Fjord wonderland around Flåm in Norway

On our little tour through the fjord landscapes of Norway we made a stopover in Flåm. The 400-strong community of Flåm is located at the farthest tip of the Aurlandsfjord. Nevertheless, it is busy here. Thanks to its connection with the Flåm Railway and as a popular cruise ship destination, the village has countless day tourists all year round. But away from the crowds in the tranquil centre of Flåm, there are some beautiful spots to discover in the region. We went on a search on site and present you our tips here:

Aurlandsfjord at eye level – Stegastein viewing platform

The best spot for a souvenir photo is the Stegastein viewing platform high above Aurland. The structure rises adventurously 30 m above the mountain face and offers a great view over the Aurlandsfjord. But not only the building, but also the road to it provides breathtaking moments. I was very happy that we opted for the tourist version in Flåm (210 kroner for the bus ticket round trip) and that I didn’t have to tackle the breakneck curves between Aurland and Lærdal myself. Of course, you can also reach the platform by car – or a tip for sports enthusiasts: by bike. The bus runs every 1.5 hours and the excursion itself takes just under 2 hours.

Searching for clues in Otternes

On the way back from Stegastein to Flåm, we asked the bus driver if he could stop briefly at the turn-off to Otternes. He said “no problem”, but had forgotten it shortly afterwards and only stopped after several loud shouts on our part. Otternes is an old farmstead that is now operated as an open-air museum and offers an insight into the construction method of anno 1700. The excursion is not only worthwhile for those interested in culture and architecture, but also for nature lovers. From the slightly elevated hillside location of the settlement, there are also great panoramic views of the fjord landscape and Flåm. There is a modest entrance fee to pay – around 40 crowns – the exact amount has unfortunately not been paid to me. We made the way back from Otternes to Flåm on foot (5 kilometers). The route can also be easily explored by bike. Along the fjord there is a paved road for pedestrians and cyclists.

Evening atmosphere to dream about

In the evening, when the day-trippers have travelled on in all directions, Flåm turns into a sleepy nest. We enjoyed the peace and quiet on the pebble beach right next to the marina. From minute to minute, the Aurlandsfjord turned into a dreamscape. My tip: equip yourself with a book, a camping stool and a cozy sweater and spend the evening on the shore of the fjord. Pure enjoyment of nature and perfect for switching off.

Sweets at the end

We actually managed to pay more for dinner than for the overnight stay in Flåm. The historic Hotel Fretheim is the meeting place for connoisseurs. The hotel serves excellent food with a wonderful view over the fjord with mainly local products. We treated ourselves to a princely meal, which – erm – cost a proud 1600 crowns (for 2 people including drinks). But as I always like to emphasize: I like to pay a little more money for good food and there is definitely nothing wrong with the culinary experience at the Hotel Fretheim.

Info and tips:

• We stayed for 650 crowns in a simple apartment (Nedre Brekkevegen Apartments) opposite the train station. The apartment was a bit hard to find due to the wrong Google localization (is now fixed) otherwise tip top! It also has a shared kitchen.
• Flam can be reached by public transport either by speedboat from Bergen or by Flåm Railway from Myrdal.
• There are also great hiking trails in the Flåmsdalen region – here you will find an overview of some hiking routes.
• For the feeling of hunching in between, I can recommend Café Toget – simple and good.
• If you want it a little quieter, I recommend staying overnight in Aurland or Undredal.