Bergen – Get Surprised

Bergen is a city of surprises. Nothing underlines this as much as this sign that greets you as soon as you exit the airport at Bergen… This is  a city that will stun you with its diversity and yet stun you with the surprises that it can throw up… Like a cosy little bar that doubles up as an LP record store… or a small little restaurant that serves up the most amazing food…

You will be greeted by wooden houses in a row, cobbled street, the reflection of surroundings in the clear blue water and the greenery. It might be a little hard to believe that Bergen is the second largest city in Norway for it has the spirit and appeal of a small town. Also called the Heart of the Fjords, Bergen is a town which has to be in your must experience list for Norway.

A walk around the cobblestone paths filled with cute colourful houses or a sip of hot cappuccino in a cosy little café, even the simplest of things feel exquisite in the fairy-tale town of Bergen.

If you thought that the weather in London was moody, you have probably never visited Bergen. It is one of the wettest cities in Europe. And at times, it is difficult to keep up with the Bergen weather.  If you are thinking that weather can be a spoiler, you are mistaken! These hardy Vikings have developed plenty of alternative activities for a rainy day. No wonder Bergen is a city filled with cosy coffee shops, world class-dining, more than twenty museums and plenty of other incredible attractions to fill a traveller’s calendar for weeks. In fact, one of the best things to do in Bergen is to just walk around the town.

Sea food lovers can have a gala time in this city for fresh seafood is the core of Bergen cuisine. It is for this reason that it is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Amonsg local specialities, you’ll find Bergen fish soup, fish cakes and “persetorsk”, a traditional Bergen steamed cod dish. The city’s lively Fish Market is one of Norway’s most visited outdoor markets, and also offers fresh fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and souvenirs. But remember to not breathe too deeply while in the market.

The Bergen wharf will definitely please your eye for aesthetics. You would have probably seen it in movies or on Instagram but actually witnessing it will seem like a completely new experience. The wharf houses a museum, shops, galleries, and restaurants, and is a focal point for both locals and visitors. It will give you a sense of the local culture and a hundred different experiences to fill in your senses. .

Fløyen is a must visit while in Bergen. It provides for breath taking views from the mountain top and gives a view if the entire city. The ride in Fløibanen, the funicular is quite fun and it brings you up the hillside, from Bergen city centre to the top of the mountain in just 6 minutes. It is also a great destination for hiking, mountain biking and soft adventures.

Bergen swears by its fairy tale like charm. The world’s biggest Gingerbread City is only a seasonal attraction, but if you’re visiting Bergen in the winter months this one is not to be missed. It is recreated every year by schools and businesses around Bergen and runs from mid-November till the end of December. The children love the place but adults too can’t help revisiting this Christmassy place. Even during summer time, the town has quite a Christmassy feel ! May be it is because of the lit up shops, outdoor cafes with heaters ?

Did we tell you about the tunnels of Bergen? Well, they are very easy to navigate and they keep up with the overall mood of the city with white walls and dark ceilings giving an impression of the night sky.

Bergen is a gateway to Fjords. One can reach the Atlantic road from Bergen via cruise or flight. It is also a train ride away from the famous Flam Mountain railway.

If you feel like you ever need a break from the humdrum of life and need to dive into a fairytale with, come visit Bergen. You will surely find your happy ending.

Like surprises? Head to Bergen… Don’t like surprises? Head to Bergen – you may get surprised and start liking surprises… 😉

To know more about Norway click here

(Compiled by Mehakk Negi)

How to reach Bergen ?

By Air

Bergen International airport is connected with various international cities via direct flight and with smaller cities via connecting flight

By Rail

You can embark on a scenic train journey from Oslo and reach Bergen in 6.5 hours

By Cruise

Bergen can be reached from most of the northern towns of Norway via ferry. It is a big port and there are manty ships docking each hour both from Norwegian ports and from other countries. It’s an enormous port – one of Scandinavia’s generally significant – and there are countless vessels docking each hour. There are ship administrations to Bergen from Denmark, England, the Shetland Islands, Iceland and the Faroe Islands and from other Norwegian ports.

Best time to experience Bergen

The best time to visit Bergen is from Spring to Autumn , that is from April to September.  However, the winter is equally pretty and Christmas to new year is also a good experience