Ideas of things to do while abroad?

Question

I'm in Bergen, Norway as an exchange student, and have a lot of down/along time. I'd like to get off the computer and into the city, but I don't know the buses or the city too well. Do you guys have any ideas of things that I could do to explore a city I don't know well? I have friends here but they all have much more school then I do so I don't get a chance to spend so much time with them.

Answer 1

Find a bus that will take you to a main transfer point.  Then ask people there about the city, and what attractions or sites of of great interest.  Be careful though, some people are not very honest.

Answer 2

Bergen is not a very large city, and you can see a lot just walking around downtown.  Ask around for a bus to the "sentrum" and get off somewhere downtown (near the bus station or near Torget or Bryggen would be good options).  In general, Norwegians are quite helpful, and I've never had a problem asking the bus drivers in Bergen to signal to me when to get off or just asking fellow passengers.

Once downtown, you can visit the highlights of Bergen:  the Bryggen waterfront and the museums around it (Hanseatic Museum, Bryggen Museum, etc).  There's also the small but bustling fish market, and the Fløibanen funicular that will take you up to Mt.Fløyen for a nice view over the city.  You can do some pleasant short hikes/walks from Fløyen as well.  The natural history museum is kind of interesting as it houses some enormous whale skeletons.

I wouldn't recommend the Bergen Aquarium, which is a bit expensive.  I found it a bit disappointing, but it does have some good exhibits about the indigenous Norwegian aquatic life and related conservation and environmental issues.

There are also a few things to see on the outskirts of town.  From Bryggen, you can catch a bus (#20-23) out to Gamle Bergen, an outdoor museum with relocated buildings from historic Bergen.  The grounds are free, but for an admission fee, you can take a guided tour and learn about the history as well as seeing inside some of the houses.

In the other direction, you can catch a bus to Hopsbroen from platforms 19 to 21 and visit Troldhaugen (ask the driver where to get down, and then follow the signs).  This was the estate of famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

Check out the VisitBergen.com website to get a lot of information for exploring Bergen, including a few maps that can be very helpful for finding your way around:

http://www.visitbergen.com/default.asp?s...

http://www.visitbergen.com/pdf/sentrum.p...

There are a few clubs and cafes in downtown Bergen, where you might be able to meet fellow students or travelers to explore the city with.

Answer 3

Spend a day getting lost in the city on the bus.  It can be an adventure if you have the right mindset when you set out on the day.  Be sure to only go out during the day, to safe places, and try not to look too much like a tourist.  You will definitely learn some things about the public transportation system and probably see some cool stuff you wouldn't have normally seen.  Just wander aimlessly. :)