If you're planning a trip to Bergen and wondering where to stay, I'd recommend choosing somewhere in the city centre, particularly if you're only visiting for a couple of nights.
I spent two nights in Bergen on a solo trip in February and stayed at Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments, right in the centre. The location worked brilliantly for my trip. I was around five minutes' walk from Byparken, where the light rail from Bergen Airport terminates, and about ten minutes on foot from Bergen railway station.
Bryggen, the harbour, Fløibanen and the departure point for my Mostraumen Fjord Cruise were all within walking distance too, so once I'd arrived from the airport, I didn't need to use public transport at all.
In this guide, I'll show you where I stayed, what I paid and what I thought of the apartment, along with the best areas to stay in Bergen and some other hotels to consider.
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For a first trip or a short weekend in Bergen, I'd recommend staying centrally, around the city centre, harbour or Bryggen.
Bergen is very compact, and in reality these areas all merge into one another. You can walk from the main city centre to Bryggen in just a few minutes, so I wouldn't get too hung up on choosing between them when looking for accommodation.
I'd concentrate more on finding a hotel or apartment that suits your budget and is within easy walking distance of the centre. From there, Bryggen, Bergen Fish Market, the harbour and Fløibanen are all easy to reach on foot.
This worked particularly well for my trip because I arrived by light rail from Bergen Airport, stayed close to Byparken and then walked everywhere during my stay. Bergen railway station was only around ten minutes from my apartment too, which made continuing to Oslo by train really easy.
For a short Bergen city break, I'd choose the accommodation rather than the neighbourhood.
I stayed at Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments for two nights, from Friday to Sunday, and paid £122 in total.
For £61 a night, I was really impressed with what I got. The apartment was huge, particularly for one person, with a double bed, sofa bed and a full kitchenette. There was an oven and hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer and kitchenware, so you could easily prepare your own meals rather than eating out for every meal.
There was also a TV with Netflix, an iron and hairdryer, and I had views over the surrounding city from the apartment.
The location was the biggest plus for me. Byparken was around five minutes away, Bergen railway station was roughly a ten-minute flat walk, and I could walk to Bryggen, the harbour, Fløibanen and the departure point for my Mostraumen Fjord Cruise.
That meant I could get off the light rail from the airport, walk to the apartment and then pretty much forget about public transport until I left Bergen.
For a £122 two-night stay right in the centre of Bergen, I thought it was excellent value.
The one thing I'd be aware of before booking Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments is the location can be lively, particularly at the weekend.
There are bars, restaurants and entertainment venues around the square, and Friday night was noticeably busier while I was there. Saturday was much quieter.
The noise didn't bother me and I didn't hear other guests inside the building, but if you're a particularly light sleeper or want somewhere very peaceful, it's worth bearing in mind.
Personally, I wouldn't let it put me off staying there again. For me, the central location and being able to walk everywhere outweighed the extra noise on the Friday night.
Yes, I would. For what I paid, I thought Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments offered really good value, especially considering how central it was.
Having an apartment rather than a standard hotel room also gave me much more space and the option to prepare my own food. That's particularly useful in Norway, where eating out can quickly add to the cost of a trip.
For a solo trip, I had far more space than I actually needed, but the apartment would also work well for couples or families who want more room and some self-catering facilities.
I'd stay here again for the location alone. Being able to walk from Byparken when I arrived, explore Bergen entirely on foot and then walk to the railway station when it was time to leave made the whole trip incredibly easy.
I only stayed at Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments, so I can't personally review the other hotels in Bergen. However, if Ole Bull doesn't suit your dates, budget or the type of accommodation you're looking for, there are plenty of alternatives within the same central area.
Because Bergen is so compact, I wouldn't worry too much about whether a hotel is technically closer to Bryggen, the harbour or the main city centre. They're only minutes apart on foot. I'd concentrate on the hotel itself, the price for your dates and how close it is to the places you plan to visit.
Here are a few centrally located options to consider:
The Radisson Blu Royal is right beside Bryggen, making it a good option if you want to stay close to Bergen's historic waterfront. Fløibanen, the harbour and Fish Market are all within easy walking distance.
Another hotel close to Bryggen and the harbour. One feature that makes this one worth comparing is that breakfast, afternoon fika and an evening meal are included in the room rate, which could help with food costs during a Bergen trip.
Thon Hotel Orion is at the Bergenhus Fortress end of Bryggen. It's still very central, but slightly further away from the busiest part of the city centre.
Bergen Børs Hotel is close to the Fish Market, between Bryggen and the main shopping streets. This would put you right in the middle of the places most people are likely to visit during a short Bergen break.
Hotel Norge is particularly close to where I stayed, overlooking the same central part of Bergen around Ole Bulls plass. It's a larger full-service hotel, so could be worth considering if you'd prefer traditional hotel facilities rather than an apartment.
If you're looking for something simpler, Citybox Bergen City is another central option. It's particularly handy for Bergen railway station, so worth checking if you're continuing your trip to Oslo by train.
I paid £122 for two nights at Ole Bull Hotel & Apartments, which worked out at just £61 per night. For a large apartment in such a central location, I thought that was a great price.
I visited in February, and accommodation prices in Bergen can vary quite a lot depending on the time of year, day of the week and demand. What I paid shouldn't be taken as a typical price you'll always find, but it does show that Bergen accommodation doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.
If your dates are flexible, I'd compare a few different weekends before booking. I'd also look beyond traditional hotels. Apartments worked particularly well for my trip, and having a kitchen can save money on food too.
I wouldn't automatically pay more to stay directly on Bryggen either. The centre is so compact that you can stay a few streets away and still walk there in minutes. For me, finding a good-value property in a central location would be more important than having a Bryggen address.
I didn't use a car at all during my stay in Bergen, and for a short city break like mine, I don't think you need one.
I travelled from Bergen Airport to Byparken on the light rail and walked the few minutes from there to my apartment. Once I'd checked in, I explored the city entirely on foot.
Bryggen, the Fish Market, harbour and Fløibanen were all within walking distance, while my Mostraumen Fjord Cruise departed from the harbour in the city centre.
When it was time to leave, I simply walked around ten minutes to Bergen railway station and continued my trip to Oslo.
Unless Bergen is part of a wider road trip around Norway, I'd personally skip the hire car and stay somewhere central instead.
• Read my guide to getting from Bergen Airport to the city centre
If you're planning a trip to Bergen, you might also find these guides useful:
• 3-Day Bergen & Oslo Itinerary
• 20 Best Things to Do in Bergen
• How to Get from Bergen Airport to the City Centre
• Mostraumen Fjord Cruise from Bergen: Is It Worth It?
• Fløibanen Funicular Bergen: Is Mount Fløyen Worth Visiting?
Whenever I spot great-value DIY flights and accommodation from UK airports, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club.
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