A hidden gem bordering Sweden with a vast coastline, Norway offers travelers a unique experience. It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, rivaling iconic destinations like New Zealand and Iceland when it comes to natural beauty. Also it is ranked as one of the best countries to live in and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
To top it all off, Norwegians are wonderful people, almost everyone speaks fluent English so it’s easy to navigate, and the scenic fjords are never far from sight.
Norway’s highlights are primarily it’s agricultural make-up. The country has a wide variety of landscapes from islands and fjords to forests, lakes, and waterfalls. When traveling this vast region, it’s important to take your time. Norway’s charm is in the fact that a major part of your experience is the journey itself, seeing fjords at every turn and discovering waterfalls along the way.
Use this travel guide to Norway to find out what to do I see in Western Norway – the town of Flam and surrounding areas in Aurland county. Flam is the gateway to one of the most beautiful areas in the world, and a great starting point if you want to see the UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord – one of the best fjords in Norway.
If you’ve never visited this region, here are a few tips to help plan your first trip to Western Norway.
How to get to Norway
There are direct flights to Oslo from most major cities in Europe, and from some cities in North America and Asia.
Approximate flight duration (some examples):
London–Oslo: 2 hours
New York–Oslo: 7.5 hours
Rome–Oslo: 3 hours
How to get from Oslo to Flam?
There are at least four different ways to get from Oslo to Flam:
- by train. Taking the rail route from Oslo to Flam, though being a longer journey, is probably the most scenic way to get there. The train track passes through the country and offers stunning scenery throughout the route. There is no direct train from Oslo to Flam. From Oslo, you will have to make a westward journey on the Bergen railway line to Myrdal station. Myrdal can be reached in a 5-hour rail journey from Oslo. In Myrdal, you will have to make a transfer to the Flam Railway that will take you to the village of Flam in 1 hour. Total duration – 6 to 6.5 hours.
- by bus. There is no direct buses from Oslo to Flam, which is disappointing. To get from Oslo to Flam by a bus, you need to switch buses at Lærdal (Habakken) or Fagernes. Håbakken is just a half hour from Flam. Total duration – 6.5 to 7.5 hours.
- by car. If you are flexible with time and wish to stop time and again on the way from Oslo to Flam to grasp the beauty of the Norwegian landscape, then travelling by car is an ideal option. The entire drive from Oslo to Flam is filled with breath-taking scenery. Total duration – 5 hours.
How to get from Bergen to Flam?
- by train. Traveling between Bergen and Flam by train is by far the most scenic way to get there. The train from Bergen will take you a few stops (Voss included) to Myrdal, where you switch trains and get on the famous Flam Railway in order to travel all the way down the mountain to the fjords.
- by bus. The journey takes around 3 hours, and you’ll be going through over 30 tunnels along the way, so if you’re one of those people that are fascinated by them, you’re lucky.
- by car. Driving from Bergen to Flåm is quite simple and takes about 2,5-3 hours. From Flesland (Bergen airport) or the city itself, follow the signs towards Åsane or Arna. Your goal is to get on the E16, and follow it all the way to the fjords!
- by boat. In the summer, it is possible to travel between Bergen and Flåm by boat. It takes a lot longer than travelling by boat, train or bus. The Express Boat travels between Bergen and Flåm once a day from April 1st to the 30th of September.
Where to stay in Norway
There are several options for accommodation in the Aurlandsfjord area, so you are bound to find something that fits your budget. You’ll find the most options in Flåm or Aurland. Gudvangen has few options, whilst Undredal only has the one.
We stayed at beautiful bungalow on camp site Lunde Camping in Aurland, which is nicely located on the bank of the river. The sound of the river was so relaxing and the view from the balcony was excellent.
You can check this property and book your accommodation here: http://www.booking.com/Share-qYpCMFy
What to do & see in Norway
If you are visiting Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord area, you might be a little unsure of which village to visit, or what to see.
Let’s start with some explanations.
The Aurlandsfjord is a fjord arm of the Sognefjord, which is the world’s largest and longest fjord! A fjord arm is basically just one of the “ends” of a fjord, that sticks out in a different direction from where the main fjord is headed.
Another fjord arm worth noting is the Nærøyfjord, which is a fjord arm of the Aurlandsfjord. Both the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord are located in the area where you will find Flåm.
People visit the Aurlandsfjord area for the breathtaking nature of the fjords. Both the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord are unique wonders of nature, and worth seeing with your own eyes. In addition to this, the Flåm Railway has become a bucket list activity for people all around the world.
So, by visiting Flåm , you will not only be able to see the UNESCO World Heritage Listed fjords, but also go on one of the world’s most scenic railways.
Flåm, Norway
Flåm is the most popular village around the Aurlandsfjord and one of Norway’s most popular tourist destinations. The village is one of the most visited areas of Norway, and at first glance it’s easy to see why. Nestled between tall, steep mountains and sitting ever so photogenically on the shore of the Aurlandsfjord, this small yet magnificent village looks like a postcard from heaven.
Best things to do in Flam:
- Take a ride on the Flam Railway. It is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world and the views do not disappoint! Winding through the majestic mountains of central Norway and passing by countless waterfalls, the 2-hour, round-trip train ride on the Flam Railway is worth every penny. The train stops for about 5 minutes at the Kjosfossen waterfall. Passengers can get out and take photos of the massive waterfall and even feel the mist on their face. Soon after you step off the train onto the viewing platform, a beautiful Norwegian folk song starts playing loudly for all to hear.
- Take a fjord cruise. The Nærøyfjord is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the main reasons people visit Flam. The fjord cruise takes you through narrow channels surrounded by steep mountains with cascading waterfalls. The fjord cruise travels from Flam to Gudvangen and iit takes approximately 3 hours.
- Visit the Flåm Railway Museum. Here you can learn more about the history of the Flam railway and how it was built over a period of 20 years.
I absolutely recommend to go on train journey up to Myrdal and then walk or bike ride back down. This trip offer amazing views of the following majestic waterfalls: Kjosfossen, Kårdalsfossen, Rjoandefossen and Brekkefossen.
Below I share some impressions from our bike ride from Myrdal to Flam. It´s aprox 19 kms ride, but I mean, look at these places! This was the absolute highlight of our trip to Norway!
Aurland, Norway
Aurland is the largest of the villages along the fjord, with a little over 800 inhabitants. It is also the administrative center of the municipality.
The must see place in Aurland is the Stegastein viewpoint. It is quite a famous structure now, and even the toilets have won awards for their unique look! 😉
This viewpoint edged on a mountain plateau 650 metres above sea level can be found just 20 minutes from the centre of Aurland. It offers spectacular views of the village of Aurland below, and the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and surrounding mountains.
Gudvangen, Norway
Gudvangen is one of the smallest villages, with around 100 inhabitants. The must see place here is the Viking Village. What’s quite fun is that a small portion of the inhabitants in Gudvangen actually live in the Viking Village Njardarheimr as freemen.
Viking history is one of the most fascinating facts about Norway, Iceland and the Nordic countries in general. And in the Viking Village in Gudvangen, just a boat ride (or car) down the fjord from Flam, you can learn what it was like to be a Viking centuries ago.
Undredal, Norway
Undredal is the smallest of the four villages, but what they lack in inhabitants they make up for in goats! Undredal is famous across Norway for their goat’s cheese, and Undredal Stølsysteri/farm has won several awards for their white and brown goat’s cheese.
So it’s no wonder that one of the most popular activities in the small village would be to sample and buy locally produced goat cheese. You can also learn about the process and tradition of cheese making in Undredal at Eldhuset. The village also has a cute stave church, although it is not as notable or iconic as some of the other stave churches throughout Norway.
Blue River, Norway
If you have a car I absolutely recommend to visit this mountain river. Really nice color of water, though hence the name, Blue River. You can park very close to this spot and follow a path next to the river. Absolutely stunning place.
The best time to visit Flam and Aurlandsfjord in Norway
In my opinion, there is no best time of year to visit the fjords, and the region is working hard to become a year-round destination. However, the main season (and the most popular) is from May to August. This is when most attractions and things to do will be open and available, and also when the weather is best.
Other useful tips
- be ready to use your wallet! That’s right – even though you can budget while in Norway, be prepared to spend some money. If you plan to eat and drink in one of Norway’s restaurants, you’ll be spending quite a bit. A great way to save is to stay at a hotel that offers accommodations for cooking your own meals.
- always bring an extra layer of clothes. The weather, changes a lot between seasons in Norway so you always want to bring enough clothes. Most importantly, if you’re planning to go on some hikes during your visit, you need to bring an extra layer of clothes. Even during summer, it’s wise to bring a rain jacket and a fleece in your backpack in case the weather changes or the temperatures drop when you reach a higher altitude.
- The Norwegian currency is NOK (Norwegian Krone), so make sure you bring some NOK´s with you.
- Northern lights aren’t visible everywhere. Places such as Lofoten, Bodo and Tromso are popular areas to watch the northern lights. You should remember that the northern lights won’t be visible during the summer as it is too bright during that season. Typically, you’ve got the best chance of seeing some activity between October and April.
Hope this itinerary will help you on planning your next trip to Norway and you will enjoy this beautiful country as much as I did!
Your sincerely,
Anny