Ever lived in a city surrounded by mountains? If you haven’t, then it’s time to visit the ‚the city fjord” in Bergen. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway and one of the more popular regions for frequent visitors. If ever there was a colorful city with houses situated inside of a valley and built against cliff tops, it’s this place.
The amazing thing about it is, even though it is known as the largest city in Norway it only holds a humble population of just over 280,000 residents. Its urban characteristics and charm are what make people revisit the region, not to mention the people of Norway are some of the friendliest you will ever find, and they make you feel at home from the moment you step out of the Bergen airport.
They call it “The heart of the fjords”, and these are what mainly attract visitors to it every year by the truckloads. These Norwegian Fjords have been listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, and there are two of them, namely Nærøyfjord and Geirangerfjord.
Films That Can Help You Discover Norway
If you don’t get a chance to fly down just yet, there are a variety of movies that have been shot in various locations, to give you a brief idea of what the hype is all about, and for good reason. Some of these venues are mentioned below.
Tenet
A Christopher Nolan film shot in the capital of Norway – Oslo, has some of the best cinematography in any film of the 21st century. The city is decorated with futuristic architecture with marble facades that are part of both the houses of Opera and the house of Ballet since the early 2000s.
No Time To Die
Who doesn’t know the famous action film character played by several good-looking actors that go by the same name – James Bond? His latest movie “No time to Die” was directed in the heart of this region, particularly making the most of the magnificent landscape of the Langvann Lake and is located near Hakadal which is a quaint village in the north of Oslo.
This place also has one of the most scenic and mesmerizing roads i.e. The Atlantic road, which crosses through seven bridges, and can take you from one island to the next.
Snowman
This film takes place inside a few venues, such as a restaurant called the Schrøder, a museum called the Fram Museum, an art centre and the Oslo Spektrum Arena, to name a few. The harbor in Bergen is also included in some of the scenes and overlooks Mount Ulriken which uses the Bergen public transport system – the railway.
Other popular and well-known films include the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, shot near the Bjorli village, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Ex Machina which was also made inside of the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal: https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/discover-norway-through-10-films/
When Visiting Bergen
If you’re out and about amongst this area’s exquisite landscapes, it can be difficult for some people to walk the expanse of the town and the villages especially because it has steep streets and hills, which is why it is always a good idea to have a means of transport to get you around and explore the mountainous regions.
The weather can also be a bit unpredictable so this is also another reason to be under shelter at all times, depending on the time of the year you visit Bergen. If you are going during the months of May to September you will hit with the summer months with a variety of temperatures between 30 degrees and as hot as 34 degrees Fahrenheit, however, the rest of the year it is mild to moderate with temperatures dropping down to -16 degrees.
The city is proud to have 200 days of rain, something, not all cities would admire, but it is because of this that the region is so lush with green pastures, forests and wilderness spread across all corners.
With houses clinging to the hillsides, the mountains and cliffs can be somewhat of a trek, which is why getting yourself a leiebil Bergen is the best option for anyone, no matter how fit or sporty you are. It allows you to hop into your car and go off into the mountains for a picnic or an adventure outback drive. You can also carry your boat to the lake for some canoeing or boating with your friends and family, or spend some alone time in the wilderness, highly recommended.
The Wharf
If you google any images of Bergen, you are bound to come across the locations picturesque ‘Wharf’, which is as traditional as it gets with its tall wooden buildings kitted in different colors. Also known as the “The Hanseatic Wharf”, it is reminiscent of the place and what many tourists go to take in.
Only a few residents live in these houses, the rest have all been converted into galleries, shops, museums, local pubs and restaurants to help you get a feel of the inside and make you feel at home. Their fish markets are plenty and fresh, where you can buy and cook yourself or visit the many seafood restaurants that serve freshly caught varieties of fish and seafood to tickle your fancy.
Fresh Seafood and Popular Musicians
Fresh seafood is at the heart of its gastronomy culture and you get the traditional dishes which include the steamed cod fish known as “persetorsk” or the Bergen fish soup varieties and fish cakes. Once you’re done feasting on their delicacies you can try your hand at one of their popular live concerts where 10% of their student population are always delighted to watch at various venues near the town’s water holes and throughout the city.
Some of the most famous musicians come from Norway including Röyksopp, Aurora, and Kygo. Besides this, there are still more fun things to do such as visit one of the biggest museums around – KODE, which houses a variety of artworks, music from various composers and designs to make your heart melt.
One of its most famous composers, Edvard Greig has his home on display, as one of Norway’s most famous composers for over 20 years. It is a sight to see. There is also the Bergen Aquarium which is amazing for kids to visit and see the penguins, and the rest of the 50 other aquariums in the area with sea life. Good for educational purposes too.
The best part is that even if museums and art galleries are not for you, you can still get a glimpse of it all in and around the city, and admire the various graffiti art and spray-painted walls that display some skilled artworks for all to see along its charming shopping streets and cobbled alleyways.
So the next time you plan a visit to this luxuriously filled nature reserve with so many adventures waiting for you to greet them, don’t forget to take your rain jacket and your sunscreen, and rent a spacious car to put your picnic basket and canoe so you don’t miss out on any of the fun!
