In Flam for a short period of time and wondering how best to spend it? Check out this itinerary of how I spent 2 days in the charming and picturesque village of Flam.
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- Intro
- Flam 2 Day Itinerary
- Final Words
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Intro
Flam is a picturesque fjord village located at the end of the Aurlandsfjord. There’s stunning landscapes, charming village vibes, and unforgettable adventures. If you’re in Flam for only 1 night and have about 2 days to spend, then this itinerary ensures you experience the best of Flam’s beauty and history.
Flam 2 Day Itinerary
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Flam itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Day 1 Points of Interest → BLUE
- Day 2 Points of Interest → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE FLAM MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Flam, Norway“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “Flam, Norway” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “Flam, Norway” → Click it to open the Map |
Day 1: Arrive, Explore, and Dine with a View
The first day of this Flam itinerary assumes a late start since the first half of the day was spent traveling from Oslo to Flam by trains. The rest of the day is then spent going to an amazing viewpoint high up in the mountains as well as dinner and drinks in Flam’s iconic establishments.
2:20 PM: Arrival via the Flam Railway
Regardless if you came from Oslo or Bergen, or from Gudvangen or a docked cruise, then taking the Flam Railway is a MUST-DO when in Flam. The famous Flam Railway is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world and should not be missed!
If you came from Gudvangen or a docked cruise, then you can take a round-trip train adventure that starts in Flam, stops at a mountain station in Myrdal, then head back down to Flam on the same train.
For me, I started in Oslo and took the Bergen Railway to Myrdal before jumping onto the Flam Railway. For more information on this journey, check out Beginner’s Guide to Taking the Train from Oslo to Flam. Following this will then get you into Flam village around 2:20 PM. When I disembarked the train in Flam, the dramatic mountains and majestic fjord landscape felt like walking into a painting.
Flam Railway
3:00 PM: Check into the Fretheim Hotel
Since you’re just arriving in Flam, then it’s best to either check-in to your hotel. I stayed at the historic Fretheim Hotel which was immediately noticeable when I exited the train area and headed towards the right. Check-in time wasn’t until 3:00 PM and I got to the hotel early at 2:30 PM. Surprisingly, my room was ready for me early! So I dropped off my bags in my room and admired the hotel’s blend of rustic vintage and contemporary design. Not to mention, I had a balcony room which offered amazing views of the Aurlandsfjord and surrounding mountains! Amazing.
4:00 PM: Stegastein Viewpoint Excursion
After dropping off your luggage, then it’s time to go to the Stegastein Viewpoint! You’ll need to head over to Bus Stop C, which is in the parking lot next to the large Flam Tickets & Visitor Center building. There is a bench and a sign stating “Bus to Stegastein Viewpoint & Mt. Prest” along with excursion times.
For me, the shuttle bus arrived a bit late at 4:12 PM. I got a bit worried that our time at the viewpoint would be shortened. Luckily this wasn’t the case though! The ride up the mountain had some winding roads with some amazing views of the Aurlandsfjord on the way up. Once we got to the viewpoint at 4:42 PM, the driver let us know that we have 30 minutes to enjoy and that he’ll be waiting in the shuttle bus to collect us all.
The Viewpoint was AMAZING! I was so awestruck by the panoramic views of the fjord and the surrounding mountains. The sun was also peeking through the clouds that gave the scenery a majestic softening with clearly visible sun rays poking through. If you have time, try visiting the bathroom too! It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful bathrooms in the world.
At 5:12 PM, we returned to our shuttle bus where the driver drove us back down the mountain. About halfway down though, he stopped at the side of the road and let us out to take some more pictures of the fjord. This was a nice unexpected 5 minute stop. Then we ended back at Bus Stop C in Flam around 5:50 PM, so we didn’t lose any time even though we started late.
Stegastein Viewpoint
6:00 PM: Dinner at Fretheim Hotel Restaurant Utsyn
Return to the Fretheim Hotel for a delicious meal at its in-house burger restaurant Utsyn. The menu features fresh and locally-sourced ingredients and I was pleasantly surprised that they had gluten-free burger buns and gluten-free beer! I was also seated right at the edge of the railing where I had amazing views out the huge glass facade of the surrounding landscape.
8:00 PM: Drinks at Ægir BrewPub
End your night with drinks at the Ægir Brewpub! The Ægir Brewpub is part of the Flambrygga Hotel, and it looks like a stave church! If you didn’t have dinner at the Fretheim Hotel, then you can enjoy a meal here too. It’s a cozy and unique brewery/restaurant with a rustic interior and Viking-inspired decor. Definitely try their locally brewed craft beers where you can get beer flights as well.
Day 2: History, Exploration, and Fjord Cruising
The 2nd day of this 2 day Flam itinerary has an early ending primarily due to the endpoint of the last Flam activity in the afternoon ends in the city of Gudvangen. The first part of the day consists of exploring the Flam village to soak up its charm and beauty.
11:00 AM: Check Out & Flam Railway Museum
Check Out the Fretheim Hotel and store your luggage with the receptionist. Then a short walk from the hotel is the Flam Railway Museum, which has free entry. Here, you can learn about the fascinating history of the railways and what makes it an engineering marvel. There’s a short film you can watch, and there are displays of items the builders and craftsmen used during construction. You can also get up close to old train carts and a large carriage. This is a great stop for all ages, and there’s also a souvenir shop with train trinkets and figures for the train enthusiasts.
Flam Railway Museum
11:45 PM: Stroll Through the Village
Then head out and take a short walk along the pier and enjoy the tranquil fjordside atmosphere. I walked along the wooden decks towards the right side of the pier where there’s amazing views of the fjord. From here you can also get a nice view of the Flam village, and if you continue walking down the wooden path, there are reclined seats where you can simply relax and enjoy the views.
Admiring the views along the Pier
12:20 PM: Explore the Shops
Once you’ve taken your pictures and soaked in the sights, then head back to the other side of the pier and check out the shops! In these shops, you can purchase all kinds of Norway souvenirs from thick jackets to combat the cold to cute kitchenware. There are even sale racks if you’re looking to buy a nice jacket at a discount.
1:00 PM: Lunch at a Local Vendor
Once you’ve done all the browsing and shopping, then head to the strip of food stalls right outside. Grab some lunch from one of the many food vendors here. There were quite a bit of options when I visited, from traditional Norwegian hot dogs to Asian soup/food. I decided to get some loaded fries from the Mexican stall, El Burrito, as my gluten-free meal.
3:00 PM: Nærøyfjord Cruise to Gudvangen
The Naeroyfjord Cruise is another must-do attraction while in Flam! For 2 hours, you glide through the fjord waters and in between towering cliffs. Definitely
Before heading to the Naeroyfjord Cruise pier, head back to the Fretheim Hotel to pick up your luggage. If you want a good spot on the fjord cruise, then aim to be at Pier 1 at 2:30 PM to start lining up. There should be plenty of space but I wanted a table at the front of the boat so that I can easily go out on the front deck and back inside to protect from the rain and cold. When boarding the cruise, the front of the boat is to the right when you enter the boat.
The cruise begins right at 3:00 PM and was such a memorable ride. The hazy mountains in the distance, tree-covered mountains, and cliff-side waterfalls made this cruise one of the most beautiful rides I have ever been on. It was also a bit cloudy and raining when I took it, where the clouds were rolling over the mountains which made the entire atmosphere so majestic and otherworldly. So amazing.
If you only had one night in Flam, then the Naeroyfjord Cruise is a one-way ticket to Gudvangen where the cruise ends and you’ll disembark, ending this 2 day itinerary in Flam. From here, you can make your way to Bergen, which I’ll detail in another post. If you had additional nights in Flam, then you would need a return ticket back to Flam (and you probably didn’t need to check out of your hotel).
Views along the Naeroyfjord Cruise
Final Words
Flam may be a small village but the incredible scenery and cute village charm make it a must-visit destination when in Norway. If you only have a short time in Flam then you must do their top attractions like the Flam Railway and the Naeroyfjord Cruise, as well as mix in time to relax and enjoy the views. I hope this 2 day Flam itinerary helps you plan your epic adventure to Norway! Bon Voyage!
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