Bergen – cool in more ways than one
Bergen is a fishing port on the south-western coast of Norway, and was a vital trading center back in the days of the Hanseatic League, so much so, that it has a Museum of the Hanseatic League. Nowadays Bergen is a modern city, and lively cultural center, but, like a lot of Scandinavian cities, is happily free of the feeling of congestion that characterizes a lot of cities. Take a walk down the waterfront street of Bryggen which is still lined with old Hanseatic commercial buildings, and then take a look at Bergen’s lovely outdoor fish market, where you can buy prawns and crab to eat right there.
Bergen is an ideal point from which to take a trip on the wonderful Sognefjord, Norway’s largest fjord, and there are ships leaving everyday for this picturesque day cruise.
The Hostelling International Montana Hostel is a cheap and friendly place to stay, and does an extremely good breakfast – I can vouch for this as I have stayed here a few times. This hostel is slightly out of town at the foot of Mount Ulriken. If you are the outdoor type you can climb the mountain, which is an easy 642 metres, or if you want to enjoy the magnificent view without the effort, you can take the funicular. Me? I took the funicular up, and walked down.
If you want budget accommodation right in the city center, Bergen YMCA is right by the fish market and has rooms with 2, 4 and 6 beds.
Bergen has a number of festivals including the jazz festival in May, Bergen International Festival, and the hip-hop and pop Bergenfest.
Bergen is renowned for its rain, but the locals say that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So why not dig out your warm clothes and head for Bergen for some fine views, fish meals, and music?
