Flåm is one of the most scenic cruise stops in Norway, offering breathtaking views, bucket list activities, and unforgettable outdoor experiences. Whether you want to explore Viking history, take in panoramic mountain views, or cruise through the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, Flåm has shore excursions for every traveler.
With limited time in port, choosing the right excursion is key to making the most of your visit. In this guide, I’ll cover the best Flam shore excursions, along with important tips for booking in advance to get the best experience at the best price.
While cruise lines offer their own shore excursions, they often come with higher prices and larger group sizes. If you want a more personalized experience and better value for your money, I highly recommend booking your excursions independently in advance. Here’s why:
Smaller Groups & Private Tours – Many independent tours offer private or small-group experiences, allowing for a more relaxed and personalized visit.
Better Prices – Booking directly with local tour operators often costs significantly less than the cruise ship’s excursions.
More Authentic Experiences – Independent tours often focus on quality over volume, providing deeper insights into the culture, history, and nature of the region.
Flexible Itineraries – Private tours can often be customized to fit your interests and schedule.
Just be sure to check your ship’s arrival and departure times and allow extra time to return to the port. Many local tour operators are experienced in working with cruise passengers and will ensure you get back on time.
Of course, there’s also the option of just booking the activities you want to do on your own (just make sure you’re early enough)! From the Flåm Railway to the Stegastein Viewpoint, you can book anything separately.
Side note for cruise passengers: If you do book activities all separately, just note that in the case of delays or changes you are taking more of a risk than if you book a shore excursion (especially a private tour).
Top 5 Flam Shore Excursions
Below are 5 great shore excursions in Flåm, each with their own pros and cons. Arriving on a cruise ship is one of the best ways to see the fjords, so you might have gotten your fill already. Therefore, only one of these excursions include the Nærøyfjord.
With that being said; the cruise ships coming to Flåm do not go through the Nærøyfjord. Whilst the Aurlandsfjord (where you do sail) is considered “World Heritage Landscape”, the *actual* UNESCO-listed section of the fjord is the Nærøyfjord.
So, if you are visiting Norway because you want to fully immerse yourself in the fjords – you want to consider the 5th shore excursion on the list!
Side note: The excursions below are not numbered, as they are all fantastic tours/excursions from Flåm. However, I have included an indication in each header as to why they made the list. So, you’ll find notes like “most affordable” (the first one) and “Best Value” (the fourth one), which will hopefully make it easier for you to choose! And more obvious why I included them on the list.
Most Affordable: Excursion to Borgund Stave Church, Lærdal, and the Stegastein Viewpoint
⭐️ COST: From $125 per person | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4,5 hours | ✅ Book it!
This tour takes you beyond Flåm to experience some of Norway’s most fascinating historical and scenic sites, including the beautifully preserved Borgund Stave Church, the charming town of Lærdal (and its historic wooden old town), and the breathtaking Stegastein Viewpoint, which offers panoramic views over the Aurlandsfjord.
One fun thing about this tour is that it also takes you through the world’s longest road tunnel!
If you are a nervous traveller, you’ll be happy to know that they offer a back to ship guarantee as long as you provide information about the name of cruise ship when you book.
The tour guide was brilliant. She was very knowledgeable about every aspect of the trip, and provided plenty of interesting facts. She was lovely. The stops were enough time to have a Quick Look around, a leg stretch and some photos, but not so long you were having around waiting to get going again.
For those who want to explore the stunning UNESCO-listed fjord landscapes in a more intimate setting, this privately guided tour covers the most spectacular natural sights in and around Flåm. Expect dramatic mountain roads, waterfalls, and iconic viewpoints.
Since it is a private tour, you can take it at your own pace, and spend more (or less) time where you prefer. Stops on this tour include the Stalheimskleiva viewpoint and surrounding waterfalls and even Aurland (where I grew up!).
Make sure to include information about your cruise and your guide will make sure to have you back on time.
Vlad was an amazing tour guide for our day. He was right on time and the tesla car very comfortable. He is very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions. His selection of music made the day go beautifully. He got us to the sights before the big crowds and even took us to a few extra places that had amazing views. He let us take our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend Vlad and his company for this tour.
For History Buffs: Full-Day Tour Including a Visit to the Viking Village in Gudvangen
⭐️ COST: $571 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-5 hours | ✅ Book it!
Step back in time with a full-day tour that includes a visit to an authentic Viking village, where you can learn about Viking history, traditions, and daily life. This excursion is great for history enthusiasts and families who want a hands-on cultural experience in addition to breathtaking landscapes.
The tour is very similar to the one above, but with a stronger focus on Njardarheimr and Viking history. Perfect for Viking fans! It still stops at the Stegastein viewpoint, and gives you a pretty decent tour of the local highlights!
Flam was one of the stops on our cruise and I decided to book the private tour with a stop at a Viking village for my husband, father, and me. It was outstanding! Since it was just us, we were able to make changes on the fly. We never felt rushed, had a wonderful tour, and were back to the ship a couple hours before all guests had to be back on board.
– @Hazeleyez3 on Tripadvisor, visiting summer 2023 (read more reviews)
Best Value: Privately Guided “Highlights of Flåm” Tour (Including Flåm Railway!)
⭐️ COST: $842 | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5-6 hours | ✅ Book it!
Out of all the shore excursions on the list, I dare say this is the best value one as it not only includes highlights such as the Tvindefossen waterfall and Stalheim viewpoint – but also tickets to the Flåm Railway and parts of the Bergen railway via Myrdal!
This tour is perfect if you want to experience Flåm’s top attractions in one well-organized (semi-private) excursion. A private guide will take you to some of the region’s most beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints, as well as on a ride on the famous Flåm Railway, one of the most scenic train journeys in the world.
I call it “semi-private” above, because you won’t be getting a private car on the trains (which isn’t even possible).
Lorenzo was quite knowledgeable about the places we visited. He was very helpful and had a good sense of humor.
Most Exclusive: Fjord Cruise on the Nærøyfjord with a Private Yacht
⭐️ COST: $8000 (for up to 12 people) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4-7 hours | ✅ Book it!
For a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience, take a private yacht cruise through the Nærøyfjord, one of the world’s most stunning and narrow fjords. Unlike larger cruise boats, a private yacht allows you to enjoy the scenery at your own pace, away from the crowds.
And as mentioned above, the cruise ship you arrived on won’t go through the Nærøyfjord. So, if you want to see the UNESCO-listed fjord up close, in a truly special way, this is the option for you.
It is on the pricier side, but since it seats up to 12 people, a larger family or group of friends could make it work. My friends and I actually rented the yacht for a day one summer and had a fantastic time!
We cruised from Flam to Gudvangen and back, and with that got the best private experience with the Naeroyfjord, on a lovely day. The best part with this cruise is that it is private, and you have the yacht by yourself. The captain stops at the waterfalls, and maneuvered the boat so close that we could touch the waterfalls. We had an amazing day, I would say the highlight of our 10 day trip to Scandinavia.
This is me loving life on my friend’s boat last summer (sadly I couldn’t find any images from the year we rented the yacht!). Sailing on your own through the fjords is a magical experience that I couldn’t recommend enough.
How to Choose the Right Shore Excursion for You
With so many incredible options, choosing the best Flåm shore excursion depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Here are some factors to consider:
For History Lovers: Choose the Borgund Stave Church & Lærdal tour or the Viking Village tour.
For Scenic Views: The Stegastein Viewpoint excursion and World Heritage Landscape Tour offer some of the best photo opportunities.
For a Relaxed Experience: A private fjord cruise on the Nærøyfjord is perfect if you want to take in the beauty of the fjords at your own pace.
For a Bit of Everything: The Privately Guided Highlights of Flåm Tour is a great way to see waterfalls, viewpoints, and the famous Flåm Railway all in one trip.
Final Thoughts
Flåm is one of Norway’s most spectacular cruise destinations, and with the right shore excursion, you can experience its incredible scenery, history, and culture in just a few hours. While cruise line excursions are convenient, booking independently offers a more personalized, often more affordable, and higher-quality experience.
Whether you want to visit a medieval stave church, sail through the fjords on a private yacht, or ride the legendary Flåm Railway, planning ahead ensures you get the most out of your time in Flåm.
