Wondering what to do in Flam from your cruise ship? In this blog post, you’ll learn about the top 10 things to do in Flam, Norway.
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On a Flam cruise day, you may think you’re crunched on time, but one day is plenty of time to spend in Flam. Although the best sightseeing spots in Flam are not walkable, the excursion transportation is only a block away from the cruise port, which is very walkable.
As you’re about the see, the best way to experience Flam, Norway, is through an excursion, whether you book through your cruise line, through a third-party booking platform or directly through the Flam tour companies.
What To Do In Flam From Your Cruise Ship
Stegastein Viewpoint
Stegastein Viewpoint is, hands-down, one of the best things to do in Flam. Although its requires you to take a tour or eMobility car to get there, you’ll be rewarded with unmatchable views of Flam and the Aurlandsfjord. We took this tour through Velkommen Norway, which includes Stegastein and several additional stops that I will show you next. Moreover, the modern architecture of the viewpoint offers an artsy twist on a roadside pullover, and the fjord views are utterly breathtaking. I could not recommend Stegastein Viewpoint enough.
Borgund Stave Church
Another unforgettable stop on our Velkommen Norway tour was the Borgund Stavekirk, or Borgund Stave Church, a centuries-old traditional Norwegian stave church. The church is built of preserved wood and numerous religious artifacts. Although we could not enter the stave church due to government regulations put in place to protect the church, the exterior of the church was equally if not more impressive than the interior. As a Wisconsin native, I was particularly excited for this tour stop after visiting Wisconsin’s stave church replicas in Washington Island and in Door County.
Snowy Road
En route from Stegastein to Borgund Stave Church on this tour, you will pass through the notorious Snowy Road, a road located in the Norwegian highlands that is regularly buried in 40+ feet of snow during the winter months. Even in the summertime, you will see plenty of snow on the ground, half-frozen lakes and mossy green rolling hills. Flotane Waterfall, which we’ll discuss next, is one of the best stops on Norway’s Snowy Road.
Flotane Waterfall
Now, Flotane Waterfall is an epic 500-foot waterfall (150 meters) that pours into a shiny blue lake. A highlight of the same tour, this waterfall resides deep in Norway’s highlands right off of Snowy Road. There is a short five minute walk from the parking lot to the lakefront. There, you’ll see a view of the falls across the water. If you have time, take the trail along the lakeshore toward the waterfall for a closer look.
Laerdal (Norway’s Deepest Fjord)
As you might guess, yet another stop on this Flam cruise excursion is a lunch break in Laerdal, Norway. Laerdal is a quaint pretty fjord town situated on Norway’s longest, deepest fjord appropriately named Laerdalsfjord. Here, you can visit the Norwegian Wild Salmon Center, wooden Hauge church or head to a nearby cafe for fresh Norwegian pastries (my personal recommendation).
Kayak through the Aurlandsfjord
Outside of our tour, another one of the best things to do in Flam, Norway, from your cruise ship is kayak through the Aurlandsfjord. Kayaks and standup paddle boards are available to rent daily, but I recommend booking in advance to secure your rental. You’ll be able to see the kayak rentals from the cruise port along the shoreline, ensuring the kayaks are easy to find. While you kayak, you’ll undoubtably pass jaw-dropping mountain scenery, glacial waterfalls and, if you’re lucky, some Norwegian wildlife.
The Flam Railway
Next, taking The Flam Railway is one of the most popular things to do in Flam from your cruise ship. The railway station is just steps from the ship, making it one of the easiest Flam excursions to find. This two-hour scenic train ride takes you through the mountains and highlands of Norway, passing a plethora of glacial rivers, Norwegian villages and a traditional Norwegian church. Additionally, you’ll stop at the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall for a brief photo stop. Round-trip fares bring you from Flam to Myrdal mountain station and back.
Take an eMobility car tour
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, rent an eMobility car from eMobility Flam. These tiny two-seaters come with a couple pre-routed GPS systems for you to choose from to take you on a self-guided tour of Flam and the surrounding areas. One of the GPS presets brings you to Stegastein Viewpoint, which is supposedly (and unsurprisingly) the best preset route. Be careful, though, because the two-way roads into the mountains are the width of an American one-way road, with minimal barriers protecting your tiny car from the roadside cliffs.
Strand Von Flam
Alternatively, for a much simpler and quieter way to explore Flam, head to the Stand Von Flam beach and park for near-perfect views of the fjord. The beach park is mere steps outside of the ship, which also makes for a great bookend activity either at the beginning or end of your one day in Flam. If you’re up for a cold plunge, this is the ideal location to take a chilly dip into the fjord’s water while on your cruise.
Flam market
Lastly, the Flam market is also located adjacent to the cruise port and boasts a variety of souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and Norwegian food trucks. If you want to taste moose while in moose country, head to the food truck area for an authentic moose burger. Otherwise, leisurely enjoy the market for Norway souvenirs.
What To Do In Flam From Your Cruise Ship At Night
After your long day of sightseeing, you may have an hour or two to spare before your cruise ship’s all aboard time. The best things to do in Flam from your cruise ship at night are the Flam market and Strand Von Flam park. These locations are right next to your ship. Plus, at night, they are lively, and the market is filled with delicious food truck vendors for an authentic Norwegian off-ship dinner.
Best Flam One Day Itinerary
If you couldn’t already tell, I highly suggest booking Velkommen Norway’s Flam tour that includes stops at Stegastein, Snowy Road, Flotane Waterfall, Borgund Stave Church, Laerdal and more. Even though The Flam Railway and eMobility car rentals are likely the more popular Flam cruise excursions, no tour will show you more of Flam and the surrounding areas more than this tour. Therefore…
Here is the best Flam one day itinerary:
1. Walk from the cruise port to the Velkommen Norway bus stop.
2. Drive to Stegastein Viewpoint.
3. Pass through the Norway highlands on Snowy Road.
4. Stop at Flotane Waterfall.
5. Try a Norwegian pastry in Laerdal.
6. Continue on to the Borgund Stave Church.
7. Head back to Flam town center to end the tour.
8. Walk through the Flam market before all aboard.
9. Try a moose burger.
10. Enjoy the Strand Von Flam beach park.
This is exactly what we did in Flam from our cruise ship, and the day was packed full with the best things to do and see. I feel like we were able to experience Flam basically in its entirety in just one cruise port day.
Have any questions about what to do in Flam from your cruise ship? Follow and send me a message on Instagram. I’m happy to help!
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