Panoramic Bergen and Mount Fløien - BEST SELLER
A perfect introduction to Bergen - the ‘fjord capital’ of Norway - including a bird’s-eye-view of the city.
A perfect introduction to Bergen - the ‘fjord capital’ of Norway - including a bird’s-eye-view of the city.
One of your first sights will be the medieval King Håkon's Hall and Rosenkrantz Tower. The route then continues to Bryggen, one of the city’s most popular cultural ‘treasures’.
Setting off from the station of Fløibanen, a funicular takes you on a short journey to the top of Mount Fløien, at a height of around 984 feet. From this vantage point, there are spectacular views of Bergen and her surroundings.
Back on board your coach, you’ll head past the famous fish market and on towards the peninsula of Nordnes, with its typical 19th century, white-painted wooden houses.
Bergen by Land and Sea
See Bergen city from two different angles – by land and sea.
See Bergen city from two different angles – by land and sea.
Step aboard a boat for a cruise lasting approximately 1½ hours, cruising between the scenic archipelago of islands surrounding Bergen. After relaxing and soaking up the scenery on board, a coach awaits to take you on a drive through the suburbs and on to the city centre.
Bryggen is a living illustration of the city’s history, with 61 protected buildings. Enjoy a guided walk through the alleyways and picturesque warehouses lining the street and waterfront. These once housed German merchants belonging to the Hanseatic League who settled in Bergen around 1350.
As you walk through the narrow passages and along the dark covered balconies, you’ll be transported back through the centuries. Bryggen is not a museum, it is living cultural heritage. Today these buildings, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, house shops, restaurants, cafés and artists’ workshops.
Bergen on Foot
Cover the main sights on this walking tour of Bergen, which is followed by a view over the city from the top of Mount Fløien.
Cover the main sights on this walking tour of Bergen, which is followed by a view over the city from the top of Mount Fløien.
Walk from the pier to Høyden, home to the University of Bergen Library and the Botanical Gardens. View some of the beautiful buildings in Bergen as you head to Grieg Concert Hall, built in the shape of a grand piano and inaugurated in 1978. Enter the city park, where many of the city’s art museums are located and pass the small Lille Lungegaardsvannet Lake and the city’s Town Hall.
Take a look at the fish market and the Byfjord, before reaching the famous Bryggen Hanseatic Quarters. Soak up the atmosphere in the narrow passages between the buildings. Continue past St. Mary’s Church, the oldest building in Bergen still in use, and one of the outstanding Romanesque churches in the country.
You’ll soon reach Bergen’s oldest street, Øvregaten Street, to board the funicular and be whisked up to the top of Mount Fløien. This is one of the most popular recreational areas and although the height is merely 320 metres above sea level, the view is highly impressive. You’ll return to the base of Mount Fløien by funicular.
Bergen Aquarium
Visit one of Bergen’s most popular attractions, the Aquarium, which contains one of Europe’s largest collections of marine life.
Visit one of Bergen’s most popular attractions, the Aquarium, which contains one of Europe’s largest collections of marine life.
Situated at the point of the Nordnes peninsula, the Aquarium was opened in 1960 and has one of the largest collections of marine life in Europe. There are also pools with seals and penguins, both very entertaining to watch.
In more than 60 large and small aquariums you can watch, at close quarters, all the weird and wonderful things that go on beneath the surface. See crocodiles and snakes in the new tropical section. Feel a crab or starfish and pick up a sea urchin to inspect it more closely. Norwegian children’s TV voted the piked dogfish and the small-spotted cat shark Norway’s ‘coolest’ fish, whilst the catfish was voted the ugliest.
In 2009 the Aquarium will show 3-D movies including the SOS Planet or Dinosaurs, as well as a regular movie about Norwegian marine life. 3-D glasses are included if one of the 3-D movies are shown and there will be time to watch one of the 3 films. There is also a small café and a souvenir shop for you to explore.
Bergen City and Troldhaugen Concert - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
An introduction to the sights of Norway, with a sample of the beautiful sounds of Grieg.
An introduction to the sights of Norway, with a sample of the beautiful sounds of Grieg.
Norway’s delightful scenery motivated Grieg to compose beautiful pieces of music. Troldhaugen is the former home of the composer, beautifully situated at the Nordås Lake. Pass the venerable King Håkon's Hall, the Rosenkranz Tower and Bryggen – picturesque Hanseatic timbered houses. See the colourful fish market and drive through the centre of the town, passing the central park and the Grieghall, the concert hall carrying the composer's name. Enjoy the sight of green slopes and ragged mountains surrounding the city.
After a short walk, arrive at Troldhaugen, where a special piano recital will be performed, introducing you to the sounds of Grieg. Take in the sights of the composer’s home, which includes many of the original furnishings. You’ll also see the garden, burial place and the Information Centre, featuring books and cd’s of Grieg’s works.
Vintage Railway - NEW
A scenic introduction to Bergen, with a leisurely ride on the Old Vossebanen Vintage Train, and a drive through the city.
A scenic introduction to Bergen, with a leisurely ride on the Old Vossebanen Vintage Train, and a drive through the city.
The Old Vossebanen Vintage Train is pulled by a ten-wheeler steam locomotive, built in 1913 as the first generation mountain locomotives for the Bergen-Oslo Railway. Enjoy a leisurely 11 mile journey between Garnes and Midttun. Garnes Old Railway Station has 4 buildings that are restored and protected, with a gift shop, a small café, a tiny museum building and a work-shop for the railway restoration works.
Opened in 1883, the Railway was part of the first line in this part of the country, and is now run by volunteers of the local branch of the Norwegian Railway Society.
Lysoen Island
Enjoy a scenic drive in the countryside around Bergen and visit Lysøen Island, once the summer residence of composer, Ole Bull.
Enjoy a scenic drive in the countryside around Bergen and visit Lysøen Island, once the summer residence of composer, Ole Bull.
The countryside around Bergen is a charming mixture of farmland, lakes and hilly pine forest. Pass by Nordås Lake, the beautiful location of Gamlehaugen, where the royal family stays when they visit Bergen, and enjoy the sights and scenery during your relaxing drive to Lysøen Island. The ‘Island of Light’ is in a beautiful location surrounded by hills, with pretty summer and boathouses. It is easy to see why Ole Bull chose this place for his summer residence.
Board a little boat for a 10-minute ride to the ‘Island of Light’ and enjoy the views along the way. As you approach Ole Bull’s summer house, you can admire its very interesting architectural mix that reflects the influences of his many travels.
Walk up the hill, on a broad path, and through the original forest of Lysøen Island until you reach the beautifully appointed summerhouse. Once inside, listen to the amazing story of Ole Bull’s life and the many funny and moving experiences that surround his career. The interior of the house is just as eccentric and beautiful as the man and his music.
Enjoy coffee or tea with Norwegian waffles before setting off for your return journey to Bergen.
Seaplane Flightseeing - SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Take to the skies from the ocean with a spectacular flightseeing trip above Bergen.
Take to the skies from the ocean with a spectacular flightseeing trip above Bergen.
Travel from the pier to Sandviken, a charming old part of the town of Bergen and home to the seaplane harbour. Board your seaplane and take off for fantastic views of the beautiful area of Bergen.
Observe how Bergen is cradled between hills and mountains, and look down over the many islands and skerries protecting the coastline towards the open North Sea. See the landmarks of the city centre, the pretty villages and farming communities on the outskirts. With luck you will see part of a glacier in the distance, before returning to look down on your ship docked in the harbour.
Hiking Fløien - NEW
Take in the spectacular views of Bergen from Mount Fløien, with a walk through beautiful woodland terrain.
Take in the spectacular views of Bergen from Mount Fløien, with a walk through beautiful woodland terrain.
Take the funicular to the top of Mount Fløien, which at 1,000 feet offers fantastic views across Bergen and the surrounding area. The Fløien hills are a very popular recreation area used by the population of Bergen all the year round, with picturesque lakes and mountains. Walk on one of the many gravel roads, through slightly hilly woodland and down to the little, idyllic lake called Skomakerdiket. Walking uphill you’ll join the main path, Blåmansveien, where the views get more impressive the higher you get.
In clear weather the route heads up the Rundemansvegroad Road, emerging into an excellent panoramic view as you reach the highest point, Rundemanen, at 1,800 feet.
There are many options of lovely walks on this tour, and your local guide will take you to the spots most suited for the weather conditions, and the fitness level of the group.