Visit the Museums of Bergen, Bergen

Situated on Norway's west coast, this wharf city of about 300,000 residents (one of the oldest port cities in Europe) is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and fjords. Rich in culture and seafaring history, Bergen boasts a vast selection of cultural activities.

Check out the Bryggen area of downtown to view old wooden houses dating back to the 1700s (a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site), along with Bergen's best historical sites and museums. Then, for a rest, stop in one of the charming local restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. Finally, to polish off your historic minitour, visit Old Bergen (Gamle Bergen), a reconstruction of Bergen from the 18th century. 

Save some time for a museum or two! Favorites include the KODE art museums, which host collections from Munch, Astrup, Dahl, and Picasso; the Bergen Maritime Museum with various historic and modern boats and ships; and the fortress museum depicting the military history of Norway, with exhibitions on historical wars, WWII, and modern warfare.

For a unique experience, check out the ice sculptures at the Magic Ice Bar or take the city's light rail and walk to the reconstruction of the 12th-century Fantoft Stave Church, also called Trollhaugen or Fantoft Stavkirke. Then, when you're ready for a break or meal, enjoy some regional cuisine at one of the cafes or restaurants. Some local favorites include Altona, Pingvinen, 1887, Cornelius, bare Vestland, Dugg frisk, Spisekroken, Lysverket, and Skyskaperen (on the top of Mt. Ulriken).

Discover more things to do in Bergen and other interesting cultural and historical experiences in Norway.