No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-05-01T14:24:52Z
Full advisory →Is Bergen safe? 🇳🇴
Norway · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Bergen scores 95/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Bergen is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bergen 🇳🇴
Norway · Assessed 29 July 2026
95
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~99% of countries
What drives this score
Crime92/100GoodCrime index 25.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment89/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability88Good
Health95Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Norway: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-13T14:53:10.4800879-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
0.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Norway0.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
96
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent robbery is rare; most incidents involve opportunistic pickpocketing in tourist hotspots
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly around Bryggen, the fish market and central train station, especially after dark
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
89/100
Reported feel92Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports describe feeling very safe walking during daylight; nighttime confidence drops slightly in poorly lit side streets.
Yes — Bergen is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors.
Bergen enjoys exceptionally low violent crime, strong emergency services, and high public trust, making it broadly safe for travelers. The main risks stem from weather‑related hazards and petty theft in crowded spots, not from violence or organized crime.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Local police reported a spike in unlicensed taxi scams targeting cruise‑ship passengers near the port— Bergen Police Department press release, 2026-06-15
- May 2026Two separate pickpocketing incidents at the Fish Market were recorded, involving tourists with stolen wallets— NRK News, 2026-05-28
- Apr 2026Heavy rain caused flash flooding in the historic Bryggen area, prompting temporary road closures— NRK Weather Report, 2026-04-12
Common scams
- Unlicensed taxis charging inflated fares or taking longer routes
- Overpriced street food or souvenir scams near the fish market
- Fake guided tours or “free” photo offers that pressure payment
Full briefing
Bergen consistently ranks among Europe’s safest cities, with violent crime rates well below the global average and a homicide rate of just 0.7 per 100 k people. The multi‑database profile confirms a composite safety index of 96/100 and a crowdsourced crime index of 25.1, reflecting low levels of street crime and strong institutional trust. Recent news from June 2026 highlights a surge in unlicensed taxi scams aimed at cruise‑ship passengers, while May 2026 saw pickpocketing incidents at the bustling Fish Market; both are petty‑theft issues rather than violent threats. Weather‑related alerts in April 2026 brought flash flooding to the historic Bryggen waterfront, underscoring that natural hazards, not crime, are the primary safety concern for visitors.
For most travelers, the risk of robbery or assault is minimal, but pickpocketing remains moderate in crowded tourist zones such as Bryggen, the central fish market, and the main train station, especially after dark. The most common scams involve unlicensed taxis, overpriced street‑food stalls, and “free” photo services that pressure payment. Official advisories from the UK FCDO and the Government of Canada both instruct travelers to “exercise normal security precautions,” reinforcing the city’s overall safety while reminding visitors to stay alert to opportunistic theft.
To stay safe, use only licensed taxis or reputable ride‑share apps and confirm fares beforehand, keep wallets and phones secured in front pockets or zip‑locked bags, and remain vigilant in busy market areas. Check the daily weather forecast and be prepared for sudden rain or slick streets — wear waterproof footwear and avoid isolated hikes when conditions deteriorate. Finally, familiarize yourself with the local emergency number (112) and the location of the nearest hospital (approximately 2.6 km away) so you can respond quickly if needed. By combining basic city awareness with respect for Bergen’s rapidly changing weather, you can enjoy the city’s fjord scenery, historic wharves, and vibrant cultural life with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Bergen districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bergen safety map.
YtrebygdaavoidSuburban district with documented thefts and assaults reported recently
LaksebølcautionResidential area with occasional pickpocketing near tram stops after dark
KalfaretcautionBusy city centre with higher foot traffic; stay alert after dark
BryggensaferHistoric UNESCO waterfront, heavy police presence, well-lit, low petty crime
NordnessaferQuiet residential peninsula, aquarium, fortress, minimal crime concerns
07 · After Dark
Is Bergen safe at night?
Violent robbery is rare; most incidents involve opportunistic pickpocketing in tourist hotspots
After dark, be most careful around Ytrebygda, Laksebøl, Kalfaret. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Bergen's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight94
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight94
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight94
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight94
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight94
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight94
09 · Questions
Bergen safety FAQ
Is Bergen safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Bergen is one of Europe's safest cities for visitors. Bergen enjoys exceptionally low violent crime, strong emergency services, and high public trust, making it broadly safe for travelers. The main risks stem from weather‑related hazards and petty theft in crowded spots, not from violence or organized crime. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Bergen should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Ytrebygda as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bergen?
- Unlicensed taxis charging inflated fares or taking longer routes
- Overpriced street food or souvenir scams near the fish market
- Fake guided tours or “free” photo offers that pressure payment
How does Bergen compare with other places in Norway?
Bergen ranks #1 of 7 Norway destinations we've assessed, scoring 95/100. See the Norway safety overview for the full list.
How is this Bergen safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Norway reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Norway safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: bergen.json (CC BY 4.0).