Bergen

Bergen Airport Flesland has flights from major European cities; the airport bus (Flybussen) and light rail (Bybanen) take 30-40 minutes to the centre. The Bergen Railway from Oslo arrives at the central station (7-hour journey).

May is usually the month with the least precipitation and is probably the best time to visit, with the summer months of June, July and August almost as good. July has the highest mean temperature of 14.3 °C, and August follows close behind. April is also relatively dry. The city experiences approximately 240 days with precipitation a year, but summer offers the best weather for outdoor activities.

Getting around by foot is easy, and free maps are available everywhere. The city centre is compact and can be covered on foot for most visitors. For those wanting a different perspective, the Fløibanen funicular goes up Mount Fløyen, offering great views of the city. Public buses and the light rail also serve the city.

Outside the summer season, getting a hotel room is usually not a problem, although it can be quite expensive unless you have a reservation. In the summer season from May to September, a reservation well in advance is required. Breakfast is normally included in the price except at hostels and camping sites. Budget options include hostels like Intermission Hostel (dorms from 190 kr) and Bergen Hostel Montana (dorms from 205 kr).

There is a great variety of restaurants and cafes. For budget meals, move a block away from the most central parts to find lower prices and better food. Tap water is safe and free of charge. Tipping is optional but appreciated, usually rounding up or adding 5-10%. Nightlife is concentrated in the central downtown and Bryggen area, with most places requiring age 20 and no smoking indoors. Alcohol must be consumed indoors by 01:00, and all venues stop serving by 03:00.

Key attractions include the Bryggen UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fløibanen funicular, KODE Art Museums (adult 130 kr), Bergenhus fortress (free), and the fish market. Hiking from Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken offers excellent panoramic views. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with festivals like Bergenfest and Nattjazz. For a relaxing afternoon, Nygårdsparken is a popular picnic spot.

Bergen has a generally low crime rate. The most likely crimes for tourists are car break-ins and bicycle theft. Pickpocketing is increasing in the summer season, but still not as prevalent as in larger European cities. There are no particularly unsafe areas. The upper part of Nygårdsparken used to be a drug addict hangout but has been renovated. Buying sex is illegal. Drunk crowds after midnight are mostly harmless.

Cellular phone coverage is very good throughout the city. Three networks are available: Telenor, NetCom, and Network Norway. Many cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi for their patrons, and free Wi-Fi is also available at Bergen Public Library. Eduroam is available on the university campus for participating institutions. Internet cafes are available around town.

As in the rest of Norway, it is customary to take your shoes off when entering a home, especially due to wet weather. People from Bergen have a reputation for being more loud and direct than many other parts of Norway, and locals are perhaps the most patriotic in Norway.

Popular day trips include the Sognefjord with Flåm, the Hardanger fjord and glaciers, and the nearby islands of Lysoen (Ole Bull's villa) and Osterøy (Havråtunet farmstead). The cities of Stavanger and Ålesund are also accessible as longer day trips or onward destinations.

Budget travellers can expect to spend up to 130 kr for a meal and up to 800 kr for accommodation. Hostel dorms start at around 190 kr, and budget hotels from 635 kr. Breakfast is often included in hotel prices but not at hostels. Tipping is optional. Using tap water saves money.

Bergen is a gateway to the fjords and beyond. Popular onward destinations include Stavanger to the south, Ålesund to the north, and Oslo via the scenic Bergen Railway. The Nutshell tour combines Sognefjord and Flåm. Bus and boat services connect to Hardanger and other fjord regions.