To visit Bergen is to discover Norway’s second city, between the colourful wooden houses of Bryggen, the Vågen harbour and the mountains that surround it. What to see in Bergen, how to plan your stay and, above all, when to go to one of the rainiest cities in Europe: here are the essentials, based on the normals of the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
The capital of Vestland county, Bergen has about 278,000 inhabitants. Founded in 1070 by King Olaf III, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Norway in the Middle Ages, then one of the great trading posts of the Hanseatic League. Today it is the gateway to the western fjords and the southern terminus of the Hurtigruten, the coastal express that sails north to Kirkenes.
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Bergen at a glance
- Location west coast of Norway, on the fjords, facing the North Sea
- Highlights Bryggen, Mount Fløyen, Mount Ulriken, Bergenhus Fortress and Håkonshallen, Troldhaugen (Grieg’s home)
- Airports Bergen Airport Flesland, 18 km (11 mi) from the centre, linked by the light rail (Bybanen); terminus of the Bergen Line railway
- Entry Norway is in the Schengen area (but not the European Union): no visa for short stays for US and UK citizens; see entry requirements
- Currency and time Norwegian krone; UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York; see our currency converter
- Ideal length 2 days, plus a trip into the fjords
What to see in Bergen: the highlights
Bryggen, the Hanseatic wharf
On the north side of the Vågen harbour, Bryggen was the district of the Hanseatic merchants. Known as Tyskebryggen (« the German wharf ») until the Second World War, it has 62 wooden buildings, rebuilt using traditional methods after fires. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Here you will find St Mary’s Church, used by the Hanseatic merchants from 1408 to 1766, the Hanseatic Museum and the Bryggen Museum, which displays the medieval remains uncovered during excavations.
Mount Fløyen and its funicular
The Fløibanen funicular leaves from the city centre and climbs Mount Fløyen, one of the mountains around Bergen. From the top, the view takes in the harbour, the city and the fjords. Trails let you walk back down or carry on hiking.
Mount Ulriken
Higher than Fløyen, Mount Ulriken is reached by a cable car, the Ulriksbanen. Ulriken and Fløyen are always counted among Bergen’s « seven mountains », whose exact list is debated by locals. On a clear day it is the best viewpoint over the region; in the rain, better to postpone.
Bergenhus Fortress and Håkonshallen
At the end of the Bryggen wharf, Bergenhus Fortress has guarded the entrance to the harbour since the 1240s. It houses Håkonshallen, the great hall built around 1260, when Bergen was the capital of the kingdom.
Troldhaugen, Grieg’s home
Troldhaugen, the home of the composer Edvard Grieg, has been turned into a museum. It lies outside the centre: allow half a day.
The Vågen harbour
The Vågen bay, around which the city grew, is the heart of Bergen. Between Bryggen and the Nordnes peninsula, it is the natural starting point for a stroll through the city and for many boat trips.
Itinerary: Bergen in 2 days
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Bryggen and the Hanseatic Museum | Mount Ulriken cable car (weather permitting) |
| Midday | Vågen harbour | Back to the city |
| Afternoon | Bergenhus Fortress and Håkonshallen | Troldhaugen, Grieg’s home |
| Evening | Mount Fløyen funicular for the view | A walk around Nordnes |
Bergen, gateway to the fjords: where next?
| If you want to… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Travel up the coast by boat | take the Hurtigruten, which starts in Bergen, north to Kirkenes |
| Reach the capital | the Bergen Line railway links the city with Oslo; see our Oslo guide |
| See the northern lights | head on to the Far North in winter, for example Tromsø |
| See the western fjords | tours leave from Bergen; tourist roads and ferries mainly run from May to September, according to our guide to the best time to visit Norway |
When to go to Bergen
From May to August. May is the least rainy month (108.5 mm (4.3 in)), June follows closely (132.3 mm (5.2 in)), and July and August are the warmest (19.6 °C (67 °F) in the afternoon). From September, the rain returns in earnest: more than 248 mm (9.8 in) a month from September to January, peaking in December (289.9 mm (11.4 in)). Winter is mild for the latitude (4.7 °C (40 °F) in the afternoon in January), but very wet and short on daylight.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.7 °C (40 °F) | 0.6 °C (33 °F) | 256.3 mm (10.1 in) | 19.2 | ❌ Very wet, long nights |
| February | 4.9 °C (41 °F) | 0.1 °C (32 °F) | 209.5 mm (8.2 in) | 17.4 | ⚠️ Wet, mild for the latitude |
| March | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 1.3 °C (34 °F) | 201.7 mm (7.9 in) | 17.6 | ⚠️ Wet, cool |
| April | 11.1 °C (52 °F) | 3.9 °C (39 °F) | 140.6 mm (5.5 in) | 14.1 | ✅ Less rain |
| May | 15.0 °C (59 °F) | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 108.5 mm (4.3 in) | 13.0 | ✅ Least rainy |
| June | 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 10.1 °C (50 °F) | 132.3 mm (5.2 in) | 13.3 | ✅ Mild, very long days |
| July | 19.6 °C (67 °F) | 12.4 °C (54 °F) | 157.5 mm (6.2 in) | 15.2 | ✅ Warmest |
| August | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 12.4 °C (54 °F) | 207.9 mm (8.2 in) | 16.6 | ⚠️ Warm but rain increasing |
| September | 16.1 °C (61 °F) | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 248.1 mm (9.8 in) | 18.1 | ⚠️ Wet |
| October | 11.7 °C (53 °F) | 6.1 °C (43 °F) | 268.1 mm (10.6 in) | 18.5 | ❌ Very wet |
| November | 7.6 °C (46 °F) | 3.1 °C (38 °F) | 275.1 mm (10.8 in) | 18.5 | ❌ Very wet |
| December | 5.3 °C (42 °F) | 1.0 °C (34 °F) | 289.9 mm (11.4 in) | 19.3 | ❌ Wettest |
How much rain in a year?
Bergen receives an average of 2,496 mm (98.3 in) of rain a year (Destination de Voyage calculation based on the MET Norway 1991-2020 normals for Bergen-Florida). Even May, the driest month, gets more than 100 mm (3.9 in).
How many rainy days over a weekend?
Scaling each month’s average number of rainy days (≥ 1 mm) to a two-day stay, you can expect 0.8 rainy days over a weekend in May and 1.2 in December. In other words, a rain-free weekend in Bergen is never guaranteed: bring a waterproof jacket and suitable shoes, whatever the season.
| Month | Rain | Rainy days / month | Expected rainy days out of 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 256.3 mm (10.1 in) | 19.2 | 4.3 |
| February | 209.5 mm (8.2 in) | 17.4 | 4.3 |
| March | 201.7 mm (7.9 in) | 17.6 | 4.0 |
| April | 140.6 mm (5.5 in) | 14.1 | 3.3 |
| May | 108.5 mm (4.3 in) | 13.0 | 2.9 |
| June | 132.3 mm (5.2 in) | 13.3 | 3.1 |
| July | 157.5 mm (6.2 in) | 15.2 | 3.4 |
| August | 207.9 mm (8.2 in) | 16.6 | 3.7 |
| September | 248.1 mm (9.8 in) | 18.1 | 4.2 |
| October | 268.1 mm (10.6 in) | 18.5 | 4.2 |
| November | 275.1 mm (10.8 in) | 18.5 | 4.3 |
| December | 289.9 mm (11.4 in) | 19.3 | 4.4 |
Getting there and getting around
- By air: Bergen Airport Flesland is 18 km (11 mi) from the centre, with connections via the major European hubs: check with the airlines.
- From the airport: the Bybanen light rail has linked the airport with the city centre since 2017.
- By train: Bergen is the terminus of the Bergen Line, which links it with Oslo.
- By boat: Bergen is the southern terminus of the Hurtigruten; Fjord Line also runs a ferry to Hirtshals, in Denmark.
- In the city: the centre is easy to explore on foot; Fløibanen and Ulriksbanen go up to the viewpoints.
Where to stay
The centre, around the Vågen harbour and Bryggen, puts you within walking distance of the main sights and the funicular. A place near a Bybanen stop makes getting to the airport easier.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: Norway applies Schengen rules. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay (six months recommended), and you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket. Svalbard is outside Schengen and requires a passport (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area; you may need to show a return or onward ticket. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 25 August 2026).
- Health: UK travellers can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare (GOV.UK); everyone should have travel insurance covering medical costs. Emergencies: 113 (ambulance), 112 (police), 110 (fire).
- Weather: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 25 August 2026), the weather can change quickly in the mountains, and extreme weather can cause floods and landslides: check the forecast before hiking.
Practical tips for Bergen
- Gear: a waterproof jacket and shoes are essential in every season.
- Viewpoints: check the day’s weather before going up Fløyen or Ulriken; clouds often hide the view.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Bergen?
Two days for Bryggen, Bergenhus, Mount Fløyen, Mount Ulriken and Troldhaugen; add one or more days for the fjords.
What is the best time to visit Bergen?
From May to August. May is the least rainy month (108.5 mm (4.3 in)) according to the MET Norway 1991-2020 normals; December is the wettest (289.9 mm (11.4 in)).
Does it really rain all the time in Bergen?
It rains often: 13.0 to 19.3 rainy days (≥ 1 mm) a month on average, and about 2,496 mm (98.3 in) a year.
What is Bryggen?
The former wharf of the Hanseatic merchants, with its wooden houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
How do you get from the airport to Bergen city centre?
The Bybanen light rail has linked Flesland airport with the city centre since 2017.
Our sources
- Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET Norway, Seklima database), 1991-2020 normals for Bergen-Florida, via the Wikipedia climate box (article « Bergen »), checked on 23 October 2026
- Wikipedia: « Bergen » and « Bryggen », checked on 23 October 2026
- Destination de Voyage calculations and summaries: annual rainfall, rainy days over a weekend and out of 7 days, « where next » grid
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Norway country information (last updated July 9, 2026) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Norway (updated 25 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To extend your trip, see our Norway travel guide and our destinations in Europe.