Book cheap flights to Bergen

Norway experiences a temperate oceanic climate, resulting in cool summers, mild winters and year-round precipitation. Due to its mountainous location, the city experiences far less extremes in temperature than the rest of Norway. The month of May brings the lowest level of precipitation to the cit,y and combined with local events and festivals that take place, it is the ideal time to go. The summer months of June, July and August are the next best time to visit, as temperatures are at their warmest and sunny days draw local crowds into the streets and sidewalks to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. If you would rather see the city for less during its quietest period, then consider going during the quiet autumn months of September, October and November, when school holidays are over and tourism rates drop before shooting up again in December.

South Africans do require a visa to enter Norway. As Norway is part of Schengen territory, South Africans need a Schengen Visa for entry to Norway.

Passports may not be older than 10 years, must have 2 blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure from the Schengen state.

For more information regarding the visa application process and required documentation, please contact the Norwegian Embassy in South Africa:

Ozmik House

165 Lynnwood Road

Brooklyn

Pretoria

Tel: 27 12 364 3700

Email: emb.pretoria@mfa.no

Norway enjoys an extremely low level of crime and is thus an extremely safe country to visit. Be on the alert, however, for pick-pockets and petty thieves looking for luggage and valuables to steal. The biggest threat Norway can pose to visitors is its extreme weather conditions. Winters in Bergen can drop to -10 degrees, so ensure you pack warm enough clothing if you plan to visit the city in winter. Summer seasons can bring high levels of pesky mosquitos and midges, especially in mountainous regions like Bergen. Ensure you pack mosquito repellent. If you plan to take any local walks or hikes, plan your excursion carefully, as daylight (particularly in winter) can be short, and you do not want to be stuck on the mountain after dark with poor lighting! Always tell your hotel where you will be hiking, and the estimated time you plan to return so, if in the event anything goes wrong, a search party can rescue you.

Although small, Bergen offers extensive hearty accommodation for travellers looking to experience Scandinavian hospitality! Due to the city’s small size, the main accommodation district in Bergen is the lively neighbourhood of Bryggen. Guests will be within walking distance to the local harbour where local restaurants can be found. Bryggen is also a popular area for nightlife and houses the majority of the city’s pubs, bars and its few nightclubs. Trendy hotels are also available in the bustling city centre with its cobbled streets, tucked-away corner shops and cafes.

The easiest way to get around Bergen is on foot. The city centre can be walked on foot within an hour and local attractions are all within walking distance to each other. The city of Bergen operates an extremely efficient bus service, with buses following mapped routes around the city. Most signboards and stops are written in Norwegian, but you should have no trouble finding a friendly local who will be willing to translate for you. A light metro rail runs from the north of the city to the south and is easily accessible. As with the bus routes, train signs are all in Norwegian, but locals are always willing to assist travellers with direction and translation. During the weekend rails operate at all hours of the night, departing every 30 minutes. Taxis are available in Bergen, but are extremely expensive. Most taxi drivers speak English, and are extremely reliable and trustworthy.