Visit Scandinavia

Ålesund

Alesund is a beautiful town that is noted for its unique concentration of Jugendstil architecture (the German name of Art Nouveau) It is a sea port, northeast of Bergen and from here you can access the Geirangerfjord.

Bryggen District World heritage

The Bryggen District is a region located in Vagen Bay and was added to the UNESCO list of Cultural Heritages Sites in 1979 as a representative example of Norwegian architecture from the medieval period. Go down the alleyways and explore the unique architecture and buildings. The district has been hit by two fires, one in 1702 and another in 1955. The fires destroyed original buildings but they have managed restore most buildings to their original state.

Tower of Rosenkrantz (Rosenkrantzarnet)

This tower was constructed in the 1560s by a feudal lord of Bergen, Erik Rosenkrantz, to serve both as a fort and a home. A fortress that was built before the tower is also entrenched inside.

Address: Bergenhus

Tel: +47 55 31 43 80

Open hours: May 15th to August 31st Everyday 10am to 4pm September 1st to May 14th Sundays 12noon to 3pm

Closed days: September to May 14th Monday to Friday

Admission fee: 25kr

Gamlehaugen

The Gamlehaugen is a mansion that is used as the official residence of the Norwegian King when he visits Bergen. This beautiful mansion, which is located on top of a small hill in the suburbs of Bergen, used to be the residence of Christian Michelsen who served as the prime minister of Norway at the beginning of this century.

Address: Gamlehaugsveien 10, 5231 Paradis

Tel: +47 55 92 51 20

Open hours: June to September 1st Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm

Closed days: Saturdays/Sundays, September 2nd to May, whenever Norway's King is in residence

Admission fee: 50kr

Gallery FORMAT

Gallery FORMAT exhibits and sells items such as ceramics, textiles, wood, glass and leather products made by Norwegian artists.

Address: Munkedamsveien 57

Tel: +47 22 01 55 70

Fax: +47 22 01 55 71

Email: oslo@format.no

Business hours: Tuesday to Friday 11am to 5pm Saturdays 11am to 4pm Sundays 12noon to 4pm Closed: Mondays

Website: www.format.no

The Bygdøy Region

This high-class residential area in Oslo, surrounded by greenery and flowers of every colour, features beautiful buildings and architecture. Plenty of traditional Norwegian museums are also located in this area. Bygdoy can be reached in 15 minutes by a ferry, which leaves outside the City Hall.

Frogner Park (Frognerparken)

Frogner Park is one of the highlights in Oslo. The park contains 192 sculptures with more than 600 figures, all modelled in full size by Gustav Vigeland. Vigeland also designed the architectural setting and the layout of the grounds. The "Monolitten Human Tower", located in the centre of the park, is a masterpiece that took 13 years to construct. The park also has a pool and tennis courts. Also make sure you don’t miss the fantastic open-air restaurant.

Address: Frognerveien 67

Website: www.frognerparken.com

Ulriken Cable Car

The cable car takes you to the top of Bergen’s highest mountain, Ulriken (642m). From the top of the cable car you can experience a fantastic view over the capital of Western Norway, fjords and mountains. Once reached the summit you can enjoy lunch at any of the restaurants and cafes located on top of Ulriken. The tour "Bergen in a nutshell" also includes the cable car and is a bargain at 130kr.

Address: Ulriken 1

Tel: +47 55 20 20

Operation time: Throughout the year. Departs every 7 minutes. June to August 9am to 10pm May to September 9am to 7pm October to April 10am to 5pm Free mini concert June to August 5 times a day 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

Fee: Return 80kr

Website: www.ulriken.no

Hilmers Hus

The Hilmers Hus is a great furniture shop in a stylish area in Oslo.

Address: Drammensveien 130

Tel: +47 22 44 88 00

Business hours: Monday to Wednesday/Fridays 10am to 6pm Thursdays 10am to 7pm Saturdays 10am to 4pm

Closed: Sundays

Website: www.hilmershus.no/

Maria Church (Mariakirken)

The Maria church is a Romanesque-style church that was set up in the first half of the 12th century. This is the oldest architectural structure in Bergen. The decorations on the pulpit inside the church are very beautiful and are said to be Norway's highest-quality baroque decorations.

Address: Dreggen 15

Open hours: June 20th to August 19th Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30, 1pm to 4pm Other than the above Tuesday to Friday 11am to 12.30pm Organ performance June 28th to August 30th Tuesdays 19:30 (purchase tickets at the entrance.)

Røros

Røros is a beautiful town with a unique church and a row of 100 wooden houses. It is a registered site on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. During winter, a traditional market called "Rørosmartnan" is organized, that draws many tourists and visitors each year. There is also an outdoor musical theatre performance played in Røros to commemorate the tragedy when a Swedish soldiers froze to death. Røros is also known for its copper mines.

Norway Designs

Norway Designs is a stylish design shop that has a fine collection of kitchenware, ceramic, glassware and stationery.

Address: Stortingsgt 28

Tel: +47 23 11 45 10

Fax: +47 23 11 45 35

Business hours: Monday to Wednesday/Fridays 9am to 5pm Thursdays 9am to 7pm Saturdays 10am to 3pm

Closed: Sundays

Website: www.norwaydesigns.no

Karl Johans Street

Karl Johans Street is Oslo’s main mall and it stretches from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace. The street has a lovely café, restaurant and entertainment culture. The street is always bustling with people who come to enjoy Oslo. The street is also close to the Oslo Cathedral and the National Museum.

The National Museum of Art, Architecture & Design

The new museum is a merging of the previously autonomous institutions The National Gallery, The National Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, The Norwegian Museum of Architecture, and The National Touring Exhibitions, Norway. Well worth a visit for visitors with an interest in art and design.

Address: Bankplassen

Tel: +47 22 86 22 10

Email: info@nasjonalmuseet.no

Website: www.nasjonalmuseet.no

Gamle Bergen

Gamle Bergen is an open air museum with more than 40 wooden houses, representative of the Bergen architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses give a picture of life in a small town with its dwellings, different shops, baker, barber, dentist, photographer etc. The museum area is open all year.

Address: Sandviken

Tel: +47 55 25 70 34

Open hours: May 8th to September 4th Everyday 9.30am to 5.30pm

Closed days: May 11th/17th

Admission fee: 60kr

Website: www.gamlebergen.no