Bergen, Norway

Surrounded by a ring of hills known as the Seven Mountains, Bergen’s idyllic setting and stunning natural harbor have cemented its reputation as one of Norway’s most beloved destinations. The Bergen Cable Car and Fløibanen Funicular are great ways to admire the area’s natural beauty, as is a boat trip along the phenomenal fjords. For breathtaking views of the city itself, climb to the top of Rosenkrantz Tower, regarded as one of the most important Renaissance monuments in Norway. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic wharf of Bryggen recalls the town’s heyday in the Hanseatic League, and the charming alleyways are filled with colorful restaurants, studios and boutiques. There is an entire museum dedicated to Bergen’s Hanseatic history, and the Old Bergen Museum illuminates 19th-century life here. For all things artistic, the ensemble of museums known as Kode features collections ranging from works by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch to the home of composer Edvard Grieg, a Bergen native.