Before you head out to Norway’s popular Fjords, check out the cultural and historical offerings of this country first. If you don’t have much time to spare, the city of Bergen is just the perfect place to soak up the Norwegian atmosphere.
Bergen’s location makes up most of its charm. It is nestled on the foot of the seven hills at its backdrop and protected from the North Sea by a harbor at its foreground. Add to this the brightly colored wooden houses characteristic of the city and you have a striking destination that is more than pleasant to the eye.
Head to the harbor market of Torget and experience the flurry of activities in the area. It is surrounded by pubs, cafes and restaurants as well as the nearby exciting fish market, indeed a perfect place for watching people and befriending locals.
From Torget, head to the harbor-side where the colorful wooden houses are located. You’ll find several cobblestone pathways in the area. Select a path and commence your tour of the old neighborhood of Bryggen, the city’s medieval quarter. Follow the path as it winds up past charming houses and their bright hues. Find out if you can distinguish which houses were built during the 18th, 19th or 20th century.
As you walk around the old city, you will soon find yourself passing by the Hanseatic Museum. The museum itself dates back to 1872 and displays a collection of items related to trading of the German merchants back in the day.
If you wish to find out how Bergen looked and felt like back in the medieval times, you better check out the Bryggen’s Museum which is entirely dedicated to the medieval history of the city. The location of the museum is also of special interest because it was built over the site believed to have been the first settlement at Bryggen. You will also find exhibits dating back to the 12th century that are displayed right on the very sites that they were discovered. This is a great place to visit for history vultures and medieval enthusiasts.
The old city also features the Bergen Aquarium, a cool place to visit if you have kids in tow. The facility features over 70 aquariums housing a multitude of fish species, as well as penguins and seals, sourced from several locations around the world.
For spectacular panoramas of the city and the surrounding islands, you can take either of the two funiculars in Bergen. The nearest funicular is less than half a kilometer from the Fish Market. It will take you on top of Mount Floyen. The view from the top is breathtaking. Many visitors are just content to just sit around and soak in the stunning sight but if you are up for an adventure there are several trails around the area that’ll take to you to even more scenic vistas.
The other funicular, 5 kilometers away from the city center, will take you to the top of Mount Ulriken, the highest peak in Bergen. Although the view from the top is arguably not as stunning as the ones in Mount Floyen, the area is a great hiking destination to those who love the outdoors. There is a route connecting the peak to the nearby Mount Floyen. It is only a 4 hour hike but the trail is challenging with plenty of ups and downs along the way.
Bergen is also famous for its annual music festival. So if you want to double the fun and maximize your Norwegian experience, it is best to travel during the month of May. This is the month when the rain spares the city and the festival is celebrated to make the most out of the wonderful and rare Norwegian sunshiny weather.
Sunee is author of this article on Hotels in Thailand. Find more information about Phuket Hotels here.
No comments:
Post a Comment