About Bergen
Set on Norway’s west coast between mountains, sea and fjords, Bergen combines more than 900 years of history with one of the country’s most appealing city settings. Norway’s second-largest city is compact enough to explore on foot, yet the mountains and waterways of Fjord Norway are never far away.
Bergen has been an important trading and maritime centre for centuries, and its historic waterfront still reflects the city’s close relationship with the sea. Today, colourful wooden buildings, cobbled streets, restaurants, museums and the harbour sit beneath the seven mountains surrounding the city. For travellers journeying through Norway, Bergen offers a change of pace between the Arctic landscapes of the north and the fjords and mountain railways farther south.
Bryggen and Bergen’s Hanseatic history
The colourful wooden buildings of Bryggen are perhaps Bergen’s most recognisable sight, but they represent far more than an attractive waterfront. The historic wharf was an important centre of Hanseatic trade from the 14th century onwards, particularly for stockfish arriving from Northern Norway. Bryggen was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.
Fires have repeatedly affected this wooden district, including a major fire in 1702, but rebuilding followed the original layout and traditional construction methods. Narrow passages lead between the waterfront buildings into former warehouses and trading areas, creating a visible link with Bergen’s commercial past. On our Norwegian Odyssey, a private guided city tour explores Bryggen alongside the Hanseatic Quarter, Fish Market and central Bergen.
Mount Fløyen and the Norwegian fjords
Bergen is surrounded by seven mountains, and Mount Fløyen provides one of the easiest ways to appreciate the city’s unusual geography. The Fløibanen funicular runs from the centre of Bergen to Mount Fløyen, around 320 metres above sea level, where views extend across the city, harbour, islands and surrounding mountains.
Bergen is also an important starting point for journeys into Fjord Norway. On our Northern Lights and Spectacular Fjords: A Norwegian Odyssey, you arrive in Bergen after travelling south from Tromsø aboard Hurtigruten. After exploring the city, the journey continues to Gudvangen for a cruise through UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord and onwards to Flåm. It creates a natural progression from the Northern Lights and Arctic coastline to historic Bergen and finally into the heart of Norway’s fjord country.
