Bergen

* Travel start: 2010-04-19

The start of Hurtigruten
The ocean and the pristine natural world lie close to Bergen's centre. The town is surrounded by beautiful fjords, and the best way of seeing these at close range is a trip on one of the boats that depart from the quay. Hurtigruten starts in Bergen, a cruise that take you northwards along the coastline of Norway, exploring its most popular fjords. Many consider this to be the most beautiful sea trip in the world.

The older parts of Bergen are known as "Bryggen", and it is here you find old wooden houses and relics from the Hansa period. You can also visit the Hanseatic Museum, which describes the life of the Hanseatic workers from around 1350 until 1750.

Bergen is also the place for one of the most popular attractions in Norway. The Fløibanen funicular railway takes you from the centre of Bergen to the top of Fløyen. The start lies only 150 m from the quayside at Bryggen, and the journey to a height of 320 metres above sea level takes 5-6 minutes. The journey and the view from the top provide spectacular sights of Bergen and its surroundings.