Aquarium, Bergen

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Bergen akvariet was found in 1960. It has about 60 aquariums, representing one of the most extensive collections of marine fauna in Europe. There are seals and penguins in large outisde pools. They also have a cinema with 3D films on Bergen and Norwegian coast.

If you are staying in Bergen for more than a couple of days, give it a try. Open on summer 9:00–19:00 every day. 10-18 on winter. 100 NOK / Adult.

The nice Bergen Aquarium has got the Europe's largest collections of fish and invertebrates from the North Sea. In the outdoor pools you can see seals and penguins. It is very nice but quite expensive (in 2005 NOK 100 each adult)!!!

Now, if you've read my earlier ramblings in my Flam page, you would have noted how chagrined I was when I missed a photo op with Mr Seal. Well, all's not lost. I gamely trooped down to the Bergen Aquarium when I was there to take a look at some Scandic sea creatures. Of course I took a picture of Mr Seal. But that aside, this is one of the largest aquarium in Europe and one of the few in world to keep shoals of herring! Now, that makes me wonder about their utility bills. I'm quite sure it'll take tons of litres of fresh water to keep those fish happy.

This is Noraway's largest public aquarium

So many differnt types of fish. Even a few reptiles and the like to tickle your fancy.

Some very friendly seals to see as you enter the aquarium (fed three times a day). Also some penguins, how fun are they?

My personal favoutie other than the seals were the Rays - just magic.

As well as all the exhibits and a nice cafe there is a 'touchy feely tank' for the children to get up close and personal with some live fish.

You can get a discounted entry with a United Kingdom AA card. :-)

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One of the finest and most extensive collections of marine fauna in Europe. Through 60 large and small aquariums you will learn more about maritime life. Outdoor and indoor pools where you can watch up-close the antics of seals and penguins. Do not miss the feeding of penguins and training of seals. Every hour you can watch the 3D film SOS planet and other films about the Bergen Aquarium, Bergen and the Norwegian coast, in the cinema.

A great experience to dive into the sea without getting wet ;-)

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If you have a kid, but not only, it is a MUST to go at the Aquarium in Bergen.
Again, don’t expect to find here a huge one, but it is very interesting and they have a huge variety of species here. The reptiles are very well represented here, especially the big ones…
Program:
May - August: 09 -19
Sept - April: 10 – 18

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I visited Bergen Aquarium with Mette (VTer: FletteMette) during my stay in Bergen in early August 2006.

One of the highlights of visiting the aquarium is seeing the penguins and seals being fed in the outdoor pools. Mette was particularly pleased to see the new baby penguin that had been hatched just a few months earlier. The penguins and seals are fed daily at noon, 3pm and again at 6pm in the summer. This attracts large crowds, so get there in plenty of time if you want a decent view.

The inside of the aquarium includes a room known as "The Rotunda", which has 9 large windows displaying different sealife environments along the Norwegian coastline. See the sharks that swim in the deep oceans off Norway....and the small fish that swim in the town's harbour.

A larger room, known as "The Maze", includes over 40 small aquariums containing various fish, crustaceans and other sea life that can be found around Norway's coasts. Towards the end of the exhibition are a number of non-native exhibitions...such as "The Amazon", "Lake Malawi" and "Australia".

There is a "Tropical Section" where you can see crocodiles, lizards, snakes and silk monkeys. One exhibition contains a toilet and a large lizard. The accompanying text tells the story of how an illegally kept pet lizard escaped in Bergen and gave somebody an awful fright when it appeared in their toilet! The toilet was there when we visited...but the lizard was nowhere to be seen....so maybe it has escaped once more!

Other attractions include a 3D cinema that shows a film every hour, a fish tank into which children can put their hands to touch a selection of fish and other sealife, a well stocked souvenir shop and a cafe.

Opening Hours

Summer (1 May - 31 Aug): 09:00 - 19:00 daily
Winter (1 Sept - 30 April): 10:00 - 18:00 daily

Prices

Adults: 100 NOK
Children: 50 NOK

For holders of the "Bergen Card":

Summer: 75 NOK / 50 NOK for kids
Winter: Free

Bergen Akvarium calles itself the biggest aquarium in Norway. This doen't mean it is huge but rather nice sized to do in a few hours. The fish are a mixture of local and exotic fish, and there are additional basins telling about salmon and trout farming, some penguins (explaining why there ARE penguins in Norway...), a touch basin for crustaceans and starfish and a restaurant with gift shop selling rather unusual items such as a stingray-hat!

All is quite expensive but it is a nice time out and they are currently improving the offer.

One of Europe's largest collections of fish and invertebrates and one of the largest collections of North Atlantic Marine animals.

I was there in time to see the feeding of the penguins. I'd recommend scheduling your visit to see this. It's amusing and they make a little show of it. It's also quite informative as they talk to you about the eating habits/patterns.

Bergen Aquarium
The Bergen Aquarium offers one of the largest collections of North Sea fish and invertebrates in its more than 70 Aquariums. Species from all over the world help to create an exciting presentation of marine life. You can also study a variety of seals and penguins in the outdoor ponds. The Aquarium also has an extension containing a realistic nesting cliff and a multi-screen film; 'The Aquarium - Bergen and the local coastline'.