Holiday rentals and lettings in Bergen

Bergen is one of the world's most spectacular harbour cities, packed with history, natural beauty and friendly locals. It boasts a supremely picturesque UNESCO-listed area of reconstructed medieval buildings, world-class shopping, and is the gateway to one of the world’s great natural wonders – Norway's spectacular fjords. There are so many lettings to choose from in Bergen. But what will you choose? A modern and stylish flat overlooking the city’s iconic colourful facades, a house with a sea view, or a cabin in the mountains surrounding the city?

The countryside around Bergen is home to spacious and cosy holiday lettings, which offer panoramic floor to ceiling windows for you to revel in the unparalleled vistas of the Norwegian west coast. City apartments are finished to a high standard, are snug and warm, and put you right on the doorstep of Bergen’s many manmade and natural attractions.

Norway's second city is located precisely two-thirds of the way from the Equator to the North Pole, and in the summer it is still light at midnight. Its international airport welcomes visitors from all over Europe, with a flying time of less than two hours from the UK. The city is the gateway to one of the world’s natural wonders, the Norwegian fjords, which attract tourists from all over the world.

Bryggen, the compact area just north of the harbour, was where the original city grew up, but it has long since expanded in all directions. The best way to get your bearings in Bergen is by heading up the 319 meters to the top of Mount Fløyen located just to the north of the town centre. From the summit, you can view the entirety of Bergen wrapped around its harbour. The more hardy among you can hike one of the many routes up to the summit, but for everyone else there is a funicular that takes you right to the top in not time!

Bergen is essentially one giant work of art, but if you would like to visit the formal art galleries, head to Lille Lungegardsvann, next to the eight-sided lake in ‘new’ Bergen. The KODE galleries are the real highlight, boasting a wide-ranging and beautifully presented collection of art. Head to KODE 1 for craft and design, KODE 2 for temporary exhibitions and Bergens principal art bookstore, KODE 3 for rooms dedicated to the moody and thought-provoking works of Norway's most renowned artist, Edvard Munch, and KODE 4 for Nikolai Astrup’s dramatic takes on Norwegian landscapes.

The Norwegian coastline, immortalised by Slartibartfast in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. And the good news for visitors to Bergen is that well-priced day cruises can be taken from the city harbour to landscapes that will truly make you weep. The most popular trip must be the day cruise to Sognefjorden, the largest and deepest fjord in the country. Miss this at your peril – no hyperbole – there is nowhere like it anywhere in the world.

Visit the fascinating ruins of two abandoned stations destroyed by the power they sought to harness. Just three years after they were built, a winter storm sent the sea hurtling toward the station with a frenzied ferocity, and the power plant was ruined. Nowadays it makes a great day out for fans of industrial heritage.

The iconic Market Square with its blue, red and yellow facades welcomes visitors with a vibrant atmosphere and the city’s best restaurants. Busy from morning to night, its quays are where local fishermen land their catches each morning; a fascinating spectacle for early birds.

Take the 60-minute cruise aboard the White Lady, which takes you on a delicious trip around the huge bay, revealing iconic views of Bryggen and the surrounding mountains, as well as other interesting sites such as the German submarine base.

Eating out in Bergen is eye-wateringly expensive. To keep costs down, feast on a giant and delicious reindeer hot dog (6 euros) from Trekroneren kiosk at Kong Oscars gate 1, then make your way to any of the city’s many 7-Eleven shops to grab a skillingsboller, a filling and highly satisfying cinnamon bun for which Bergen is famous.

.Bergen offers plenty of ways to splash your cash, notably at the main city-centre commercial centre called Galeriet, with six floors of unbridled shopping in both mainstream and quirky shops. Don’t miss Bergen's trendiest designer store, Moods of Norway at Torgallmenningen 12, and don’t forget to get your instant 12% tax refund at the tourist office on anything you buy!