Bergen

Marty and I enjoyed exploring the beautiful city of Bergen on a rainy day. Even with the weather far from perfect, we could not ignore the charm of this place. Bergen is both dramatic and welcoming. The colorful buildings, narrow streets, and changing weather give this Scandinavian harbor city its storybook appearance.

For centuries, Bergen served as one of Norway’s most important port cities and became a major center of the Hanseatic League. Merchants from Northern Europe traded fish, timber, grain and goods through Bergen’s harbor, helping shape both the city’s prosperity and its international identity.

History and daily life blend together in Bergen. The colorful buildings and historic streets are not frozen like a museum. People live, work, shop and gather among these centuries’ old surroundings.  

Today, Bergen remains one of Norway’s most beloved and historic cities and serves as the gateway to many of the country’s famous fjords.