Founded in AD 1070, Bergen is one of the most attractive cities in Norway—it demands a three-night stay to see everything. During the Middle Ages, Bergen was the seat of kings, as well as one of the departure points for Vikings who roamed the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Even after Oslo emerged as Norway's capital, Bergen remained an important port city and a European cultural city.
Bergen is famous within Norway for its weather: The city is wet and relatively warm because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream. Be sure to have your raincoat or umbrella at hand.
Start your visit by touring the Bryggen area, set along the inner harbor in the medieval section of town. There are some interesting shops in a handsome row of 18th-century wooden warehouses. Also on view are Mariakirke (a 12th-century church), the Bryggen Museum (fascinating archaeological displays of medieval life in the city), the surprisingly uplifting Leprosy Museum (housed in a re-created 17th-century leprosy hospital) and the Hanseatic Museum (an old house restored to show the conditions in which the Hanseatic League merchants lived and worked).
Music lovers will want to look for the Edvard Grieg statue in City Park, while history buffs can tour the 13th-century Bergenhus Fortress (containing Haakonshalle, a ceremonial hall built in 1261, and the 16th-century Rosenkrantz Tower—its dungeon is the stuff of nightmares). You may want to spend some time just walking around Old Bergen, a collection of 35 wooden buildings that show the city as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries. Or consider spending some time at the Fish Market—it's always lively and it's a good place to see what everyday life is like in Bergen. (The market is closed on Sunday.)
Floyen, one of the seven mountains surrounding the city, has a funicular ride with a spectacular view. At the top of the ride is a national park with excellent hiking trails. Just outside of Bergen in the town of Hop is Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard Grieg, which contains his mementos and original furnishings. His grave is not far away, on a jagged cliff overlooking the sea. The nearby Fantoft Stave Church is actually a modern replica of the medieval original, which was burned to the ground in 1992 by a Norwegian satanist. It's still impressive, but we think it lacks the somber darkness of other authentic churches scattered across the fjord country.
Check with the tourist board for the exact dates of the Bergen Festival, an annual two-week event in late May. It's an excellent time to visit the city, as many arts, music and other cultural events are scheduled. 190 mi/305 km northwest of Oslo.
