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Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf

Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf
4.5
Historic Walking AreasPiers & Boardwalks
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  • aleekwa
    Asia184 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    must do photo spot
    lovely houses right by the Harbour. weather wasn't good, but still they look cute. great tax free shops too, had a great time checking out different stores, esp Christmas stores. Unfortunately the history museum part is closed for renovation, but still can read about Bergen history on the boards
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 19, 2023
  • Lucas
    6th of October City, Egypt17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing shops!
    So many nice galleries, and shops and a very cute little cafe. Especially in Jacobsfjorden, highly reccommend taking a trip there. Like a Norwegian Hogwarts 🥰 Defenatly going back.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 16, 2024
  • County-Hunter
    Tacoma, Washington3,752 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The place to be!
    This is what you came to Bergen for...the iconic view of the Bryggen wharf area and the 11 beautifully painted old warehouses, now shops. We went in the morning when the shops were just opening. This way, we had the area pretty much to ourselves to wander around. Talked about 20 minutes with a local shop owner who even gave us a few free souvenirs. A UNESCO world heritage site and a great experience all around.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 3, 2024
  • William M
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom708 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful historic wharf
    A great place to walk around, exploring the little alley ways and main streets. Lots of cafes, shops, etc. Beautiful whether day or night time. A must see.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 15, 2024
  • Susan W
    638 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic Bergen
    Bryggen Wharf is the iconic image of Bergen, and it is very picturesque and also historic, and if in Bergen you must visit. But basically it is just a cluster of wooden buildings on the waterfront!! That said until you are there you can't really appreciate how much the buildings lean and they do have a history which is explained as you walk between the structures.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 9, 2024
  • maapar
    Mount Pleasant, South Carolina968 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Crowded with tourists
    Walked around here while exploring the city. Some beautiful old wooden buildings and museums nearby but too crowded with tourists from the cruise ships. Worth a stop but don’t plan on spending a lot of time there.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 1, 2024
  • Steviefull
    Kidderminster, United Kingdom2,068 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This Is Bergen
    This is the Bergen you see whenever it is mentioned and for a good reason, the wharf wooden clad colourful shop fronts are very picturesque, the atmosphere around the area is busy but welcoming, the shops albeit aimed at the tourist have their own charm. Behind the front row of shops you have the narrow pathways up through the UNESCO site giving a look back over the centuries to when this was a bustling trade port, the buildings now have different uses from small art shops to bars and restaurants. If you've come to Bergen and not come here have you really been to Bergen?
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 8, 2024
  • Charis C
    Nicosia, Cyprus349 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful historic area but crowded
    The most picturesque place in Bergen one should not miss. The colorful wooden houses are well preserved and give an idea how the historic harbor of the area used to be. The narrow aisles have a number of shops where you can find a lot of souvenirs. This famous touristic attraction is very popular so be prepared to face crowds!
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 8, 2024
  • lexmiller
    Burlington, Massachusetts1,150 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Explore the alleys behind, not just the harbor fronts - so much history!
    If you've been to Copenhagen, you may wonder if you are in Nyhavn, as the beautiful harbor front colorful houses in Bryggen are so very much like those in Nyhavn! Don't miss Bryggen - the Hanseatic Museum is undergoing needed renovations to save it's foundation, but if you can visit it, see as much of the museum as you can to increase your understanding of this are. And the buildings themselves in Bryggen - you've got to go BEHIND them, you have to explore the alleys next to, in between, and behind the buildings - you have to wander them, look up, marvel at their proximity and complexity! Charming shops and galleries throughout. The fish market is not far away, be sure to explore and eat some of the freshest fish imaginable.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 10, 2024
  • NewieTraveller
    Newcastle, Australia325 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Busy But Good
    A place that if you are visiting Bergen then you should end up in this area, an array of colourful buildings line the harbour front with, bars , cafes & restaurants by & shops. Then wander down the alleys & laneways to be surprised and enjoy A lot of places don’t open till after 10.00am, pubs, bars not till midday Enjoy a coffee, a pastry or a meal, but something to remember Bergen
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles6,026 reviews
Excellent
3,433
Very good
2,141
Average
385
Poor
49
Terrible
18

Tan Y
Stavanger, Norway16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
A row of very well kept multi-level wooden shops on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. The ground floor is mostly occupied by souvenir shops and upper floors are mostly empty. Some shops has trapezoid doors!! due to the age of the building. Try to look for the small lane in between the building that is only passable by leg traffic. It lead towards more shops that is on the inside of the building.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bergbahnn
Beavercreek, OH347 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
The Hanseatic Wharf is beautiful, colorful, and has become one of the most familiar views of the Bergen waterfront. The buildings are historic, well restored, and occupied by a variety of shops and even a hotel. On a nice day the wharf is an ideal place for a stroll and for taking pictures in addition to learning about the history of Bergen. Don't miss it!
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kirsty L
London, UK114 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
A lovely area to wander around but it can get very busy. We visited a few times during our stay in Bergen, one was in the evening when the shops were shut but the alley ways stay open and there were only a handleful of other people there so it was a much nicer experience!

There are stairs going upstairs but for the most part normal folk aren't allowed up them despite this not being very clear. The shops are mostly all selling the same things and generally all for around the same price.

I have to admit I was very surprised to see many of the shops selling reindeer fur and having deer heads as decorations. If you're an animal lover be warned!

In general a nice little place to spend some time when it's a bit quieter. It had a very Harry Potter Diagon Alley feel to it too.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith
Singapore, Singapore1,219 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
A world heritage site, so a must visit. It’s a beautiful row of buildings and some of the building structure seems to be leaning to a side. Wal kk around time the back as there’s some really nice old houses there.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rtdood
Manchester, UK937 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
This is actually quite a small area and to get the most of your visit I would recommend booking a small walking tour given the history. Also be sure to walk around! Its free and quite easy to walk along the front of the historic buildings and miss the little side streets that lead up the sides between them. This is where you will get the most from visiting as you can see more of the old construction methods of the buildings and style. There are little plaques around that identify each numbered historical building and what purpose it had.

Do be aware some of the historic buildings are being carefully reconstructed from the inside out and are closed for 2023/24. Fortunately there are others that have usages as souvenir shops and cafes. You are still able to explore these and visit the side streets between the buildings in this area!
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Juan C
Stavanger, Norway17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Family
We visited the place during COVID 19 and few visitors were around at the time we were there. Interesting colorful buildings with souvenirs shops closed due to Easter holidays.
Overall I can imagine it is crowded place if no pandemic and Easter is the applied combination.
Written April 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ralph Wilhelm
Carmel, IN807 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
The wharf is really quite unique but it depends on you and when you go. For people watching and a few photographs, go when the stores are open, people are up and around and the wharf area is crowded. That was nice for a time.
But, for a lower-key and more relaxing time, hit the wharf before people get out and about..say 7 to 8:30 or so in the morning. Lots to see, and great pictures, and a few stores might be open but a totally different view, unrushed and fun.
And then go back around 11 am or so, stores all open, fun snack and restaurant places open, lots of people, and a great fish market open outside in the summer. I am told that it moves inside during the winter.
But this Bryggen Wharf area is unique with its old building all in great shape along with a terrific dock and Wharf. If you spend any time in Bergen, this stop is a must, either before the locals and tourists show up or during the crowded time, either way, is great fun.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

manxseasider
Ramsey, UK407 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Visited on a tour from a cruise ship and enjoyed 20 minutes mooching around this area and taking photos.
Weather was fairly inclement which spoilt it a bit (apparently rains a great deal in Bergen!) but it wouldn’t be fair to mark the area down for that reason.
The row of timber clad houses are attractive, as are the views across the quayside. It was interesting to see that a couple of the properties under repair were well disguised with tasteful screens to hide the scaffolding and building works underneath. Take the time to explore the neighbouring wooden lanes.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melanie N
Alabama700 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
The Bryggen (old wharf) is a cool area to spend a couple of hours shopping, eating or taking in the history. My family and I were lucky to spend three sunny days in June exploring the city of Bergen and each day we ended up in the Bryggen area. The preserved wooden structures lining the waterfront once served as merchant buildings and now are occupied with souvenir shops, art galleries and restaurants. Julehuset (the Christmas Shop) was fun to explore and climbing the uneven staircase was an adventure. Most of the shops along the street carry the same items but don’t miss the alleyways in between the buildings. There you will find unique gifts and artwork. A few of the buildings were covered for restoration which is necessary because the Bryggen is built of wood. We learned from a walking tour that what you see today is only a small fraction of the original so I can appreciate the restoration efforts. Go early for a coffee and take time to admire the old timbered structures or go later to enjoy an evening meal. I highly recommend spending time exploring the Bryggen area.
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rama R
London, UK710 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
We spent almost the whole day in this area. Had a late start and hada lovely lunch at Olivia's. We then spent a good deal of time exploring the streets, harbour, souvenir shops etc. We had massive waffles from a street vendor. There is a fish market in the area which had octopuses and stuff in tanks! (We are vegetarians, it amazes us!) It's a very lively and crowded area with live musicians in the street. It was a lovely sunny day but wasn't too hot, so it was perfect. In the evening we climbed up Mt Floyen. Took usva little while with many stops, especially at a large shallow water tank with fountains in it where there were many children playing. Our girls enjoyed themselves playing in the water. The view from the top of spectacular and we managed to catch the sunset on time. Tired, we took the funicular back back down.

This is the perfect place to enjoy there's small town charm of Bergen.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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