UNMISSABLE

THINGS DO TO IN

BERGEN

A SHORT GUIDE FOR LONG WALKS 

 1. Let the stunning view from Mt Ulriken
take your breath away

The highest mountain of the famous seven that surround Bergen is

definitely a thing you cannot miss while you are here. From the top,
you have an endless view of Bergen and the surrounding sea, fjords
and mountains, everything that makes Bergen spectacular . From the
center of Bergen you jump on the Ulriken Express bus, which
transports you to the lower station in about 10 minutes. The trip to
the top of the mountain with the cable car only takes 7 minutes, so
you’ll be there before you can say "Ulriken"! :)
At the top you can join various activities, visit the
Panorama Restaurant, mountain shop or take
advantage of the many wonderful hiking opportunities.
Tips for adventurers: The Vidden hike is the most popular trail in
Bergen, and it is the hike between Mt Ulriken and Mt Fløyen (13 km),
more info can be found in the section about Mt Fløyen.
 Wonder through the the
UNESCO World Heritage
Enclave of Bryggen

The Bergen’s most iconic attraction, and the legacy

of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire dating
back to the 14th century,  this tangled mess of
wooden buildings and walkways right on the harbor
front will definitely transport you back in time. The
crooked doors of the boutique and souvenirs shops
that are there today mightplay a game with your
sense of gravity,  but it’s all good! :)
Though it has been ravaged by fires countless times
over the centuries (I like to imagine they partied too
hard every time) Bryggen is still the best example
remaining of the overseas Hanseatic Offices and is
protected by UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Psst! Pay special attention to each individual  house, as every

one of them have special wooden figurine - a lumberjack, an
angel, and one of them even has a unicorn!
Stand in awe of the Gothic-
Revival Johanneskirken (St
John’s Church)

Only a stones throw from our hotel lies the largest

church in Bergen with 1250 seats – and the highest
point in the city – a stop at the St John’s Cathedral is
essential to admire its bright-red gothic revival exterior,
or pop in to see it’s stunning interior frescoes.
The surrounding neighborhood of Sydnes is rather
residential and worth wandering around for a more
local Bergen.
 Jump on the Fløibanen
Funicular and marvel at the
view from Mt Fløyen

Another iconic attraction - easily accessible with the

Fløibanen funicular which whisks you up to the top of Mt
Fløyen every 15 minutes, This mountain is surely a must-see
while you are in Bergen. Since our hotel is located only 10
minutes walking distance from the Fløibanen station, which
is open every day until 11 pm, this is something you can
experience even if you are only in town for a day.Bonus points
if you can time it for sunset, as there is truly nothing quite like
it in the world.

For the more adventurous/active traveler you can save

yourself some coin and hike up / down or both ways – though
it’s about an hour up, and there are two pretty decent loop
tracks on Mt Fløyen (1.6 km / 5 km) which take you past
picturesque lakes and through enchanting forest.Probably
better suited fot the summer months, but the weather never
keeps a true Norwegian off a hike, right? :) 
Norwegian proverb - Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige
klær! (Meaning: Never bad weather, only bad clothes!)

At the top you will find an amazing playground for the

children (adult can play too), you can also hike to the
beautiful and idyllic lake Skomakerdiket, even
accessible with a stroller or wheelchair.  It’s located a
mear 400 m (10 - 15 minutes) from the playground.
Around the water you'll find a gravel road with a nice
place to sit and shelters. Durring summertime there is
a free canoe rental (from late June till the end of
August). There is no booking needed - just show up at
the pier, where the Fløyen hosts will be present.Also,
don’t forget to find and greet trolls hidden in the
woods!
Vidden hike: The Vidden hiking trail is the most popular
one in Bergen, and it’s the trail between Mt Fløyen and
Mt Ulriken. The season for this is from April to October,
and the distance is 13 km. This hike takes you across the
plateau providing incredible views of the surrounding
mountain tops and the beautiful city of Bergen
below.  Make your way to the top of the Fløyen, the
viewpoint over Bergen, by either the cable car or hiking.
From the top of Fløyen, follow the route towards
Brushytten and Rundemanen. After Rundemanen, you
will pass the northern edge of the lake Tindevatnet to
the east and then follow the trail down towards
Hyttalien.  Continue northeast and around the
northwest side of the mountain, Midtfjellet. The trail will
turn southeast and will follow a ridgeline for 2,5
kilometers to Borgaskaret. The trail will then turn south
as you reach the plateau. Follow in this direction for
another few kilometers until turning west at the peak of
Ulriken. From Ulriken, you can return to Bergen on the
cable car or you can hike down the mountain on the
marked trail.

Norwegian proverb: Ut på tur aldri sur! (Meaning: One

is always in a good mood when they are going for a
walk.)
 Take a Trip Back In Time At The
Hanseatic Museum To Search
Bergen’s Rich Trading History

Never heard of the Hanseatic League? No worries –

I’m sure you’re not the only one! Luckily Bergen
has the fantastic Hanseatic Museum on-hand to
showcase  how the German merchants of the
Hanseatic League lived and worked within
Bryggen and examines how the complex has
changed over the centuries.The Hanseatic Museum
is also housed in one of the oldest buildings in
Bergen (which survived the fires to come) and has
been perfectly preserved, right down the authentic
dried stockfish and creaky wooden floors!
 Sample the freshest seafood at
the Bergen Fish Market
Well, you came to a country that is known for the
quality of its seafood, so it would be a pitty not to visit
the modern Bergen Fish Market with over 30 specialty
shops and eateries selling small-scale Norwegian
produce.

Fun fact: Did you know that without the Norwegian Atlantic salmon,
the delicious salmon sushi would never have been invented? Yes, we
do know the Japanese have eaten raw fish for centuries, but the
famously orange salmon was not a common sight in this dish until
very recently. The Japanese simply did not consider their Pacific
salmon clean enough to eat raw. However, the ocean-farmed
Atlantic salmon was fit for purpose, with its clean and safe
Norwegian origin. In combination with an international sushi boom,
the Norwegian salmon’s high quality, intense look and fresh taste
has made Norway the largest exporter of Atlantic salmon in the
world!
here you can enjoy some of the freshest seafood there
is, or, if you are a vegetarian simply take a walk through
and try spot as many weird fish species as you can. 

In the summer months the surrounding area overflows with a

large outdoor fish market that takes place every day, but in the
winter months, there is only the iconic Mathallen Food Hall to
keep you warm and dry.Bergen Fish market is located only 2
minutes walking distance from our hotel, and above it is the
Bergen Tourist Information Center (open every day until 11 pm)
where you can find a lot of useful information!
 Wander around the town, enjoy
the narrow fairytale-like streets
and spot Bergen street art

There is no better way to experience Bergen than just

walking around town. One of the best walks is from our
hotel to Nordnes park. Nordnes  is one of the oldest parts
of town, and is home to the Bergen Aquarium, where you
can meet a multitude of creatures (an amazing attraction
for the kids).The oldest buildings in Nordnes date back to
the 12th century, when King Øystein was on the throne.
Bergen is more associated with historic piers and
colorful wooden houses than undercover  artistic
hot spots, however the Bergen street art has
flourished over the last decade largely thanks to a
Banksy visit back in 2000.

Vibrant and daring – seeking out the street art here

is a fun, and free thing to do in Bergen, you just
have to know where to look. Head to Sentralbadet
to see one of Bergen’s only legal street art walls or
explore around the University of Bergen or the
Skostredet neighborhood to spot more creative
pieces of art (or for exact locations click through to
the Bergen Street Art blog).
Check Out One Of Norway’s
Oldest And Best Preserved
Castles At Bergenhus
Fortress
Dating back to 1240, the  Bergenhus Fortress stands
menacingly over the Bergen Harbour entrance and has
protected its citizens faithfully for hundreds of
years.Today only a medieval hall and defensive tower
remain but it is still  currently used by the Royal
Norwegian Navy and around 150 military personnel
stationed there. Tourists can, however, visit Haakon’s
Hall and scale the Rosenkrantz Tower which is open to
the public, and be on the lookout for the frequent
concerts that take place here during the summer which
are a favorite of the locals.
 Use “once in a lifetime” opportunity
and climb a mountain by stairs! -
Stoltzekleiven

There are not a lot of stairs like it in the world. This hard, but short, popular
hike from Fjellveien up Stoltzekleiven is about 908 steps and it’s very
challenging, but the  higher you climb, the better the view gets! The stairs
were built 1939 by unemployed youth (refurbished in 2011 by Nepalese
Sherpas) and named by Stoltzegården where the trail started.

It is quite strenuous but someone of average fitness and form can walk up
in around 25 mins including a couple of panting breaks! If you're fitter, you
can probably run or speed-walk in about 15 mins. Either way, the view at
the top is an excellent reward
 From the top you have several options but the most
common route is to continue to Mount Fløyen. This hike
will take you through the amazing scenery of the
Norwegian woods just how you imagined it! With
carpets of utterly green moss and all.
 For art lovers and rainy days - Visit
KODE and enjoy the masterpieces 
by Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, J. C.
Dahl and many more

Go back in time with a historical visit to KODE’s

extensive collection of art and design. The museum fills
four buildings in the centre of the city. The good news?
For all four buildings, you need just one ticket!  In
building number 4 you can find the KunstLab/ ArtLab,
and this is great fun for children and families. This is an
art museum for children including a specially designed
laboratory where children are free to explore the world
of art through play and experimentation. There are
things to climb on, activities, coloring pages,
experiments with color and perspective, all perfect for a
rainy Bergen day.
Visit the King's official residence in
Bergen - Gamlehaugen

Royal house in Bergen is a truly an amazing place to

visit. Good news? When the Royal family in not present,
the property is open to the public, entrance is free and
you are very welcome! You can take a stroll through the
royal garden, take a picnic or even visit the castle on a
guided tour inside. This former residence of the first
Norwegian prime minister, Christian Michelsen, is really
one of the main sites in Bergen.
Gamlehaugen is framed by a beautiful English-
landscaped park, adorned with a lush, varied selection
of shrubbery, flowers and trees. The park is a popular
recreational area used for swimming and walking.
Unfortunately, the castle is a little bit out of the city, but 
busses 51 and 67 from the Bergen Bus Station can take
you there in only 20 minutes!
 Magical church in the woods -
Fantoft Stavkirke

History  didn't do much good for this church- but Fantoft

seems to be indestructible. The church was originally built in
Fortun in Sogn, a village near the inner or eastern end of
Sognefjord around the year 1150. In the 19th century the
church was threatened by demolition, as were hundreds of
other stave churches in Norway. The church was bought by
consul Fredrik Georg Gade and saved by moving it in pieces to
Fantoft near (now in) Bergen in 1883.

But that wasn't the end of it's suffering - On 6 June 1992, the
church was destroyed by arson; the first in a string of church
burnings by members of the early Norwegian black metal
scene.

After the fire, re-building was soon begun and was finished in
1997.
The church is open for visitors from May to September,
every day from 10:30 am to 6 pm, and the entrance fee is
NOK 65 for adults and NOK 30 for children, but walking
through the magical forest and seeing the church only from
the outside is totaly free!

Getting there - You can go to Fantoft from the Bergen Bus

station - bus number 83 and jump off on the station named
Paradis. (30 min), or with Bybanen (Light Rail) to the same
station. From both stations, it is a 10 minute walk to the
church.
Collected, designed and written by Aleksandra Sporic
Corrections by Alora Angel
Photo by Aleksandra Sporic
Bergen, Summer 2019