2 min read
Published 02. October 2024
3 things to do in Flåm
Nestled between steep mountains, cascading waterfalls and a fjord so beautiful it has achieved a UNESCO World Heritage status, Flåm is a must stop when you’re exploring fjord Norway. Apart from exploring the Aurlandsfjord (and the neighboring Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord) through cruises, RIB boat safaris or kayaking, Flåm and its surrounding area offer many other unique experiences!
Here’s three things to do in Flåm:
Get acquainted with the world’s most scenic railway
How would you like to go from fjord level to mountain level in an hour, while traveling in unparalleled style? The Flåm Railway is famous around the world, not only for being one of the most scenic rides, but also for being one of the steepest: you will be experiencing a gradient of 5.5% for 80% of your journey.
Still sporting its original 1940s look, the Flåm Railway will charm you both with its design and with the journey itself, as you’ll be crossing numerous tunnels and stopping to take pictures of the waterfalls and forests you’ll encounter on your way up the mountains. The ride is so picturesque you won’t even think twice booking a return ticket and experiencing it all over again from the opposite perspective as you descend back to fjord level! And if you want to learn more about this unique train and its history, you can visit the Flåm Railway Museum, right next to the train station.
Experience authentic Viking culture
Flåm may be just a tiny village, but it has a very rich history: the area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and mentioned in texts as early as in the 14th century! As a result, there’s glimpses of the past everywhere you look — but if you want to feel like a Viking for a day, Flåm has your back.
Depending on how much time you have available, a day trip to the Viking Valley in Gudvangen will be well worth your while: just 20 minutes from Flåm by car or bus, in the Viking Valley you’ll get to experience life as it was a thousand years ago! Also known as Njardarheimr, this fully reenacted Viking town is open all year long, and you can buy a day ticket at the entrance to stroll amid the tents and shops and learn more about the religion, crafts and traditions of the time.
Short on time? Hop into Flåm’s awarded brewery instead, which is designed to look like a Viking Age drinking hall, and have a tasting of handcrafted brews. Skål!
Feel like you’re flying at Stegastein
Looking for a bird’s eye view of the fjord? If you have a few hours at your disposal, you can take the bus from Flåm to the Stegastein Viewpoint, one of Norway’s most breathtaking viewing platforms. At 650 meters above fjord level, the landscape will spread out before you like a painting — while the unique design of Stegastein, with its almost invisible (but perfectly safe) glass pane at the end, will give you the sense that you’re flying over the fjord!
