Add organization

Bergen at a glance

Bergen lies in Vestland county and was founded in 1070 by King Olav III Kyrre. From around 1350 to 1754 Bryggen was the main seat of the Hanseatic merchants in the north. The city sits between seven mountains: Lyderhorn, Damsgårdsfjellet, Løvstakken, Ulriken, Fløyfjellet, Rundemanen and Sandviksfjellet (Store norske leksikon).

  • Population (municipality): 294,860 (2026)
  • Land area: 445 km²
  • County: Vestland
  • Precipitation: 2,495 mm a year (normal 1991–2020, Florida station)
  • Temperature: January 2.6 °C and July 15.6 °C on average (normal 1991–2020)

What to see

  • Bryggen: the seat of the Hanseatic merchants from around 1350 to 1754 (Store norske leksikon).
  • The Fløibanen funicular: opened in 1918 and carries more than two million passengers a year up to Fløyen (Store norske leksikon).
  • Ulriken and the seven mountains: the city mountains start right by the centre and are walking country all year.

Practical

  • Rain: Bergen gets around 2,500 mm of precipitation a year — bring a rain jacket in any season (Bergen municipality, normal 1991–2020).
  • Public transport: Skyss runs buses, the light rail, boats and ferries in Vestland; tickets in the Skyss app (skyss.no).
  • More about weather and clothing: weather in Norway.

Businesses and places in Bergen

Number of listings in the directory, checked 27.09.2026:

Public transport stops and bus terminals305
Nature parks and recreational areas278
Grocery stores and supermarkets225
Landmarks and historic sites175
Restaurants165
Parking facilities121
Hotels and resorts98
Bars and lounges97
Art galleries and exhibition centres91
Car rental90
Tourism and travel companies77
Cafés and canteens60
Hospitals54
Museums38
Bakeries34
Outdoor and sports stores32
Guesthouses, cabins and campsites30
Pharmacies30
Theatres and cinemas21
Gift and souvenir shops18
Dry cleaning and laundry15
Shopping centres10
Public toilets9
Hostels6
Wine and spirits shops (Vinmonopolet)3

Sources: Store norske leksikon (checked 27.09.2026), Bergen municipality and Skyss (checked 26.09.2026).

Last checked 27.09.2026 by Redaksjonen NorgeGuide.

All categories in Bergen

Frequently asked questions about Bergen

Yes. The 1991–2020 normal is 2,495 mm of precipitation a year at the Florida station. Bring a rain jacket in any season (Bergen municipality, checked 26.09.2026).

On average 2.6 °C in January and 15.6 °C in July (normal 1991–2020, Store norske leksikon, checked 26.09.2026).

In 1070, by King Olav III Kyrre (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

The main seat of the Hanseatic merchants in the north from around 1350 to 1754 (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

A funicular that opened in 1918 and carries more than two million passengers a year up to Fløyen (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

Lyderhorn, Damsgårdsfjellet, Løvstakken, Ulriken, Fløyfjellet, Rundemanen and Sandviksfjellet (Store norske leksikon, checked 27.09.2026).

With Skyss: buses, the light rail, boats and ferries in Vestland, tickets in the Skyss app (skyss.no, checked 26.09.2026).