A glamping getaway on Hille Island
“This is our version of a limo”, Eva says with a bright smile as we climb onto the carriage hitched behind an ATW. Just minutes earlier, we waved goodbye to the captain of the local boat, M/S Solundir, which had dropped us off at the tiny island of Hille, home to just three residents and around 400 sheep. And Hille Glamping.
Sitting on warm woolen sheepskin rug as we bumped along the gravel path towards our home for the night, it felt surreal to think that only an hour and a half ago, we were in the heart of Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city.
Upon arriving at the glamping site, Eva and her husband Svein gave us a tour of the facilities before leaving us alone with a crayfish dinner and a freshly baked loaf of bread, still warm from the oven. The fridge was stocked with drinks and breakfast for the next morning.
We sat for a moment, soaking in the silence, until my rumbling stomach reminded us it was time to eat. Since the weather was not the best, we chose to dine inside the cozy kitchen, still enjoying a stunning view.
Before leaving, Eva had recommended pairing the seafood with cider from Hardanger. We followed her advice, and she couldn’t have been more right.
Hardanger, a region close to Bergen, has a rich history of apple cultivation dating back to the 14th century. Today, it’s known for its exceptional apple cider, often referred to as the “Champagne of apple cider”. You can also go to Hardanger and visit a cider farm for tasting on a day trip from Bergen.
Back to Hille. As if Tinkerbell had passed and sprinkled some magic dust, the clouds cracked open just in time for the sunset.
Shades of pink and orange colored both the sky and the flat sea in front of us. As it was still early May, the temperature was a bit on the chill side, so changing into swimwear and the convenient bathrobe, the hot tub was the perfect spot to enjoy the sun slowly setting out in the ocean.
One of the best things about Norwegian sunsets is how long they last, so we could comfortably sit soaked in the warm water while watching the sky changing color.
During the night I woke to the rhythmic drumming of rain hitting the roof of the dome. It reminded me of earlier experiences camping in a regular tent, except this time, I was tucked into a proper bed with a thick duvet wrapped around me. The soothing sound of raindrops soon made me doze off again, sleeping like a baby until the singing birds worked as a natural alarm clock in the morning.
Even though the island is fairly small, it’s possible to take a short hike to explore. Sadly, we didn’t have time. As agreed, Svein arrived at 8:45 to take us back to the boat—and back to reality.
How to get to Hille Glamping:
From Bergen you can take the Norled Express boat northbound. To reach Hille, you have to transfer to the smaller local express boat M/S Solundir, changing at Mjømna or Sollibotn, depending on the time and day of the week. Eva will help you with the details when you book your stay.
After your visit, you can head back to Bergen, or continue north along the coast or head toward the Sognefjord.
If you come by car, the easiest is to drive to Mjømna and park there.
Food and drinks:
You can choose if you want to bring your own food to make in the kitchen, or prebook food from them. They offer self-caught seafood, or a sheep stew made from the sheep grassing on the island. As local as it gets!
The glamping has a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with shower in a separate area.
Updated: The glamping dome is being replaced with a new wooden cabin with panorama windows towards the ocean. Perfect for all kinds of weather, all year. Open May 2026.
Experienced in May 2024. Updated February 2026.