In a nutshell

An exceptional tour exploring Bergen and discovering its main attractions and its history, from the old capital of Norway to today's fascinating and vibrant business centre, which revolves around the old Hanseatic District of Bryggen where you can still experience the atmosphere of the trade and maritime traditions of the past.

Main stops

Bergen: King Haakon's Hall, Rosenkrantz Tower, Bryggen Wharf District, the Fish Market
Nordnes Peninsula,
Øvregaten, St. Mary's church (outside)

The programme

We leave the port by coach and set off to explore Bergen, the second largest city in Norway after the current capital, Oslo. Bergen was founded in 1070 AD. Between the 12th and 13th centuries the city was the capital of Norgesveldet, the Norwegian Empire which included Iceland, Greenland and part of Scotland. Bergen flourished thanks to the export of fish (mostly dried fish) which was the city's main product in the Middle Ages. Even after Oslo became capital in 1299, Bergen continued to grow as a business centre, becoming the largest in Norway.
Our tour begins with some of the city's most important and symbolic landmarks, including King Haakon's Hall (Håkonshallen), the imperial residence with adjoining banquet hall built by King Håkon Håkonsson between 1247 and 1261, and the Rosenkrantz Tower (Rosenkrantztårnet), built around 1560 by the Governor of Bergen Tower, Erik Rosenkrantz, to serve as both as a residence and a fortified tower.
Our tour then continues to the other symbol of the city, the ancient and picturesque wharf district of Bryggen ('bryggen' in Norwegian means 'wharf'), which was built around 1350 by the Hanseatic League. It is the most enchanting neighbourhood of the city and extends along the eastern side of the port of Vågen, with long parallel rows of coloured buildings with sloping roofs (and leaning walls, in many cases), which are built with rough wooden planks on stacked-stone or wooden foundations. In the past, these buildings were used as offices, homes and stores and were used by the German merchants of the Hanseatic League, which enjoyed a trade monopoly with Norway. Today the Bryggen District is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts shops, restaurants, cafés and artisan workshops.
Passing by the bustling Fish Market (Fisketorget), we head for the Nordnes Peninsula, with its typical 19th-century white wooden houses. The Bergen Aquarium (Akvariet) at the tip of the peninsula, boasts one of the largest collections of marine and freshwater fish and invertebrates in Europe, in addition to seals and penguins; in the tropical section there are crocodiles, snakes, turtles and monkeys.
As we continue on our way, we enjoy the splendid panorama that opens up on both sides of the port and, before returning to the ship, we cross the Fish Market once again and head for the Øvregaten, the oldest street in Bergen.
Those who wish can stay a little longer at the Fish Market and return to the ship independently.

Good to know

The tour is suitable for people with disabilities and those with mobility problems as long as they can board the coach autonomously.
Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.