I love Scandinavia - and am curious about Bergen. I've been to Oslo and am curious if Bergen is worth the effort? Any thoughts appreciated.

I can recommend it (in fact I would recommend it over Oslo). Scenic location. Lots of old buildings. Lots of history.

If you have time, fly to Oslo and take the train. The train journey from Oslo to Bergen is quite spectacular.

I have been to Bergen and I think it's a very nice city located beautifully by the sea, absolutely worth a visit.

I would second the tip taking a train from Oslo to Bergen, if you have time.
The train journey from Oslo takes about 7-8 hours but the scenery is spectacular, you get to see everything from snowy mountains to fjords and traditional Norwegian villages.

Bergen is probably the most beautiful city in Norway, except for the weather. It is a very rainy place, with wonderful, rather germanic architecture, friendly locals and plenty character. One should try to arrive there by train or boat, and also try to make excursions to the fjords. The daytrips to Fl�m and Sognefjorden are must-dos for visitors!

Well, I'm in the monority of the responses you've received, but we didn't care
much for the city at all. On a long trip all over Scandinavia last summer it was our least favorite place; very touristy, crowded, and other than the harbour area, not much to see. We did use it as a base for what they call the "Norway in a Nutshell" route, which we did enjoy. The trip up the fjords to Balestrand is spectacular, and staying overnight there at the Kvikne's Hotel was just lovely. The Flam Railway ride was gorgeous(and very short!); the train from Myrdal to Oslo was excruciatingly long, and mostly pretty boring. If you were going to do it, I'd fly from wherever to Bergen, go up to Balestrand, and just reverse the trip back to Bergen and fly out.

Any recommendation for hotels in Bergen?

There is a Norway in a Nutshell tour that goes from Oslo to Bergen.

The train from Oslo to Bergen is about 6 hours but stunning! You get off ( Iforget the stop) and go down a deep incline railway that stops by some waterfalls. After that its a boat trip around some Fjords and then another train into Begren. It is visualy a stunning tour.

I've stayed at the Radisson SAS Hotel Norge in central Bergen. I liked the room I received (ended up on the executive floor) and the location (a short walk to Bryggen), but I'm not sure I'd stay there again. There seemed to be many tour groups billeted at the hotel, the noise level was high (I looked out over a central square in the city and there was lots of echoing), and the public spaces were crowded. I'm not sure I got value for money, but given how expensive Norway is, it's tough to judge. Also, Bergen doesn't really have that many hotels to choose from, so depending on when you're there, you might not have that many options.

Thanks, maltman1 and gvdIAD.

We have heard so much about the train ride from Oslo to Bergen and would definitely want to experience that. How far in advance should we book the train tickets? (We will have two days in Oslo before heading out to Bergen to board the ship Midnatsol.)

Still have not decided on a hotel yet, but the Radisson Royal Htl Bergen is a possibility. Has anyone stayed there?

belle3388:

I'm not sure when you're going but if not in the very peak season, I'm not sure you'd need to book earlier than when you arrive in Oslo. Indeed, you might want to take a look at this cautionary tale:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=564541

You might want to post this question to the Scandinavia board where you're more apt to get responses from the locals.