Bergen, a Hanseatic Town and Gateway to the Fjords

Norway’s first capital city and a Hanseatic town:

A Winter Shot of Bergen Hanseatic Wharf..

Bergen is a city best known for its Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, its waterfront Fish Market and its beautiful location – surrounded by mountains and fjords.

We only have one night in Bergen at the end of our Hurtigruten Norwegian cruise, but we manage to see quite a lot.  Just walking around the Vagen waterfront district we come face to face with a lot of the tourist attractions that this historic city has to offer.

Bergen’s Waterfront Tourist Attractions

Bergen Fish Market at the waterfront is our first stop and this popular tourist attraction is hard to miss.  For seafood lovers, here is the opportunity to indulge in some of Norway’s famous seafood. This market is very popular with locals and tourists alike and it’s common for people to buy seafood and have it on the pier.

Walking along the northern quayside of Vagen harbour, we arrive at Bergen’s famous Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf. In the dark of a late winter afternoon, we check out the shops along this famous strip. Bryggen’s spectacular wooden architecture houses many shops and offices, artist’s studios, craft workshops, and restaurants.

The Bryggen Museum and Hanseatic Museum are along the wharf.  The Bryggen Museum houses extensive medieval finds from nearby excavations and from which we can learn about commerce, handicrafts and daily life in the Middle Ages. At the Hanseatic Museum, are exhibits that tell about the life of a 18th century Hansa merchant.  Bryggen wharf was where the Hansas (a German medieval guild of merchants) opened one of their four European offices in the 13th century. The Hansas dominated trade for the next 400 years, so there’s a lot to be learned about these powerful merchants.The Museum is in one of the the oldest and best preserved wooden buildings in Bergen.

Bergen Harbourfront in Winter

Looking towards the far end of the quay we see Rosenkrantztårnet and Håkonshallen. Haakon’s Hall is the medieval ceremonial hall built by King Håkon Håkonsson for the coronation and wedding of his son in 1261. Bergen was then the political centre of Norway and the Hall was the largest and most imposing building of the royal residency in 13th century Bergen.  Rosenkrantztårnet was a fortified residence built in 1560. As it’s late we didn’t go close to the Bergenhus Festning castle grounds (Bergenhus Castle) as they are not open.

Beyond the castle and sitting on the waterfront is Norges Fiskerimuseum, the Norwegian Fishing Museum. Norway has a long fishing tradition and Norges Fiskerimuseum gives a comprehensive insight into the country’s fishing industry.

Other top sightseeing attractions in Bergen also include the Fløibanen Funicular, the Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen and Fantoft Stave Church.

Gateway to the Fjords

Bergen is also known as the Gateway to the Fjords. So beautiful and special are the Norwegian Fjords that they have gained listing in the UNESCO´s World Heritage List.  Norway’s fjords are a great tourist attraction and many visitors come here to enjoy its beauty, cruise the fjords, ski, do white water rafting, mountain and glacier hiking, cycling along the byways, and fishing in the sea and rivers.

Walking along Bergen’s historic harbourside, we got to see a lot during the little time that we have in Bergen.  It is a beautiful city and certainly worth coming back for a longer stay.

Search and book Bergen hotels and read hotel reviews here.>