Port Profile: Bergen, Norway

With the Northern Europe cruise season drawing to a close, many passengers are already looking to 2011 sailings in the region.  With a multitude of countries, ports, and itineraries to choose from, it can be more than a little overwhelming for first-time visitors to the region.

Which is why we have our new Port Profiles here at From the Deck Chair!

One of the many squares in beautiful Bergen, Norway.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

 With a population of just under 300,000 people, Bergen is the quintessential Norwegian city: nestled in between the green mountains and seemingly endless fjords, the city boasts all the amenities of a large metropolitan area but with the space and charm of a small town.  Indeed, it's hard not to be completely enchanted by this incredible city.

 The historic district of Bryggen.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Most cruise ships dock near historic Bryggen, but a few can tie up at an industrial pier just south of the main part of the city.  Complimentary transportation is usually arranged if you are one of the few that tie up at the distant pier.  

Bryggen is arguably the most famous area of Bergen.  Literally meaning wharf in Norwegian, the area is home to a series of wood-built hanseatic houses that served as the major merchant hub of historic Bergen.  Today, the slanting houses feature floors that warp at odd angles, beams that jut seemingly out of nowhere, and alleyways that criss-cross in almost Venetian fashion. 

Colorful buildings, odd designs, and narrow alleyways:

all part of the fun in Bryggen.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

Of course, instead of offloading goods from ships, the shops that line the waterfront are dedicated to the tourist trade now.  You can literally loose yourself for hours in this incredible section of Bergen; no two shops are alike, and you're sure to come away with a unique, original souvenir of your time in this great Norwegian city.

 Fresh raspberries at the public market.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

If shopping isn't to your liking, why not take in the nearby public market?  Fresh fruit, warm baked bread, and the catch of the day are just a few of the culinary delights you're likely to come across.  While we're on the subject of food, we should point out that most European bottled water is carbonated, not still.  If you like your water flat, not sizzling, be sure to ask if it has "no gas."

The entrance to the Fløibanen.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

You've souvenir-shopped, you've eaten - why not see Bergen from above?  The Fløibanen Funicular is located just steps from Bryggen and the wharf, and transports guests three hundred meters above Bergen to the top of Mount Fløyen.  The journey takes between five and six minutes in each direction, and once at the top, you are free to explore the many hiking trails that line the mountain.  The funicular usually runs between 8AM and 8PM, and costs 70 Norwegian Kroner  round trip - roughly $11 USD.

If you want to take in the Fløibanen, try to do it first-thing: lines can be considerable for this popular attraction.

A monument to the merchants and seafarers of Bergen.

Photo © Aaron Saunders 

While most cruise lines visit Bergen as a port of call, some lines - particularly Norwegian line Hurtigruten - offer the city up as a port of embarkation.  There are no direct flights from North America to Bergen but several airlines allow for connections in most major European hubs.  Norwegian Air Shuttle and SAS offer connections from London-Gatwick and Oslo, and Lufthansa and KLM provide service from Frankfurt and Amsterdam, respectively.  Icelandair also offers seasonal connections via Reykjavik.

 Old and new collide in Bergen.

Photo © Aaron Saunders

However you choose to spend your day in Bergen, Norway, chances are you will come away with a new found appreciation for this fascinating city; cosmopolitan and historic, many Northern Europe and Norwegian itineraries include Bergen as a port of call.

For more information on Bergen, be sure to visit their official website.