Things to do in Bergen

Set around a harbour, Bergen is a beautiful and calm city to visit, with plenty of things to see. The two most famous attractions here are the area of Bryggen, with its colourful wooden houses, and the funicular railway to the top of Mount Flien, where the views are magnificent. The city also has some interesting old churches and a good aquarium.

Bryggen

The rows of small colourful wooden houses and cobbled lanes that make up the old medieval quarter of the city; Bryggen, is the most famous attraction in Bergen, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Middle Ages, when Bergen was the capital of Norway, the area of Bryggen was one of the most important in the city, where the Hansas established their trade offices. Today, it is a picturesque mix of cafs, interesting shops and artists workshops, set around small lanes. There are two interesting museums in the area, the Bryggens Museum and the Hanseatic Museum, to give you a further insight into the history of the area. At the end of the wharf is the citys fish, fruit and vegetable market, which is usually a bustling hive of activity.

Mount Flien

A ride up the funicular railway to the top of Mount Flien, 320 metres above sea level, is an absolute must for any trip to Bergen. The journey takes about 6 minutes and there are a number of stops along the way if you want to get out and walk some of the way. However, it is more popular to take the funicular up and then enjoy the walk through woods and old parts of the town on the way back down, which takes around 40 minutes. From the top of the mountain, the views of Bergen and its surrounding fjords and islands are absolutely stunning and there are a number of marked paths to stroll around. There is a restaurant and a souvenir shop at the top. The funicular runs every 15 minutes from early morning until 230:0, and is accessible to people with disabilities. Phone: +47 55 33 68 00; website: www.floibanen.com.

St Marys Church (Mariakirken)

St Marys Church is the oldest building in Bergen, dating back to the 12th century. The church is Romanesque in style and the entrance has a huge imposing portal dwarfing the wooden door. The church is most famous for its beautiful altar and Baroque pulpit, one of the many additions over the centuries, having been donated by the Hanseatic merchants in the 17th century. The interior is decorated with frescoes by famous artists. The churchs twin towers are very distinctive and add a castle-like feel to it. The church is certainly worth a visit, and during the summer months, there are concerts held here a few times a week. Phone: +47 5531 5960.

Bergen Aquarium

Bergen Aquarium is one of the biggest in Europe and is set in a pretty park in Nordnes, which offers some impressive views of the city and harbour. The focus of the aquarium is on marine life native to the Norwegian coast, but there is also a tropical section, with tropical fish, snakes, reptiles and even some crocodiles. The seals and penguins are the most popular animals here and you can see them being fed every day at 12:00 and 15:00, and in the summer at 18:00.

The 3D film SOS planet, made to raise awareness about global environmental issues, is shown every hour, as is a film about Bergen and the Norwegian coast. There is a souvenir shop and a restaurant at the aquarium. The aquarium is a very popular attraction in the city, especially with children. Phone: +47 55 30 68 88; website: www.akvariet.com/engelsk/index.html.

Bergen Cathedral

Bergen Cathedral was built around 1150 as a small church in dedication to Saint Olav and was, in fact, originally called St Olavs Church. The cathedral has a turbulent history, having burnt down five times, and if you look carefully, you can see a cannonball wedged in the churchs tower, from a battle in 1665. As a result, the cathedral was rebuilt and restored a number of times in the 17th and 19th centuries.

Inside, there are some stained glass windows depicting the life of Jesus, and a memorial plaque to Norwegian Navy casualties in WWII. The churchyard is a tranquil place and there are memorials to the famous bishop and poet Johan Brun, and Norways first female poet, Dorothea Engelbrektsdatter. The cathedral is well placed in the centre of Bergen. Phone: +47 55 55 20 00.

Troldhaugen

Bergen was the hometown of Norwegian composer Edvard Greig, and his former home Troldhaugen and its surrounding grounds are now a Greig museum. Greig is best known for the music he composed to Ibsens play, Peer Gynt, and he drew his inspiration from traditional Norwegian folk music. Near the house is a mountain tomb containing the ashes of Grieg and his wife. The museum is well worth a visit, with much of the house as it was when Grieg lived here in the early 19th century. Of particular interest is the composers hut that Grieg built by the lake so he could focus on his composing without interruption. In the summer season, the house is open daily from 09:00 to 17:30, guided tours can be arranged and there is also a small concert hall in the grounds of the estate that hosts regular concerts, especially in the busy tourist season. Phone: +47 55 92 29 92; website: www.troldhaugen.no.