Bergen snapshot
Travel guide to Bergen - Norway's gateway to the fjords
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Bergen is Norway's second city and the gateway to the fjords. It has an impressive setting with seven mountains forming a dramatic backdrop against the North Sea. It was founded in 1070 and grew on rich fishing grounds becoming the capital briefly in the 13th century.
By 1600 the city was Scandinavia's largest with 15,000 residents. The discovery of North Sea oilfields in the 1960's enhanced its standing as a major port and trading centre. Tourism is now a fast growing resource and local people are widely regarded as the most outgoing of all Norwegians.
An influx of foreigners gives Bergen a more cosmopolitan air and UNSECO granted the centre World Heritage Site status in 1980. In 2000 it was made European City of Culture.
Bergen is built around the historic harbour area. The centre has a fairly compact layout and most areas of interest are within walking distance. Key attractions are the Bryggen wharf with its lively mix of historic buildings, cafes, restaurants and artist workshops.
The Bryggens Museum is built around archaeological findings of a 12th century settlement while the Bergen Aquarium has the best and most extensive collection of marine fauna in Europe. A cable car and a funicular railway take visitors up local mountains for panoramic views of the city.
Buses operate daily services to outlying parts. More than 20 ferries operate out of Bergen to outlying settlements around the fjords. These tend to be used by the locals, while the express catamaran attracts the tourists.
Bergen is an easy city to drive around. There is a one-way system in the centre, only a small area is pedestrianised and there is plenty of parking.
Up to six train services run daily in each direction between Oslo and Bergen from the railway station and five services daily from the coach station. Bergen is connected to Oslo by the E16 but the fastest route is the E18 through the world’s longest road tunnel at 24.5km.
The ferry terminal at Skoltegrunnskaien operates services to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and regular services to Egersund with Hanstholm in Denmark. There is also a ferry to Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland in the summer. Bergen Airport is 19km south of the city with a limited range of international services to Amsterdam, UK, Denmark and Spain.
Every month our travel writers comb the web for city break deals to Bergen. Visit our Bergen holiday shop to browse through the latest offers.
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