What's the Weather like in Bergen in March
Temperature
Bergen warms up slightly in March, with an average monthly temperature of 4°C. The daytime average increases to 6°C but nights are still a chilly 1°C. March temperature records in Bergen were 17°C to -11°C.
Rainfall
Bergen is still very wet in March, with rainfall totals of 200mm over an average of 19 days of rain. The chances of precipitation decrease from 56% to 47% throughout the month. It rarely snows in Bergen in March, and if it does, it will usually melt immediately.
Sunshine Hours
Bergen finally starts to see some more sunshine in March, thanks to the decreasing rain and increasing day length. On average Bergen gets five hours of sunshine every day in March. The days increase from 10 hours 27 minutes in the beginning of the month to 13 hours 14 minutes by the end of the month. The chances of a mostly cloudy sky average 70%.
Humidity
The average relative humidity in Bergen averages 76% in March. The air will feel colder than it really is with the moisture in the air, but it will still feel dry against your skin.
Wind
The average wind speed in Bergen decreases from 4.6 m/s to 3.9 m/s throughout the month of March. The winds are mostly out of the southwest through southeast.
Sea Temperature
The surface temperature of the water in the fjords around Bergen average a chilly 5°C in March.
Dress Code
You'll want to stay warm and dry if you're visiting Bergen in March. Have some thin layers next to your skin that will stay dry, with at least two more layers on top of that, not including your raingear.
Your raincoat should be substantial and able to withstand constant rain every day. Don't forget appropriate footwear as well. As far as actual dress codes, the Norwegians tend to dress in a smart-casual style. Check the Bergen 14-day forecast for a better idea of the weather before leaving home.
Bergen Hotels in March
Bergen Harbour Hotel
Bergen Harbour Hotel is an exquisite boutique hotel near the medieval Bryggen wharf. This contemporary hotel is situated in a renovated historic building and has a number of different rooms to choose from. All rooms feature modern bathrooms, chic comfortable furniture, plush bedding, and flatscreen TVs. Guests of the Bergen Harbour Hotel will enjoy free access to the nearby fitness center and discounts with a number of bars & restaurants nearby. The Bergen Harbour Hotel has it's own Chinese restaurant, the critically acclaimed Soy Restaurant, and the Belgio Belgian gastropub. The hotel also provides guests with free bicycle rentals for exploring the city.
Scandic Byparken
This cozy three-star hotel is located near Lille Lungegaardsvannet park and the KODE art galleries. Scandic Byparken offers 159 accommodations, both rooms and standard suites, all with contemporary furnishings, wood floors, and bright décor. Scandic Byparken also has an on-site gym, business center, and bikes for guests. Breakfast is complimentary and the hotel has earned awards for best hotel breakfast. Scandic Byparken also features a modern Scandinavian restaurant serving three meals (closed weekends) and a bar lounge. The train station is a five-minute walk from the hotel and a bus stop is nearby.
Thon Hotel Bristol Bergen
Thon Hotel Bristol is an upscale three-star hotel at Torgalmenningen Square in downtown Bergen. The hotel's 136 modest rooms and suites feature wood floors, bright windows, modern furnishings, free WiFi, minifridges, heated bathroom floors, and smart TVs. A complimentary breakfast buffet is served in a charming breakfast room every morning, and you can find lunch & dinner in their rustic Egon Restaurant. Thon Hotel Bristol is right in the middle of Bergen's great nightlife and shopping. The train station is less than 1km away and the historic Bryggen wharf is a short walk.
Magic Hotel Solheimsviken
This contemporary three-star property is across the bridge from central Bergen, in Solheim. Magic Hotel Solheimsviken offers 217 modern rooms with trendy décor and outstanding views of Bergen and the surrounding mountains. Suites are available with kitchenettes, sofas, and living spaces; standard rooms are equipped with flatscreen TVs and have free WiFi. Other hotel amenities include laundry service, a children's play area, a free breakfast buffet, private parking, and a restaurant & bar. The Bergen Science Center and Nygaard Park is a pleasant 30-minute walk across the bridge.
Bars and Restaurants
Restaurant 1877
Restaurant 1877 is one of Bergen's highest-rated restaurants, located in an historic building in central Bergen. The dining room is light and full of character, lit by large streetfront windows. The seasonal menu is very diverse and takes advantage of all of the local food produced near Bergen seafood, meats, and produce. Winter and spring menus often feature shellfish, lobster, root vegetables, and greens as they sprout. Three and five-course menus are available with wine pairings, or you can order off of the a la carte menu. Restaurant 1877 is open Monday through Saturday from 6PM until 9PM.
Horn of Africa
This critically acclaimed family restaurant specializes in Eritrean & Ethiopian food, somewhat of a surprise to find in Norway. Horn of Africa's menu is somewhat small, but it does have extremely flavorful stews made of lamb, beef, chicken, and various herbs & spices. You'll also find some great salads and a number of vegetarian dishes. The hosts do more than serve you, they teach you about the food and the culture, and most importantly, how to eat without utensils. Set menus are also available. Horn of Africa is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5PM to 10PM but they stay open until 11PM Friday & Saturday. They are located on Nordnes peninsula.
Marg & Bein
Marg & Bein is a cozy, casual family restaurant in between the university and Lille Lungegaardsvannet park. The interior is rather modest but has a bright ambience thanks to the large windows and warm furnishings. The seasonal menu consists of rustic Norwegian food, all sourced fresh from local farms. Specialties include ox cheek, beef tenderloin, pork neck, and everything seafood. They also have a great craft beer & wine selection. Service is also exceptional. Marg & Bein is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30PM to 10:30PM, Friday & Saturday from 4:30PM to 9:30PM, and Sunday from 4PM to 8:30PM.
Inside Floien Rock Café
This fun late-night option has one of the largest cocktail selections in Bergen. Inside Floien Rock Café is located near downtown Bergen. The bar has an edgy feel to it, with their décor, tasteful rock music, burgers, and beer. Every month the chef introduces a new burger with experimental flavors, which keeps the locals coming back. Their menu has plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options for those who need it. In addition to artisan burgers they also serve wraps, chicken wings, salads, and sandwiches. Inside opens at 2PM Monday through Thursday and at noon Friday through Sunday. They close at 1:30AM on the weekends and earlier during the week.
Things to do in Bergen in March
Bergen's Squares
The historic squares in Bergen serve as important social centers for the city, even in the winter. They're surrounded by great shopping, restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. One of the largest squares is Torgallmenningen Square. This is where Bergen's shopping district is located, with the large Galleriet shopping mall and a few others. Ole Bulls Pass is another of Bergen's famous squares, this one home to the Blue Stone, and next to Torgallmenningen Square. This modern sculpture is considered the center of Bergen and is the city's main meeting point. This square is surrounded by bars and restaurants. You'll also have to visit the market square while you're in Bergen, where you'll find their infamous indoor & outdoor fish markets.
Bergen Aquarium
No waterfront city would be complete without an aquarium. You'll find a good one in Bergen. The Bergen aquarium is home to over 300 species in 60 different tanks. The smaller indoor tanks feature numerous invertebrates and fish species. There are also three outdoor pools, home to sea lions, penguins, crocodiles, and an interesting collection of carp. The aquarium has a regular feeding, show, & interaction schedule every day, which are a lot of fun for the kids. The aquarium is located at the end of Nordnes peninsula and is open from 10AM to 6PM every day in March.
VilVite Bergen Science Center
The Bergen Science Center VilVite is a modern, interactive science exhibit for both kids and adults. The center is located in a contemporary glass building and houses displays for weather, energy, the human body, outer space, and the ocean, plus others. There are over 100 exhibits in total. Get some camera time presenting a weather forecast, navigate a ship, and ride a bike in the 360-degree G force loop. The science center also hosts various science shows and has entertaining & educational 3D films on the weekends. The science center is open Tuesday through Friday from 9AM to 3PM and on weekends from 10AM to 5PM.
Bergen Fjords Cruise
Bergen is considered the gateway to the Norwegian fjords, some of the longest fjords in the world. One of the popular fjord cruises is to Osterfjord. This three-hour cruise starts near the fish market in Bergen and goes into Osterfjord, passing tall cliffs and picturesque small towns along the way. You'll eventually pass through the Mostraumen straight, a channel so narrow that you'll wonder if the ship will squeeze through. Waterfalls cascade off of the cliffs and often soak the boat. You'll retrace your steps and be back at the fish market in three hours that's how close Bergen is to these natural wonders.
