Is 3 days enough to see Bergen?

Yes — three days in Bergen is enough to experience the best the city has to offer. Our itinerary covers Bryggen Wharf, the Fløibanen funicular & fresh salmon at the Fish Market, Fjord cruise to Flåm — the Sognefjord, the world's deepest and longest fjord, Edvard Grieg at Troldhaugen & the seven mountains hiking trail, giving you a genuine feel for Bergen without feeling rushed.

When is the best time to visit Bergen?

June–August (the most reliable weather — "most reliable" in Bergen terms means 40–50% chance of rain per day rather than 70%: the summer is the driest season, the fjord cruises operate at full frequency and the midnight sun (Bergen is south of the Arctic Circle but in June the sun sets at 11pm and rises at 4am — the light is extraordinary). May: the Norwegian National Day (Syttende mai, May 17): t

Where should I stay in Bergen?

Bryggen waterfront — directly beside the UNESCO Hanseatic wharf buildings, the most iconic location in Bergen is a great base for exploring Bergen. Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Bergen from €200/night is our recommended hotel for its location and value.

What is Bergen most famous for?

Bergen (population 290,000 — the second largest city in Norway and the "Gateway to the Fjords") is one of the most dramatically situated cities in Europe: ringed by seven mountains (the "Seven Mountains" — Ulriken (642m), Fløyen (320m), Sandviken, Løvstakken, Damsgård, Landås and Blåmanen), built around a fjord (the Byfjorden — the 30km inlet of the North Sea) and shaped by the rain that defines t

What language do people speak in Bergen?

Norwegian (Norsk — specifically the Bergen dialect of Norwegian, the Bergensk: one of the most distinctive regional Norwegian dialects, characterized by a specific singsong intonation and vocabulary differences from Oslo Norwegian). Two written forms of Norwegian: Bokmål (the urban standard, derived from Danish) and Nynorsk (the rural standard, derived from Old Norse: Nynorsk is more commonly written in western Norway including Bergen). English is universally and fluently spoken throughout Bergen — Norway has the highest English proficiency in Continental Europe outside the Netherlands (EF English Proficiency Index). German and French are also common

What currency is used in Bergen?

Norwegian Krone (NOK). 1 € ≈ 11.5–12 NOK. Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world: a coffee at a Bergen café: NOK 50–70 (€4.50–6). A portion of fresh salmon at the Fish Market: NOK 180–250 (€15–22). The Norway in a Nutshell tour: NOK 1,250–1,600 (€105–135). A dinner at a good Bergen restaurant: NOK 400–700 (€35–60). Budget: NOK 800–1,500/day for a comfortable experience. Cards (including contactless) accepted absolutely everywhere — Norway is the most cashless country in the world (96% of transactions are cashless)

How do you get around Bergen?

Walking: the Bryggen, the Fish Market, the city center and the Fløibanen funicular station are all within a 15-minute walk. Bybanen (the Bergen Light Rail): the tram running from the city center to the airport (30 min, NOK 39) and south to Lagunen shopping center. Bus: the Skyss network. Taxi: expensive (NOK 150–300 for most city trips). The Norway in a Nutshell tour departs from Bergen Station. To Troldhaugen: bus 83 from Byparken (30 min, NOK 39) or taxi. Ulriksbanen (Ulriken cable car): the Skyss bus from Byparken to the cable car base station

How do you get to Bergen?

Bergen Airport Flesland (BGO, 19km south): the Bybanen light rail to the city center (25 min, NOK 39 — the cheapest and most reliable airport connection in Norway). Taxi: NOK 450–600. Direct flights from Amsterdam (KLM, 2 hrs), London Gatwick (Norwegian/British Airways, 2 hrs), Copenhagen (SAS, 1 hr), Frankfurt (Lufthansa, 2 hrs), Paris (Air France, 2.5 hrs) and many European cities. By boat: the Hurtigruten (the Norwegian Coastal Express) departs from Bergen as the southern terminus of the 2,500km coastal voyage to Kirkenes on the Russian border — the most famous sea voyage in Scandinavia

What is the tipping etiquette in Bergen?

Not customary in Norway. Service is included in the price by law. Rounding up is occasionally done at restaurants for good service but is entirely optional. No tipping at bars, cafés or taxis. Norwegian culture (the Janteloven philosophy — the Scandinavian social norm of not considering oneself better or more deserving than others) means that elaborate tipping is culturally out of place

Is Bergen safe for tourists?

Bergen is one of the safest cities in the world. The areas described are completely safe at all hours. The main practical considerations: the rain (always carry a waterproof jacket — the Bergen locals know that their city is wet and accept it with humor: "It's not the rain that bothers us, it's when it stops and we have to find something else to complain about"). The Bryggen cobblestones are slippery when wet (they are always wet): appropriate footwear is essential

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