If you were to look up Bergen, you are most likely to find a beautiful view of the entire city from the Fløyen Mountain, or the houses located at Bryggen Wharf. Of course, these are the main attractions that you must visit but, there are also other numerous places to explore and things to do in the picturesque city of Bergen.
Sitting in the West of Oslo, the city was once the capital of the country. To this day, it is the European capital of rainfall. It is not easy to live in a place that looks like a postcard because no one wants to leave it. As a visitor, you will also find it difficult to leave behind the activities, experiences, and views that Bergen has to offer. Let’s find out more about what the city has in store for you!
- Explore the Many Sculptures Housed by the City
Norway is known for the many fountains, sculptures, and statues it has. Similarly, Bergen is popular for housing some of the best sculptures, which have beautiful details. More than 100 of these beautiful pieces sit in the city center alone. If you want to go on a sculpture hunt and find out more about them, the council of Bergen has provided various routes to all of them on their website. Make sure to look for artistic details and experience the subtleties that the architecture of the city has to offer. It will make you appreciate them in a completely different way.
- Admire Indoor Art
Most of the art museums in Bergen have been combined together. However, there are a bunch of good alternatives that you can explore when it comes to contemporary art. One of these is the Bergen Kunsthall, which goes back to the 1930s. It displays various modern art installations from across the globe and across the country. They all can differ when it comes to quality and theme but, they make an important contemporary contribution to the art scene in the city.
You can also pay a visit to some smaller art galleries, such as the Galleri CEO, which focuses on fresh talent and urban artists. The Galleri Nygaten is also popular for housing art exhibitions and is often referred to as the most beautiful event location in the country.
- Visit a Fairy-Tale Location in Real Life
Admitted, the Norwegian violinist and composer, Ole Bull, is not as famous, nationally and internationally as Edvard Grieg. However, the former’s summer residence, named Lysøen, stands out. It consists of an island of seven km2, along with a farmhouse dating back to the 1600s. Its most appealing feature, on the other hand, is the house itself, which was carefully designed as per the instructions of the composer himself. The structure has numerous bulbous spires, intricate wooden carvings, and spirally columns. It is also delightfully eclectic for all those who set their eyes on it.
In addition, you might be interested to know that Bull used to refer to the house as his personal ‘little Alhambra’. Lysøen sometimes hosts musical events. If you visit the city during the months of summer, you can get on a shuttle boat, which will take eight minutes to take you to the island, all the way from Lysekloster.
- Fill Up on a Hearty Lunch
Pingvinen, located in Vaskerelven, will provide you with authentic and delicious Norwegian food so that you can go to sleep on a full stomach. Some of its most popular items are kjøttkaker, which is basically meatballs with jam and potatoes, as well as homemade lammepølse, or lamb sausage in a stew. You can also devour a serving of Marg & Bein, which literally translates to marrow and bone. In addition, you can always feast on some fresh salmon or the neck of pork, which the chef will have been roasting for hours.
- Visit the Largest Gingerbread Town in the World
If you happen to visit the beautiful city of Bergen before or during Christmas, you are in for a treat! This is the prime time to take advantage of the opportunity of exploring the greatest collection of gingerbread houses in the entire world.
The Gingerbread town was constructed by the local schoolchildren and the locals themselves. Many popular landmarks from the city are included in this town since it is based in Bergen, all in the form of delicious biscuits. The attraction opens up sometime in November and stays that way all through December. This happens every year and is an especially happy time for people with children, or child-like souls, who love getting a piece of that Christmas spirit.
- Experience the Knitting Industry Museum
It is safe to say that there is ‘knitting’ like this attraction in all of Bergen. If you want to see what life and work used to be like at the knitting factory in Salhus, then you need to make a trip to the Knitting Industry Museum, reachable by two buses. The idyllic location has friendly staff to guide you through the interesting, old machines in the museum. It is a cozy, highly informative, and quaint experience for all history buffs.
In addition, it is the perfect place for you to learn more about the locals and the area, as well as the traditional way of life for Norwegians.
- Take in the Gorgeous Views
It is not a stretch to say that the entire city of Bergen looks like it came out of a postcard. The red, blue, and yellow wooden houses, located at the old wharf, have managed to stand strong despite the fires that occurred centuries ago. The views here are Instagram-worthy and perfect for a peaceful stroll in the streets.
So, what are you waiting for? The views and the architecture of this postcard-like city are calling out to you. Add this location to your travel itinerary and explore it to the full. Also, do not forget to upload pictures to your Instagram!
