Off the Beaten Track in Bergen: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
ID: GYG463989-828839
Category:
Country: Norway
Duration:
01:15 hours
Description
Learn how a formerly isolated suburb became a rustic real estate daydream with this self-guided audio tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this stroll through Bergen.
Historically a separate residential area, Sandviken has become one of Bergen’s most picturesque neighbourhoods, with peaceful houses nestled between its spectacular vistas and narrow alleys. Join me, a local guide, as I show you why I dream of living in the same place that was once home to the star of Bergen’s most popular drinking song, Madam Felle.
This walking tour starts at Saint Mary’s Church, the oldest preserved stone building in the city. As homage to Bergen’s trade origins, I’ll introduce you to the Hanseatic merchants, who bargained for the stockfish that was dried in Norway and have bestowed the church with rich ornamentation since 1408. Then, I’ll explain how the industrial revolution laid the foundations of modern Sandviken as I tell you about the textile industry and show you buildings that housed its labourers along Nye Sandviksveien – New Sandviken, a road which finally connected the neighbourhood to the city center in 1873. At the other end of the street, we’ll enter “Old Sandviken”. There, you’ll see quaint wooden houses, including the world’s smallest house with a mansard roof, and I’ll show you the building where Madam Felle ran her pub before taking you to her statue to learn the famous song written in her honour. Finally, we’ll finish our walk at the Norwegian Fisheries Museum where you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the fjord and, season permitting, catch a ferry back to the city center from Bod24.
Along the way you’ll also hear:
• Why the fire stations tend to burn down in Bergen
• Who the city’s statues of boys in uniform represent
• How a large boat anchor came to lie on Sandviksfjellet Mountain since WW2
• Where to get free books from a repurposed telephone booth
You will need just over an hour to complete our itinerary. And, remember to bring a rain jacket, just in case! (Umbrellas tend not to last very long around here.) I’ll show you some cozy spots to stop along the way but it’s worth being prepared for all seasons so you can take your time to appreciate the rustic real estate daydream that is Sandviken.
Highlights
- See quaint wooden houses, including the world’s smallest mansard-roofed house
- Hear from producer Silvia Maria, a teacher and tour guide
- Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way
- Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it
- Use the virtual tour option at home
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The tour uses a mobile app. You will need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour
It is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace
You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It is best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point
When the download is complete, you will see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point
The tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next Please note that you'll need to use your own mobile device and headphones for this tour. The tour is only available in English
The tour starts at Saint Mary's Church. It is just behind the famous Bryggen wooden houses, close to Radisson Blu Hotel and Schøtstuene (Hanseatic Museum). It is a short walk from Skolten or Bontelabo cruise piers, or the city center.
If you arrive by bus, you have to get off at Bryggen or Torget.
Mariakirken, Dreggsallmenningen 15, 5003 Bergen, Norway
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
