Best Time to Visit Bergen: Fjord Season, Festspillene and Weather

If you ask any meteorologist or Bergen local for the single best month of the year to visit Western Norway, the answer is immediate: May and June. While July and August bring the warmest air temperatures, May and June are statistically the driest and sunniest months of the entire year in Bergen, averaging around 40 percent less rainfall than September or October while giving you 18 to 19 hours of daily sunlight and waterfalls thundering at peak spring snowmelt.

Late Spring and Early Summer (May and June) is unbeatable. In the nearby Hardangerfjord, half a million fruit trees burst into white and pink blossom during May, alpine snow still crowns the tops of the fjord cliffs above bright green valleys, and Sognefjord boat schedules switch to full summer frequency. On 17 May (Norwegian Constitution Day), Bergen stages a uniquely exuberant celebration featuring not only traditional bunad costumes and children's parades, but also local male crossbow-marching corps (buekorps) drumming through the cobbled lanes. From late May into early June, the two-week Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen) fills Håkon's Hall, Grieghallen and Troldhaugen with over 250 classical music, opera and theatre performances.

High Summer (July and August) brings mild, comfortable highs of 18°C to 21°C (warm sunny days easily reach 23°C to 25°C), lively outdoor tables along Bryggen and ideal conditions for hiking the Vidden mountain trail between Ulriken and Fløyen. Book hotels and Flåmsbana train seats well ahead for July and August.

Autumn (September and October) sees mountain birch trees turn gold on Mount Fløyen and lower hotel rates, though Atlantic low-pressure systems make September through December the wettest stretch of the calendar.

Winter (late November to March) stays surprisingly mild at sea level (averaging 0°C to 5°C thanks to the Gulf Stream, so the harbour and fjords never freeze). From late November through Christmas, Bergen erects the world's largest Gingerbread Town (Pepperkakebyen) and illuminates a giant cross of lights on Mount Fløyen, while winter cruises to Mostraumen pass snow-draped peaks in total peace. Check what to wear in Bergen before packing.