This is journal entry 8, our seventh day in Norway a Bergen city break. Here we explore the Bergen Aquarium, a fun little spot kids love which you can reach by walking.
My six-year-old son and I have embarked upon a 14-day Eurail trip from Oslo, Norway to Bodo in the Arctic Circle. We started in Oslo for 2 days then to Stavanger where we had a city break and explored Vikings. Then we explored Haugesund, the homeland of the Viking Kings and now we’re in Bergen! Follow our Daily Journal Entries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with #VisitNorwayUSA.
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Exploring Bergen, Norway’s Little Big City
Bergen is situated on the west coast of Norway, on the peninsula of Bergenshalvøyen. The city was established before 1070 AD and is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen. We are on our second day in Bergen, yesterday we explored the city on foot, and today we set off for the Bergen Aquarium. We always love the opportunity to see animals when we are traveling abroad. There are many types we don’t get back home in Florida. So the Bergen Aquarium seemed like a no brainer.
The Bergen Aquarium
Getting There
We spent the morning in our two-story Radisson Blu hotel room enjoying the much welcomed space from one another. Hey, I love my kids as much as the next mom, but I’d be lying to your face if I said I didn’t need a little space. After a relaxing morning, we set off to the aquarium which was just about a 20 minute walk from our side of the harbour. (Note, in the warmer months there is this handy little ferry that will zoom you across the harbour making the walk about 10 minutes).
Tip: The walk is totally worth it. There’s plenty to see along the way, lots to choose from if you’re hungry and some pretty pictures to be taken.
Despite the cold air, we enjoyed walking along the port, snapping photos of colorful boats and funny looking fish in the Fish Market.
Tip: Dress warm along the water in colder months. The wind can be heavy here.
What to Expect
The Bergen Aquarium is small but don’t let that fool you, it has a few really cool creatures like the friendly sea lions, penguins (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE, where we are from they are enclosed because it’s too hot, here they are out in the open), an alligator, and the cutest little monkeys ever. There’s an outdoor show with the Sea Lions too, check times here. Getting through the whole place can easily be done in an hour.
Tip: There’s also a place to eat, so you don’t need to pack a lunch.
What We Loved
I said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVED THE PENGUINS!!! They are right out front in a habitat made for them but open to fresh air. I love this! I’ve always seen them pent-up in enclosed habitats due to the hot climate of our home in Florida, so this was a special treat.
The sea lions were a hoot! They kept swimming to the glass to see us and seemed so happy to see our faces. I stood there for about 15 minutes just trying to interact with these beautiful creatures.
Tip: Go in the afternoon when the crowds are dying down and get up close and personal with the animals!
The alligator was funny, I think he was hungry because he kept opening his mouth!
Finally, I’ve always had a soft spot for little monkeys, and it was touched by the ones at the Bergen Aquarium. These little fellas were the cutest little things ever! We really enjoyed watching them in all their curiosity of us.
In Closing
We really wished to have seen bigger aquariums in the Bergen Aquarium, but we are also pretty spoiled living in Florida, home to tropical colorful fish. All in all this was a total win and I would certainly refer anyone with children to explore it as part of their day.
For more information check out their tourism site. For trip planning to Norway VisitNorway.com!
Special thanks to Visit Norway USA. While they and the local tourism offices are funding all air, hotels and meals, this in no way shapes my opinion of my journey through Norway. An additional thank you to Visit Haugesund for guiding us during our stay.
