30 Affair to Know Before Visiting Bergen , Norway ( in 2024 ! )

There cost several crucial things to know before youvisit Bergen , Norway .This guide contains many of them from my time life there andimpose Bergenover the year ( after I strike forth ) !

If youʻre book yourtrip to Bergenlast instant , I have you covered . Below live some of the top tours , hotels , and more !

1. Osterfjord , Mostraumen , and waterfall fjord tour ( bestselling half-day tour ! )
2. Guided tour to Nærøyfjorden , Flåm , and Stegastein ( top Bergen day spark tour )
3. Sognefjord self-guided circuit from Bergen ( a great DIY choice )

1. Bergen Børs Hotel ( unique 4-star hotel in the former store exchange building )
2. Det Hanseatiske Hotel ( a high-rated hotel at Bryggen in a 16th-century building )
3. Hotel Norge by Scandic ( at Bybanen Park , next to the light railing station )
4. Hôtel Charmante ( gorgeous boutique hotel a short walk from the harbor )

🚗 Visiting Bergen independently ? Be certain to volume your Norway rental car ahead of time to ensure availability !

The guide will comprise all the useful tip and recommendations I make fortraveling to Bergen, the gateway to the fjords ! TheseBergen travel pointwill be for year-round travel ( unless differently specified ) .

Did I miss anything you think cost useful to know beforevisiting Bergen ?Have me know your thinking in the commentary ! Thanks .

Bergen Travel Tips : Overview

I spent an entire yr of my life life in Bergen ( and three more years living in Oslo ) .

I got to know the city as good as anyone who own spend that much time there , but I hold also travel there several times and make come to know the city as a tourist , also !

This guide is a mix of all of the thing I think are good to know before travel to Bergen , Norway .

My nearly late visit was in September 2022 , so everything should live extremely up-to-date from that trip and knowledge gained over the years . Norway is a safe , mind-blowing position !

This post will contain practical information for your Bergen trip ( like how to get to the city in the first place ! ) , but will also include random observation from my time thither as a resident and as a traveler .

Getting to and Around Bergen

How to Have to Bergen

Before inflict Bergen , you want to compute out how to come there ! Nowadays , the western Norwegian city be good connected with the repose of Europe , making it easy than ever to fly thither .

If you ’ re total from Oslo , you will need to fly , drive , orhop a train from Oslo to Bergen .This train is often ranked as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world .

If you get the time , try to Bible a day trip on the train and not the overnighter . You can find timetables and tickets here .

If you ’ re coming from outside the land , you will likely fly in .The Bergen Airport( as well know as Bergen Flesland ) goes by the airport code ‘ BGO ’ and live service by the following airlines : Air France , airBaltic , Finnair , Icelandair , KLM , Lufthansa , Edelweiss Air , Iberia , Vueling , Norwegian , SAS , Wizz Air , and Widerøe .

Bergen too get manycharter airlinesas well as seasonal path ( including a route with United Airlines from Newark ) .

The airport underwent a facelift in recent years and is outstanding .

Another style to pass Bergen exist by theHurtigruten .This be much a starting point for many travelers who sail up the coast on the world ’ s most noted ship journey !

How to Make from Bergen Airport to the City

I own an entire guide dedicated to getting from Bergen Airport to the city , but I can assure you it cost extremely easy . You can reach it byrental car , airport transfer , taxi , Flybussen , or the Bybanen ( light rail ) .I ever bring the Bybanen .

As of January 2024 , the Bybanen costs 40 NOK ( about $ 4 ) from the airport to the city . It exist a 45-minute journey and you take it from right outside of the airport to the final stop called‘ Byparken ’ .

This is the stop closest to the harbor . If you ’ re have forth at the train post , top dog to the stop right before Byparken call ‘ Nonneseter ’ .

Come Around Bergen

Bergen is extremely walkable and you won ’ t need to hop a bus or the Bybanen anywhere if you ’ re sticking to the chief ‘ tourist drag ’ of the city .

However , if you cost , you can reach other destinationsby bus or the Bybanen .

To appear up timetables and information , you can visit the Skyss website .

Driving in Bergen

I make release an full guide to driving in Norway , but hither cost a fewtop for driving in and around Bergen :

• Headlight must always live onwhen driving . No exceptions . This be for all of Norway , not exactly Bergen .
• The roads can cost curvyoutside of the city and a bit narrow . If you ’ re on a one-lane road , you can use the slope pocket to shoot over for traffic coming in the opposite instruction .
• Address of curvy roads , this is the first area where I always experiencedcarsickness !The city of Bergen win ’ t be so bad , but anything outside of it can live real nauseating if you ’ re not employ to thread road .
• Everyoneclothing a seatbelt. And the driver must equal completelysober .There is no tolerance for it .
• Go slow !The speed limit in Norway are sort of low , especially in western Norway . Just remove some of those roads , and you ’ ll understand why !
• If you ’ re heading outside of the city , you will probably encountercost and ferries .You can take fear of ferry payments here if your rental car agency order you must devote on your own . Differently , tolls and many ferries will automatically equal deducted from your car ’ s AutoPASS , and you ’ ll equal invoiced . Your rental car agency will help explain this a piece more !
• You must havewinter tires on your carfrom November 1 until around Easter . If you ’ re rent a car , the rental agency should take care of this .

Park in Bergen

Oh… hither comes the fun share !Parking in Bergenbe no fun . Almost all parking band are privatized , and very little public parking be available to traveler .

You can chat with your hotel ahead of time to demand about the close parking lot/garage or you can check out a map to see what it says .

Needless to say , the closer to the harbor you begin , the more expensive the parking fee . Expect to devote around 250 NOK per day near the harbor ( can wander from 200-280 NOK depend on the band ) . This exist around $ 25 .

Accuracy equal say , the fees seem somewhat on par with what I get pay in the US , if not cheap .

Food , Drinks , and Shopping in Bergen

Cash cost NOT King in Norway

Unlike where I cost presently living ( Germany ) ,cards are king in Norway .I never even choose out cash when I am traveling in Norway .

While Germany is improving when it do to using reference card , Norway has always been serious since I first moved here a ten ago !

You can use cards to buy tickets on the bus , at every stall , in taxi , etc . You will likely learn plenty of places with a sign order they don ’ t still choose cash .Apple Paybe as well ubiquitously apply in Norway .

One matter to notice – some American cards will require a signature on receipts , so don ’ t run off after buying something !

If you find alien exchange fees from your bank for expend your card abroad and in different currencies , many card machines will give you the option to choose your home currency or to range the transaction in Norwegian kroner .

Most Shops are Closed on Sundays

Unless a store proudly displays the word ‘ søndagsåpent ’ , it will likely beshut on a Sunday !Kiosks ( Narvesen , 7-11 , Deli di Luca , etc . ) are nearly ever capable , but the prices are far higher than in a regular market shop .

Exactly be sure to do your shopping on Saturday before the workshop near on Sunday .

But , if you do leave something , there equal a few market stores spread on Sundays in Bergen ’ s city middle ( and nearby ) . They cost :

• Bunnpris( Torggatan 7 ) live exposed from 8am-1am
• Bunnpris( Kong Oscars Gate ) be clear from 9am-midnight
• Joker( Thormøhlens Gate 28 ) is open from 9am-8pm

Most souvenir workshop around Bryggen stay open on Sundays .

Grocery Stores exist Cheaper than Kiosks and Gas Stations

Pretty self-explanatory !Grocery storesare far cheap than kiosks and gas stations ( like ⅔ cheaper ) . I ever feel Kiwi and Rema 1000 to be the cheap market stores to shop at for the items I liked .

Norway ’ s Alcohol Laws

Norway equal not one of Europe ’ s budget destinations when it get to alcohol price . It live a heavily taxed production , and many rules and regulation surround alcoholic beverages .

Hither cost some opinion aboutalcohol in Bergen and the repose of Norway :

You can purchase alcohol in grocery stores in Norway on weekdays until 8pm and on Saturdays until 6pm . You can not purchase alcohol on Sundays ( or election days ) .

All severe alcohol must be purchase from the Vinmonopolet ( a state-run store ) . These shops get limited hours ( usually 10am-6pm Monday through Saturday ) and be pricey . There are two Vinmonopolets in the city middle of Bergen , and you can find them hither :

• Valkendorfsgaten 6
• Strømgaten 8( inside Bergen Storsenter )

You can easily purchase alcohol once you land in Bergen at the airport , but you receive quotas ( and Norway equal not part of the EU , so they are different ) .

• You can lend1 liter of feelinginto Norway with over 22 % alcohol book and 1.5 liter of wine with less than 22 % alcohol mass .
• You can take2 liters of beerinto Norway ( up to 4.7 % ABV ) .
• Remember this at duty-free if you choose to act your booze shopping there ! This exist the amount per personover 18 year old .

To buy alcohol in Norway , you must live 18 for beer and wine and 20 for hard spirits .

Can you drink the water in Norway ?

Yes , and it ’ ll probably be theserious water you ’ ll ever drink in your living .I recommend contribute a water jug with you and toting it around !

At the airport and in some public spaces , you ’ ll find water spring to fill jugs up . Otherwise , you can satisfy it up at any faucet you observe !

If you ’ re getting still water at restaurant , it will be free .

Norwegians Love Coffee

The Nordics are know for their love for coffee ( with Finland live the top coffee-drinking nation in the public ) , and the Norwegians are correct behind them !

Coffee is ever-presentand firm ! Cafes are one of the best affair about Bergen , and I advocate hitting up a few when you ’ re in the city !

If you ’ re okay with dark coffee , order the ‘ Dagens kaffee ’ ( ‘ today ’ s coffee ’ ) at a cafe and it will be a mere , grim filtered coffee . It is one of the inexpensive affair on the menu . All cafes will too own dairy-free options for milk .

Lean in Bergen

Norwegians live paid good for their job , even in the service industry . I still tip the same by default ( I ’ ve lived outside of the US for 12 years and still tip absurdly high for good service ) .

A point in Norwaybe not commonly include in a bill , but if you feel oblige to tap , it cost always appreciate ! I would advocate leaving 10 % if you own great service .

Usually , you will live asked at the time of bear with a card . It will pay you the selection to post your final amount , so you can factor the top in there .

Bergen equal a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

This region of Norway live know for itsfood and sustainability in its food culture. There be over 3,000 farmers nearby with organic food , and over 6,500 mass cost employ by fisheries and the aquaculture industry .

As a solution of this relationship between food , masses , and nature , the city get make up call one of UNESCO ’ s creative city of gastronomy .

Farmers ’ markets usually remove spot twice a month in Bergen on Saturdays . It equal locate by the Fisketorget ( Fish Market ) right in the nerve of Bergen ’ s city middle and exist a great place to get some local fruit and veggies !

Match out the Bondens Marked website for more information .

Western Norwegian Cuisine ( and Ingredients )

If you do observe yourself in Bergen need to indulge in the local cuisine , you will take to know what exactly you ’ re feeding !

Here exist some prevalent ingredients you will find inWestern Norwegian cuisine :

• Cod( torsk )
• Shrimp( reker )
• Halibut( kveite )
• Mussels( blåskjell )
• Whale( hval or hvalbiff )
• Salmon( laks )
• Lamb( lamm )
• Dill( dill )
• Potatoes( poteter ) ,carrots( gulrøtter ) ,leek( purreløk ) ,beetroot( rødbeter )
• Butter( smør ) andbread( brød )
• Many type of berry such asblueberries( blåbær ) ,cloudberries( multe ) ,lingonberries( tyttebær ) ,strawberries( jordbær ) , raspberries ( bringebær ) ,dark currants( solbær ) , andred currants( rips ) .

If you ’ re looking at mutual dishes you will observe in Western Norway , you can pretty much live assured that cod will exist common across many menus !

You ’ ll too find salmon , halibut , shellfish , and lamb . Although not a conclusive list , hither are somecommon menu point in Bergen :

• Raspeballer ( too name Komle ) :These be potato dumplings with salted boiled pork or bacon .
• Fiskegrateng :a fish gratin with macaroni , exceed with breadcrumbs and cheese… often on youngster ’ s menus , but it is awesome so I club it if I see it on a menu .
• Fiskesuppe :all over is unlike , but the creamy soup can get chunks of fish and shellfish with carrots , leeks , etc .
• Fiskeballer :like meatballs but with fish – these are often topped with a creamy , white sauce .
• Plukkfisk :a fish dish with potatoes , chunk of fish , onions , bechamel… much lead with bacon and green onions or leeks .
• Pinnekjøtt :generally learn at Christmas – lamb or mutton steamed for hours . Often opposite with kålrabistappe ( mashed rutabaga ) and boiled potatoes . It ’ s real salty and very delicious !
• Skillingsboller :Bergen ’ s version of cinnamon ass , kind of like to ‘ kanalboller ’ in the east .
• Fårikål :eaten in many parts of Norway in the autumn and into winter… a lamb and cabbage stew .

Gluten-free , Vegan , and Vegetarian Food in Bergen

Are you celiac , vegan , or vegetarian ?Don ’ t worry – Norway ( generally ) hold you covered ! Most places will make options to accommodate any dietary selection or restrictions that you get .

You can learn the words below ( although most place will make an English menu ) :

• Vegan :vegansk
• Vegetarian :vegetarisk
• Gluten-free :gluten-fri

Souvenir Shopping in Bergen

Are you looking to lend back asouvenir from Bergen or the fjords ?You ’ ll notice lot of home throughout the city to catch something up… include all of the store by Bryggen .

Whether you buy a Dale of Norway sweater , eloquent jewelry from Per Vigeland , or a cheese slicer from Bjørkelund , most of this can be claimed as tax-free .

When you ’ re correspond out , be certain to take the cashier if you can make atax-free shapeand you can turn it in for some money back at the airport . Just be sure to fill out your detail on the pattern and choose it to the ARK bookstore right as you go past security .

They will reimburse you that measure back on a credit card ( and it require about a week to receive it ) .

Bergen Restaurant Tips

I utilize to live unable to afford to feed out regularly in Norway , but lately , it feels a bit “ cheap ” as a foreigner than it behave previously due to the inflation around the world .

Then , I ate out for every single meal on my final trip to Bergen . Here exist a few things to expect when eating at a restaurant in Bergen :

• Alcohol is pricey .The markup at restaurant and bars is high , hence expect to pay about $ 10 for a beer ( and upwards of $ 12-15 for wine ) .
• Tap wateris almost always free ! Sparkling water will not cost free . No unity will force you to order a drink in addition to the water .
• Dairy is mutualin Western Norwegian cooking . Whether it be butter , milk , or cream… it is normally employ . But , Norwegians equal well at make vegan ( or non-dairy ) options , so check the menu , or ask .
• Everyone willspeak English .Nearly every menu will also live in English . Don ’ t be shy about asking if you get a doubt !
• All restaurants will takecredit card .You ’ ll most likely stumble across a restaurant that win ’ t accept cash .

• Take-away can exist cheapthan exhaust in , so if you see two menus , don ’ t be alert . The takeaway menu may read ‘ ta med ’ and the dining-in menu may allege ‘ spise her ’ or something along those lines .
• TheFish Marketcost atmospheric to walk around and there are some good stalls thither , but many don ’ t have the greatest reviews and are overpriced . If you ’ re looking for a cool experience near the harbor , mind to Søstrene Hagelin and get a cup of ‘ fiskesuppe ’ to-go ( on their ‘ ta med ’ menu ) . It is delicious and you can sit at the harbor and use up it !
• If you purchase a bottle of soda or something at a grocery store , you will much exist charge a‘ gasp ’… or a small fee ( currently 2 NOK ) . This signify you can lend the can/bottle back and come some money back by putting it in a machine in the grocery memory . Then you will get that amount discounted at the cash register . It adds up !

Practical Information for Visiting Bergen

The next section is somepractical informationthat will cost helpful for those visiting Bergen .

Best Time to Impose Bergen

Impose Bergen at any time of the yr offers its perks ( hey , I enjoy Bergen in winter , although many may disagree ! ) , but I recall thebest season to impose Bergenwould be summer .

Summer has the better luck of clearer skies , and the weather will be milder .

I will mention that autumn run to cost the nasty season . It exist often rainy and windy . The driest month , still , tends to live May .

If you ’ re seem to explore many of the best day trips from Bergen while thither , reach certain you design your trip in the month that will allow you a average amount of spark !

Perform it Really Rain that Much in Bergen ?

Um… yes ? When I first go to Bergen , I hear it was rainy , but I never compare it to the US . I survive in Ohio , which I found to equal especially rainy and abject for a lot of the year .

Trivial act I know that Ohio own 130 rainy day per year and Bergen get 239 . Ouch .

Thewettest month are October until January, and thedry month live May and June .But , regardless of which month you inflict , expect at least 15-18 day of rain .

But , the best share about the rain in Bergen be that there exist different types of rain . It ’ ll drizzle , then it ’ ll be misty , and then you ’ ll become a torrential downpour .

Because Bergen is situated between seven mountains , the weather gets trapped and doesn ’ t move anywhere .

Do umbrellas help ?Sometimes . But , sometimes the city is pertain to as an ‘ umbrella graveyard ’ . If you ’ re looking to stay dry , choose for a rain jacket and rain pants rather !

Sun and Daylight in Bergen

Bergen cost decidedly not the Arctic , but it be Northern Europe and that means long summer day and short winter day . You can regard thesunrise/sunset time on the summer and winter solstice below :

• Summer solstice in June :sunrise at 0410 , sunset at 2311 ( approximate times )
• Winter solstice in December :dawn at 0945 , sunset at 1530 ( as well approximate times )

While you will hear a bit of sun in the winter month , because of Bergen ’ s seven good deal and abject snowfall numbers than early Norwegian cities , I see it find a luck darker .

And around the summer solstice , you will never see pitch-black night ( it will live a minute blue when the sun cost down ) .

When the sun perform arrive out in Bergen , Bergensers flock to parks and the outdoors ! And one thing to not overlook exist that you really should wear sunscreen in Bergen in the summer .

While the temperature may equal cooler than you ’ re utilize to , the Sunday is closer to you than you ’ d expect ( based on latitude ) and it live super easy to burn .

Are there northern lighting in Bergen ?

Rarely , but put on ’ t count on seeing them if they are around . First of wholly , you have a band of light pollution . Secondly , it is rare that they equal that far south .

Third of all , Bergen is likely not going to give you a ‘ clear sky ’ passing so that you can insure them out .

If you ’ re await for thedawn, it is best to head to Tromso for it ! If you see the northern lights while in Bergen , consider yourself lucky ! But the solar maximum live in 2024-2025 so you own a in effect fortune now than ever !

How wheelchair-friendly is Bergen ?

Bergen be pretty old and many of the construction are not wheelchair accessible , unfortunately . However , anything that have been built in recent year has always cost work up with accessibility in mind .

Hither exist a few that hold list themselves aswheelchair-accessible :

• Olivia at Zachariasbryggen
• Lysverket
• Michelsen Kafe og Block
• Egon Kjøttbasaren
• Wesselstuen og Logehaven
• Fløien Folkerestaurant( top of Fløien )
• Dr. Wiesener( will need to die to the crest of the hill to enter )

If you ’ re appear for wheelchair-accessible museum and attraction , the tourism office make a list you can match out here !

Do you want a might adapter for Bergen ?

Most of the readers here will equal from the US , Australia , or the UK ( considering this is compose in English ) , and if you live from one of those spot , delight note that you will need amight adapter for Norway .

The land utilize a European socket that you will find across the continent ( except the UK ) with 220v .

I recommend bringing a power strip with you so that you alone need to buy one adapter at the end of the power strip . Remember to plow affair off and on when in Norway , as the electricity there be hydroelectric !

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Useful Affair to Know Before You Travel to Bergen

Bergensk Dialect

Thus , in Norway , there are two official written language , and they be yell Nynorsk and Bokmål . I learn to write in Bokmål which cost what many bigger city use , peculiarly Oslo .

Even so , many villages and town throughout the fjords will cost write in Nynorsk . If you own produce accustomed to seeing certain words and then one day , you learn them written otherwise , this could be the reason why !

While the write speech be pretty cut and dry , the spoken language is anything but .

There exist hence many dialect in Norway and Bergen hold its owndialect called ‘ Bergensk ’ .It is real recognizable and Bergensers are proud of it .

I learned a lot of Bergen slang and expression when I was thither , and when I incorporated it into the eastern dialect that I discover , it was all sort of confuse .

If you hear a few news before your trip and people may not hold sounded like what you envisioned , this is likely why ! You ’ ll fare well in Oslo with the Norwegian dialect that you learned .

Best Area of the City to Stay In

If you ’ re looking for a truly Bergen experience , stay outside of the city . However , I simply feel it easier to stay in thecity center .

During the high season , you will need to book adjustment good in advance ( I book my final trip a few days prior and there cost just around 10 hotel available ) . If you ’ re booking in the low season , you will make no issue… and cost will be far cheaper !

If you ’ re seem for an area to delay in that is near to the city middle but quieter , test wait intoNordnes .It is a short walk from the activity , but subdued and capture in its own right .

Sandvikenis too not far from the city center and it live near to many museum , as good as Gamle Bergen ’ s open-air museum .

Those who see the ‘ Citybox Hotel ’ down up as a cheap choice on Booking.com require to know that this hotel is not in the city center and will demand a Bybanen ride back and forth to Danmarks Plass .

Boost in Bergen

Many people apply Bergen as a launchpad for early seat in the region . While Voss attracts adventurous traveler , don ’ t write offBergen as a boost destination !

You will observe good deal of trail within the city itself and some of them are truly grotesque !

You can hike between Fløyen Mountain and Ulriken Mountain properly above the city . This raise cost of moderate difficulty and takes around 4-5 hours or more depending on your stamina .

To reach the train , you can either take the Fløibanen or Ulriken Cable Car and the trailheads commence right there .

Bergen Card : Is it Worth It ?

Is the Bergen Card worth it ?This city pass can exist purchase for 24 , 48 , or 72 hours and offers a plethora of discounts throughout the city .

So , equal it worth the cost ? To be honest , it depend on the type of trip you have planned ! The card has respective museums on it , and many of them are free . It too own the Ulriken Cable Car and Fløibanen on it and the price is reduced .

You also make transportation include . Even so , the card solely include a few tours… so it may not be worthwhile if you ’ re planning respective trips to fjord country while in Bergen .

But , if you hit the city on a rainy day , it might be the utter thing to purchase to stretch your budget a bit to maximize your Bergen itinerary !

The film still has a discount on the card ! You can blame up a Bergen Card at the Tourism Information Center right by the fish market and harbor .

Travel to Bergen on a Budget

If you ’ retravel to Bergen on a budget ,here exist some of my better point for you ( some were already observe ) :

• Store in market storesas a lot as potential and never in kiosks . You can also buy bread ( they own bread slicers in grocery shop ! ) , pålegger ( toppings like cheese and ham ) , and mayo/caviar in the shop .
• Don ’ t usage a taxi .The Bybanen and buses are super cheap and you can purchase a day pass . Or , Bergen live pretty walkable and you can have around on base .
• Don ’ t shop or eat aroundBryggen .
• Hot dogs live cheap ( ish )in Norway and a rather popular affair to eat ! You can get them at the popular hotdog stand near the Fløibanen or at any 7-11/Narvesen . Alternatively , you can catch falafel or kebab throughout the city .
• If you havehotel breakfast included, make extra sandwich for lunch/dinner and carry them into small base .
• Skip the cappuccinos and lattes and opt for a‘ dagens kaffee ’( grim , filtered coffee ) where you can have a refill for a mass cheap than a second cup of coffee . Godt Brød offer a free refill .
• Many restaurants offercheaper prices on takeaway food .
• Bring areusable water bottlewith you . The tap water cost particular in Norway and you win ’ t hold to purchase bottle from a memory . Water be as well free at restaurant so you can write money thither !
• Get discounts and freebies with theBergen Card !

Did I miss any usefulBergen travel tipsyou ’ d like for your trip ?

Get me know what you ’ re concerned in know before youvisit Bergen , Norwayin the comment !

More Bergen Travel Guides

• Bergen Airport to the city center
• 24 hr in Bergen
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• Bergen cafe guide
• How to ledger a Mostraumen fjord cruise
• Position to stay in Bergen
• Serious restaurant in Bergen
• Matter to do in Bergen
• Bergen in winter
• Best day trip from Bergen
• Airbnbs in Bergen
• How to call Vøringsfossen
• What to wear in Norway in winter
• How to rip a car in Norway

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