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As a European City of Culture and World Heritage, Bergen offers world-class experiences and culture. Being the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions – all year round. Bergen is an international city packed with history and tradition, as well as a big city with small-town charm and atmosphere. Bergen likes visitors, and Bergen is worth a visit.

Bergen is surrounded by one of the most popular attractions in the world, the Norwegian fjords, which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and voted the world’s most unspoiled tourist destination by National Geographic. The city is a great starting point if you wish to explore the fjords. There are many organised sightseeing and fjord tours of varying length that you are guaranteed to find memorable.

The Bergen region has a unique breadth of culture and experiences to offer. Every day, it is possible to choose between revues and theatre, dance performances, shows and international concerts, featuring top-class international performers. The city offers year-round entertainment for young and old alike – from small clubs to outdoor arenas and the region’s flagship concert venue, the Grieg Hall. Together with 60 other festivals and top-flight concerts like Roxette and Robyn in 2011, the highly-reputed Bergen International Festival held every year in May and June, means that the Bergen region has a natural place on the world’s music map.

The fact that Bergen is located in one of the world’s most scenic areas means that there are lots of opportunities for active experiences for adults and children. The city’s seven mountains are the local people’s most popular recreation area. If you take the Fløibanen funicular or the Ulriken cable car up to the mountains, you can walk for hours on marked trails while enjoying panoramic views of the city. Bergen has all that is required for active experiences, and for a real challenge – join one of the popular mountain races – Ulriken Opp or Stoltzekleiven Opp!

We hear the same thing every year. Visitors from all over the world have just one complaint when they leave: that their stay didn’t last longer.

Get a taste of Bergen and ”What’s on in 2011” at www.visitBergen.com

The mountain of Ulriken at 643m is the highest of the seven mountains surrounding the city of Bergen. It holds a special place in the heart of many Bergensers, appearing in songs and literature and remaining ever-prominent for its great outdoor appeal, whether as a skiing or a hiking destination. In 1961 the Ulriken Cable Car was opened making the trek to the top that much easier to accomplish.

“Ulriken is not just a mountain with a great view for the citizens of Bergen, but an important landmark and recreational area for the locals,” says Eirik Hokstad, marketing manager for Ulriken643, a panoramic tour that takes in Ulriken and surroundings, starting out from Bergen´s fish market. Open year-round, the tour adjusts its contents and activities according to the seasons and there are many options to choose from. “The Ulriken643 Panaorama Tour starts by the fish market, where our characteristic double decker bus takes you to the lower station in approximately 15minutes,” Eirik continues. The cable car journey, in a so-called gondola, will take about 5 minutes, depending on the weather.

Each gondola, running every 7 minutes, can take 25 passengers to the top at once. On average 100,000 visitors have taken the panoramic tour over previous years, with an expected increase to 180,000 in 2010, making Ulriken one of the most popular sights in Bergen. Once  at the top, visitors can try their hand at some adventurous sports and while hitting the hiking trails remains a favourite activitity, there´s also abseiling, paragliding, climbing and archery for those brave enough. “We have a mountain shop and activity centre called Bergen Base Camp,” Eirik explains, “and our professional and trained staff will help you out there.”

If it´s just a good old-fashioned ramble in the mountains you´re after, this is perhaps the best spot in Bergen. 15 different walking trails, including circular routes, of varying degrees of difficulty and length, take in spectacular views of the district. “The most important facility here is of course the VIEW,” Eirik enthuses. “On clear days you can enjoy the sight of skerries, fjords, mountains and the open sea, not forgetting the city itself. The panoramic view is spectacular and unique, and the high mountain experience is tailor-made to give our visitors a taste of the real wild mountain life Bergen has to offer.”

It´s thirsty work wandering around the mountains, taking the air and enjoying the views, but as luck would have it there´s a restaurant at the top of Ulriken serving excellent grub. The sky:scraper panoramic restaurant is the highest in Bergen and the emphasis is fimrly on local food. There´s a handy kiosk where you can stock up on picnic food before your mountain ambles, a bar for sampling some high altitude drinks and an a la carte restaurant for 3-course dinners. Specialities include a delicious, warming mountain fish soup, a lovely way to end a day´s strenuous hiking, looking out over the splendid scenery.

Factbox:

The cable car runs 0900-2100 May – September and 0900-1700 October-April.

The Panorama tour from the Fish Market costs 195 NOK return.

The Ulriken cable car runs every 7 minutes.

For further info: www.ulriken643.no

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