Bergen has, as the rest of Norway, a generally low crime rate. The most likely crimes for tourists to experience is car break-ins and bicycle theft. Pickpockets do also tend to be an increasing problem in the summer season, but it's still nothing like in larger cities in Europe. It is always a good idea to look after your belongings, this includes never leaving valuable objects visual in your car and locking your bike safely.
There are no particular unsafe areas in Bergen. The upper part of Nygårdsparken is, however, the hang-out place for drug addicts. They are usually completely harmless, but nevertheless not fun to be around. The risk of getting into trouble is very low, but families should be aware of the area. The lower part of Nygårdsparken is a beautiful place popular among the locals, but the upper part is, as previously stated, somewhat of a free haven for all the drug addicts in Bergen. The drug trafficking is out in the open, addicts are shooting up in plain sight, and the police is basically turning a blind eye to the whole area. Although considered harmless by most, there are frequent petty crimes in this area and it should be avoided by tourists.
Until 2009, prostitutes would solicit their services rather openly in the area around Nykirken, the northern parts of Strandgaten and C. Sundts gate. From January 2009 buying sex is illegal in Norway. This has had an effect on the visible prostitution.
People party hard on Friday and Saturday night, and hoards of drunk people will appear in the central areas from around midnight, singing, carousing, and just hanging around. Some foreigners may perceive this as threatening, but they are mostly harmless, even all-male groups chanting football songs. If approached, just smile and stay friendly.
There is an emergency and accident ward at Vestre Strømkai 19, close to the bus station. The ward is open all day all week, and provides examination and treatment in case of accidents and acute diseases. The ward is located together with a life crisis assistance center, a psychiatric emergency ward, a reception center for rape victims and a dental emergency ward. All services may be reached at +47 55 56 87 60. If you should be in need of immediate medical assistance, do however call 113.
The police station downtown is in Allehelgens gate 6, across the street from the old town hall.
contact
Area codes are no longer in use in Norwegian phone numbers. Phone numbers are normally eight digits, some special numbers may be three, four or five digits. In any case you should always dial all of the digits to make a call. The country code of Norway is 47. If you are calling abroad from a land line, dial 00 before your country code and phone number.
Cellular phone coverage is very good throughout the city. Three different networks are available, Telenor, NetCom and Network Norway. Check with your local operator to find out which one is the cheaper for you. The difference is usually not big. Norway, like most of Europe, uses GSM 900 and 1800, which means that some cell phones from USA, Canada and countries in Asia will not work. For those in need of mobile data lines, both HSDPA/3G/UMTS, EDGE and GPRS coverage is good on both the Telenor and NetCom networks. Network Norway only provides EDGE and GPRS.
There are no telephone centers in the city, and only a very few phone booths. Most hotels have phones in every room, but international calls from these phones are usually very expensive. There are some calling cards available, this is probably the cheapest way to phone home. Look for Lebara (http://lebara.no/) stickers in kiosks.
Many cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi for their patrons. Free Wi-Fi is also available at Bergen Public Library, Strømgaten 6 by the bus station. Most large hotels do also have wireless Internet access, however access at a hotel is usually pricy.
If you are a registered user at an eduroam (http://www.eduroam.org/) participating institution, you can connect to a high-speed secure Wi-Fi network on the university campus on Nygårdshøyden, as well as in other buildings used by the university, the Bergen University College, The Norwegian School of Business and Economics and the Bergen National Academy of the Arts. For information on how to connect, see UNINETTs website (http://www.eduroam.no/klient/).
There are a number of internet cafes around town. At Bergen Public Library, you may also use a computer with high-speed internet access for free. There is a reservation system, ask at the circulation desk.
cope
Getting around by foot is easy, and free maps (http://www.bergen-guide.c...) are available everywhere. If you need a better map, you should buy one of Bergens Tidende's maps (http://www.bt.no/kundesen...). Bergens Tidende is a local newspaper. Maps are sold from their reception in Krinkelkroken 1, close to the blue stone, and in various bookstores. The city map costs kr. 50.
VISA and MasterCard are normally accepted in any restaurant, taxi and store, except grocery stores, some kiosks and McDonald's. Many places, American Express, JCB and Diners Club are also accepted. ATMs accept all major credit and debit cards and are available in English language. The currency is Norwegian kroner crowns, but euros may also be accepted at some tourist destinations you should, however, avoid paying in euros as the exchange rates may be stiff. Currency exchange is available in all banks. Exchange is usually associated with an incredible fee, so you should use your credit card or withdraw cash from an ATM unless you have a good reason not to.
The regular opening hours for grocery stores are 8AM-9PM on weekdays. Some stores open earlier and close later. Other shops usually have shorter hours, except those in the shopping centers. Almost all shops, including grocery stores, close earlier on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Kiosks such as Narvesen, 7-Eleven and Deli de Luca are open. These do however often have very high prices for normal grocery items.
There are some smaller grocery stores open on Sundays and public holidays. This includes Kiwi at Nedre Korskirkeallmenningen 2 by the Bergen YMCA and the Church of the Cross, Bunnpris across the street from Kiwi and Rimi at Nygårdsgaten 6.
The city's main post office is conveniently located in the Xhibition shopping center, on 1st floor. Some grocery stores offers limited postal services, and stamps are available from most book stores and kiosks. Post boxes are either red or yellow and located all over town. Yellow boxes are only for local mail, if unsure use the red box. All post boxes, post offices and grocery stores offering postal services are marked with the emblem of the Norwegian postal service, a stylized red or silver horn, and the word "Posten". For more information on the postal service and to locate post offices and post boxes, see the web site of Norway Post (http://www.posten.no/en/Home).
The local tap water is fresh, tasty and rich in minerals from the surrounding mountains, and safe to drink.
Public toilets are available for a small fee at shopping centres and at Torget and Bryggen.
A number of countries have consulates in Bergen. For a full list of embassies and consulates in Norway, see the web site of the department of foreign affairs (http://www.regjeringen.no...).
Most shops don't handle change manually. A grey machine by the till accepts your change in the top and counts it for the assistant and provides your change in a hopper at the bottom. Don't feed a large number of coins in at once : put them in one at a time or it may jam.
emergency numbers
Police: 112
Fire: 110
Emergency Medical Services: 113
If you are unsure which number to call, 112 is the central for all rescue services and will put you in contact with the correct department.
For non-emergencies, the police is to be called on 02800.
The hearing impaired using a text telephone can reach the emergency services by dialing 1412.
Roadside assistance is provided by Falck tel. 02222 and Viking tel. 06000. AAA members may call NAF on 08505.