Bergen · Month comparison

January vs May

May ranks #1 overall vs January at #9. Hardangerfjord blossom and Bergen International Festival's 14-day classical-and-arts programme through late May.

Bergen January — Bryggen wooden wharf with rain reflections on quayside

January

#9 of 12 months

Worth considering

Wettest month of the year in the wettest city in Europe — short days and grey rain, but the quietest streets.

  • ↑Cheapest hotel rates in Bergen Sentrum — pre-Easter low season
  • ↑Bryggen lit at night with seasonal decorations into mid-month
Bergen May — children in bunad parading on 17 May with Norwegian flags

May

#1 of 12 months

Best match

Hardangerfjord blossom and Bergen International Festival's 14-day classical-and-arts programme through late May.

  • ↑Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen) — 14 days late May, classical, opera, jazz
  • ↑Hardangerfjord cherry and apple blossom peak — among Europe's best
FactorJanuaryMay
Weather score
3
8
Value score
7
5
Crowd score
9
5
Events score
5
9
Atmosphere
7
9
Avg high temp4°C14°C
Monthly rain180mm90mm
Daily sunshine1hrs7hrs

January trade-offs

  • ↓Daylight only 6 hours; Bergen averages 1 hour of sunshine/day
  • ↓180mm of rain — pack waterproofs, wellies, no compromise

May trade-offs

  • ↓Sognefjord cruise booking accelerates — June already filling
  • ↓Cold snaps possible — Hardangerfjord ferries can run in 5°C drizzle
See all 12 months for Bergen →January in detail →May in detail →
Scores compare months within Bergen. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →