Planning two days in Flåm, Norway? Here’s everything you need to know—from stunning fjord tours to mini electric cars and all the little surprises in between!
Tucked away in the heart of Norway’s fjord country, the charming village of Flåm is a UNESCO-listed gem, surrounded by breathtaking mountains, cascading waterfalls, and the stunning Aurlandsfjord—basically, a postcard come to life!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know for your visit, from the famous Flåm Railway to the best ways to soak in all that natural beauty (hint: a fjord cruise is a must!).
So, grab your coffee (or in my case – a Diet Coke ;0) and learn about why this little Norwegian gem deserves at least a two day stay on your Norwegian travel list!
My husband and I visited Flåm as part of a two week Scandinavian vacation to celebrate our last child going off to college and the start of our official empty nesting chapter :).
You can see our entire itinerary at the bottom of this post…
In a rush?
Flåm Travel Guide
The Little Details
Maps
HOW TO USE THIS MAP:
Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers of the map and names of places included. You can click the check marks to hide or show the layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information from each point of interest.
If you click the little star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view the map on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the ‘menu’ button, go to ‘Saved’ on a computer and ‘You’ then ‘Saved’ on phone, click ‘Maps,’ and you will see this map on your list.
How to Get to Flåm
Getting to Flåm is part of the adventure, and trust me, it’s a journey you won’t forget!
Flåm is one of the destinations in the organized tour called Norway in a Nutshell (NIN) that you can sign up for on their website however you can just as easily do the tour itinerary on your own – read my step by step instructions for doing so here.
To get to Flåm (whether as part of the NIN tour or not), you will most likely be starting your journey in either Oslo or Bergen where you will get on the Bergen Railway (reserve tickets on the Vy website here) before switching to the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) in Myrdal (same website for tickets as above).
This legendary 50-minute Flåmsbana train ride winds through steep mountains, waterfalls, and picturesque valleys before dropping you right into Flåm.
If you’re coming from Bergen, you can also take an express boat through the Sognefjord, soaking up those dramatic fjord views along the way (learn more and buy tickets on the Norled website here).
And for road-trippers, driving in is a fantastic option—just be ready for some jaw-dropping scenery and maybe a few sheep in the road!
However you get there, Flåm is well worth the trip.
How to Get Around Flåm
Flåm is a charming little village, and when I say little, I mean tiny—think one main road and a cozy harbor.
Something to note is that Flåm is a cruise ship port stop – if you would like to avoid exploring the small village when a cruise ship is in port, you can see cruise dates here.
You can easily explore on foot, but if you want to venture beyond the village, renting one of these cute little electric cars is a fantastic option.
They’re perfect for zipping around at your own pace while soaking in the beauty of the Aurlandsfjord and surrounding mountains. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, which feels like a win when you’re surrounded by such untouched natural beauty!
Another option for exploring the area is to join a small group tour for a day.
We signed up for a group tour with Flam Travel right at the information desk in the visitors center in Flåm for our second full day in the area (they have since changed their company name and are not searchable on the internet however I have listed more options in the what to do in Flåm section below ;0).
And no one else signed up for our small group tour which made our tour a private tour :).
See what we did on our tour and current tour options in the what to see and do in Flåm section below :).
Best Time of Year to Visit Norway
Norway is a stunner year-round, but the best time to visit really depends on what kind of adventure you’re looking for.
Summer (June to August) gives you those long daylight hours and gorgeous fjord cruises, while winter (December to February) turns the country into a snowy wonderland perfect for Northern Lights chasing.
When we visited at the end of August and beginning of September, it was the sweet spot with fewer crowds and crisp but comfortable weather.
How Many Days You Need in Flåm
Flåm may be a small village, but it’s packed with jaw-dropping scenery and plenty to do, so I’d recommend staying at least two full days to soak it all in.
When we visited at the end of August and beginning of September, we spent two full days (3 nights) exploring the area around Flåm on our first day and then on the second day visiting the Stegastein viewpoint, Borgund Stave Church, and Aurland.
If you choose to not arrive in Flåm via the Flåmsbana, a third day in the area would allow for this famous train ride experience :).
Money and Plug Details in Norway
When traveling to Norway, you’ll use the currency of the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
Cash isn’t widely used, but having a little on hand for small purchases can be handy (the only place I suggest getting cash in a foreign country is from an official bank ATM to avoid unnecessary fees!).
Otherwise, credit cards are your best friend and widely accepted throughout the country – just be sure you have a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees because those sure do add up ;(.
Don’t forget to pack a Type C or F plug adapter (these are my favorites) for your electronics.
I won’t travel without this travel extension cord or this portable charger because nothing kills the travel vibe faster than a dead phone and no way to charge it!
Best Places to Stay in Flåm
Freitham Hotel
If you’re looking for the nicest hotel to stay at Flåm, the Fretheim Hotel is a perfect choice, blending historic charm with modern comfort.
Nestled right by the fjord, it offers stunning views, delicious Nordic cuisine, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home after a day of exploring.
We spent 3 nights in the ‘historical towersuite’ and loved waking up to the peaceful fjord views this room provides.
Flåm Marina and Apartments
The Flåm Apartments are also a fantastic choice—think charming Scandinavian simplicity with all the comforts of home.
Plus, you’ll be just a short stroll from the Flåm Railway and fjord cruises, making it super easy to explore without feeling rushed!
VRBO Rentals
If you would rather stay at an authentic apartment or home in the Flåm area – you can check out some of your options here.
Best Places to Eat in Flam
Flåm may be a small village and obviously not known for being a culinary destination, but it’s still easy enough to find some decent eats.
Here are a few top spots to grab a bite while soaking in those jaw-dropping fjord views:
- Fretheim Hotel Restaurant – A cozy spot with local Norwegian flavors and stunning fjord views
- Aegir BrewPub – A Viking-style pub serving craft beer and hearty Nordic dishes
- Flam Marina Bakery & Cafe – The go-to place for fresh pastries, sandwiches, and a good cup of coffee with an incredible view
- Toget Café – A relaxed café inside an old train car, perfect for a casual meal or a warm drink
Top Things to Do in Flåm
Hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall
Walking to the Brekkefossen waterfall (see map above for location) is a delightful and relatively easy hike that’ll have you feeling like you’ve stepped into a postcard.
From Flåm, it’s just a short, scenic walk to the trailhead, where you’ll begin your journey with a gentle incline.
The hike itself is about 1.5 miles one way and has an elevation gain of around 820 feet, making it a moderate stroll perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without overexerting themselves.
Once you reach the base of the waterfall, you’ll be treated to a stunning view of the cascading water tumbling down the cliffs, surrounded by lush greenery and towering mountains.
It’s the kind of beauty that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the serenity of the Norwegian landscape.
See the Aurlandsfjord from Stegastein Viewpoint
If you want to soak in some of the most jaw-dropping views of the Norwegian fjords, head to the Stegastein Viewpoint, where the panoramic scene will make you feel like you’re floating above the world, surrounded by mountains and water in the most peaceful way.
Shortly after arriving in the valley, we signed up for a small group tour with Flåm Travel at the visitors center to take us to Stegastein Viewpoint and Borgund Stave Church (one of the top places in Norway I wanted to see!) on our second full day in town.
And as mentioned above, since no one else signed up for our tour, we ended up with a private tour :).
Because of this, we had extra time with our tour guide, Martin, who took us along some remote roads on the way to the Borgund Stave Church with incredible countryside views.
One of our stops was Vedahaugane – the location is noted on the Flåm area map above if you chose to follow our same route.
Another stop we made with our tour guide on the way to Borgund Stave Church was at the charming village of Lærdalsøyri, where colorful 18th-century wooden houses and cozy cafés make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
TOUR OPTIONS:
Visit Borgund Stave Church
As mentioned above, visiting Borgund Stave Church was part of our private tour day and one of the top sights I wanted to see during our week in Norway :).
Built around 1180, this incredibly well-preserved Viking-era wooden church is the most famous and authentic of Norway’s unique stave churches, standing out with its intricate carvings and dragon-head roof decorations that feel straight out of Norse mythology.
It’s open daily from mid April to mid October and costs a little under $12 per person for entrance (in 2025), making it a must-see while visiting Flåm if visiting during those months :). Tickets are not available on the website (as of 2025 anyway) – but are available upon arrival in the visitors center.
Be aware that as of 2022, they are only letting 20 people into the church at a time. During our visit in early September 2019, there was literally only two other people there…
Rent an Electric Car
If you’re up for a little adventure, renting one of those cute little two-seater electric cars in Flåm is such a fun way to explore!
The drive to Aurland is an easy and scenic one, taking you through the Lærdal Tunnel, which, at 15.3 miles, is the longest road tunnel in the world—talk about a cool road trip story!
Once in Aurland, grab a snack at a cozy café, stroll through the streets, or pop into the Aurland Shoe Factory to see how the famous handcrafted Norwegian shoes are made.
Ride the Flåmsbana Railway
This scenic train ride is legendary!
It is part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour mentioned above and also the best way to get to Flåm in my opinion :).
It’s one of the steepest railway lines in the world, and the views of mountains, waterfalls, and fjords will leave you speechless. Perfect for that “pinch me” moment.
However if you don’t use the train to get to Flåm, I would certainly take the time to do this as an activity while staying in the area…
Cruise on the Nærøyfjord
Hop on a fjord cruise and soak in the spectacular views of the Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord – a site featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
You’ll pass charming villages and dramatic cliffs—it’s all kinds of serene and breathtaking.
This activity is again part of the Norway in a Nutshell tour mentioned earlier in the post.
We used this cruise as our transportation upon leaving Flåm after spending 3 nights in the area and found it to be the perfect way to finish out our time in the Norwegian fjords :).
What to Wear in Norway
As you can clearly see by the majority of our photos from the trip, we had cloudy and often times rainy weather for most of our trip (and this was an end of August/first week of September time frame!).
So be sure to bring a good raincoat and walking/hiking shoes – and sweaters :).
I have recently found my all time favorite travel purse – check it out here!
Our 16 Day Scandinavia Itinerary Day to Day Overview
DAY 1 | Fly San Diego to Copenhagen via London on British Airways
DAY 2 | Arrive in Copenhagen at 10pm | Stay 3 nights at Hotel D’Angleterre
DAY 3 | Copenhagen: Nyhavn, Little Mermaid statue, The Bridge Street Kitchen
DAY 4 | Copenhagen: Flytographer photo shoot (use this link to save $25 on your first photo shoot!), Freetown Christiania, Climb up Church of our Saviour stairs for view
DAY 5 | Train to Gothenburg, Sweden with lunch stop in Malmo (total train ride 3 hours) | Stay 2 nights at Elite Plaza Hotel
DAY 6 | Gothenburg, Sweden: Haga neighborhood, antique window shopping
DAY 7 | Train to Oslo, Norway (4 hours) | Stay 2 nights at Grand Hotel Oslo
DAY 8 | Oslo, Norway: Munch Museum, Grünerlokka, Opera House roof views, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Skillebekk neighborhood
DAY 9 | Train from Oslo to Myrdal (4.5 hours) then scenic train from Myrdal to Flam (1 hour) | Stay 3 nights at Freitheim Hotel – read my Norway in a Nutshell on your own guide here.
DAY 10 | Flam: Hike to waterfall
DAY 11 | Flam: Private car to Stegastein viewpoint & Borgund Stave Church, Rented mini electric car to Aurland
DAY 12 | Flam to Gudvangen boat (2 hours), bus from Gudvangen to Voss (1.25 hours), hike with a private tour guide in Voss area before taking train from Voss to Bergen (1.25 hours) | Stay 2 nights at Det Hanseatiske Hotel
DAY 13 | Bergen, Norway: Old Bergen Museum, Bryggen, explored Old Town
DAY 14 | Night flight from Bergen, Norway to Stockholm, Sweden (1.5 hours) | Stay 2 nights at Berns Hotel
DAY 15 | Stockholm, Sweden: Gamla Stan, Stodholm
DAY 16 | Fly Stockholm to San Diego via London on British Airways
I hope you found this post helpful in planning your two days in Flåm, Norway :).
Flåm may be small, but it’s packed with beauty, adventure, and the kind of serenity that makes it a must-visit destination.
I promise you’ll leave with a heart full of memories and maybe a few new favorite spots to revisit.
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Life is short, the world is wide.
I want to make some memories.
~Mamma Mia
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Have a wonderful day my friend! I hope something makes you smile today ;).
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