Flam is famous for being the location of the Flåmsbana — the record-breaking Flam Railway. But surrounded by stunning, sublime scenery, there’s more to this mountain village than tracks and trains.
Stop for a while, and you’ll discover a historic wooden church, nearby waterfalls, interesting museums, plenty of trails to hike, and even a craft beer brewery to while away for some hours. With all this and more in store for your visit, here are some of the top things to do in Flam to get your itinerary off to a good start.
Table of Contents
14 Fun Things to Do in Flam, Norway
Take a scenic ride along the Flåm Railway.
Arguably one of the best things to do in Flam is to take a ride on the Flam Railway (Flåmsbana). Running for 20 kilometers between Murdal and Flam, it’s often dubbed one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world.
Winding through the mountains and traveling through twisting passes, the railway passes through 10 stations along an impressive elevation gain of 866 meters, showcasing not only the magnificent scenery but also the highly skilled engineering involved in the creation of the railway.
The line opened in 1940 and has long played an important part in connecting the region. The journey takes 50 minutes from Murdal to Flam, with the train stopping along the way to allow passengers to take pictures of the views.
Make sure to book your tickets well in advance: it’s a very popular journey and often sells out.
Learn more at the Flåm Railway Museum.
The history of Flam and its railway are intrinsically connected. The best way to learn about this fascinating route into the mountains is at Flam’s very own Railway Museum.
Here at this free-to-enter museum, you can gain an insight into just how the world’s steepest railway works. There’s also a fun souvenir shop located onsite, too.
The museum takes visitors from way back in 1924, when the construction first began on the railway, and runs through to its completion in 1940. Throughout, you’ll find out some intriguing facts; for example, that 18 of the 20 tunnels had to be constructed by hand — even more impressive when you consider that the total tunnel length is almost 5,700 meters.
Pay a visit to the pretty Flåm Church.
Flam Church is a charming wooden church that was completed back in 1670 and was built on the site of an even older church. Situated alongside the famous railway tracks and near the river in attractive rural surroundings, the church is a picturesque place to stop and admire the view. It’s amazing that the wooden church has survived this long.
The interior is equally as impressive, with wood carvings and paintings that reflect the natural world that encompasses the church. Sit for a while, and you’ll understand the importance of this church to the local community.
Cruise along the UNESCO-recognized Nærøyfjord
Flam is idyllically situated in the unspoiled Norwegian countryside, but it’s not just the village itself that draws visitors from far and wide. It also happens to be an ideal jumping-off point for exploring even more dramatic nature in the area, namely the Naeroyfjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Naeroyfjord measures 17 kilometers long but, at its narrowest point, is a mere 250 meters across. This vast fjord, one of Norway’s many famous fjords, features skyscraping mountains topped with snow and is dotted with gushing waterfalls and rural farms that hug the rugged hillsides.
The best way to see it is from the water itself. Cruise ships often make their way up here, but there are plenty of choices that allow visitors to hop on all manner of boats that leave from Flam and head on an epic journey to Gudvangen.
Or go kayaking along the fjord for more adventure.
But exploring the fjords around Flam doesn’t have to be done on a big passenger boat. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, then you’ll be pleased to know that you also have the opportunity to hit the water on a kayak and explore the fjord up close and personal.
There’s a selection of different tours offered; these usually take half a day to guide you around some of the impressive and intriguing natural sights that dot the fjord.
Unwind in the Fjord Sauna
After exploring the fjord (especially if you’ve done it by kayak), the best way to relax is to head for a deliciously warm sauna experience at Fjord Sauna.
Here you can sit in the heat of a wood-paneled room that literally floats on the banks of the fjord itself and soak up the surroundings of the fjord, backed by the mountains, as you unwind.
It’s the perfect way to take a moment, relax and take it all in — idyllic, in a word. If you feel up to it, you could even jump in the cold water to wake yourself up from this dreamy excursion.
Pick up freshly baked snacks from Flam Bakery.
Flam Bakery is situated close to the ferry station and just a stone’s throw from Flam train station. It’s the perfect place to pick up small (and delicious) bites to eat. A friendly, local spot; there’s plenty of choice going on here.
The selection includes everything from freshly baked bread and pastries to pizzas and sandwiches. You could also opt to eat in and enjoy a coffee with your chosen sweet or savory treat. Open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it’s a great place to swing by and pick up a snack to take away if you’re heading out for a hike.
Hike to breath-taking views of Brekkefossen Waterfall
Flam has a number of famous waterfalls just a stone’s throw from the village itself. One such, Brekkefossen, is easily accessed on a short hike from the center of Flam. Firstly, there’s a 1.5-kilometer-long trail that leads up a steep, rocky track and into the mountains overlooking the village.
After a short while (30 minutes or so), the route finally flattens out into a lush, green meadow, where you can enjoy the vista overlooking the waterfall gushing into the fjord, with the village of Flam down below.
In total, the hike takes about three hours and covers 5 kilometers, with a total climb of around 150 meters. At least a moderate level of fitness is recommended for this hike.
Glimpse another cascade in the form of Rjoandefossen.
Brekkefossen, of course, isn’t the only waterfall in striking distance of Flam. There’s also Rjoandefossen. Situated just on the outskirts of the village, it still takes around an hour to hike to (and it’s along the road) the center of town. However, it’s situated around half an hour’s walk from Flam Church; it’s possible to park here and make the trek up to the viewpoint instead.
It’s a dramatic sight, with water gushing over three cascades from a height of 241 meters; the tallest of the individual plummeting plumes of water is around 140 meters. Needless to say, this is a memorable place to visit in Flam — especially if you like waterfalls.
Enjoy lunch at Flåm Marina.
Hungry? Look no further than Flam Marina. Situated just along the fjord from the Fjord Sauna, making it a good post-soak spot, this laid-back eatery boasts a terrace where you can dine overlooking the water.
It’s an ideal lunch spot, with a number of plates, including warming fish soup, vegan burgers, and pizzas; there’s also a kid’s menu for those traveling with small children in tow.
If you want to stay in Flam a little longer than just a day, Flam Marina also doubles up as a hotel, complete with comfortable guest rooms that feature private balconies and fjord views.
Try goat’s cheese in Undredal.
The countryside surrounding Flam is dotted with almost innumerable farms and little hamlets. These rural communities make the most of the verdant hillsides in the region to graze their livestock, resulting in one of the area’s most famous products: cheese.
More specifically, this is called geitost (a type of brunost or brown cheese), and is made from goat’s milk. One place of particular note to sample this unique cheese is the small village of Undredal. Home to only around 100 people, it’s said that goats outnumber the human population by over five times. They produce over 10,000 kilograms of goat’s cheese each year at Undredal — an impressive feat.
The village itself is also charming. Undredal was only accessible by boat until 1988, so it has managed to retain much of its original character and atmosphere, making it an interesting place to explore.
Marvel at the vista from Stegastein Viewpoint
Situated a lofty 650 meters above the dramatic 29-kilometer-long Aurlandsfjord, the Stegastein Viewpoint serves up some truly incredible wide-reaching views of the landscape. It’s easy to take a trip from Flam to this viewpoint, thanks to the regular bus connection along the much-loved National Tourist Road.
Opened in 2006, Stegastein Viewpoint is a carefully designed cantilevered concrete viewing platform that juts out 30 meters from the hillside. It’s also got glass at the end, making for unobstructed views as you walk along it.
Designated parking is available nearby, but if you feel like a challenge, you can park close to Aurland Church and follow the steep trail uphill to the viewpoint instead (particularly beautiful in late spring when the sun is out).
Check out the Viking village of Njardarheimr.
Examples of the Viking heritage of Norway can be seen across the country, not least at the dedicated Viking village of Njardarheimr. Situated in Gudvangen, around a 20-minute drive from Flam (there’s also a shuttle bus that connects the two), it’s an immersive place to learn more about Norway’s Viking past.
Situated alongside Nærøyfjord, the location of the village was once important for sea trade in the region. Vikings inhabited this spot around 1,000 years ago, and visiting today allows you to be taken back to an age of trade and plunder.
With recreated buildings, activities, and actors in full Viking regalia, it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon in Flam. Make sure to come hungry, as you can opt for a Viking lunch or dinner during your trip.
Go for a beer (or two) at Aegir Brew Pub.
If you’re a fan of craft beer or in the mood for something refreshing to drink, then make your way over to Aegir Brew Pub. This local favorite is Flam’s premiere drinking establishment. Here you can sample a selection of what this local microbrewery has to offer.
It’s a cozy yet stylish spot where you can also enjoy a mouth-watering menu of equally local bites to eat. There’s even an open fire, which makes it extra hard to leave this spot once you’ve found a place to settle down.
You might also like: A Guide to the Lofoten Islands in Winter.