Things to do
Things to do and fun activities in Flam, Norway and the surrounding Aurlandsfjord area. All guides are written by a local.
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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 popular attraction. 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 spectacular way. The ‘Snow Road’…
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16 Things to do in Aurland, Norway [A Local’s Guide]
As the largest village along the Aurlandsfjord, there are lots of great things to do in Aurland, Norway! This is the village where I grew up, and I know it like the back of my hand. So trust me, this is the best guide to activities in Aurland you can find. The village is located around 10 minutes from Flåm (or 20 minutes if you are travelling by ferry on the fjord), and should definitely be included when you visit the Aurlandsfjord region! People tend to stay in Aurland as an alternative to Flåm, and especially when the hotels in Flåm are fully booked. However, there are many reasons you…
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Hikes in Flam You Cannot Miss [Flåm, Norway]
One of the most popular things to do when visiting Flåm and the fjords is to go hiking. I grew up hiking in the area, and so I thought I would share the best hikes in Flam, Norway with you all. These hiking trails are suitable for a variety of fitness levels, and so I know you will find your perfect Flåm hike for your trip. At the end of the guide I cover some popular hikes near Flåm, as I know a lot of people stay with their base in Flåm, but want to travel out of the village for parts of their trip. Hiking in Flam is a…
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Ferry Flåm Gudvangen: Nærøyfjord Cruise [A Local’s Guide]
The fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord, or simply the ferry from Flam to Gudvangen is one of the highlights of the area. Together with the Flåm Railway, the fjord cruise is an absolute must for anyone visiting Flåm, Gudvangen or any of the other villages here. The Nærøyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed on the list together with the Geirangerfjord further north. It is a road-less fjord, so the only way to see it all is from the water. Therefore, taking the ferry between Flåm and Gudvangen needs to be on your list if you are visiting Flåm for the fjords. And I hope you are, as it’s…
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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…
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The Flåm Railway: A Local’s Complete Guide
The Flåm Railway, known locally as Flåmsbana, is one of Norway’s most breathtaking train journeys, offering travelers a unique glimpse into the country’s dramatic natural landscapes. Winding its way through 20 kilometers of sheer mountain scenery, the railway descends 867 meters from the mountainous station at Myrdal to the quaint fjord village of Flåm. As a local who grew up in the area, this railway was more than a tourist attraction; it was a vital connection to the world beyond our picturesque village. I remember my time working in the ticket office, where I witnessed firsthand the Flåm Railway’s growing popularity among tourists from around the globe, all eager to…
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Flåm Railway vs Fjord Cruise: Do you Need to Take Both?
If you’re planning a trip to Flåm, you’ve probably already heard about two of its biggest highlights: the Flåm Railway and the fjord cruise to Gudvangen. Both are often featured in the iconic Norway in a Nutshell route, and both promise jaw-dropping scenery. But do you really need to do both? Is it the same landscape? Could you just pick one and still feel like you’ve seen the best of what Flåm has to offer? My short answer? Yes – if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I highly recommend doing both. Even though they’re often grouped together in the same itinerary, these two journeys are completely different experiences. The Flåm…
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A Local’s Guide to the Flam Zipline, Norway
Flåm 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 Flåmsbana train that runs from Myrdal to Flam and back is the leading tourist attraction in Norway, however, there’s a new activity on the block; the Flam Zipline (or Flåm Zipline, depending on your keyboard)! The entire valley between Flam and Myrdal, also called the Flåm 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…
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Myrdal to Flam, Norway [A Local’s How To Guide]
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you’ve probably seen Myrdal to Flam mentioned in itineraries and transport guides – but what does it actually mean? Many travelers come across Myrdal while researching how to visit Flåm and wonder why it keeps appearing as an important stop. The short answer is that Myrdal is just a train station. Not a town, not an attraction, just a remote railway junction in the mountains. Its only purpose is to connect the Oslo-Bergen Railway with the world-famous Flåm Railway, which takes passengers down to Flåm at the edge of the Aurlandsfjord. So, if you’re wondering how to get from Myrdal to Flåm, this…
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Aurlandsfjord vs. Nærøyfjord: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Visit?
If you’re planning a trip to Flåm or the surrounding area, you’ve probably come across the names Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord. These two breathtaking fjords are part of the same waterway, both offering stunning landscapes and unique experiences. But what’s the difference between them, and how do you decide how to explore them? As a local who grew up in Aurland, I want to clear up a common misconception: you don’t have to choose one over the other! When you take a fjord cruise from Flåm to Gudvangen, you’ll experience both – starting with the wide, open beauty of the Aurlandsfjord before gliding into the dramatic, narrow passage of the Nærøyfjord.…
