Is Bergen safe?
Very safe. Petty theft is rare; the real risks are weather, slippery steps and mountain hikes in poor conditions.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2026-07-05.
- Homicide rate in Norway: 0.7 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Norway: 2.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110.
Safety in Bergen at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Low; occasional phone or bag theft at the fish market and Bryggen, and drunk disturbances on weekend nights. |
| At night | Safe on foot and the Bybanen light rail and buses run late on weekends. Some steep lanes are slick in rain. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women; harassment is rare. Standard care late at night near bars. |
| Other risks | Slippery cobbles and steps in constant rain; Sudden weather changes on Ulriken and Fløyen; Cold-water swimming in the fjord |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Rare distraction theft at the fish market and Bryggen
Take care
- Fløyen and Ulriken hikes in rain or fog: slippery trails and sudden weather
- Bryggen and the harbor late on weekend nights: drunk crowds
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- The drink-driving limit is 0.2‰, and speeding fines are among Europe's highest.
- Open fires in or near forests are banned 15 April–15 September.
- Wine and spirits sell only at Vinmonopolet; supermarket beer sales stop at 20:00 (18:00 Saturday).
How Bergen compares in Norway
Quick answers
Is Bergen safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women; harassment is rare. Standard care late at night near bars.
Is Bergen safe at night?
Safe on foot and the Bybanen light rail and buses run late on weekends. Some steep lanes are slick in rain.
What is the crime rate in Bergen?
Low; occasional phone or bag theft at the fish market and Bryggen, and drunk disturbances on weekend nights. Nationally, Norway records 0.7 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bergen?
Police 112 · Ambulance 113 · Fire 110.
More about Bergen
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Skyss (Vestland public transport)
- Avinor Bergen Airport
- Visit Bergen
- Helse Bergen
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.