The second largest city of Norway, Bergen is a pretty poppin’ place. Complete with a charming old town centre, it’s nestled in the mountains but also overlooks the sea, making it a pretty dramatic place to stay.
Another reason to stop off here is ‘cause it’s the gateway to fjord country! But there’s plenty of other things to do in Bergen – namely hiking, and lots of it. Boat trips, too!
But whoever heard of hostels in Bergen, right? Are there even any places for backpackers on a budget to stay cheaply in this Norwegian city?
Yeah, there are! And we’ve categorised the best hostels in Bergen so you can easily find somewhere that’s right for you.
So let’s have a look at the top Bergen backpackers hostels!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Bergen
- Best Hostel for Couples in Bergen – HI Bergen Hostel
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Best Hostels in Bergen
If you are visiting Norway, then Bergen makes a wonderful base. Let’s check out these awesome Bergen hostels.
HI Bergen Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Bergen
This place is set on Mount Ulriken so you’re pretty much guaranteed some ace views from here looking out across the city and surrounding mountainous backdrop. Perfect if you wanna go hiking.
You can also rent a free bike from this recommended hostel in Bergen, which is cool. But if you were looking for somewhere to stay with your partner, soak up some romantic views and do cute stuff like hiking and cycling together, then this is the best hostel for couples in Bergen.
Marken Gjestehus Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Bergen
This place has a great location – just a 10 min walk from where the airport shuttle bus drops you off, which is super handy. Plus it’s also about a 10 min walk to the old town centre, which is great, too.
Being the best overall hostel in Bergen, there’s a mix of things that make it so good. It’s secure, it’s got a very well equipped communal kitchen, and is a good place for backpackers on different budgets (thanks to the range of rooms on offer). Loadsa toilets and showers here means NO QUEUES.
Bergen Budget Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Bergen
Whilst nowhere in Bergen (apart from actual bars) can boast being crunk central, this is a good shout for the best party hostel in Bergen. It’s got a good vibe thanks to a comfy lounge where it’s easy to get chatting to backpacking peeps.
This budget hostel in Bergen is also pretty much in the middle of the city, making it easy to find places to eat (but mainly drink) nearby, so you can head out with your new mates and find a bar you like best – there are plenty.
Bergen YMCA Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Bergen
RIGHT in the middle of the city centre, this top hostel in Bergen is a literal stone’s throw from the famous fish market – as well as the cute old town of Bergen.
Staying here is a good choice if you’re travelling by yourself. The staff are super helpful, and will answer any question you throw at ‘em, plus the whole place is generally comfy and friendly. Yep, definitely the best hostel for solo travellers in Bergen.
Intermission Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Bergen
If you were looking for a Bergen backpackers hostel that gives you some good value for money, look no further than Intermission hostel. Yep, this place seriously has a lot of perks that help make it the best cheap hostel in Bergen.
So we’re talkin’ free tea and coffee as well as biscuits, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they serve up heart-shaped Norwegian waffles topped with brown cheese and jam. There’s also a cheap breakfast. Oh and a free laundry service.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Budget Hotels In Bergen
But if you’re not into a dorm room right now, and you’d rather stay somewhere a lil’ more… plush and private, don’t worry. We’ve only gone and sorted through the best budget hotels in Bergen to give you even more choice. Peep ‘em below.
Citybox Bergen
This is pretty much a basic budget hotel that offers clean and comfortable rooms. There’s nothing really wrong with it, but it isn’t exactly luxury either. A pretty solid choice we reckon.
And actually the location is great – right near the central station, plus there are a load of good bars and places to eat nearby. This budget hotel in Bergen also has an automated check-in system and a friendly hostel-esque atmosphere, complete with a shared fridge.
Marken Guesthouse
Halfway between a hostel and a hotel, there are shared bathrooms here as well as a washing machine for guests to use – just in case you were missing that communal hostel atmosphere.
It’s actually more like a Bergen backpackers hostel than you’d think: there are even dorms here, plus a few chilled communal areas (nice and clean, too). The location is nice too, close to public transport and the funicular railway.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Bergen Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Bergen
That’s the end of our handy list of the best hostels in Bergen.
There are a few places to choose from that will definitely suit you. From smaller hostels to one with a seemingly endless supply of bathrooms…
And since there aren’t zillions of hostels in Bergen, we threw in a couple of the best budget hostels in Bergen to help make your decision a little easier.
But if you still can’t find a place to stay in Bergen?
No worries! We’d say just go for Marken Gjestehus Hostel, our top pick for the best overall hostel in Bergen.
FAQ about Hostels in Bergen
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Bergen.
How much does a hostel cost in Bergen?
On average, hostel prices are always changing ESPECIALLY in Europe, but you can generally expect price starts from $24+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Bergen for couples?
Soak up some romantic views and do cute stuff like hiking and cycling together with your partner in the HI Bergen Hostel, the best hostel for couples in Bergen.
What is the best hostel in Bergen near the airport?
HI Bergen Hostel is just a 20 minutes drive from Bergen Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Bergen
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Norway and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Bergen.
Planning an epic trip all across Norway or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Bergen has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Norway for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Bergen before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Europe to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Scandinavian backpacking guide.
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