If you’re looking for the quintessential trip to the Norwegian Fjords, think about stopping in Flåm. This is a cosy little settlement nestled amongst the mountains that make up Aurlandsfjord. It is a nature-lover’s dream. To get here – no matter which transport you take – you’ll be treated to some truly mind-boggling views. When I say that it is cosy, think very small. A lot of what there is to do in Flåm involves walking, eating and relaxing, but there are a few other nuggets too.
Here is my quick guide on what there is to do in Flåm. I’ll cover everything from my favourite restaurants to those walks and activities which you must do when you’re here.
What to do in Flåm | Your Quick Guide
Planning Your Trip
Before we go into what to do in Flåm, I wanted to give you some help on planning a trip here. It was a last minute addition to our 2 Week Scandinavia Interrail Itinerary, but it was arguably the highlight.
Getting to Flåm
Flåm is a rather touristy town which is surprisingly well-connected. When I say that, the connections are not quick and modern, but there are regular ferries from Bergen and there is even the (legendary) train line which leads out of the town. I speak a bit more about our journey through our Scandinavia Interrail Itinerary.
When To Visit Flåm
Flåm is one of the most touristy towns amongst the Norwegian Fjords. That being said, it is rather small, which means that some people report that it can feel rather restrictive. We didn’t notice many tourists at all and visited in early April. This is a good time to visit as there aren’t as many cruises which land here and it isn’t peak-season (the summer).
What I would suggest though is that you stay a night or two here. People get off of the cruises in the early morning and typically board again in the middle of the afternoon. If you stay for a night you can spend some time avoiding the crowds even if you did visit in the summer.
Where to Stay
There are a few hotels in Flåm. We stayed in the Flåmsbrygga Hotel which was right on the waterfront. The rooms were gorgeous and were beautifully laid-out and decorated. There was even a balcony and a very good breakfast included.
This was one of the pricier hotels in the town and there are other options. However, I would really recommend the Flåmsbrygga Hotel. It was just what we wanted from a trip to this town.
Things to Do in Flåm
Flåm has a range of things to do for all sorts of travellers. Here are a few of my favourite activities which you can enjoy.
Enjoy a Safari
When you think of Norway, you probably don’t think of a safari. The fjords are a true wildlife-hotspot and are perfect for seeing some of the most impressive wildlife Europe has to offer. On our ferry trip over from Bergen, we saw a colony of seals and even a large white-tailed eagle circling overhead. The safaris run regularly from Flåm and have reported seeing porpoises and, on rare occasions, even orca and other small whales.
Walk to Old Flåm
If you aren’t a huge fan of hiking then there are still a variety of walks which you can do. One walk which we really enjoyed was to the settlement of Old Flåm. There isn’t a lot to see here, but there is a beautiful church from 1670 and the walk through the valley is stunning. It is a fair distance, around 3km each way, but it was mostly flat and perfect for an afternoon stroll. On a sunny, crisp day, you’ll be hard-pushed to beat it.
Viking Food
Norway is, of course, synonymous with the Vikings. Flåm in particular celebrates this heritage and has various Viking-themed souvenirs which you can buy. Perhaps one of the best experiences though is a trip to the Ægir BrewPub. This brewery is found within a building which is modelled on a traditional Norwegian Inn, casting you back centuries to when the Vikings lived here. It genuinely looks the part and really adds to the experience.
The menu also is truly-traditional. If you want the full experience, order the Viking Plank, which is a five-course beer and food tasting menu. It is rather pricey, at 850 NOK (£68) per person, but it is the main dish of the house. If you would rather a smaller meal, there is also an a la carte. On this there is a small selection of dishes. All the ones which we tried were delicious and crafted using traditional methods.
Top Tip: There aren’t a lot of restaurants in Flåm and this is probably one of the most popular. Make sure that you book in advance!
Stegastein Viewpoint
For the best views over the fjord, you want to head to the Stegastein Viewpoint. This award-winning walkway gives unrivalled views and sits a whopping 650m above the Fjord. and is only a 30 minute bus ride from Flåm. These buses run every hour on the hour.
The journey to the viewpoint is also quite nice too; you’ll get different perspectives of the mountains and waterways. Once you arrive there isn’t much else to see / do here, but take your time and enjoy the scenery.
Top Tip: This is one of the most touristy spots in the area so try to arrive here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Hiking
Flåm is perfect for hikes. Why? Because there are so many different routes you can take around this village and through the mountains. The best route is to the Brekkefossen waterfall. This is about a 3 hour hike and follows much of the route that you would have taken to Flåm Church. However, at this point, you cross over the river and follow the rocky path up the mountain to the river.
What I would say is that, whilst the views are incredible, this path is not for people with weaker legs or knees. It is slippery, steep and unstable, and can be a struggle for people. Once you climb down from the waterfall though it is a flat and easy walk back into the town of Flåm.
Top Tip: There are maps dotted around the route and it is quite clearly signposted.
Flåm Zipline
If you aren’t up for hiking but fancy a bit of adrenaline in your life, head up to the Flåm Zipline, the longest in Northern Europe. Getting here is quite challenging, but also incredibly picturesque. You’ll need to ride the Flåmsbana, the famous train line which carves through the mountains, up to the penultimate stop of Vatnahalsen. From here, you can access the Zipline (but you’ll need to book in advance).
The line takes you down the mountain and over the Flåm Valley, spanning over 1300 metres in total. At the base of the Zipline (Kårdal) you can either catch a bus / taxi back, or walk / cycle the 15km if it’s a nice day.
Flåm Railway
I’ve saved the best thing to do in Flåm to last. The Flåmsbana is one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and takes you up as far as Myrdal. It is a specialised train which climbs up some of the steepest tracks in the world up through the mountains, passing through tunnels and valleys as it does so. The views are incredible and they will even stop at certain points to allow you to take pictures.
What I love most though is that the carriages of the Flåmsbana are from the 1960s, just 20 years after the construction of the track. This gives a really vintage feel to the entire experience, which we loved. The carriages also have speakers in at least 4 different languages (they kept adding in more as we travelled up!) to tell you a bit about the history and landscape of the area.
Whatever you do in Flåm, make sure you do this. You’ll need to book your tickets in advance though – it gets busy!
Final Thoughts | What to do in Flåm
Despite its small size, there is plenty to do in Flåm. Whether you are in to hiking or just taking it easy, 48 hours spent here is time well spent. We felt entirely refreshed after our time here and it was – without doubt – the highlight of our Scandinavian adventure. If you time it right, and go after peak seasons, you’ll have an unforgettable stay in this picturesque sanctuary.
