Where to live in Bergen as a student
What are the best areas to live in Bergen? Choosing where to live in Bergen depends on your lifestyle, budget, and needs. This guide explores Bergen's most popular neighbourhoods for students and explains the advantages and disadvantages of each area.
As a new student, it’s not always easy to find out where to live or what type of housing you want. This guide helps you to know where to look and what the different parts of Bergen have to offer.
Further reading: What to think about when renting student housing in Bergen
Expore the interactive map to find more student friendly districts.
City Centre and Høyden – expensive, but right in the middle of it all
City centre
The city centre stretches from Bystasjonen to Nøstet and from the start of Høyden to Skansen fire station. There are good bus connections and walking distance to several faculties at UiB (University of Bergen).
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Suited for:
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Those who want everything within walking distance – shops, nightlife, and culture.
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Pros:
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Close to nightlife and culture, good public transport coverage.
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Cons:
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Highest rental prices in Bergen, noise and activity on weekends.
Explore the city centre with Google Street View.
Høyden (“The Hill”)
Høyden is a popular place to live and home to several of UiB's faculties as well as the Student Center. There's a lot going on here, but the area is generally fairly quiet.
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Suited for:
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UiB students and those who want campus life right outside their door.
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Pros:
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Close to UiB campus, student atmosphere, near the Student Center.
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Cons:
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Above-average price level.
Explore Høyden with Google Street View.
Charming neighbourhoods – Nordnes, Møhlenpris, and Sandviken
Sandviken
Sandviken is a quiet area that gives you nice views and cozy alleyways. Perfect if you like hiking in the mountains, since Fløyen and Sandviksfjellet are right in the neighbourhood.
Sandviken houses the Bergen School of Architecture and NLA University College, and in Ytre Sandviken you will find the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).
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Suited for:
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Those studying at BAS, NLA, or NHH — who enjoy nature and quiet surroundings.
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Pros:
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Close to BAS and NLA, outdoor activities right outside the door, quiet and charming.
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Cons:
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Longer distance to UiB and HVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences).
Explore Sandviken with Google Street View.
Møhlenpris
This neighbourhood has recently had a number of upgrades in addition to the new, social meeting place at Marineholmen, which now also has its own sandy beach. Møhlenpris is like a small village in the middle of the city, with a blissful mix of people.
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Suited for:
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Those who like a lively neighbourhood with cafés, culture, and city life – without living right in the centre.
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Pros:
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Unique neighbourhood charm, close to UiB and BI (Norwegian Business School), Sammen housing available in the area, social and diverse population.
Explore Møhlenpris with Google Street View.
Nordnes
On the picturesque peninsula Nordnes, you find a view of the sea and the fjord. Nearby you will find the Aquarium, Nordnesparken and the Institute of Marine Research. Within walking distance of the city centre, Nordnes is a quiet neighbourhood with a lot of charm.
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Suited for:
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Those who want to live quietly yet still centrally – with a view of the fjord.
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Pros:
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Charming and quiet, walking distance to the centre, close to the sea and the park.
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Cons:
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Limited bus service to other parts of Bergen.
Explore Nordnes with Google Street View.
Ytre Sandviken
Ytre Sandviken is a quiet area, close to NHH and NLA’s campus in Sandviken. You have 30 min walk to the city centre and very good bus connections. By bike it’s 15 minutes downhill to the city.
Many Norwegian students in the area rent privately or own their own apartments, but there are Sammen student houses at Hatleberg and Øyjorden where several international students live. There’s also easy access to mountains and sea.
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Suited for:
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NHH students and those who want access to nature and good bus connections.
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Pros:
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Close to NHH, good bus connections, access to mountains and sea.
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Cons:
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A bit outside the centre.
Explore Ytre Sandviken with Google Street View.
West of the centre – Damsgård, Laksevåg, and Løvstakksiden
Damsgårdssundet
In this area there are both Sammen student homes and lots of private rental properties. If you stay at Gyldenpris or Damsgård, you can use the bridges Puddefjordsbroen and Småpudden to get to UiB or BI.
If you live closer to Danmarks plass, you are within walking distance to HVL at Kronstad. From Danmarks plass you can ride your bike to the city centre or take the light rail. There distance is short to the city and mountains. At Damsgård and in Solheimsviken, you will find several restaurants, cafes and shops.
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Suited for:
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UiB and BI students (north) or HVL students (south).
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Pros:
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Mixed housing – Sammen and private, international and Norwegian student environment, close to Løvstakken and the fjord, cafés and restaurants in Damsgård and Solheimsviken.
Explore Damsgårdssundet with Google Street View.
Laksevåg
Originally, Laksevåg was a separate municipality, but has gradually become a part of Bergen. It is a short distance to Bergen city centre. The bus service is good, and the cycle paths ok.
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Suited for:
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Those who want to be close to the centre but with affordable rent.
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Pros:
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Affordable rent compared to the centre, good bike paths, short distance to the centre.
Explore Laksevåg with Google Street View.
Løvstakksiden
An area for those who like the morning sun. Løvstaksiden is an old working-class area that is now popular among students. Walking distance to HVL (and to the centre if you like longer walks). An ok bus service, and a nice distance by bike.
If you go uphill, you will first meet the hiking trail "Løvstien" and then the beautiful city mountain Løvstakken.
Løvstakside has reasonable rental prices compared to the city centre areas.
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Suited for:
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HVL students and those who like affordable rent and closeness to nature.
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Pros:
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Affordable rent, walking distance to HVL, close to Løvstakken.
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Cons:
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Bus service is decent, but not best in class.
Explore Løvstakksiden with Google Street View.
East and south – Kronstad, Fridalen, Møllendal, and Årstad
Kronstad
Close to HVL and Haukeland hospital, you will find Kronstad – a quiet area that offers green space, shops, gyms and mountain walks. It is a short distance to bus and light rail stops with frequent departures.
Here you will find several private rental objects and Sammen's student housing at Fridalen and Brann Football Stadium. Brann Football Stadium is relatively new and consists of single rooms around 15 square meters with private bathroom and kitchen. If you’re wondering if the football match can be watched from the student dormitories, the answer is no.
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Suited for:
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HVL students and medical students at Haukeland.
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Pros:
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Close to HVL and Haukeland, green and quiet, Sammen housing available.
Explore Kronstad with Google Street View.
Fridalen
In Fridalen you will find everything from townhouses to detached houses and student housing. It is a short distance to the light rail and has good cycle paths.
From Fridalen you’re in walking distance to Haukeland hospital and HVL.
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Suited for:
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HVL students and medical students – a quiet residential area with good infrastructure.
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Pros:
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Good bike paths, close to HVL and Haukeland, quiet neighbourhood.
Explore Fridalen with Google Street View.
Møllendal
In the area around UiB's Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design, you will find Møllendal. An old industrial area that’s now being transformed into a modern, human-friendly district. Almost free of car traffic, and with its own light rail stop, and access to Bergen's most modern cycle route, Møllendal steps up as one of the most attractive places to live in Bergen.
From Møllendal it is a short distance to UiB's art educations, HVL, Haukeland University Hospital and Kristiania.
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Suited for:
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Students at UiB's art and design programs, HVL, and Kristiania University College.
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Pros:
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Car-free and bike-friendly, own light rail stop, close to UiB's art programs, HVL and Kristiania, short distance to Haukeland.
Explore Møllendal with Google Street View.
Kalfaret
An upmarked part of Bergen, filled with old, large villas. The area is located between Bergen city centre and Haukeland University Hospital.
The frequent bus service makes it easy to get both north and south. Kristiania and one of NLA's campuses are located in this area. In addition, it’s a short distance to UiB’s art campus and the Faculty of Medicine at UiB.
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Suited for:
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Medical students and students at Kristiania and NLA – with excellent bus service.
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Pros:
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Exceptional bus service, close to Haukeland and the Faculty of Medicine, quiet and green.
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Cons:
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Somewhat higher rental prices due to the attractive location.
Explore Kalfaret with Google Street View.
Årstad
Årstad is located in the area around Haukeland University Hospital, and is a popular area among medicine students. A short distance to several of the city mountains characterizes the area. Maybe you'll find a place to stay with spectacular view?
The bus service is good, but if you want to cycle, you must love cycling uphill or have a sturdy electric bike.
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Suited for:
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Medical students at Haukeland and those who enjoy nature and views.
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Pros:
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Close to Haukeland hospital, close to city mountains, good bus service.
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Cons:
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Demanding to cycle.
Explore Årstad with Google Street View.
Outside the centre – Fyllingsdalen, Fantoft, Nattland and Åsane
Fyllingsdalen
With a good bus and rail service, Fyllingsdalen is closer than you think. You won’t find any academic institutions here, but you will find lower rental prices than in the city centre. It is a short distance to several of the city mountains and the iconic Oasen shopping centre.
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Suited for:
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Those who prioritize low rent and good public transport connections.
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Pros:
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Lowest rental prices among the major districts, light rail and bus to the centre, close to nature and shopping.
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Cons:
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No campus in the district.
Explore Fyllingsdalen with Google Street View.
Nattland Studentby
Nattland is situated a bit outside the city centre, but it has good public transport services to many of the different campuses. It offers beautiful scenery and the opportunity to hike Nattlandsfjellet, Landåsfjellet and Ulriken.
It’s a popular student village among young couples with small children.
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Suited for:
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Students with children (historically) – now open to everyone.
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Pros:
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Quiet and scenic, now open to all students, family housing available.
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Cons:
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Some distance from the centre.
Explore Nattland Student Village with Google Street View.
Fantoft studentby
Fantoft has a large international environment with many organized activities such as movie nights, barbecues and club. The light rail takes you to the city centre in about 20 minutes. At Fantoft you will also find family housing.
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Suited for:
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Those who want a large international student community and organized activities.
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Pros:
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Large international community, organized activities, light rail to the centre (approx. 20 min), family housing available.
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Cons:
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Some distance from the centre.
Explore Fantoft Student Village with Google Street View.
Åsane
Åsane starts in Eidsvåg and stretches all the way to Salhus. The district does not have a campus, but it offers affordable rents and good bus connections. Depending on where you live, you’ll be close to nature, shops and large sports facilities.
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Suited for:
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Those who prioritise low rent and good public transportation.
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Pros:
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Relatively low rents compared with areas closer to the city centre.
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Cons:
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There is no campus in the district. However, if you live in Eidsvåg, you’re just a short distance from NHH.
Explore Åsane with Google Street View.
Frequently asked questions about residential areas in Bergen
Fyllingsdalen, Løvstakksiden and Nattland generally have the lowest rents. Fantoft student village is also affordable, particularly through Sammen.
Fantoft student village has a large international community. Ytre Sandviken (Hatleberg/Øyjorden) is also popular amongst international students.
Ytre Sandviken and Sandviken are closest to NHH. There are Samen student accommodation blocks at Hatleberg and Øyjorden.
Medical students tend to live in Kronstad, Fridalen, Kalfaret or Årstad – all of which are a short distance from Haukeland Hospital.
Yes. The Bybanen light rail serves Fyllingsdalen, Fantoft and Møllendal. Bus services cover Åsane and Laksevåg. From Arna, there are local trains to Bergen city centre that take just a few minutes.
Do you want to study in Bergen
Combine high academic quality with the best nature and culture can offer.
