Cultural Walking Tour in Bergen: Discover the City's Historical Treasures
Historical Walking Tours in Bergen: A Cultural Exploration
Fløien, Bryggen, KODE, and the Fish Market are all iconic landmarks of Bergen. This city in Western Norway is perfect for history enthusiasts and offers exciting surprises around every corner of its cobblestone streets. Find out what you must see when you visit Bergen!
Walking in the Old Town
It’s no exaggeration to say that Bryggen in Bergen is one of Norway’s most famous landmarks. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bryggen is a protected historical district with deep roots. Now you can experience niche shops, art galleries, and locally-sourced products in these iconic buildings, but historically, Bryggen was an important trading hub. The various trading yards at Bryggen were actually warehouses for goods, and it was a trading center in the 14th century for the Hanseatic League. Grain was imported from Central Europe, and dried fish from Northern Norway was exported across the sea. Bergen was actually such an important trading center that it was the capital of Norway from 1217 to 1314.
A walk on Bryggen creates a nostalgic feeling about cultural traditions, and with a knowledgeable guide, you can learn more about all the historical sites on Bryggen. Remember to also take time to taste local treats along the way, and of course, visit the Fish Market. Many start their city walk at the Fish Market early in the morning to take the best photos. From Bryggen, you can also board the sailing boat First Player, where you get to experience Bergen from the sea while learning more about its fascinating history.
On Rainy Days
Bergen is known for having the most rainy days in the country. No matter what season you choose to visit Bergen, it’s important to pack both an umbrella and rain gear. Many Bergen residents and tourists still walk the streets even when it rains, but fortunately, there are covered places where you can learn more about Bergen’s history without getting wet. Whether you love art, history, or culture, you’ll find several exciting experiences if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
To dive deep into the fishing industry and aquaculture, you must visit Storeblå Visitor Center and the Bergen Maritime Museum. These will give you an insight into the long traditions in Bergen, as well as the fishing industry throughout the country. If you want a more interactive experience, the Bergen Aquarium is one of Norway’s best aquariums that suits both adults and children. For a bit more historical content, don’t forget to explore St. Mary’s Church. This is Bergen’s oldest building, built sometime in the 12th century.
Bergen from a Bird’s Eye View
When the sun peeks out, there’s one stop that matters: the Fløibanen! Get up above the city center to see Bergen from a bird’s eye view. The iconic funicular gives you panoramic views all the way up, and once at the top, you have many options. There are restaurants, activities, and fantastic mountain hikes up at Fløien. One of the newest additions is overnight stays in the treetops. The cone-shaped glamping cabins blend perfectly with nature, giving you a wonderful view over the city center and the bay.
Besides Fløien, there are also many other great excursions around Bergen city center. The city is surrounded by 7 mountains, and synonymous with all is that they get you up in height and out in nature. The seven mountains are named Lyderhorn, Damsgårdsfjellet, Løvstakken, Ulriken, Fløyen, Rundemanen, and Sandviksfjellet. If you’re especially fit, you also have the opportunity to take the seven-mountain hike, a trip that takes you over all the peaks. The hike is about 35 kilometers long, and for those in good shape, it’s done in 8-12 hours.
Gourmet Experiences and Microbrewery
The core of Bergen’s food culture has always been seafood, as it’s possible to procure delicacies from the sea just outside the city center. In 2015, Bergen joined the UNESCO Creative City Network. This means that Bergen is one of a few handpicked Gastronomy Cities, and uses both gastronomy, creativity, locally sourced food, and sustainability to maintain both local raw materials and traditions. In Bergen, you will find exciting dishes such as pressed cod, potato dumplings, and puspas. It is indeed not a long way to either the sea, the mountain pasture, or the fruit villages in Hardanger – which makes Bergen a food mecca.
The city center invites to a creative and innovative kitchen, where many restaurants are at least as exciting as the food on the plate. At Bryggen, you will find traditional restaurants with deep roots, while other trendy places bet on a more modern twist along with local ingredients. If you love beer, you should not miss handcrafted beer. At the Brewery, you can both eat delicious food and try their own beer from the cellar. Another popular brewery is 7 Fjell Brewery – which is worth visiting when you get so tired of the rain that you might as well drink it. At 7 Fjell Brewery, the beer is indeed based on Bergen rainwater!
Art and Culture
If you love art and culture, you will fall in love with Bergen. Here, the KODE art museums lie like pearls on a string. You can run from one museum to another between rain showers, or explore them on a sunny day where you can enjoy a beer outdoors along your walk. Either way, the result is the same: world-class art. KODE consists of four museum buildings in the center along Lille Lungegårdsvann, and these are named Lysverket, Rasmus Meyer, Stenersen, and Permanenten. Here you find large collections from both national and international artists, such as Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, and Nikolai Astrup. KODE is one of the largest museum complexes in the Nordics that covers art, crafts, design, and music.
In addition to the central museum buildings, the composer homes of Ole Bull, Edvard Grieg, and Harald Sæverud also fall under the KODE concept. Of these, Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg’s home, is the most famous. Daily concerts are held at lunchtime throughout the summer, and you can experience authentic Western Norway idyll. All composer homes are located just outside the city center, but they are easily accessible by public transport and the Bergen Card. If you do not want to venture outside the city center, you can also take a walk from Bryggen up to Bergen Cathedral, where the city’s best street art adorns the walls along the streets.
