Bergen

Bergen is a port city on Norway's west coast, known for the wooden wharf at Bryggen, the view from Fløyen and day trips into the western fjords.

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Bergen is a port city on Norway's west coast and the country's second largest city after Oslo. Its old center is built around Bryggen, a row of wooden merchant houses on the harbor that formed part of a German trading wharf in the Hanseatic era. Most visitors walk the wharf first, then ride the Fløibanen funicular up Fløyen, one of the seven mountains around the city, for a view over the harbor and the rooftops.

Bergen is also a base for the western fjords. Trains run to and from Oslo, and boats and buses reach the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord. Rain is common in every season, so pack a rain layer and plan fjord days around the forecast. Summer, roughly June to August, has the longest daylight. Two days cover the main sights in the city, and a longer stay leaves room for a fjord trip.

Bergen in five

Take the light rail from the airportThe Bybanen light rail runs from Flesland Airport to the city center in about 45 minutes. Airport buses are a little faster.
Pack for rainBergen is one of Europe's wettest cities. A proper rain jacket matters more than an umbrella in the wind.
Ride Fløibanen early or walk upLines for the funicular to Mount Fløyen build from mid-morning in cruise season. The walk up takes about 45 minutes.
Pick Flåm or Hardanger for the fjord dayFlåm and the Nærøyfjord (the Western Fjords guide) and Hardanger (the southwest fjords guide) are the two usual day trips. Check train and boat times in Entur for your date.Oslo guide

Things to do in Bergen

See all attractions in Bergen

Sight · BergenTrolltunga

houses near body of water under blue sky during daytime

Museum · BergenBryggens MuseumArrive early or choose a quieter day, especially when fewer cruise ships are in port.

Landmark · BergenOle Bull Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BergenPut the places you like in Bergen on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bergen Flesland (BGO), about 45 min by light rail
Getting there: The Bergen line train from Oslo, about 7 hours
Getting around: Walk the center; light rail and buses
Best base: Near Bryggen or the train station
Time needed: 2 days, plus a fjord day

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain20 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low0°Wet, dark
FebruaryRain19 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Wet
MarchRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low1°Wet, cold
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Drier spells
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Long days
JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Long days
JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Warmest
AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Warm, cruises
SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Wet again
OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Wettest
NovemberRain19 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Wet, dark
DecemberRain20 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low1°Christmas, dark

Average daily high and low in Bergen, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: May Bergen International Festival · Jun Bergen International Festival

Right now in Bergen

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Bergen

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today8°4°0%Monday: Clear. High 8°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue10°4°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu9°1°0%Thursday: Fog. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri8°1°5%Friday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sat8°0°18%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sun8°-2°11%Sunday: Fog. High 8°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 11%.

Updated 06:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.213 NOK

Amount

Converted to

NOK · Norwegian Krone

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bergen

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Plenen · concertRod Stewart The Final EncoreJun 15, 2027 · Rooms near the venue

Every year

May–JunBergen International FestivalBergen

Day trips by train

Before you go to Bergen

Oslo to Bergen and Flåm trainsReserve summer departures earlyRead the guide

Fjord cruises and toursNærøyfjord boats and bus combosCompare tours

eSIM for NorwaySignal gaps on fjord roads and trainsRead the guide

Travel insurance for NorwayCover for cancelled ferries and trainsRead the guide

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Rules for Bergen, checked

Norway is in the Schengen area but not the EU. Check visa and entry rules for your passport on UDI before you book.Source
Wine and spirits are sold only in Vinmonopolet, the state retail chain. Beer up to 4.7% alcohol is sold in grocery shops.
Declare goods above the duty-free allowance at Norwegian Customs. Check the current allowances on toll.no before you travel.Source
Dial 112 for police, 113 for an ambulance or 110 for the fire service.
Service is usually included in restaurant bills, so tipping is optional. Rounding up is the usual custom.

Plan around Bergen

All of Norway

Oslo, Lofoten, Tromsø and the cost of travel

Read the guide Oslo

The other end of the Bergen line

Read the guide The Western Fjords

Sognefjord, Flåm and the Nærøyfjord

Read the guide Bergen and the southwest fjords

Hardanger and the road to Stavanger

Read the guide Stavanger

Old Stavanger and Preikestolen, five hours by bus

Read the guide Ålesund or Bergen?

Which west-coast base fits your trip

Read the guide Is a rail pass worth it?

Single tickets against a pass for Norway

Read the guide

Bergen FAQ

How many days do you need in Bergen?

Two days for Bryggen, Fløyen, the fish market and the museums, plus at least one day on a fjord trip.

How do you get from Oslo to Bergen?

By train on the Bergen line in about 7 hours, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau, or by a 1-hour flight.

Does it always rain in Bergen?

Often, in every season. May to August has the best odds of dry spells, but pack a rain jacket whenever you go.

Is Bergen worth visiting?

Yes, for Bryggen, the harbor, Fløyen and the fjord access, even in the rain. It works best as two nights plus a fjord day trip, rather than a stop between flights.

What is the best fjord trip from Bergen?

Flåm and the Nærøyfjord make the classic railway-plus-boat day, and the Hardangerfjord suits a calmer road trip through orchards and waterfalls. In summer the Flåm route needs an early start and tickets booked ahead.