Bergen

Bergen is a city and municipality in Hordaland on the west coast of Norway.

A stroll through the UNESCO protected Bryggen harbour area will take you back 800-900 years.

Lille Lungegadsvann is a small lake embedded in lush gardens surrounded by most of Bergen's major museums.

A "Bergen Card" can be purchased at the railway station/boat terminal and tourist information centre at Vagsallmennigen. It gives the holder free transportation on all city buses and free admission or good discounts to most of the major attractions.

At the very end of the harbour, five minutes from Bryggen is the Bergen Fish Market. This is a great place to stroll and watch the locals but also a nice spot grab a quayside lunch of freshly caught salmon or fish and chips. The flea market is next door with loads of souvenirs and hand-knit sweaters.

Bergen Aquarium is at the beginning of the harbour. The aquarium features birds, sea life, especially animals found in and around the North Sea, seals and penguins.

Floibanen Funicular climbs over a thousand feet to the peak of Mt. Floyen. At the summit, visitors have magnificent views of Bergen, as well as the other six mountains that frame the city, and the fjords beyond. There is a gift shop, restaurant and several miles of well-marked hiking trails.

Local dishes include fish soup, smoked salmon, "spekesild" (herring), venison (reindeer and deer), "Skillingsbolle" (sweet cinnamon roll), and "fiskekake" (fish cakes).

The cruise port is within walking distance of Bryggen harbour and Bergen town centre, which cover most of the city's points of interest.