Past & Present City Walk, Bergen

5.0 (12 reviews)
Explore Bergen's rich history and culture on a guided walk, uncovering architecture, stories, and local life.
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A
Amy A.
Jul 24, 2024
Great guide with excellent information , vast historical knowledge and stories. Very worth it.
Amanda
Amanda T.
Jun 22, 2024
Fabiola did great job of weaving history and modern culture into her tour.
Joe
Joe O.
Jun 19, 2024
Very informative
Minda
Minda H.
May 21, 2024
Our guide was terrific. Magda was knowledgeable and personable. She brought the history to light and made the culture understandable. We really enjoyed getting off the... Read more
J
Jennifer K.
May 11, 2024
Wonderful tour! Our guide Emma was terrific.
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Overview

Explore Bergen on a guided walk that takes a deep dive into the city's history and culture. Starting at the Rosenkrantz Tower inside the Bergenhus fortress, you'll delve into the city's royal and political past before exploring Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander narrow alleys in historic residential neighborhoods and learn about Bergen's wooden architecture and daily life from centuries past to the present. Ideal for first-time visitors and history enthusiasts, this experience offers an in-depth look at Bergen's highlights and hidden gems, complete with local anecdotes and personalized insights.

Highlights

  • Engage with your guide as they make history come alive on the entertaining and fact-filled walk
  • Explore off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods near the harbor to see a different side of Bergen
  • Discover Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen and learn about its rich Hanseatic heritage
  • See important landmarks like St. Mary's Church, the Fish Market, and the Bergen fortress

Know before you go

Duration
2 hours
Recommended for
5 years old & up
Group
Group tour, 15 people or less

What you'll do

Starting at Rosenkrantztårnet (Rosenkrantz Tower) within the Bergenhus fortress, you'll delve into Bergen's royal and political history. As you explore the fortress, your guide will share fascinating stories about Bergen's medieval past and its brief stint as Norway's capital under King Håkon Håkonsson. This introduction to the city's history will also touch on Norway's periods under Danish, Swedish, and Nazi rule, giving you a comprehensive overview of Bergen's evolution.

Next, your guide will lead you to Bryggen, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you'll wander through narrow alleys and learn about the Hanseatic League, a German trading organization that operated in Bergen for 400 years. The historic setting of Bryggen will provide a vivid backdrop for tales of 1,000 years of trade history, showcasing why Bergen was founded and how it grew. Your guide will also highlight Mariakirke (St. Mary's Church), the oldest building in Bergen, and a fine example of Romanesque architecture in Norway.

After soaking in the history, the experience shifts focus to modern Bergen. You'll venture off the beaten path into historic residential neighborhoods, where your guide will discuss Bergen's iconic wooden architecture and everyday life in the 18th and 19th centuries. This part of the walk offers a glimpse into contemporary Bergen living, including insights into housing, local customs, and how locals cope with the city's famous rain. As you pass by popular eateries and cafés, your guide will offer recommendations for you to visit afterward.

By the end, you'll have a well-rounded understanding of Bergen's rich history and modern-day life. 

Start times

  • Daily
    10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm

What's included

  • Guide

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

12 total ratings, 10 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.4
A
Amy A.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 24, 2024
Great guide with excellent information , vast historical knowledge and stories. Very worth it. Read more

Great guide with excellent information , vast historical knowledge and stories. Very worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Didn’t use transport
Amanda
Amanda T.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2024
Fabiola did great job of weaving history and modern culture into her tour. Read more

Fabiola did great job of weaving history and modern culture into her tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Joe
Joe O.
Southport, NC | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2024
Very informative Read more

Very informative

Quality of Experience
Y
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Minda
Minda H.
Maple Grove, MN | Reviewed on May 21, 2024
Our guide was terrific. Magda was knowledgeable and personable. She brought the history to light and made the culture understandable. We really enjoyed getting off the beaten paths and seeing some of the neighborhoods just a few hundred yards from the harbor. Magda answered all of our questions and provided great context. Read more

Our guide was terrific. Magda was knowledgeable and personable. She brought the history to light and made the culture understandable. We really enjoyed getting off the beaten paths and seeing some of the neighborhoods just a few hundred yards from the harbor. Magda answered all of our questions and provided great context.

Tips for future travelers

Plan on doing this.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
J
Jennifer K.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on May 11, 2024
Wonderful tour! Our guide Emma was terrific. Read more

Wonderful tour! Our guide Emma was terrific.

Tips for future travelers

The walking tour was a must-do for us! Our guide gave us tips on how to fill our day -- best cafe, best hot dog stand, the "local" part of town to grab a drink. Wonderful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
D
Donna P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024
It says a lot that in a driving rain Dane was able to keep our group engaged AND rather dry for two hours. The content covered in the Walk Through Past and Present gave a solid foundation of historical Bergen culture and how it has evolved to present day. Our guide frequently called out Bergen facts that also related to the home country of each participant. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bergen and/or Norway for the first time. Read more

It says a lot that in a driving rain Dane was able to keep our group engaged AND rather dry for two hours. The content covered in the Walk Through Past and Present gave a solid foundation of historical Bergen culture and how it has evolved to present day. Our guide frequently called out Bergen facts that also related to the home country of each participant. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bergen and/or Norway for the first time.

Tips for future travelers

Bring a hooded rain jacket to wear on top of your jacket or clothing in case of rain. Because of the windy nature of this area - umbrellas weren't as helpful as they tended to turn inside out while walking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dane was an incredible guide. Very personable and made the walk and talk entertaining and fact filled. He encouraged questions and provided many insights in response.
E
Elizabeth C.
Fort Collins, CO | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2023
This was a great way to see the highlights of Bergen and learn about the history. Very worth doing. Read more

This was a great way to see the highlights of Bergen and learn about the history. Very worth doing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
DAVID
DAVID R.
Baltimore, MD | Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023
Nice walking tour; good guide. Read more

Nice walking tour; good guide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
D
Dianne W.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
I always appreciate a walking tour to give you a lay of the city early in your trip. The guide provided great insightful things about the history of the city as well as the culture. It was well worth it. Read more

I always appreciate a walking tour to give you a lay of the city early in your trip. The guide provided great insightful things about the history of the city as well as the culture. It was well worth it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lisa
Lisa T.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on May 30, 2023
Madga did an excellent job of explaining the history of Bergen and Norway. Her comments on Byrggen and Hanseatic heritage were especially enlightening. We covered a fair bit of ground, but the pace is gentle and she took care not to exhaust the members of the tour. Read more

Madga did an excellent job of explaining the history of Bergen and Norway. Her comments on Byrggen and Hanseatic heritage were especially enlightening. We covered a fair bit of ground, but the pace is gentle and she took care not to exhaust the members of the tour.

Quality of Experience

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