Destinations

Destination guides to the villages in the Flåm and Aurlandsfjord area, including Flam, Aurland, Gudvangen, Undredal and more – all written by a local.

  • flam, norway on a summer day, cruise ship on the fjord
    Destinations,  Flåm,  Things to do

    Things to do in Flam, Norway [A Local’s Guide]

    Flåm (or Flam, for those of you who do not have Å on your keyboard) is a small village in Western Norway located at the innermost arm of the Aurlandsfjord. Every year, millions of tourists visit the fjords and look for things to do in Flam to experience the dramatic landscapes the village offers. Flam is probably the most visited fjord destination in Norway, and as I have grown up in the area – this was a guide I needed to write! The village is also a crucial point of the popular ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour. Are you visiting Norway and looking for places to visit and things to…

  • Destinations,  Flåm,  Practical Information

    5 Easy Tours from Bergen to Flåm (and the Norwegian Fjords)

    Flåm is a must-see for travelers exploring the beauty of Norway. If you are staying in Bergen and are limited on time, I’m sure you’re looking into options of how to see the fjords from the city in just a day. In this guide, I aim to share some easy tour options for accessing Flåm from Bergen. The convenience and time-saving benefits of these self-guided or guided tours make them a popular choice among tourists. Of course, there are other Bergen fjord tours to consider, such as the Mostraumen one and ones to the Hardanger fjord. But if Flåm is on your list (as it should be), one of these…

  • girl drinking coffee and looking over the fjord
    Accommodation & Dining,  Flåm

    Hotels in Flam, Norway

    As one of Norway’s leading tourist destinations, you are right to assume that there are some great hotels in Flam. The village/town is located in Vestland County at the innermost end of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Flam, mostly to ride the famous Flåm Railway and cruise the UNESCO recognised Nærøyfjord. Most of these tourists spend a night or two in Flåm. Some, even more! I grew up in Aurland, the immediate neighbourhood of Flåm, and a 10-minute drive from the charming town. Hence, I know the area in and out and have decent knowledge about the places to visit and accommodations…

  • sinjarheim farm, aurlandsdalen farm
    Aurland,  Destinations,  Outdoor Activities,  Things to do

    Aurlandsdalen Valley – Complete Hiking Guide

    Just a short drive from Flåm and the other fjord villages I cover on this blog you’ll find one of Norway’s most popular hikes: the Aurlandsdalen Valley! Norway has a diverse range of landscapes to explore, with everything from fjords to rivers, waterfalls to mountains, and glaciers to lakes. This extraordinary variation in terrain makes it perfect for hiking, and so Norway has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts through the year. The Aurlandsdalen Valley is one of the hikes Norwegians and tourists alike have on their bucket list. As a result, I am quite proud to tell people that I grew up here and that I have this hike…

  • beautiful fjord village in norway seen from the fjord
    Destinations,  Things to do,  Undredal

    Things to do in Undredal, Norway [A Local’s Guide]

    Undredal is an extremely picturesque, charming village along the banks of the Aurlandsfjord, and it will be an instant favourite of yours when you visit the area. One of my best friends grew up (and live) there, and I grew up just a short drive away, across the fjord in Aurland. The village is quiet, but you’ll still find that there are some great things to do in Undredal! With its 70-ish inhabitants (depending on who you ask), you’d think there isn’t a lot going on in Undredal. But, in fact, it is quite a busy village, and growing up I remember being jealous of all the fun things the…

  • njardarheimr viking village, gudvangen, norway
    Gudvangen,  Things to do

    Things to do in Gudvangen, Norway [A Local’s Guide]

    Gudvangen is one of the the four villages along the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord, and a popular tourist destination. The village only has around 100 inhabitants, yet there are several great things to do in Gudvangen. Having grown up in the area, I love visiting Gudvangen to explore the viking village of Njardarheimr, or as the starting point of a fjord cruise through Nærøyfjorden. Located just a 20-minute drive (or bus ride) from Flåm, Gudvangen is a popular village to visit, and a natural stopping place on the way to Bergen. Whether you are travelling to Flåm by car or bus, if you are coming from Bergen, Gudvangen will be…

  • two girls taking a selfie in front of a small green rental vehicle, with a beautiful norwegian fjord in the background
    Destinations,  Flåm,  Practical Information

    Is there car rental in Flåm?

    Have you ever wondered about car rental options in Flåm? I frequently receive this question and have decided to address it in this blog post. Luckily, there is a small car rental agency in Flåm at the moment. In addition, there are plenty of alternative transportation options to explore this stunning destination. Stay tuned to discover the best ways to get around and make the most of your visit to Flåm! Is there car rental in Flåm, Aurland or any surrounding villages? The short answer is that yes, there is. The long answer is that there is only one car rental agency in the fjord villages I’ve covered on this…

  • kårdal, bottom of flåm zipline in flåm valley
    Destinations,  Flåm,  Outdoor Activities,  Things to do

    A Local’s Guide to the Flam Zipline, Norway

    Flam is, without a doubt, one of western Norway’s most beautiful villages. Situated on the innermost banks of the Aurlandsfjord, Flam is amongst the country’s most visited tourist destinations – and I grew up watching all these tourists arrive. The Flamsbana train that runs from Myrdal to Flam and back is the leading tourist attraction in Norway, but there’s a new activity on the block; Flam Zipline! The entire valley between Flam and Myrdal, also called the Flam Valley, is 18 kilometres long and is blessed with steep mountains, cascading waterfalls, and streaming rivers. The ever-changing landscapes in the Flåm Valley offer a magnificent mix of colours, green pastures, cultural…

  • view of aurlandsfjord
    Aurland,  Destinations,  Main Attractions,  Things to do

    Stegastein Viewpoint [A Local’s Guide]

    I grew up in Aurland and am often asked questions about the most popular tourist attraction/sight here – The Stegastein Viewpoint. I live so close to it that you can actually see my house from the viewpoint! So, it’s about time I write a post sharing all the information I have, so you have an in-depth guide to this crowd-pleaser of an attraction in Norway. The Stegastein Viewpoint (or Stegastein Lookout or Stegastein Viewing Platform as some call it) is a part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes – Aurlandsfjellet (one of the 18 most beautiful road stretches in Norway). These routes combine nature with architecture and design in the most…