Bergen, Port city in Western Norway
Bergen is a port on the western coast of Norway, surrounded by seven mountains that slope directly into the sea. Rows of wooden buildings painted in red, yellow and cream line the waterfront, while narrow lanes climb upward through residential neighborhoods scattered on the hillsides.
King Olav Kyrre founded the settlement in 1070, and it grew into the capital of Norway during the 13th century. Merchants from the Hanseatic League later arrived and controlled trade in dried fish and timber, leaving behind the wooden warehouses that still stand along the wharf.
Locals gather at neighborhood bakeries and coffee shops throughout the day, chatting over skillingsboller and freshly brewed coffee in a relaxed manner. The theater scene stays active year-round, with performances in Norwegian often accompanied by surtitles, while street musicians play near the harbor on most afternoons.
A funicular takes you up Mount Fløyen in about six minutes, where trails begin and views stretch across the harbor and surrounding peaks. Rain gear is worth carrying at all times, since showers can arrive without warning and streets become slippery when wet.
The fish market by the harbor has been running without interruption since 1276, and sellers still offer fresh catches brought in that same morning. On some days, you can see live crabs and lobsters swimming in shallow tanks between the stalls, caught just hours before.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
