Bergen and Bryggen

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bryggen (1979); Norway'S Second City And The Main Gateway To The Western Fjords · Bergen, Vestland

Bergen is Norway's second city and the old capital of the west, a harbour town ringed by seven mountains and the natural gateway to the western fjords. Its signature is Bryggen, the row of gabled wooden merchant houses on the east side of the Vagen harbour, where German merchants of the Hanseatic League ran their trading post, the Kontor, for roughly four centuries, shipping dried cod from northern Norway to the rest of Europe. Bryggen has burned many times; most of what stands was rebuilt after the great fire of 1702 on the medieval plot plan, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Around it lie the Fish Market, the Floibanen funicular up Mount Floyen, the Ulriken cable car, the KODE art museums, Bergenhus Fortress and, south of the centre, Edvard Grieg's villa at Troldhaugen. The coastal ships to the far north and many fjord trips start here. The honest caveats: it rains a great deal - Bergen is often called one of Europe's wettest cities - and on busy cruise days the narrow Bryggen alleys and the funicular queue are packed by mid morning.

Bryggen, the Hanseatic wharf on the east side of Vagen harbour, central Bergen, Bergen, Vestland, Norway

A living city, open all year. The Bryggen wharf and its wooden alleys can be walked at any hour; shops, galleries and cafes inside keep roughly 10:00-18:00 or later in summer and shorter hours in winter. Museums usually open daily in summer and close one day a week (often Monday) in the low season - confirm each one. The Hanseatic Museum has been partly closed for a long restoration, so confirm what is open. Floibanen runs from early morning to late evening all year; Ulriken runs daytime with seasonal hours. Arrive on the Bergen Line from Oslo (roughly 7 hours with Vy), by Bybanen light rail or airport bus from Flesland (roughly 20-45 minutes), or by coastal ship. Book summer hotels, Troldhaugen concerts and fjord cruises ahead.

Bergen and Bryggen on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos