- Saturday 05 April 2014
- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
Beautiful Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords
Monday 24 March 2014
Sometimes we are all guilty of assuming that, to visit places of great beauty and culture, we have to fly great distances. And yet Bergen is immediate proof to the contrary – a city set amid spectacular scenery which is easily accessible for a fascinating weekend escape.
Bergen nestles in picturesque fashion on Norway's west coast – acting as the gateway to the fjords which famously shape this glorious region. And, happily, it is located under two hours' flying time from the UK. British Airways ( ba.com) offers daily services from Heathrow, while Norwegian ( norwegian.com) flies in from Gatwick airport. easyJet also runs services from Gatwick (until the end of May; easyjet.com).
The fjords which frame the city are true must-see moments for any traveller – astonishing steep-sided trenches which were carved by the slow movement of glaciers in the Ice Age.
The city sits on the rippling Byfjord, and is within quick range of two other wonders of nature. The Hardangerfjord, which cuts into Norway's torso for 111 miles, is just to the south – a miracle enclave of glaciers and waterfalls where you can hike to the top of Trolltunga (an unmistakeable shard of rock which juts out above a dizzying drop, 700 metres in the air). The Sognefjord, meanwhile, is located to the north of the city – a 127-mile corridor of geographical splendour where smaller branch-fjord the Naerøyfjord stands proud as a Unesco World Heritage site. These fjords can all be seen on boat tours – where you find yourself astounded by the size of the rock walls as you venture past them.
There is also much to see inside the city. Bergen is alive with museums, galleries, bars, restaurants – and a wealth of sites that call to your camera. Bryggen, the wharf area that has become the city's key landmark, also has well-deserved Unesco World Heritage status thanks to its colourful wooden merchants' houses – which sing of the 16 century and the Hanseatic era, when vessels from all over Europe berthed at these docks. Adjacent, you can see Bergen's continuing maritime traditions at the ever busy fish market (Fisketorget).
Culture shines at Bergen Art Museum, which boasts several works by the Norwegian icon Edvard Munch – and at Troldhaugen, the former summer home of the 19 century composer Edvard Grieg, now preserved as a museum in his honour. Between June and September, you can listen to daily concerts at Troldsalen – an adjacent concert hall which was purpose-constructed as a venue for Grieg's work. Indeed, musical shows are a regular part of Bergen life – particularly in summer, when daylight paints the sky until midnight.
Visitors can save money by buying the Bergen Card (available in 24- or 48-hour versions), which provides free or discounted entry to a range of museums and attractions, and access to much of the public transport network within the Bergen area – including the Fløibanen, the famous funicular railway which forges up Mount Fløyen, Bergen's striking mountain neighbour. From the top, you can glimpse the fjord region in all its drama – as well as a welcoming city which is far closer to the UK that you may ever have imagined.
For more information, see visitnorway.com
Travel blogs
- 1 Vegetarians are 'less healthy and have a lower quality of life than meat-eaters', scientists say
- 2 Did Adolf Hitler marry a Jewish woman? DNA tests ‘show Eva Braun associated with Ashkenazi Jews’
- 3 Bananageddon: Millions face hunger as deadly fungus Panama disease decimates global banana crop
- 4 Exclusive Fernando Torres interview: ‘I can make Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho think I’m the best option for him’
- 5 'Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 plane found in Bermuda Triangle!' hackers profiting from viral Facebook links
-
Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage, second live debate: Ukip leader tops poll after Clegg's aggressive strategy backfires spectacularly
-
Vladimir Putin ‘wants to regain Finland’ for Russia, adviser says
-
Fall of the Dutch far-right: How a racist speech too far cost the flamboyant Geert Wilders his chance at the EU
-
Sleazy playground, money launderers’ paradise, all-round basket case: A dystopian vision of Britain under Ukip's Nigel Farage
-
Nigel Farage: Vladimir Putin is the world leader I most admire
-
Putin could invade Ukraine within a week, warns Nato chief
Cumbria: The place to be
Win the ultimate photograph break worth over £2500 in the Lake District, Cumbria.
Summer Austria
In the summer, Austria casts off its iconic icy appearance and turns gorgeously green – its mountains and valleys becoming the perfect playground for sunny adventures.
When was the last time you had a first time?
Find out how a long weekend in York can will stay with you forever.
Dicover Croatia's Adriatic jewel
Heavenly hotels, history and high-drama scenery in Dubrovnik, Croatia's Adriatic jewel
Like father like son - the edit
Browse our polo shirt picks to pair the ultimate in fashion cute.
Win the Westfield spring edit
Your chance to win a spring wardrobe, hand picked by Evening Standard fashion editor Karen Dacre. Tweet or Instagram to win.
Beautiful Bergen, the gateway to the Norwegian fjords
Bergen - a city set amid spectacular scenery which is easily accessible for a fascinating weekend escape.
Far away - and yet close to home - in the beauty of the Norwegian fjords
Only two hours from Britain amid the dramatic scenery and lovely fjords of western Norway, find out more about the Norwegian fjords...
London - Denver: two return flights to be won
We've teamed up with Icelandair to give readers the chance to win two return flights from London to Denver to visit this astonishing city.
This is Kenya….the coast
Kenya’s 490 kilometre Indian Ocean coastline is ideal for a luxury beach holiday. It offers a striking combination of Swahili culture, superb palm lined beaches and colourful marine life.
What can a credit check offer you as a consumer?
Running a credit check is easy and the results can give you a great insight into your financial position through the eyes of potential lenders.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs Travel
Business Travel Consultant
£20000 - £27000 per annum + Benefits: FCm Travel Solutions: FCm Travel Solutio...
Business Development Manager
£25000 - £50000 per annum + Uncapped Commission + Benefits: Corporate Travelle...
Business Development Manager
£25000 - £50000 per annum: Flight Centre Limited: Business Development Manager...
Travel Consultant
£18000 - £40000 per annum + Benefits: Flight Centre Limited: This is your oppo...