ACCESS INFORMATION
Borealis is dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive and accessible festival. We are working on new approaches in access and inclusion. While we are committed to accessibility for people with functional impairments and disabilities, we still have a lot to learn, so your feedback is very welcome!
Not all our venues are accessible, and you may find some of our performances more suitable than others. Below is a list of each venue’s accessibility.
If you have ideas on how we could do better, or have any questions about our accessibility or venue facilities, please get in touch at tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
TICKETS
Personal Assistant / Companion Tickets:
If you require the assistance of a friend or helper to attend, your companion gets in for free by booking a free ticket as its own category on TicketCo.
Reserved Seating is available on request. Email us on tilgjengelig@borealisfestival.no and we will do our best to accommodate you. You are also welcome to bring your own chair – please let us know if you plan to do so.
Read more about tickets on our TICKET PAGE.
ACCESSIBILITY IN VENUES
BEK – Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts
Accessibility to the venue:
Staircase up to the 1st floor, then an elevator up to the 8th floor, and another staircase up to the 9th floor, where the venue is located. The elevator does in other words not go all the way up.
Toilets:
Two all gender toilets, not HC adapted.
Public Transport:
Bus stop Tollboden with line 11 is the nearest public transport option, 120 meters away. There is bike parking right outside the main entrance, and city bike stop Nykirkekaien, 170 meters away.
Parking / Drop-off:
You can park at Tollbodkaien, 230 meters away, or drop people off right outside the building’s entrance.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome.
Quiet Zone:
There is a designated Quiet Room where it’s possible to take a sensory break or have a moment of calm.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about BEKs accessibility, please contact bek@bek.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestivalen.no
Accessibility to the venue:
There are stairs up to the main entrance, but there is a wheelchair ramp on the north side of the tower, with a door width of 110 cm.
Toilets:
HC toilet available – door width 85 cm.
Public transport:
The nearest bus stop is Nygaten, about 150 metres away.
Parking / Drop-off:
It’s possible to drop people off right outside the main entrance. Parking is possible in the area.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome.
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
Contact person:
For more questions about accessibility, please contact ia597@kirken.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Bergen International Culture Center (Storsal)
Accessibility to the venue:
The main entrance is step-free. The event is held in Storsal on the second floor. There is a chairlift from the cloakroom and directly up to the venue.
Toilets:
Accessible toilet on the ground floor.
Public transport:
Byparken City Rail stop is 400 metres away, and several bus stops are about 250-300 metres away.
Parking / Drop-off:
Drop-off is possible right outside the entrance, and parking is available in the surrounding area.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome
Silent zone:
No designated area, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
If you have further questions about accessibility at Bergen International Culture Centre, please contact post@bergeninternasjonalekultursenter.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
Cafe and ticket foaje has step-free entrance from street level.
Fabrikkhallen (the event venue on 2nd floor) can be accessed by stairs (width 150 cm) through the entrance door, or with elevator (width 120 cm) from street level through the side entrance on the backside of the building.
Toilets:
Bergen Kjøtt has all gender toilet facilities, and accessible toilets on the 1st floor (width 90 cm)
Public transport:
The nearest bus stop is Skutevikstorget, 50 metres away. The nearest city bike stop is Bontelabo, about 210 metres away.
Parking / Drop-off:
There is dedicated HC parking at Bergen Kjøtt’s private driveway on the side of the building. Parking has to be reserved in advance by emailing info@bergenkjott.org / tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no. There is a delivery point / short-term parking right outside the building.
Service dogs:
Yes
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. A calmer bar downstairs will also be kept open while the concerts are happening upstairs. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
Read more about Bergen Kjøtt’s accessibility on their website. If you have further questions, please contact info@bergenkjott.org / +47 468 93 945 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
During daytime, there is access for wheelchair users on the shorter side of the building – ring the doorbell to the left of the main entrance, and someone will come and open.
During evening events there will be a guard outside the main entrance, who is ready to help you access the building by elevator.
The elevator door has a width of 130 cm. From here you can access the galleries, Upstairs (2nd floor) and Landmark Café.
Toilets:
Bergen Kunsthall has all gender toilets, and an accessible toilet in Landmark (door width 110 cm)
Public transport:
Light rail stop Byparken is 300 metres away. Closest bus stop is Olav Kyrres gate and those around Festplassen, 400 and 250 metres away. City bike stops on both ends of the street.
Parking / Drop-off:
There are no parking spots right by Bergen Kunsthall, but it’s possible to drop people off in front of the entrance. Closest parking is in Grieghallen Parkeringshus 200 metres away, or at Bergen Storsenter 400 meters away.
Service dogs:
Yes
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
Read more about Bergen Kunsthall’s accessibility on their own page. For further questions, please contact bergen@kunsthall.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Bergen Public Library (UROM)
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free access from street level, elevator to all other floors.
Toilets:
The library has all gender toilets, and accessible toilets on the ground floor, with door width 100 cm.
Public transport:
Nonneseter light rail stop is 210 meters away, and with bus you have Bergen Busstasjon behind Bergen Storsenter 300 meters away. The closest city bike stop is 200 meters away.
Parking / Drop-off:
Parking in Bergen Storsenter with parking fee, 300 meters away.
Service dogs:
Yes
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
Yes
Contact person:
For further questions about Bergen Public Library’s accessibility, please contact the library by phone +47 55 56 85 00 or Borealis by email on tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
Cornerteateret (Kongesalen)
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free access to the building, all rooms on ground floor. The main entrance door is 220 cm wide, and the door to Kongesalen is 190 cm wide.
Toilets:
HC toilets available, 92 cm wide.
Public transport:
Florida light rail 550 meters away. There are multiple busses going to Møhlenpris bus stop, 700 meters away. City bike parking is right outside as well.
Parking / Drop-off:
It’s easy to park close by, with parking fee. Drop-off is possible on the backside of the building.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome.
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Cornerteateret’s accessibility, please contact kim@cornerteateret.no / +47 958 83 523 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no.
Accessibility to the venue:
There is limited access to Håkonshallen, because of cobble stone paths towards the venue. There’s also stairs both to the wardrobe/reception and concert hall. There is no elevator. Please contact and let us know ahead of time if you use a wheelchair, and we will do our best to help.
Toilets:
Due to renovation, there is currently no accessible toilet available at Håkonshallen, but there are accessible toilets at the public toilets nearby.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Bradbenken, 100 meters away.
Parking / Drop-off:
There is no parking here, but it’s possible to drop people off by the entrance.
Service dogs:
Yes
Quiet zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Håkonshallen, please contact kjehop@bymuseet.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
Fløibanen (the mountain railway) is accessible both with strollers and for wheelchair users, but Jiennagoahti (Lyttegammen) is placed on Torrfjellet, which is a 10–15 minute walk from the end stop of Fløibanen. Accessing the site is mostly via gravelled paths, but involves walking over uneven ground for the last 200 meters, which is not suitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers.
See image guide
See on Google Maps
Toilets:
There are accessible toilets right by the end stop of Fløibanen, but no toilets right by Jiennagoahti.
Public transport:
Byparken city rail stop is 650 meters away the Fløibanen light rail entrance, and closest bus stop is Torget, 250 meters away. Read here for Fløibanen’s ticket prices.
Parking / Drop-off:
There is a parking house at Rozenkranzgaten, 210 meters from Fløibanen light rail entrance. There is accessible parking spots at Vetrlidsallmenningen 30 meters away, and possibility for drop-off right outside the Fløibanen light rail entrance.
Service dogs:
Yes (dogs travel for free with Fløibanen)
Quiet zone:
There is no silent room, but with the open nature all around, it’s possible to step out. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
If you have further questions about Fløibanen or Jiennagoathi’s accessibility, you can contact info@floyen.no for questions, or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
Accessibility to the venue:
Kafé Mat & prat has two entrances. The south-facing entrance from Gamle Nøstegaten is 90 cm wide and has step-free access through a small ramp. The side entrance is 86 cm wide and has a threshold of 2.5 centimetres. There are no automatic door openers. The minimum dimensions of all doorways you have to pass through to get to Mat og Prat are 90 cm wide.
Toilets:
Accessible toilet facilities with a 90 cm wide door. This toilet has armrests and a long sink.
Public transport:
The nearest bus stops are Festplassen, Olav Kyrres Gate and Byparken, approximately 700 metres away.
Parking / drop-off:
Mat & prat does not have its own car park available. However, it is possible to be dropped off in front of the building.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome!
Quiet zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about accessibility, please contact tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Kulturhuset i Bergen (Lillesalen)
Accessibility to the venue:
The venue is equipped with a lift to all floors. The door to Lillesalen usually opens to 105 cm, but has an extra flap that can also be opened when necessary.
Toilets:
Accessible toilets toilets available, with a door width of 90 cm.
Public transport:
The Olav Kyrres gate bus stop is 230 metres away.
Parking / Drop-off:
Possibility of drop-off right outside the entrance. Parking is possible in the surrounding area.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome.
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the event, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about availability at Kulturhuset i Bergen, please contact tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
Laugaren is dipping in the water by Nøstegaten 81, right outside of USF Hallen, behind USF Verftet. Click here to find Laugaren on Google Maps.
The floating sauna is connected to the dock with a little bridge (80 cm width) which has high steps. The door in to the sauna room is also 80 cm in width.
Toilets:
There is no toilet by the sauna, but during the opening hours of USF Verftet you can use their toilets. USF Verftet has gender neutral toilet facilities and accessible toilets on ground floor with 100 cm width. USF Verftet is open 11.00–23.00 Sunday–Thursday and 11.00–00.00 Friday and Saturday.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Klosteret, 400 meters away, but only bus 11 goes here, which has infrequent time tables and no step-free access. More buses go to Olav Kyrres gate or Festplassen, approximately 1100 meters away. There is a city bike stop at USF Plassen, on the front side of USF Verftet.
Parking / Drop-off:
Closest parking lot is behind USF Verftet, with parking fee, 20 meters away, or on USF Plassen, on the front side of USF Verftet, 200 meters away.
Service dogs:
Yes
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave, or take a break outside, and come back inside if or when you want.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about the accessibility at Laugaren, please contact kontakt@laugaren.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
Nordnes Sjøbad has a wheelchair lift. The easiest way to the venue with a wheelchair is by car, as Nordnes Sjøbad is placed down a steep hill. Call Nordnes Sjøbad on +47 46904965 during their opening hours if you want help with the elevator. There is a wheelchair accessible + all gender toilet/ changing room (without shower). There is no elevator into the pool.
Toilets & Changing Room:
There is a wheelchair accessible + all gender toilet/ changing room with door width of 90 cm (without shower).
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Nordnes skole, bus 11, 350 meters away. This bus is however not step-free, and goes quite infrequently.
Parking / Drop-off:
There is a drop-off point by the wheelchair elevator, but no long-term parking. It’s possible to park at the Aquarium in Bergen 500 metres away or 220 metres away (including staircase).
Service dogs:
Nordnes sjøbad welcomes dogs, but due to cleanliness regulations, they are restricted to the grass area in the hill above the pool. It will be possible to sit or stand here with the dog, but sound and view of the concert will be quite limited.
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Nordnes Sjøbad’s accessibility, please contact niklas@adoarena.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Accessibility to the venue:
The event is held in the loft of the Fisheries Museum. There are lifts elsewhere in the building, but this room is only accessible via a narrow staircase. The entrance door from the car park is 1 metre wide, while the door entrance from the alley is 94 cm wide.
There is no space for prams to be taken up to the loft room; they are to be parked near the reception on ground floor.
Toilets:
HC accessible toilet with door width 92 cm.
Public transport:
The nearest bus stop is Sandvikstorget, 37 metres away.
Parking / Drop-off:
There is one accessible parking spot, and otherwise you can park along the shore in marked spaces. Drop-off in front of the museum is also possible.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are very welcome.
Quiet zone:
No designated area for this, but if you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert, or take a break. If you want to come back in, we’ll let you in as soon as possible.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For more questions about the Fisheries Museum, please contact irene.alvheim@museumvest.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no