Sights and landmarks in Bergen

Sights and landmarks in Bergen

1. See

   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

2. See

   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

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   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

6. See

   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

7. See

   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.

8. See

   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

9. See

   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

10. See

    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.

11. See

    Fjellsiden neighbourhood

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

    Free

12. See

    Fjellveien panorama road

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

13. See

    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

14. See

    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.

15. See

    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

16. See

    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

17. See

    KODE Art museums

    Kunstmuseene

    One of the largest art museums in the Nordic countries, with art from the renaissance as well as contemporary art. The museum houses several of Edvard Munch's works.

    20 May–14 Sept: daily 11:00–17:00. 15 Sep–19 May: Tue–Sun 11:00–16:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00·Adult kr 130, student kr 60, child under 18 free

18. See

    Ladegården and upper Sandviken neighbourhood

    An area with more regular and wider streets, highly characteristic style.

    Free

19. See

    Marken

    On the flatland just north of the railway station, pedestrian zone, and also in the hills above, around Skivebakken street.

    Free

20. See

    Nordnes panorama

    Lovely place on the highest point of Nordnes peninsula, towards the aquarium.

21. See

    Nordnes park

    Pleasant park at the very tip of the peninsula, towards the sun set late summer evenings.

    24 hr

22. See

    Nygårdsparken

    This is a very nicely landscaped park laid out in the late 1800s in English style. The park is a popular picnic place for families, and in the summer there's always several groups of students and young people having barbeques. You are very welcome to step on the grass and it's a nice place to play frisbee, kubb or croquet. If you want to save a few kroner on food and drink stop by a local grocery store to pick up some ingredients to a picnic, bring along a blanket and a few beers and spend a cheap and relaxing afternoon in this park. It's highly unlikely that the police will bother you for drinking in public in this park as long as you behave. It's also one of the places where it's rather easy to get in contact with the locals. There's no public toilet here, but pop over the road to Vilvite and use their facilities for free. The upper part of the park is now rejuvenated, with a nice play area for children, occasional outdoor exhibitions and – some weekends – a café with restroom in the new Pavillion.

    Always open·Free

23. See

    Sandviken neighbourhood

    In Lower Sandviken near the small market square, there is a nice collection of traditional white wooden houses.

    Free

24. See

    Siljustøl Museum

    The home of the composer Harald Sæverud, famous for late romantic and neo-classicist works now houses a museum with occasional concerts. The somewhat mystic park around the house is open for the public.

    Museum open 24 Jun-23 Sep: Sun 12:00-16:00·Museum admittance: Kr. 50; students: kr. 20, children: free

25. See

    Skansen panorama point

    Skansen brannstasjon

    Excellent and easily available panorama point just above the funicular lowest station. Right in front of the old fire outlook, a small white wooden tower, now used by one of the city's buekorps.

26. See

    Skuteviken neighbourhood

    A small traditional neighbourhood around a small bay just east of the fortress.

    day time·Free

27. See

    St Johns

    Johanneskirken

    St. John's Church (Johanneskirken) dominates the top of Nygårdshøyden, the hill that hosts the University of Bergen. Nice view of the very centre.

28. See

    St. Jørgen's Hospital

    The Leprosy Museum

    St. Jørgens Hospital is one of very few preserved leprosy hospitals from the 18th century in Northern Europe. The large wooden building in Kalfarveien 31 (Pleiestiftelsen for spedalske) was the largest institution caring for the many leprosy patients in Bergen. This was where Armauer Hansen discovered the bacteria that causes leprosy in 1873. Hansen's discovery was a major breakthrough in medicine as he proved that a chronic illness was contagious rather than hereditary. The Leprosy archive was a complete record of all patients and is assumed to be the first patient archive in the world. The Leprosy archive is inscribed on UNESCO list of Memory of the World. The Leprosy Museum tells the story about the disease and its history in Norway, in addition to showing life at the hospital. A visit to the museum is a unique but disturbing experience. The complex in Kong Oscars gate 59 also includes a wooden church.

    21 May–2 Sep: Daily 11:00-15:00·Kr 40; children kr 20

29. See

    St. Mary's Church

    Mariakirken

    The oldest remaining building in Bergen, St. Mary's Church was built in the 12th century, presumably around 1150. It is the best preserved of the city's three medieval churches and one of the few basilica-shaped churches in Norway. It was built in the Romanesque style, then enlarged in Gothic style. Having belonged to the German community in Bergen for many centuries, it contains a unique pulpit, one of Norway's most beautiful altarpieces and characteristic twin towers. Possibly planned to be city's main church at the time before the dominance of the German merchants.

30. See

    Statsraad Lehmkuhl

    A three-masted barque sail training vessel built in 1914, one of the best kept in its kind. Mini cruises (approximately five and a half hours) available a few times a year, at the cost of kr 425 including food. Tickets should be bought well in advance. For the more adventurous up to week-long cruises to Europe are available where you live and work as a sailor.

31. See

    Svaneapoteket

    Svaneapoteket is a pharmacy in Strandgaten number 4. The pharmacy has been in continuous operation since 1595, on this location at least since 1688, and is the oldest pharmacy in Norway. The devastating fire of 1916 destroyed buildings in this area and the current pharmacy building was constructed after 1916. A swan marks the entrance, hence the name "The Swan pharmacy".

32. See

    The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene

    The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene are the only places on Bryggen where the original interior is preserved or restored. A tour of The Hanseatic Museum gives you a good introduction to the Hanseatic Bergen and the Hansa life, as you walk around an authentic Hanseatic merchant's house from the early 1700s. The building was in use until the late 19th century, when it was converted into a museum. In Schøtstuene, buildings from other parts of Bryggen are rebuilt to show where people ate, celebrated and held meetings. Neither the museum nor Schøtstuene is accessible for those using a wheelchair.

    The Hanseatic Museum: 15 May–15 Sep: daily 09:00-17:00. 16 Sep–14 May: Tue–Sat 11:00-14:00, Sun 11:00-18:00. Schøtstuene: 15 May–15 Sep: daily 10:00-17:00. 16 Sep–14 May: Sun 11:00–14:00·Adult kr 160, students kr 80, child free. Ticket is valid at the Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene for one day

33. See

    The National Theatre

    Den Nationale Scene

    The main theatre is a monumental Art Nouveau building in a prominent position on Ole Bull's square. As an institution the theatre played a key role. Ole Bull, a major international star on the violin, established the theater and employed the young Henrik Ibsen as instructor. Later Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, another national icon, worked there. Ole Bull also discovered the young music talent Edvard Grieg. This theatre made Norwegian, rather than Danish, into the standard language on stage, and it was long the #1 stage in Norway.

34. See

    The Norwegian Knitting Industry Museum

    Norsk Trikotasjemuseum

    Located in the buildings that used to house the first fully mechanized knitwear factory in Norway. The machinery is still in working condition and is used. Guided tour, exhibitions and film.

    Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00 (June 1 - August 31); Tue-Fri 11:00-15:00 and Sun 12:00-16:00 (September 1 - May 31)·students: kr. 25, children: free

35. See

    The West Norway Museum of Decorative Art

    Permanenten

    A museum of design and decorative art. Norway's largest collection of Chinese art.

    Tue-Sun 12:00-16:00; 15 May–14 Sep: daily 11:00-17:00·Kr 60; students and seniors kr 40, children under 16 free

36. See

    The fish market

    Fisketorget

    Bergen's outdoor fish market has a long history, being the historical centre for fish trade. Most tourists find their way here, but with locals changing their shopping habits, the fish market today does not compare to what it once was. The fish market is dominated by makeshift souvenir shops and seafood stalls. The seafood is generally of only OK quality as the fishermen no longer deliver their catch directly to the market. Still, you can get a pretty good idea of what the locals eat by having a look at the various fish they sell here, and try some of the stranger ones, if you feel adventurous. Free samples are usually available of the more common items such as whale, salmon and salmon caviar. Although somewhat crowded, getting around with a wheelchair is fairly easy.

    Jun–Aug: daily 07:00–19:00, Sep–May: Mon–Sat 07:00–16:00

37. See

    Theta museum

    During the first half of World War II, the Theta group, formed by people between the ages of 19 and 22, established radio contact with London and reported movements of the German fleet in Norway. The group headquarters and radio station was located in the heart of occupied Bergen, but remained active for two years before it was discovered and raided by the Nazis. In the 1980s, the small room was reconstructed to its original state by orders of the Directorate of Cultural Heritage. It is now probably the country's smallest museum, displaying radio equipment and the Theta group's own security system. Not accessible with a wheelchair.

    Tue Sat Sun 14:00-16:00·Kr 20; child kr 5

38. See

    Troldhaugen

    Edvard Grieg's villa

    This is the house of the famous composer Edvard Grieg, who wrote the Peer Gynt suite and the Piano Concerto in A Minor and is Norway's national composer. His country house (just outside the town centre of Bergen) has been preserved in the state it was in when he died in 1907. You can also see his grave; he was buried on his own estate. There is a museum devoted to Grieg and his work, and a concert hall with daily concerts from 1 May - 11 Oct.

    May-Sep: daily 09:00-18:00; Oct-Dec: daily 10:00-16:00; 23 Dec-1 Jan: closed; 2 Jan-Apr: Daily 10:00-16:00·Kr. 130, students: kr. 65, children under 18: free

39. See

    Ulriksbanen

    Cable car to the top of Mt. Ulriken, the highest of the mountains surrounding the city. There is a restaurant at the top.

40. See

    Vilvite

    Bergen Science Centre

    Sponsored by the state and the city in addition to some of the largest industrial companies in Norway, this all new science centre features interactive exhibitions of science, technology and mathematics. It targets children and young people with the intention to inspire them to learn more about science, but is popular also among the adults. It has special exhibitions about the weather, the ocean and energy, with altogether 75 different interactive machines and experiments.

    Tue-Fri 09:00-16:00, Sat Sun 11:00-18:00·Kr. 120; children (3-15 years): kr. 80, families (2 adults and 2 children): kr. 330 (kr. 65 per extra child), students (high school and above): kr. 80

Browse all 101 places in Bergen

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bergen (CC BY-SA 4.0).