Exploring Bergen

Bergen is the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway. As a UNESCO World Heritage City and a European City of Culture, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and exciting urban life all year around. In Bergen you can also enjoy some of the finest seafood restaurants in Norway. If you are looking for things to do in, check out the large selecation of activities and attractions.

The Gateway to the Fjords of Norway: With its ideal location right in the heart of the Fjord Norway region, between the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord, it is the perfect starting point for day trips to one of the world’s biggest scenic attractions – the fjords. The Norwegian fjords was formed through several ice ages as the sea carved itself through and across the coastline, leaving a beautiful landscape with snow-clad mountains, blue glaciers, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls and tiny fertile villages strung like glowing green pearls along the fjord line.

A World Heritage City: Bergen is today Norway’s most international city, packed with history and tradition. Ever since King Olav Kyrre sailed into the charming harbor and founded the city in the year of 1070, Bergen has attracted people from all over the world. 

A European City of Culture: Bergen is a proud European City of Culture, and the city has had a strong cultural identity ever since the merchants brought life to the harbor around Bryggen at the 1300s. Today Bergen is a cultural melting pot, with a wide range of concerts, international festivals and museums of all kinds. Culture plays an important role of everyday life in Bergen – an important expression of Bergen’s variety of life.

Bergen has fostered several world famous artist who have achieved worldwide fame, such as the composer Edvard Grieg and violinist Ole Bull. The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world’s oldest symphony orchestras, and the city has the country’s first national theatre. The comic writer Ludvig Holberg, Norway’s first major landscape painter Johan Christian Dahl are also world-renowned artist who have influenced the cultural history in Bergen. The city has carried its proud cultural heritage throughout history, and has become a city of great cultural venues.

You can find a whole range of museums and institutions in and around the centre of Bergen with exhibitions and performances throughout the year. Bergen is today known for its wide range of music, boasting innovative and trendy music and design scenes with a large variety of festivals. It has one of Norway’s best choirs, jazz musicians and operatic singers.

Several bands have emerged on Bergen’s music scene throughout the last decades, like Kygo, Ylvis, Kings of Convenience, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Kurt Nilsen and Sondre Lerche – to mention a few of them.

To top all this, Bergen has in recent years become known as an international culinary city, and in 2015 Bergen earned the UNESCO title City of Gastronomy.

Go check out the Visit Bergen to find your next adventure.

The city centre of Bergen is compact and most shops and services are within walking distance. The campus area can be reached easily by both busses and light rail. 

• Busses and light rail:The transportation company of the city and sorrounding area is called Skyss.
  • At www.skyss.no/en you can find information about buses, the light rail and local boats, timetables and prices. Park and ride (for people using public transportation).
• Car: 
  • Car sharing - Bildeleringen - a car just when you need one.
  • Buying a used vehicle
  • Road toll in Bergen - autopass
  • Foreign Driving Licences
• Zone parking in Bergen: You can purchase parking permit for zoned parking at certain parking meters found on the map.
• Parking at campus: The University has parking facilities at both Nygårdshøyden and at Årstadvollen. Employees and students with valid parking permits can park here on the first come first served basis. Information about parking permits, application, terms and conditions at UiB. (uib.no)
  • Parking in the city - parking houses information.
  • The city centre is divided into parking zones for the people living there.
• Cycling: UiB wishes all staff to have opportunity to cycle to the university so we offer secure bike parking and the use of wardrobes and showers.
  • Bergen wants to become a better city for cyclists - here is some information about it in Norwegian.
  • Bergen City Cycle - how to use it and practical information.
  • Park and ride for cyclists.

The University Museum has some of the largest collections within cultural and natural history in Norway. 

Moving to a new country and culture you will face many challenges. Leaving behind your social network and having to start building a new one more or less from scratch is a daunting task, however a task very relevant for your wellbeing. In Norway, getting new friends often happen through organized activities, like joining a sports club, a choir, a political party etc. 

Activities at UiB: Employees at UiB can make use of the Student Welfare Organization’s sports facilities, Trene Sammen.  This includes gyms, fitness classes and swimming pool. link (uib.no)
Guest researchers at UiB may use these facilities for a low semester fee or drop-in rate. This offer also applies to accompanying spouse or partner. You will need a confirmation letter from your host institution.  You can purchase the semester passes at the Studentcentre, drop-in can be paid directly to any of Trene  Sammen sport centres. 

Bergen Municipality (Bergen Kommune) has several free of charge activities for its inhabitants. During Sundays there is open sport arena Åpen hall (bergen.kommune.no). A great offer for children and parents to come and play and use sport equipment. 
You can also borrow sport equipment free of charge.