• Bergenhus Fortress - Situated at the entrance of Bergen harbor, Bergenhus Fortress is among Norway’s oldest and most well-preserved stone fortifications. The fortress features structures dating back to the 1240s, alongside more recent constructions from World War II. In medieval times, the area now known as Bergenhus Fortress was called Holmen and housed the royal residence in Bergen, a cathedral, several churches, the bishop’s residence, and a Dominican monastery. Excavations have uncovered foundations of buildings believed to date back before 1100, possibly built by King Olav Kyrre. During the 13th century, until 1299, Bergen served as Norway’s capital, making Holmen the primary seat of Norway’s rulers. The area was first enclosed by stone walls in the 1240s.

Håkon’s Hall, constructed between 1247 and 1261 by Håkon Håkonsson, was the largest and most impressive building of the royal residency in the 13th century when Bergen was Norway’s political center.

Håkon’s Hall, now 750 years old, was built by King Håkon Håkonsson as a royal residence and banquet hall. When his son Magnus Håkonsson Lagabøte married Danish princess Ingeborg in 1261, 2000 guests attended. At that time, Bergen was Norway’s largest and most significant town, and Håkon’s Hall hosted major national events, including the drafting of Norway’s first complete set of laws.

• Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf - The vibrant and colorful Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf is a major attraction in Bergen and Norway. The earliest buildings in Bergen were located at Bryggen, which has been a lively and important part of the city for centuries.

Bryggen is now recognized as part of our shared heritage and is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, with Bergen designated as a World Heritage City. The site includes the old Hanseatic wharf and buildings, representing one of the best-preserved urban areas from the Middle Ages in Norway.

• Fish Market - Bergen’s Fish Market is one of Norway’s most popular outdoor markets, offering seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Located charmingly in the city center between the fjords and Bergen’s seven mountains, the Fish Market has been a gathering place for merchants and fishermen since the 1200s.

Visitors can find fresh fish and seafood, local farm produce like fruits, berries, and vegetables, as well as flowers and plants. Several restaurants offer a wide selection of seafood. The indoor Fish Market is open year-round, while the outdoor market operates from May 1st through the summer.

The Fish Market has historically been a crucial trading hub for fishermen, farmers, and city residents. In addition to land-based merchants, sales historically occurred from boats along the quay. Fishermen from outside the city would row to the Fish Market to sell their daily catch before returning home the same day.

The first Fish Market was located next to Bryggen in Bergen. When the Hanseatic League arrived in Bergen in the 1300s, the area became filled with German merchants, leading to rapid city growth. Until the 1500s, local merchants continued trading in the Bryggen area, but in 1541, a demand arose to relocate the Fish Market to prevent the Hanseatics from gaining excessive control over the city’s primary trading venue. In 1556, the Fish Market moved to the inner part of Vågen, establishing itself as Bergen’s central trading venue. The Fish Market’s importance grew, and the surrounding area expanded with numerous buildings constructed in the 1700s and 1800s. In 2012, the indoor Fish Market - Mathallen opened, providing merchants with permanent shops and restaurants open year-round.

• Mount Floyen and the Funicular - The Funicular Railway is one of Norway’s most renowned attractions. The journey begins in the city center, just 150 meters from the Fish Market and Bryggen. The exciting ascent to the mountain is a magnificent experience.

From Mount Fløyen, approximately 320 meters above sea level, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views, study the cityscape in detail, and admire the seaward approaches and fjords surrounding Bergen. Fløyen also features a restaurant, cafeteria, souvenir shop, and play area.

Fløibanen funicular (the Fløibanen train):
The Fløibanen line is 844 meters (2,769 feet) long, covering a height difference of 302 meters (991 feet), and transports over 1.8 million passengers annually. The line is single track with a central passing loop and was built in 1918. The track has a gradient varying between 15 and 26 degrees. There are two cars, each accommodating 100 passengers. The track has six stops and is frequently used by locals living on the mountainside, as well as two kindergartens on the mountain.

• Fantoft Stave Church - Originally constructed in 1150 at Fortun in Sogn, a village in the Sognefjord, the Fantoft Stave Church was replaced by a new Fortun Church in 1879. Threatened with demolition, like many other stave churches in Norway, Fantoft Stave Church was purchased by consul Fredrik Georg Gade and relocated in pieces to Fana near Bergen in 1883. On June 6, 1992, the church was destroyed by arson, marking the first in a series of church burnings by members of the early Norwegian black metal scene. Reconstruction began shortly after the fire and took six years to complete, finishing in 1997.
• Gamlehaugen - Gamlehaugen is a mansion in Bergen, Norway, serving as the residence of the Norwegian Royal Family in the city. With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, Gamlehaugen has been owned by many of Bergen’s wealthiest individuals. Currently owned by the Norwegian state, its most recent private owner was Christian Michelsen, a politician and shipping magnate who became Norway’s first Prime Minister after the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway. Michelsen commissioned the construction of the current main building at Gamlehaugen, where he resided for most of his life.

Gamlehaugen was a farm site as early as the Middle Ages but was abandoned due to the Black Death. In 1665, it became farmland again as part of the larger Fjøsanger manor. In 1809, Gamlehaugen separated from Fjøsanger. Marie Krohn, the niece of Danckert Danckertsen Krohn, who owned Fjøsanger until his death in 1795, built a mansion at Gamlehaugen. Schack Stenberg purchased Gamlehaugen in 1838. In 1864, Alexander Bull, son of violinist Ole Bull, bought the property but sold it to coppersmith Ole Andreas Gundersen two years later. The last owner to operate Gamlehaugen as a farm was merchant Anton Mohr, who acquired it in 1878. Upon his death in 1890, his widow, Alethe Mohr, sold the property to two artisans from Bergen, but she retained usage rights to the property and main building due to a clause in the sale contract.

• Troldhaugen Edvard Grieg Museum - Troldhaugen, the former home of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina Grieg, is located in Bergen, Norway. It comprises the Edvard Grieg Museum, Grieg’s villa, the hut where he composed music, and the gravesite of him and his wife.

Troldhaugen and its surroundings are now managed as the Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, dedicated to Edvard Grieg’s memory. In 1995, a museum building was added, featuring a permanent exhibition of Grieg’s life and music, along with a shop and restaurant. In the villa’s living room stands Grieg’s Steinway grand piano, a silver wedding anniversary gift in 1892. Today, the instrument is used for private concerts, special occasions, and intimate concerts during the Bergen International Festival.

Troldsalen, a concert hall, hosts concert series in the summer and autumn months, along with various other concerts and events. Completed in 1985, Troldsalen is an elegant and beautiful concert hall with excellent acoustics. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the stage offer the audience a lovely view of the composer’s hut and Lake Nordås.

• St. Mary’s Church - St. Mary’s Church is the oldest existing building in Bergen. Constructed in the mid-1100s, it became the German church in Bergen from the end of the Middle Ages. The church boasts the most elaborate church art among all the medieval churches in Norway.

• Private transportation
• All Fees and Taxes
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Pick up and Drop off
• Local English speaking guide

Bergen Grand Private Guided Tour - Explore Top Attractions - Convenient Pick-up from Hotels and Cruise Ports.

Discover the heart of Bergen and its surrounding highlights throughout the year on a private car tour, led by a knowledgeable local English-speaking guide. Visit Bergen’s notable landmarks such as the Bergenhus Fortress, the historic Hanseatic quarter (Bryggen), the Mount Fløyen funicular, and the Fantoft Stave Church, among others.

Enjoy pick-up services from all hotels and cruise ports in Bergen.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.