Where to stay

in Hordaland County

Bergen is a city with a small-town feel. The largest city on the west coast-and indeed the second-largest city in Norway-has a population just under 300,000. While many pass through without stopping to fully explore its neighborhoods, this one-time European City of Culture has lots to entice the curious traveler. View its colorful clapboard houses and dine at restaurants where the fish is so fresh it may have been caught just hours earlier. For a small city, Bergen's range of hotels and places to stay is also superb. Scandi-chic boutique hotels are in ready supply, as are cozy guesthouses, ideal for those visiting in the winter months when the temperatures are cold but the city's scenery can be quite magical.

Great Neighborhoods for Activities

Bergen is an active city, backed by mountains and surrounded by fjords. Hiking and biking are high on most visitors' agendas. For those using the city as a base, it's most convenient to stay in Bergen City Center. From here take a trip on the astonishingly steep Flåm Railway or walk to the Fløibanen funicular for views over the city. Hotels around the scenic Bergen Havn or Port of Bergen area are ideal for those focused on the fjords, although some of the longer tours actually start with a bus or train ride and embarkation elsewhere. The Sognefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord, and the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord are by far the most spectacular destinations.
Bryggen featuring a small town or village, boating and rugged coastline

Bergen City Centre

Museums, seafood restaurants, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Bergen City Centre. Make a stop by Torgalmenningen Square or Fish Market while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Byparken Station or Nonneseteren Station to get around town.
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Sogne Fjord

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Sogne Fjord featuring mountains and general coastal views

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Naeroyfjord which includes mountains and a lake or waterhole

Naeroyfjord

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Best Places to Stay in Summer

Spring and summer are the most popular and most beautiful times to visit Bergen, but this means rooms can get booked early. Bryggen is the jewel in Bergen's crown and the defining image of the city at this time of year. The brightly colored buildings that make up this old Hanseatic wharf date back to the 14th century and today house cafés, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Stay here to be transported back in time. Hotels in Årstad, south of the city center, are less atmospheric but can offer good value in busy periods when reservations in hotels near the harbor are hard to get.
Photo by Agnes Avelino

Årstad

The mountain views and restaurants are just a few things visitors like about Årstad. Brann Stadium and Ulriksbanen are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Wergeland Station or Brann Stadium Station to get around the larger area.
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Bryggen

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Bryggen featuring street scenes, a city and signage

Where to Stay for Dining

Even during Bergen's wild winters, the city's superb food scene is reason enough to visit. The port remains the country's busiest, and restaurants in Bergen City Center make the most of the daily catch, many serving inventive, modern Nordic cuisine. This is the best neighborhood to stay for fine dining. Shopping at Bergen Fish Market on the harbor front is also a fun and more budget-friendly experience. Book accommodations near Vågsbunnen to easily access Skostredet, a street set just back from the harbor with some of the city's best coffee. Nordnes, still central and across the harbor from Bryggen, has a few more international options, including excellent Italian and Eritrean restaurants.
Bryggen featuring a small town or village, boating and rugged coastline

Bergen City Centre

Museums, seafood restaurants, and historic sites highlight some notable features of Bergen City Centre. Make a stop by Torgalmenningen Square or Fish Market while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Byparken Station or Nonneseteren Station to get around town.
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More about Bergen City Centre

Recommended hotels in Bergen City Centre