenkrantz Tower, built in the mid 1500’s with dungeons on the ground floor, cannons on the top floor, etc. :

 

 

 

This picture shows the Bergen Floibanen funicular railway coming up the steep hill with the harbor, fish market, etc. in the background. On the top, somewhat right, the Silver Cloud and Costa ships can be seen in the harbor, plus nearby scenic areas, etc.

 

 

 

This view from the Bergen hilltop shows the central downtown shopping area (Torgalmenningen, the major square) and many various building rooftops. The red brick church at the top is Johanneskirken (St. John's church), built of red brick in a neo-gothic style in 1894. The church tower at the left is Korskirken, dating back to the latter half of the 12th century and whose name means “True Cross”. Lots of interesting and historic architecture in Bergen.:

 

[rkacruiser]

All of the above are great suggestions. I would add: try to have lunch at the Fish Market. Great people watching opportunity and good food at a reasonable price.

 

I had forgotten how beautiful Norway is! Stavanger and Bergen were our only two Norwegian ports on my Eurodam cruise, but they rank in my top five favorite ports for this cruise.

[phabric]

All of the above are great suggestions. I would add: try to have lunch at the Fish Market. Great people watching opportunity and good food at a reasonable price.

 

I had forgotten how beautiful Norway is! Stavanger and Bergen were our only two Norwegian ports on my Eurodam cruise, but they rank in my top five favorite ports for this cruise.

 

Did the food places to have lunch at the market take credit cards or cash only?

[Alaskanb]

We will be in Bergen from 7 - 2 next August so that limits our options of what to do when. Any suggestions for such a short, and early, day?

[ibfishing2]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. We are going there in July 2014.

[4774Papa]

Any suggestions on how to do the Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen?

[Alaskanb]

Any suggestions on how to do the Norway in a Nutshell from Bergen?

Rick Steve's book on Scandinavia includes directions from both Oslo and Bergen

[Buckeye 6]

We took the funicular up and hiked down. There is a wide trail (had people pass us as they ran up!) that ends in the town and you walk on down through the side streets. Also went to fish market and then up in the castle tower. I wish we had sun as the previous pictures were great. We had light rain much of the morning and clouds the rest of the day. Very compact city to walk on own. We had a snack in town and ate a late lunch on the ship. Don't remember exact time.

Prices in Norway are high. We wanted to buy children's Troll book for grandkids, can't remember the price but it was very high. Bought it online when we got home for much less, they don't know we got it here.

[Scriv]

We also walked into town, took the funicular up, admired the view from up there and then walked down. We then walked around the old town. The fish market was great to look at, but prices were high. Suggest returning to the ship for lunch/afternoon tea

[Alaskanb]

The fish market was great to look at, but prices were high. Suggest returning to the ship for lunch/afternoon tea

Good to know. We returned to the ship for lunch when we visited Oslo. As we only are in Bergen from 7-2 that will work well. We enjoy having coffee and a pastry wherever we visit so will do that mid-morning.