Bergen, Norway

Bergen - the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway

Bergen is surrounded by one of the world's most spectacular tourist attractions - The Norwegian Fjords, which have now been included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Bergen is situated between the longest fjord Sognefjord north of Bergen and the beautiful Hardangerfjord in the south.

The word “fjord” is used many places in the world, but where do you find the fjords which really impress and delight visitors?

In Norway we have the Oslofjord, the Trondheimsfjord, the Byfjord in Stavanger, and the Byfjord in Bergen. However, it is in the districts of Western Norway you find the fjords which attract so many tourists.

The fjords in Norway have been voted the world's most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic. Bergen is a great starting point if you wish to explore the fjords. There are many organised sightseeing and fjord tours of varying lengths that you are guaranteed to find memorable. Tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information in Bergen.

Fjord Tours available from Bergen and the region.

These fjords are deep and narrow, surrounded by high, steep mountains with snow-covered tops and both small and huge waterfalls.

Here and there you see small farms, some by the fjords and some even high up in the mountains, evidence of people having lived and survived here for centuries. The genuine fjords do indeed fascinate the cruise passangers.

The longest fjords are the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord. The narrowest fjords are the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord (featured on the World Heritage List). In the innermost part of the Nærøyfjord you find the small village Gudvangen.

Hanseatic Bryggen in Bergen dating back 900 years

In the late Middle ages the Hanseatic League established the German Kontor in Bryggen (the waterfront), which became a thriving center of international trade. The characteristic parallel rows of buildings, with their seaward-facing gables represent a building tradition dating back almost 900 years. The old wooden buildings along the harbor front in Bergen were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.
Situated next to the Fish Market.

If you are coming to Bergen, you have to learn at least two Norwegian words. These words are Bryggen and Vaagen. Bryggen is the name of the world famous waterfront in Bergen. If you ask someone for the waterfront, you’ll probably get a diffuse answer. If you ask for Bryggen, you’ll get a smile and the direction Vaagen is the local name for the harbor (port).

Norwegian-English translation;
Brygge => wharf, quay