Known as the gateway to the Norwegian fjords, Bergen is Norway's second-largest city. It is located in a valley surrounded by mountains facing the Atlantic. For this reason, it is known as the “city of seven mountains”. Bergen is an ideal starting point if you want to discover some of the most spectacular Norwegian fjords in the country or experience exciting sporting activities. The city was founded in the first half of the 11th century. Bergen experienced remarkable growth in the following centuries due to its intense commercial activity, becoming one of the largest cities in northern Europe and the capital of Norway until the 13th century. Around 1360, German merchants settled in the city and founded a kontor, a trading post to exchange goods with other cities belonging to the Hanseatic League. The famous Bryggen quarter of colourful half-timbered houses is the only fascinating remnant of those distant times that has survived to the present day.

Bergen was Norway's largest city until 1830, when Oslo surpassed it in size. In contemporary times, the city was occupied by the Germans during World War II. In 1944, Bergen's harbour area and adjacent neighbourhoods were completely destroyed after the explosion of a Dutch cargo ship carrying a large number of explosives. From 1970 onwards, Bergen became a strategic city for the fledgling Norwegian oil industry.

With the development of oil-related activities, many companies in the offshore petroleum industry chose Bergen as a base for their operations. The city has a wide range of economic activity related to the sea; fishing, aquaculture and maritime technology companies, which make Bergen a leading European city for maritime research.

Today Bergen is a bustling city with a beautiful historical heritage and an excellent cultural offer that makes it one of the most attractive destinations in Norway.