Month guide · Bergen · Norway
Bergen in December
What December is really like in Bergen: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andreas Sandberg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 20 rainy days and roughly 5.8 hours of daylight. Short, dark days brightened by the Christmas market at Festplassen and festive lights around the harbour.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 20
- Daylight
- About 5.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 8°C (46°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Bergen: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 20 of its 31 days. Compared with November (7°C (45°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 09:40
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:28
- Daylight
- About 5.8 hours
- Sea
- 8°C (46°F)
Winter (December–February). Short days, frequent rain and occasional snow, with Christmas lights, the Gingerbread Town and low prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas market at Festplassen (usually December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Vågen
Fish Market
Bergen has had a fish market at the head of the harbour since the 13th century.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Iconic
Viewpoint · Landås
Ulriken cable car
Choose a clear day; low cloud often hides the summit view entirely.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
Museum · Paradis
Troldhaugen
Edvard Grieg's Victorian villa above Lake Nordås, about 8 km south of the centre, where the composer lived for 22 years.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Couples
- Outdoors
Castle · Bryggen
Bergenhus Fortress
Stroll the free grounds and ramparts even if you skip the interiors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Free
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near 0°C and 20 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Bergen?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Bergen in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Bergen?
It is a shoulder-season month. Short, dark days brightened by the Christmas market at Festplassen and festive lights around the harbour.
+How warm is Bergen in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bergen in December?
Expect rain on about 20 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.