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There are a lot of lodging options in Bergen, none as affordable or convenient as a Bergen Hostel.

A panoramic view of Bergen looks like the city came straight out of a Crayola box. Every building comes to a perfect, uniform point and the primary color hues of the homes and buildings invoke childhood memories of trying to stay inside the lines.

Bergen hostels see many backpackers and other travelers come through their doors. Beckoned by the promise of a pretty city with many sights and activities, they trudge through the cold rain in winter and hike through the warmer rain in summer.

Although the umbrella vending machines fad has passed, the climate in Bergen is still damp through and through. Bergen receives 88 inches of rainfall a year, thanks largely in part to the mountains surrounding the city. Heavy rain clouds dump their water as they ascend the mountain slopes, leaving the people of Bergen water logged all year round.

Recently, the city has been threatened by water in another direction. Rising sea levels and more severe weather in the area has caused high tide to be a cause of concern in Bergen. Similarly, heavy rain and winds caused several landslides to come down on the city on September 14, 2005.

The city is sometimes flooded by the tide and recently special precautions have started to be implemented such as the creation of a sea wall to protect several popular sites in the city. A special task force was assembled to address the problem and work so that this season isn't the last one in which you are able to stay in a Bergen hostel.

Barring a natural disaster and assuming you brought some rain gear, your stay in Bergen will be a fine one. Bergen's hostels are some of the finest in Scandinavia, a perfect blend of the comfort of a hotel and the affordability of a hostel.

A shared room in a Bergen hostel starts at about 165 Norwegian Krone per night. That works out to about 29 US dollars or 20 Euros per night. Hotels start around 210 Krone, or about 37 dollars and 25 Euros.

You can get a private or shared room in a Bergen hostel, although private rooms will cost you a little extra. Private rooms in Bergen are just a step below a hotel room, with less room service and more savings for you. And unless you request a room "ensuite," you'll probably be sharing the bathroom at the end of the hall with the rest of your floor.

One of the biggest draws in Bergen is the fish market, or "Fisketorget," where you can buy fresh seafood and see the catch of the day hauled onto the docks. It is a regular attraction, the fish mongers hamming for the camera as tourists snap away. While at the fish market you can stock up on salmon, oysters or other fish and have them vacuum sealed so they can be shipped home. But be sure to try something fresh as it is the true taste of the town.

Hostels in Norway (Bergen)