There’s more to Bergen than Bryggen, the fish market and the funicular, and on this walking tour, our local guides will take you completely off the beaten path into one of the best-kept secrets of the city. Nordnes is a 1km (0.6 mile) long peninsula that stretches into Bergen harbour. While the Hanseatic League dominated trade at Bryggen, Nordnes was where Norwegian merchants developed their businesses. But Nordnes was also the centre of power in Bergen, and it was the city’s courthouse and execution site for hundreds of years. It’s also where witches were burned in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century, it became a hub of sailors and red-light district, with the narrow, dark alleys the perfect place to hide undercover activity. Today it is a popular (and expensive) neighbourhood with families, schools, and beautiful parks. It feels like a small town rather than an inner-city suburb.
On our walking tour, you will meet the Norwegian merchants and see how their buildings functioned for trade, including their 500-year-old wine cellars. You’ll also see one of the most authentic streets in Bergen and one of the only streets in Nordnes not affected by World War II damage. You’ll also meet Anne Pedersdatter Beyer, the most famous (and hated) witch from Bergen and learn about how crime and punishment was in the city. After all, Bergen in the 16th century had a murder rate comparable to New York during prohibition. We’ll even stop at the place where Bergen’s last execution took place and talk about the crowds it brought in. We’ll show you the alley that was voted the prettiest by locals and take you to the historic rough sailor’s district.
This historic walk will give you stories that you won’t hear on a regular walking tour. We’ll also wander through the narrow alleys that only locals know about. Here you will see some of the most photogenic spots in all of Bergen. While this is a history walk, we will also cover life in Bergen today – we will pass schools, parks, the Marine Research Institute, the Maritime School, and places that give us an insight into everyday life. This area also has some of the city’s most popular cafes. See you in Nordnes!
We limit the group size as this is a tour through a residential neighbourhood. It also allows you ask as many questions as you want.
The tour goes for approximately 2 hours.
The tour begins at Aksdal raincoat store, located at the address Østre Murallmenningen 23.
We walk approximately 3km (2 miles) over the course of the tour. This is a moderate tour and not for everyone, as we include lots of hills, cobblestones, and stairs that can’t be avoided.
We operate this tour no matter the weather 🙂
Yes, we require all bookings to be made in advance.
We are happy to cancel or change bookings up to 24 hours before the tour begins. We are unable to refund any booking within 24 hours of the tour starting.
No – the entire tour is outdoors. No museum or entrance is included.
No – the tour is two hours of walking.
No – the only option for toilets is either at the beginning or the end of the tour.
Our groups are up to 16 guests.
This tour discusses prostitution, execution, murder, and witchcraft. We do not recommend the tour for children, but you are welcome to bring children if you believe they’ll be okay. We don’t change the topics we talk about if children are on the tour.
Yes 🙂
The tour begins only a five-minute walk from the tourist office.
There are two places with stairs that cannot be avoided. If you want a tour that avoids stairs, we recommend booking a private tour.
This tour is in English.
Of course, but please be aware that we don’t start our tours on the cruise pier. Refer to our FAQ page for more information.
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