Heading to Bergen and wondering where to stay?

Bergen is both a city and a municipality, and is spread out over a quite large geographical area. However, most visitors to Bergen end up staying in the area known as Bergenhus. This neighborhood is again divided into smaller neighborhoods, or you can call them districts.

In this neighborhood guide to Bergen I’m going to focus on the smaller neighborhoods and areas within Bergenhus. These are all centrally located and most attractions are withing walking distance. Also, you’ll find it easy to reach these parts of town whether you come from the airport or with a train or bus.

To make it easy for you to pick the one that suits you best I’ve included a short description and a list of activities and things to do in each neighborhood. I’ve also listed some hotel recommendations.

The smaller neighborhoods/districts are as follows: Vågen, Downtown, Nordnes & Nøstet, University of Bergen and Sandviken.

 

👉 You might also like: Top 6 Things To Do in Bergen

 

Vågen

 

Home to the UNESCO Bryggen, the Fish Market, and Bergenhus Fortress, Vågen is the city’s maritime heart. This is for sure the place where tourists and locals mingle, enjoying scenic views and the lively atmosphere of Bergen’s waterfront. It’s a must see area of Bergen, but at the same time be aware that it can get pretty packed with visitors on a busy summer day when cruise ships are in the port.

What I like:

• Nice museums and attractions
• Explore the historic Bryggen area
• Walk on the grounds of the Bergenshus fortress
• Enjoy a local Hansa beer along the waterfront

• Stroll by the water to look at the moored boats

Things to check out:

• The Bryggen historical wharf, The Rosenkrantz Tower, The Hanseatic Museum
• The Bryggen Archeological Museum (tours in English every day)
• The famous Fish Market of Bergen
• Guided UNESCO Walking Tour (Fjord Tours)
• The Fløien Funicular
• The artsy Skostredet street with vintage stores, pubs and restaurants
• Eat: Bryggeloftet & Stuene restaurant (oldest in Bergen)

 

My Hotel Recommendations for Vågen

 

 👉 Check out my Bergen City Guide for more travel advice about Bergen

 

Downtown

The Downtown / City Center is the area covering the Torgallmenningen (main square of Bergen), the area around the Lille Lungegårdsvannet lake and the central train station.

This is a nice area to stay in Bergen if you’re looking to be close to everything. Despite being downtown it’s more quiet than you’d think. This is because much of the car traffic in Bergen does not go through the city center, but rather circles around the city. You can therefor expect green parks, pedestrianized streets, quiet alleyways and plenty of public transportation.

👉 You might also want to read: An Insider Guide to Bergen

 

What I like:

• A mix of green parks, pedestrian areas and hidden alleyways
• Close to everything
• A lot of good restaurants and cafés
• Great art museums
• The City Park

Things to check out:

• KODE Art Museum & Bergen Kunsthall (contemporary art)
• The Leprosy Museum
• Bergen Cathedral
• Eat: MOON Restaurant, Allmuen Restaurant & Pingvinen Gastropub
• Bars: Rævedilter bar , HEM, Henrik Vin & Ølstove and many many more…

My Hotel Recommendations for Downtown

 

 

Nordnes & Nøstet

 

Nordnes & Nøstet are on the south side of Vågen, and make up the peninsula reaching all the way out to the Bergen Aquarium and the Nordnes park. In Nøstet you have some of the most charming wooden houses in Bergen and in Nordnes are some really scenic spots overlooking the sea. Both of these areas have a residential and laid-back vibe, and is a great place to stay if you want to get away from the tourist hotspots.

In my YouTube-episode Hidden Gems and Iconic Landmarks in Bergen I explore some of the charming streets at Nøstet, and also head out to the Totem pole at the Nordnes peninsula. Check out the episode and you can get a little taste of what this part of Bergen is like.

What I like:

•  Local residential feel

• Charming atmosphere
• Inviting neighborhood hotels and restaurants
• Historical character

Things to check out:

• The Nordnes Park and viewpoint
• The Bergen Aquarium (great for families)
• USF Verftet Cultural Centre
• Stroll among the many charming streets
• Eat: Løvetann Café & Bistro, Spisekroken (the Dining Hook), Dirty Vegan Bergen

 

My Hotel Recommendations for Nordnes & Nøstet

 

University of Bergen

This is not a district or a neighborhood in itself, but the University of Bergen is situated nearby neighborhoods such as Sydnes, Nygård and Møhlenpris. These are all located on the south side of the city center.

Similar to Nordnes og Nøstet you find a residential vibe here, but slightly more busy due to the University. It’s not an area with a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing, but still there’s a couple of point of interests, some good museums and some nice places to stay if you want to get away from the more touristy city center. Note that much of this area is located on a hill, so bring good walking shoes.

What I like:

• Relatively peaceful and quiet
• Plenty of hidden gems!

• There’s a local vibe with parks and small cute café

Things to check out:

• The Maritime Museum (a hidden gem, not many visitors find this museum)
• St. John’s Church
• VilVite Bergen Science Center
• Bergen University Museum of Natural History & Science and Culture
• Floating Saunas at Heit
• Eat: Marg & Bein, Kafe Spesial, Godt Brød Christie Café, Møllaren Café & Bar
• Bars: Utidi Bar
• Concerts: Hulen (the cave)

My Hotel Recommendations for University of Bergen

Hotel Park Bergen (family owned in a historical building)

 

Sandviken

Sandviken sits to the north of the Bryggen area. Often overseen by visitors, this is actually a very nice area with easy access to the sea and a collection of historical buildings. Also, it is not far to stroll here from downtown (20 minutes ish), or you can ride a city bike or hop on a bus.

There are not many hotels in this area, but it’s a nice place of Bergen to look for a rental apartment. Check out VRBO.

What I like:

• Nice waterfront promenade
• Interesting sights and historical waterfront buildings
• Residential vibe
• Close to Vågen and connected with the small Beffen ferry

   

Things to check out:

• Old Bergen City Museum (just north of Sandviken)
• Norway’s Fisheries Museum
• Aqua culture Visitor Centre
• Sandviken Swimming Facility (jump in the sea!)
• Trail head for the popular Stoltzekleiven walk
• Eat & Drink: Dr Wiesener (local neighborhood café/restaurant)

I hope you enjoyed this article about Bergen. Check out my Bergen City Guide for more travel advice about Bergen.

Thanks for reading!