Things to do in Bergen

Cook up some festival vibes

Bergen has an abundance of festivals going on: Bergenfest, which focuses on folk and blues, plus BergArt and the International Film Festival. The two most famous, the Night Jazz festival and the Bergen International Festival (www.visitbergen.com/en/events/), run concurrently. The latter showcases music, dance, theatre, opera and the performing arts, and normally runs for two weeks at the end of May.

Fall down the rabbit hole at Tubakuba

Tubakuba (http://tubakuba.tumblr.com) is the result of a challenge presented to students at the Bergen School of Architecture, wherein they were tasked with enticing more children into their country's great woodland. The result, a cabin on the side of a mountain, looks on one side exactly like a rabbit hole. Inside there's a cabin that sleeps five and can be rented for one night free of charge.

Get a feel for the fjords

Hardanger is the second largest fjord in Norway, and you can see it on a one-day, 10-hour round-trip from Bergen. Cruise along glassy waters, see the Vøringsfossen waterfall and take in some of God's greatest work along the coastline. Speak to Norway Nutshell about getting you there (www.norwaynutshell.com/).

Get some perspective at the Leprosy Museum

Between 1850 and 1900 Bergen was the international capital of leprosy, with three hotels devoted exclusively to victims of the disease. One of those hospitals, St Georges, is now the Leprosy Museum (tel: +47 481 62 678; www.bymuseet.no). It exists to document to the people whose lives were shaped by this debilitating diseases, and of the astounding work that done to eradicate it.

Something fishy’s going on down the market

Fisketorget (www.visitbergen.com/en/Fisketorget/) is a market popular with restaurants and individuals alike, and ground zero for anyone that has a hankering for seafood. The market dates back to the 12th century, though originally it took place in a open square where fisherman haggled the morning away with merchants. Nowadays it's a magnet for anyone that's got a passion for fruits de la mer.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Norway: on the edge of the world

Chris Swindells ventures into the unspoiled Sognefjord and visits a real life fairy tale fjord village.

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Featured Hotels

Marken Guesthouse

Marken Guesthouse is centrally located and reasonably priced. The hostel-style guesthouse offers rooms and dormitories for between one to 10 people. The rooms are modern, and there is a comfortable communal sitting room, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Klosteret 5 Guesthouse

Klosteret 5 Guesthouse is located in a charming alleyway among old wooden houses on the Nordnes peninsula in downtown Bergen. There is an affordable breakfast café across the street and a variety of restaurants nearby.

City Box

This hotel by Grieghallen offers basic but comfortable rooms at rock bottom prices right in the city centre. The reception is unmanned at night, so you'll have to pay by card if you get there after hours, but if all you're after is a place to crash at the end of the day, this is a good option. Family rooms are available.

Clarion Admiral Hotel

One of the most characterful hotels in Bergen, on the premises of old, dignified storehouses from the turn of the century that were converted in 1987. The hotel's 210 rooms are all elegant and comfortable. The hotel has a business centre, conference facilities and Wi-Fi access.

Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret

This stylish hotel opened in May 2006, in the former premises of the Port of Bergen harbour company. Originally built in 1919-1920 in the neoclassical/neo-baroque style, the building has been converted into a modern hotel with 116 rooms and suites, a fitness room, a restaurant and bar.

First Hotel Marin

This tasteful and elegant hotel on the Bryggen, in the heart of Bergen, offers 152 spacious, well equipped rooms, all with hardwood floors. Restaurant and bar, conference facilities, gym and sauna are on offer.

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