Bergen

Alvøen

An old and picturesque former industrial community on the west coast of the Bergen peninsula. The manor building at Alvøen has been converted into a museum with several exhibitions.

for entrance to the main building: kr 50; students: kr. 25, children: free

Apollon

Combined bar and music store, sells CDs, vinyls and band merchandise in addition to a decent selection of beers.

BIT Teatergarasjen

BIT (Bergen International Theater) presents Norwegian and international contemporary stage art productions of high quality.

Bergen Aquarium

Akvariet i Bergen

The aquarium has a nice selection of aquatic life, especially penguins and seals. Typical Norwegian aquatic life is well documented, and there is also a collection of tropical fish and animals and a shark tank with an underwater glass tunnel. Fun for kids.

Daily 10:00–18:00·Adult kr 250, child kr 150

Bergen International Film Festival

BIFF

BIFF is a week-long film festival held in October every year at Bergen kino (the Magnus Barfot multiplex cinema).

Single ticket kr. 65. BIFF discount card: New card kr. 520 (card kr. 20, account kr. 500), account refill kr. 200, enables you to purchase tickets at kr. 40/50 for screenings starting before/after 15:00

Bergen Jazzforum

Jazz club with focus on modern jazz. Norwegian Jazz Club Of The Year 2008.

Concerts every Fri except in the summer and during the Christmas holidays

Bergen Kebab

Though selling the cheapest kebabs in town, Bergen Kebab manages to maintain a decent level of service and quality. Serves an ok pizza as well.

Mon–Wed Sun 11:00–00:00, Thu–Sat 11:00–03:00

Bergen Maritime Museum

Bergens Sjøfartsmuseum

This traditional maritime museum is in the middle of the campus of the University of Bergen. Exhibitions of maritime history, shipping history, the Vikings, naval warfare, maritime archeology, and more.

Daily 11:00-15:00, closed on holidays, Christmas eve, new year's eve and the 17th of May·kr 30; children and students free

Bergen Museum – The Cultural History Collections

Kulturhistorisk museum

Bergen Museum is a part of the University of Bergen, and is in the heart of campus. It is divided in two collections, the Cultural History Collections and the Natural History Collections, located in two buildings. The Cultural History Collections include archeology, anthropology and art- and culture studies sections. Among other things, the museum has a large collection of Norwegian folk art and national costumes. It is notable for its unique exhibition of Norwegian medieval church art, including painted altarpieces, crucifixes and portals from demolished stave churches, all in wood.

Tue–Fri 10:00–15:00, Sat Sun 11:00-16:00; 1 Jun–31 Aug: Tue–Fri 10:00–16:00, Sat Sun 11:00-16:00·Kr. 40; senior citizens: kr. 20, children under 16, students and University of Bergen staff: free. Ticket is also valid at the Natural History Collections

Bergen Museum – The Natural History Collections

Naturhistorisk museum

The Natural History Collections include botany, geology and zoology. The zoology exhibitions is preserved more or less as they were when they were put up almost a hundred years ago. Enormous whale skeletons suspended from the ceiling in the exhibition halls are visible through the windows from the outside. The geology exhibition is modern and varied and contains samples from most parts of the world, in addition to a nice local collection. Around the museum is a garden which is at its finest in spring and summer. There is also a green house where you can enjoy tropical plants.

Closed for renovation·Kr. 150. Senior citizens: kr. 110, children under 16, students: free. Ticket is also valid at the Cultural History Collections. Access to the garden and the green house is free of charge

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Harmonien

The Bergen philharmonic is one of two national orchestras and was established in 1765. It is regarded as one of the oldest orchestras in the world.The program is varied, but the repertoire is usually quite easy listening. The orchestra plays of course a lot of Edvard Grieg's works.

Classical concerts every Thu evening at 19:30

Bergen pizza

Both the pizza and the kebab are delicious. The pizzas are made in front of you, well garnished and heated in a large oven.

Bergenhus fortress

Bergenhus

Once the seat of the king, Bergenhus fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved forts of Norway. The oldest surviving buildings are from the mid 13'th century, but the area was a royal residence from the late 11'th century. The fortress is situated close to the international ferry terminal. The royal hall, Håkonshallen, (Håkon's Hall), named for King Håkon Håkonsson, was built some time between 1247 and 1261. It is used today for royal galas, as a banqueting hall for the city council, and other public events. The roof is reconstructed after a blast during World War II. The nearby Rosenkrantz tower has the same appearance as it had in the 16th century. The oldest part of the tower dates back to the 1270s, a few decades after Håkonshallen. It was expanded in the 1560s by the governor, Erik Rosenkrantz, to its present shape. The rest of the medieval buildings in the fortress have been replaced or demolished over the centuries, with some ruins still visible. Among these is the medieval cathedral, the Church of Christ, which was used for coronation and as a royal burial site in the 13th century. A memorial marks the site of the high altar. Guided tours of the royal hall and the tower start every hour between 10:00 and 16:00 every day from 15 May to 31 Aug in the royal hall. From 1 Sept to 14 May tours are only available between noon and 15:00 on Sundays. Entrance fee is kr. 170 for adults, 20 for students and free for children under 16. A small cafeteria with coffee, tea and basic snacks is open from June to August. The fortress grounds serve as a city park; you can hang out here and eat that fish you just bought at the nearby fish market - or just enjoy the sunshine and the view. The park is popular among locals and tourists, but usually not crowded. It is normally not a problem to find a good spot for your picnic or a round of Frisbee. There is a very good view of the bay. The use of open fire, including barbecues, and the drinking of alcoholic beverages are forb

Closed · opens 6:30 am tomorrow·free

Blonder og stas

A small shop selling beautiful Norwegian handmade textiles, such as tablecloths and napkins.

Bryggen

Between 1350 and 1750, this area used to be a Hansa dock, trading and processing area. The wooden houses at Bryggen today were built after the devastating city fire of 1702, but are probably very similar to the buildings that were there before. Despite neglect and fires (Norwegian cities had a habit of burning down because everything is made of wood), a considerable number of buildings have survived and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you enter some of the alleyways between the storefronts, you really get a feel of what Bergen must have been like in the Middle Ages. There are a few museums on the history of Bergen and of Bryggen, but the most interesting aspect is probably that almost all of the buildings are still in use. One example is the restaurant Bryggen Tracteursted, serving food and drinks in a building first opened for this purpose in 1708. Wandering about on Bryggen is possible with a wheelchair, but getting in and out of buildings can be very difficult.

Bryggen Tracteursted

Bryggen Tracteursted offers a modern kitchen inspired by Hanseatic and local traditions, served in historic surroundings. A hidden treasure with its somewhat anonymous appearance. The restaurant can in principle fit up to about 200 guests, but the kitchen is very small, and expansion is not allowed by the cultural heritage authorities. This forces the restaurant to accept a relatively low number of patrons at a time – giving a peaceful atmosphere. A reservation is recommended.

Bryggens Museum

After the fire in 1955, when a lot of Bryggen burnt down, remains of the first settlement on Bryggen were discovered. The museum is built over these up to 900-year-old wooden building foundations, giving a unique insight in Bergen's architectural history. It contains the world's largest collection of medieval runic inscriptions, mostly inscribed on wooden items, but only a small number of these are on display. It also hosts themed exhibitions. If you are not a student, and would like to also visit the Hanseatic museum, it is cheaper to buy a ticket for the guided tour (and skip it if you want).

1 Sept-14 May: Mon-Fri 11:00-15:00, Sat 12:00-15:00, Sun 12:00-16:00; 15 May-31 Aug: daily 10:00-16:00·adults kr. 170, students kr. 85, children (under 17) free, guided tour (includes ticket to Hanseatic Museum) kr. 120

Brød & Vin restaurant

Dimly lit restaurant and Asian inspired food. Quiet place and tasty dishes.

Café Opera

An institution on one of the best corners in Bergen. Great food for the money. This is a place with many regular customers. During the day they serve lunch and cakes. Early in the evening it is a place for dinner and beer. Late night is for dancing.

Mon Tue 10:00–00:30, Wed–Fri 10:00–03:30, Sat 11:00–03:30, Sun 11:00–23:30

Damsgård Hovedgård

Damsgård Manor

This 18th-century manor is the most splendid of the many country retreats built by Bergen's aristocracy in the past centuries. The roccoco main building is surrounded by several beautiful gardens.

kr 50; students: kr 25, children: free

Den Nationale Scene

The national theater in Bergen. In a beautifully restored building, the theater presents a variety of plays on three different stages, from traditional Ibsen to contemporary plays. The largest stage (Store scene) is where most mainstream plays are played, while the two smaller stages features more alternative plays, often the most interesting ones. The plays are in Norwegian.

Det Akademiske Kvarter

Popular student venue, usually hosting concerts several times a week except during holidays and the summer.

Enhjørningen

The Unicorn Fish Restaurant

Bergen's most traditional – and expensive – fish restaurant. Located in a building restored to its 18th century appearance, Enhjørningen is well reputed for its excellent food, served in classical manners. A reservation is required. Ask for a window table if possible, as you will have a beautiful view of Bergen harbor.

Daily 16:00-23:00, Sun closed in the winter·Main courses kr 280-385

Fantoft Stave Church

Fantoft stavkirke

Stave churches are built in a distinctive style using the logs of trees as pillars, by the early Christians. This is a reconstruction of a church that was built in Fortun, by the Sognefjord, around 1150. On 6 Jun 1992, the church was totally destroyed by arson, but a perfect copy has since been constructed. The inside of the stave church has no wall paintings and the altar is quite austere. If you have seen the stave church in the Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo, then save yourself a few kroners and skip this one.

Fjellsiden neighbourhood

Traditional neighbourhood on the steep slopes behind Bryggen and around Fløibanen track.

Free

Fjellveien panorama road

Runs for several kilometers between Sandviken and Bellevue, largely horizontal and pedestrian.

Fløibanen

Fløibanen is a funicular which goes up Fløyen, a plateau in the mountain massif north-east of the city centre. From here, you get a great view of the city. Accessing Fløibanen and the plateau on Fløyen with a wheelchair is a piece of cake. It has become the attraction that the most tourists are content with. Expect queues, but don't worry, they move fast. There are no steps where lifts are not available without assistance, and all doors are wide.

Mon–Fri 07:30–23:00, Sat Sun 08:00–23:00·Adult: single kr 60, return kr 120

Galleri Fjalar

A business run by Kristian Espedal, better known by his stage name Gaahl, of Gorgoroth, Wardruna, and Gaahls Wyrd. He personally markets relevant merch and his artwork.

Gamle Bergen

Old Bergen

A reconstructed town with about 50 wooden houses from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a beautiful place to stroll on a sunny day. The more cultural traveller will enjoy a guided tour of the area and the houses.

kr 50; students: kr 30, pensioners: kr 30, children: free

Gamlehaugen

The villa at Gamlehaugen, built to resemble a castle, was the home of Christian Michelsen, former prime minister who helped free Norway from Swedish rule through the peaceful dissolution of the union in 1905. Nowadays, the villa is the royal family's residence in Bergen. There is a large and very popular park around the villa. Bathing possibilities.

Villa open for guided tours only. Guided tours Tue-Sun at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 in Jun-Aug. Tour at 12:00 will be given in English if necessary, other tours will be given in Norwegian only·Tour tickets kr. 50; children kr. 25. Access to the park is free for all