Bergen
Bergen is a city in the west of Norway, located on the peninsula of the same name on the North Sea. It is the second largest city in the country and the center of the Hordaland region surrounded by picturesque hills and fjords. Bergen is one of Norway's oldest cities, a seaport and the ancient capital of the country. The old wooden architecture and heritage of the Hanseatic period are preserved here.
The famous Bergen waterfront - Bruggen is the city's most famous landmark and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen is a city of amazing charm. This is a place where colorful houses rise on the slopes where it is almost always raining or hanging fogs where the picturesque nature borders the urban environment. It is all the more amazing to know that this lovely city is one of the richest cities in Norway a major port and center of the oil industry.
Geography and climate
Bergen is located in western Norway on the North Sea. The city lies in the valleys of the Bergen Peninsula which face the sea. The outskirts of the city are quite mountainous. The coastline is cut by picturesque fjords. The historic center of the city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Wagen.
The climate is temperate marine. Despite the northern position winter is snowy and mild with an average temperature of 1-3 degrees with a plus sign and summer cool with an average temperature of less than 15 degrees. During the year there is a very large amount of precipitation - over 2000 mm. Here it will be almost always cloudy and raining.
Interestingly enough there are beaches in Bergen. Due to the fact that the waters of the Bergen Bay are separated from the cold waters of the North Sea by many islands the water in the shallow areas can warm up to 18 degrees in the hot summer days.
The famous Bergen waterfront - Bruggen is the city's most famous landmark and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen is a city of amazing charm. This is a place where colorful houses rise on the slopes where it is almost always raining or hanging fogs where the picturesque nature borders the urban environment. It is all the more amazing to know that this lovely city is one of the richest cities in Norway a major port and center of the oil industry.
Geography and climate
Bergen is located in western Norway on the North Sea. The city lies in the valleys of the Bergen Peninsula which face the sea. The outskirts of the city are quite mountainous. The coastline is cut by picturesque fjords. The historic center of the city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Wagen.
The climate is temperate marine. Despite the northern position winter is snowy and mild with an average temperature of 1-3 degrees with a plus sign and summer cool with an average temperature of less than 15 degrees. During the year there is a very large amount of precipitation - over 2000 mm. Here it will be almost always cloudy and raining.
Interestingly enough there are beaches in Bergen. Due to the fact that the waters of the Bergen Bay are separated from the cold waters of the North Sea by many islands the water in the shallow areas can warm up to 18 degrees in the hot summer days.
General information
Population: 270,000
Area: 25 km2
Language: Norwegian
Currency: Norwegian Crown
Visa: Schengen
Time zone: UTC +1
Tips usually included in the bill
Convenience stores work from 8 am to 4pm
Restaurants serve after 6pm
Area: 25 km2
Language: Norwegian
Currency: Norwegian Crown
Visa: Schengen
Time zone: UTC +1
Tips usually included in the bill
Convenience stores work from 8 am to 4pm
Restaurants serve after 6pm
Best time to visit
Bergen can be visited throughout the year. Winter is mild with average temperatures just above zero and cool in summer. There is a lot of rainfall throughout the year so probably 90% of the time you will need an umbrella.
History and facts
Bergen was founded in 1070 by King Olaf III. A few decades later the Bergenhus Castle was built in the northern part of the Wagen Bay. From the 12th to the 13th centuries Bergen was the capital of Norway the seat of kings and bishops.
In the 14th century the city ceased to be the capital and became part of Hansa. The power was concentrated in the hands of the Hanseatic merchants. It lasted until the 18th century. Bergen at that time was one of the most important cities of the Hanseatic League the largest and richest city in Norway. It was during the Hanseatic period that the city was bound by the emergence of the Bruggen waterfront. The main commodity was fish (mainly cod) and from Europe - grain.
