Oslo and Bergen are both popular destinations in Norway and both are worth visiting. But what if you could only visit one? Should you visit Oslo Or Bergen? We investigate further for you.

Brief History of Oslo and Bergen

Oslo is the capital of Norway, as well as the country’s most populated city. It is considered the commercial hub of Norway and is particularly famous for its innovative, award-winning architecture as well being the home for many important, historical buildings.

With a population of over 600,000 people, it’s much more crowded than Bergen, which only has approximately 272,000 people living in it. In Oslo, you’ll find many things that you can typically find in a capital city – restaurants, office buildings, museums, parks and more.

Bergen, the second most populated city in Norway, is significantly quieter than the capital. Surrounded by beautiful fjords, the city was an important part of the Hanseatic League, enjoying exclusive trading rights between Northern Norway and other countries until the 1830s, when Christiania (now, Oslo), overtook it as Norway’s most populated city.

Today’s the city continues to be a hub for aquaculture, shipping and Norwegian tourism.

Where to stay in Oslo

Being a cosmopolitan city, there’s no shortage of quality accommodation in Oslo. Here are some top-recommended suggestions for you, suitable for every budget:

Budget: The Verdandi Hotel

Located in the city center of Oslo, this stylish hotel has relatively small rooms, but is a great choice for the budget-conscious traveler.

Take a closer look at The Verdandi Hotel by clicking here.

Mid-Range: Hotell Bondeheimen

In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than the Hotell Bondeheimen. Featuring a gym and beautifully decorated rooms, this will be perfect for those on a mid-range budget.

Take a closer look at Hotell Bondeheimen by clicking here.

Luxury: Grand Hotel

A classic hotel, Grand Hotel is a luxurious, 5-star hotel located on Oslo’s most famous street.

Take a closer look at Grand Hotel by clicking here.

Where to stay in Bergen

There are also lots of great options for accommodation in Bergen. Here are some of our top picks.

Budget: Citybox Bergen Danmarksplass

Citybox Bergen Danmarksplass is a no-frills, budget hotel which is extremely well-reviewed by guests. The rooms are pretty basic, but still comfortable.

Take a closer look at Citybox Bergen Danmarksplass by clicking here.

Mid-Range: Moxy Bergen

A great addition to the Moxy chain of hotels, Moxy Bergen is a young and trendy hotel featuring beautifully designed rooms.

Take a closer look at Moxy Bergen by clicking here.

Luxury: Opus 16

Opus 16 is Bergen’s most premium hotel. A 5-star establishment in a beautiful, historical building dating back to the 1800s, guests are sure to enjoy this absolutely stunning hotel.

Take a closer look at Opus 16 by clicking here.

How to get to Oslo and Bergen

Oslo and Bergen are both served by international airports, making it easy to reach either city. Oslo is a slightly better city to fly into as more cities will fly directly into Oslo, although Bergen has some international connections too.

You can buy flights into Oslo or Bergen from Skyscanner, which is how we buy our flights all the time. Skyscanner really is the best way to go as you can directly compare fares from thousands of different airlines and travel operators, allowing you to choose the fare that best suits you.

Flying from Oslo to Bergen

If you’re planning on visiting both cities (which we would recommend!), we think the most convenient way to go from Oslo to Bergen (and vice versa) is by flying. Although it’s technically possible to get to both cities by public transport, the journey will take about 7 hours - similar to the time it would take to drive.

Want to score Last Minute Flight deals on Skyscanner? Click here!

Tour from Oslo to Bergen

Another amazing way to get from Oslo to Bergen and vice versa is to go on a self-guided tour. This is a great option as you’ll get to explore much of the country by train, taking in its amazing landscapes, and even getting to see the majestic Nærøyfjord along the way. It’s really the best way to get from one city to the other, and get to do some unforgettable sightseeing along the way.

We would recommend these fantastic tours:

• Oslo To Bergen Self-Guided Full Day Trip with Flåm Railway And Fjord Cruise

• Self-Guided Day Trip from Bergen to Oslo including the Flåm Railway

The tours are quite similar to each other, although the starting and end points differ, so please select carefully to make sure you’re going on the correct tour.

Why You Should and Shouldn’t Visit Oslo

Oslo is one of the trendiest and coolest cities in Scandinavia. It’s contemporary, chic and elegant. One of the best things about Oslo is its high quality of life, having been consistently ranked by publications as one of the World’s Most Liveable Cities.

The capital of Norway has a real mixture of modern, historical and natural attractions. If you want to see some whacky, eye-catching architecture, you can visit Vigeland Park, a huge artsy green space with modern statues. The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet is another piece of interesting architecture that sets Oslo apart from other cities.

For a slice of history, visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, which famously hosted the ski events at the 1952 Winter Olympics. If you want to learn about Norway’s Viking past, check out the Viking Ship Museum and Norwegian Folk Museum (Norsk Folkemuseum). Other historical buildings include The Royal Palace, Norwegian Parliament and the National Theater (Nationaltheatret).

Although Oslo is a metropolitan city, you can have your Norweigan fjord experience by cruising around the Oslo Fjord. You should also check out the stunning Akershus Castle by the water.

While Oslo is a great taste of Norway, it unfortunately doesn’t really represent the travel experience most people are looking for when they visit the Land of the Midnight Sun. It offers many of the great things about Norway – architecture, fjords, museums, cleanliness – but not at its absolute best. At times, Oslo can feel a little clinical, similar to other major Scandinavian cities.

While the historical buildings and architecture of Oslo are interesting, Oslo Fjord isn’t really one of the most aesthetic fjords in Norway, and you probably came to Norway to see a mesmerizing fjord (ammiright?).

Having said that, if you’re short on time, visiting Oslo is an excellent idea - you can experience many aspects of Norway in one day. Oslo is also a great place to start your Norway itinerary as a sort of crash-course into what the country is like. Overall, Oslo really is a great city worth a visit – but whether or not you should visit all depends on your preferences and time constraints.

Looking for a day trip from Oslo? Check out these great options!

RELATED: Things to do in Helsinki in 1 Day, Is Norway in a Nutshell Worth It?

Why You Should and Shouldn’t Visit Bergen

Bergen is an exciting city to visit, and is a great representation of the country. Unlike Oslo, Bergen doesn’t really feel like a ‘city’ in the traditional sense. It feels more like a big town surrounded by mountains and fjords.

Whereas Oslo’s architecture was more modern and cutting-edge, Bergen’s is more traditional. The city’s got such a whimsical vibe to it, like it would be the perfect setting for a musical.

In terms of history and architecture, you can’t go past the iconic Bryggen - the historical Hanseatic wharf first established in the 14th century that still stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage site. KODE is a museum dedicated to art, design and music of the Nordic region, and is another attraction worth a visit in Bergen.

But, by far the biggest drawcard of Bergen is its nature. Although Oslo may top Bergen with its highly innovative buildings and history, Bergen is no doubt far more scenic than Oslo. Seven mountains surround Bergen (yes, seven), and the most easily visited is Fløyen, which is reachable by funicular. Another must-do view to tick off is hiking up Stoltzekleiven, a trail that locals use to train for competitions.

Not only is Bergen filled with sweeping views, but it’s also known as the Gateway To The Fjords. Hands down the best thing about visiting Bergen is that you are just a cruise away from witnessing wondrous Norwegian fjords. You have so many to choose from, as well – Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord are all nearby and accessible (we took the hassle-free option of going on a Norway In A Nutshell tour and had a spellbinding experience). If you want to see the best of the Bergen area, I would suggest you go on this tour, which includes all my favourite things I saw when I visited, including the epic Stegastein Viewpoint.

Begen truly offers so many exciting day trip opportunities! Check these out.

To do Bergen justice, you need at least 2 full days – one to see Bergen city, and one to see a fjord. You should visit Bergen if you love nature and came to Norway to see its fjords, and also if you love being surrounded by traditional architecture that makes you feel like you’re visiting another era altogether. However, if that’s not really your thing, then Bergen might come across a little boring to you, with a lack of nightlife or anything else to do.

Which one should I visit – Oslo or Bergen?

You should visit Oslo if you’re totally fine seeing a fjord (but not necessarily the best fjords), and prefer the city vibe. If you’re looking for more things to do at night, a nightlife scene, lots of restaurants, bars, modern buildings and such, then Oslo is your city. You should also visit Oslo if you’re looking to learn about Norway’s history and want to be right where all the important historical buildings are. Oslo fits nicely as part of a general trip of Scandinavia or other parts of Europe – with frequent direct flights to other cities such as Stockholm, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. You won’t have trouble finding flights to and from Oslo. If you want a taste of Norway, you should visit Oslo.

You should visit Bergen if you came to see a fjord. If you love nature, hiking, the outdoors and the sea, then you won’t regret visiting Bergen. Bergen is a little more isolated than Oslo, so finding a flight may be a little bit more difficult, and you may actually have to stopover in Oslo to get to Bergen. However, Bergen’s picture-perfect traditional architecture, mountains and whimsical atmosphere make it a magical destination.

We personally would choose visiting Bergen over Oslo any day (sorry, Oslo!). Oslo was great, but in all honesty, we preferred the other Scandinavian capitals of Stockholm and Copenhagen more. Oslo was interesting to visit, but also came across a bit clinical and lacked that special ‘something’. We still loved visiting though. Bergen, on the other hand, took our breath away. It wasn’t until we visited Bergen and embarked on a Norway In a Nutshell Tour that we got to see a glimpse of the ‘real Norway’.

PS: Oslo and Bergen aren’t the only cities worth a visit in Norway. If you have more time, check out Tromsø, Lofoten and Stavanger.

Agree or disagree with us? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!