NORWAY - Scandinavia - page 620

Cost and Hours: 200 kr, kids-150 kr, cheaper off-season, daily May-Aug
9:00-19:00, Sept-April 10:00-18:00, feeding times at the top of most hours in
summer, cheery cafeteria with light sandwiches, Nordnesbakken 4, tel. 55 55
71 71, www.akvariet.no .
Getting There: It's at the tip of the peninsula on the south end of the har-
bor—about a 20-minute walk or short ride on bus #11 from the city center. Or
hop on the handy little Vågen “Akvariet” ferry that sails from the Fish Market
to near the aquarium (45 kr one-way, 70 kr round-trip, 2/hour, daily May-Aug
10:00-18:00).
Nearby: The lovely park behind the aquarium has views of the sea and a
popular swimming beach (described later, under “Activities in Bergen”). The
totempoleerectedherewasagiftfromBergen'ssistercityintheUS—Seattle.
▲Gamle Bergen (Old Bergen) —This Disney-cute gathering of 50-some
18th- and 19th-century shops was founded in 1934 to save old buildings from
destruction as Bergen modernized. Each of the houses was moved from else-
where in Bergen and reconstructed here. Together, they create a virtual town
that offers a cobbled look at the old life. It's free to wander through the town
and park to enjoy the facades of the historic buildings, but to get into the 20
or so museum buildings, you'll have to join a tour (departing on the hour
10:00-16:00).
Cost and Hours: Free entry, 70-kr tour (in English) required for access
to buildings, mid-May-early Sept Mon-Sat 11:00-15:00, Sun 10:00-16:00,
closed off-season, tel. [phone], www.gamlebergen.museum.no .
Getting There: Take any bus heading west from Bryggen (such as #20,
direction: Lonborg) to Gamle Bergen (first stop after the tunnel). You'll get
off at a freeway pullout and walk 200 yards, following signs to the museum.
Any bus heading back into town takes you to the center (buses come by every
few minutes). With the easy bus connection, there's no reason to taxi.
Activities in Bergen
▲Strolling —Bergen is a great town for wandering. The harborfront is a fine
place to kick back and watch the pigeons mate. Other good areas to explore