Bergen is Norway's second largest city with a population of roughly 270,000. King Olav Kyrre founded the city of Bergen in 1070, and it was the country's capital from 1110 until 1299.

Bergen was one of the major Hanseatic cities in Europe and it has been a great centre of trade throughout the ages. Fish was exported from Bergen, while grain was the chief import. The first German merchants came to the city already in 1270, and the powerful Hanseatic League existed until 1784, when it was disbanded. The Hanseatic merchants operated in the Bryggen area, which is now included on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Bergen is called ‘the city between seven mountains’ because of the many mountains that surround it. At 624 meters, Mount Ulriken is the tallest of them.

Today Bergen is an important centre for the shipping and oil industries, as well as for aquaculture, the food processing industry and higher education. Bergen is also a European City of Culture and its many museums and art galleries are well worth a visit.

Bergen is known as the gateway to the fjords and is included in nearly all our organized tours.

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and the most popular gateway to the fjords of West Norway. The city is renowned for its great location amidst mountains, fjords, and the ocean. Steep mountains and highlands within the city offers excellent hiking opportunities. Having fostered many of Norway's greatest bands and artists, the city is also famous for its cultural life and underground/indie music scene. Bergen's unpredictable weather adds to its quirky, unmistakable charm. Bergen was Norway's main city for centuries, and many patriotic inhabitants believe it still is.