Scenic Bergen: Port to Port History & Hidden Alleys

Join us on a comprehensive city tour of Bergen that focuses on the most beautiful historic neighbourhoods of the city. This tour will cover Bergen’s unique history as we walk through the historic sailor’s quarters, seeing homes that are more than 300 years old. Once the roughest part of the city, today this is the most charming and beautiful. As we head into the medieval city centre, we’ll give recommendations for cafes and restaurants. The tour ends with a walk around Bryggen, Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage site. 

NOTE – this tour is perfect for those coming into Bergen on a cruise ship, as it starts very close to where the cruise ships dock (300 metres away or a three-minute walk). 

This tour begins at the “Bird Wall” street art, one of the most iconic pieces in Bergen city centre. This artwork is located close to downtown Bergen and the cruise ship terminal. It is also the entrance to one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Bergen – Nøstet. Once considered the most dangerous part of town, today, this neighbourhood has Bergen’s best-preserved homes – some are over 300 years old. It is also regarded as the most beautiful part of Bergen, and your guide will take you into our favourite hidden alleys. We then make our way up to the neighbourhood of Nordnes, famous around Norway as one of the prettiest neighbourhoods. Here, we’ll provide an insight into what it’s like to live in Bergen today while also comparing it to the reputation Nordnes had in the past.

Heading down to the medieval city centre, we’ll pass Bergen’s iconic fish market and provide some tips on the best seafood dishes. We cross over into the medieval centre, winding through narrow alleys that provide a fascinating insight into Bergen’s trade history but are today known for their cool shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

This tour continues into Bryggen, Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage site. This is where, for 1,000 years, Norwegians and Germans have traded goods, primarily seafood products. These warehouses have stood for centuries and provide a unique perspective into medieval trade practices. 

The tour ends in front of Bryggen, a perfect spot to visit the museums, have lunch, do some shopping, or explore more of Bergen on foot.