Weather, Clothing and When to Visit Bergen
PLAN YOUR DAY
What to wear, where to meet and when Bergen is at its best.
Does it really rain every day in Bergen?
Not every day, but often. Bergen has around 230 days with some rain each year, and the weather can change several times in one afternoon. Locals plan for rain and are pleasantly surprised by sun, and the city is beautiful in the wet too: the cobbles shine, the mountains disappear into cloud and the cafés fill up. If you would rather stay dry, our Indoor Bergen tour was created for exactly those days.
What should I wear on a tour in Bergen?
Comfortable walking shoes, layers you can take off and put on, and a rain jacket or a compact umbrella. On Mount Fløyen and on the fjord it is a few degrees colder and windier than in the city center, even in summer, so bring one more layer than you think you need. Your guide will be dressed for the weather, and you should be too.
What happens if it rains on the day of my tour?
The tour runs. Rain is a normal part of life in Bergen, and our routes are planned with it in mind, with shelter, cafés and indoor stops along the way. We only stop a tour if conditions become unsafe or public transport is cancelled, and in that case we contact you directly.
What is the best time of year to visit Bergen?
Every season has its own Bergen. June to September gives you the longest days, the most tours running and the best chance of warm weather, with June and July the brightest. Spring and autumn are calmer, with fresh green mountainsides in May and autumn colors on Fløyen and along the fjords in October. Winter is dark, dramatic and much less crowded: the old streets glow under the lamps, the wooden houses at Bryggen are lit up, and a walk through the city in fresh snow is one of the best things you can do here. Whenever you come, a local guide shows you the city as it is that day.
Where do tours start?
Our Bergen tours start in the city center, and the Flåm day trip starts at Bergen railway station. The exact meeting point and time are listed on each tour page, and you will also find them in your booking confirmation together with how to recognize your guide.
Is Bergen walkable, and how much walking is there on a tour?
Bergen is one of the most walkable cities in Norway, in every season. The center is small and flat along the harbor, with steep, cobbled streets rising just behind it. How much you walk depends on the tour: some are relaxed city walks with plenty of breaks and public transport for the longer distances, others are proper hikes in the mountains. Each tour page tells you how active the tour is.
Do you run tours all year?
Yes. Our scheduled small-group tours run from May to October, and private tours can be booked all year round. Every one of our tours is available as a private tour, planned around your dates, the weather and what is open that day. Fantoft Stave Church is open inside from mid-May to mid-September, so a winter tour sees the church from the outside. Winter in Bergen is quiet, atmospheric and very different from the summer city, and in December the streets are decorated for Christmas. See our private tours page.
For dates and full details, see our tours or contact us.
