Month guide · Bergen · Norway
Bergen in January
What January is really like in Bergen: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 19 rainy days and roughly 6.6 hours of daylight. Dark, wet and windy, with daylight of about six hours; quiet and good for museums and cosy cafés.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 19
- Daylight
- About 6.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Bergen: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 19 of its 31 days. Compared with December (5°C (41°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 09:29
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:06
- Daylight
- About 6.6 hours
- Sea
- 7°C (45°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, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Bergen, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Bryggen
Bryggens Museum
Spend time with the runic sticks; the translated messages bring medieval Bergen to life.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Sentrum
KODE art museums
KODE is one of Scandinavia's largest museums of art, design and music, spread across buildings on the shore of Lille Lungegårdsvann lake.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Aquarium · Nordnes
Bergen Aquarium
Check the feeding times on arrival, then walk to Nordnesparken next door for sea views.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Museum · Møhlenpris
VilVite Science Centre
Bergen's hands-on science centre has interactive exhibits on energy, the body, weather and the ocean, including a section on oil and gas off the Norwegian coast, a 360-degree bicycle loop and experiments that children can try themselves.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near 0°C and 19 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 January a good time to visit Bergen?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Bergen in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Bergen?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Dark, wet and windy, with daylight of about six hours; quiet and good for museums and cosy cafés.
+How warm is Bergen in January?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bergen in January?
Expect rain on about 19 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.