Flam Norway
Norway

1174 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Holland America Line (27 Cruises)

Cruise HAL Holland America Line ms Rotterdam ship

ms Rotterdam

2668 Passengers
99935 tons
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Hurtigruten (978 Cruises)

MS Kong Harald

MS Kong Harald

11204 tons
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MS Nordkapp.

MS Nordkapp

11386 tons
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MS Nordlys

MS Nordlys

11204 tons
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MS Nordnorge

MS Nordnorge

11384 tons
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MS Richard With .

MS Richard With

11205 tons
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MS Trollfjord.

MS Trollfjord

16140 tons
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MSC Cruises (92 Cruises)

MSC Euribia

6318 Passengers
181000 tons
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Viking Ocean Cruises (21 Cruises)

The ship moves forward between walls nearly a kilometre high, over water so still it doubles the landscape. The Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the great Sognefjord, narrows as the ship advances, until it reaches this hamlet perched at the end of the dead end: Flåm, a few dozen houses, a train station, orchards clinging to the slopes. Docking takes place right in the heart of the village — the gangway leads out just two minutes from the station, and everything that matters is within walking distance.

Europe's Most Spectacular Railway

Flåm owes its fame to a railway line. The Flåmsbana climbs from sea level to the mountain station at Myrdal, at 866 metres, over a mere twenty kilometres — one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. The old-fashioned green carriages run alongside gorges, pass through about twenty tunnels, most of them hand-dug, and make a photo stop in front of the Kjosfossen waterfall, which crashes down almost within arm's reach of passengers. The round trip takes about two hours, photo stop included: it's the star excursion, and tickets sell out quickly on busy days.

Those who enjoy walking or cycling sometimes come down from Myrdal through the valley instead: the trail follows the turquoise river between farms and waterfalls, a downhill route that has become a Norwegian classic. Bike rentals are available on site.

The Stegastein Viewpoint

Above the neighbouring Aurlandsfjord, a walkway of wood and steel juts out into thin air: Stegastein, perched 650 metres above the water. The platform extends 30 metres out from the mountainside and ends in a tilted glass wall — a guaranteed thrill, even for those without a fear of heights. The winding road leading up to it is part of the fun. Shuttles and excursions departing from the pier allow about an hour and a half for the trip, travel time included.

Walk, Taste, Linger

Without leaving the valley floor, passengers have several walks to choose from. The trail to Brekkefossen waterfall, steep but short, rewards the effort with a sweeping view over the village and the fjord: allow about two hours round trip. Down by the water, the Flåm Railway Museum tells the story of the line's construction, free of charge, an engineering feat carried out under harsh conditions. And to round things off, the local microbrewery serves beers brewed on site in its Viking-inspired hall, with views of the surrounding cliffs.

Toward the Nærøyfjord

Some excursions carry passengers aboard silent electric boats toward the Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As narrow as 250 metres in places, hemmed in by slopes where abandoned farms still cling, this fjord is considered one of the narrowest in Europe. Sailing through it brings a sense of scale that's hard to put into words: boats look tiny, waterfalls tumble down from every direction, and the silence is broken only by the goats of the riverside hamlets.

Key Points

  • Pier in the centre of the village; Flåmsbana station a two-minute walk away.
  • Flåmsbana: about 2 hours round trip; book early in high season.
  • Stegastein: about a 1.5-hour excursion via the winding mountain road.
  • Brekkefossen: steep trail, hiking shoes recommended.

Flåm brings together, in a single place, the very best of what fjord Norway has to offer: verticality, water, silence, and a century-old feat of railway engineering. It makes for a full, busy day, set to the schedules of the train and the boats. Then the ship turns back down the channel, the cliffs pass by one last time — and the fjord closes behind it, like a book you promise yourself you'll open again.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the heart of the village: the gangway lands two minutes from the railway station, and everything that matters is within walking distance. Flåm sits at the head of the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the great Sognefjord, between walls nearly a kilometre high.
The railway that climbs from sea level to the mountain station at Myrdal, 866 metres up, in just twenty kilometres: one of the steepest standard-gauge lines in the world. Old-style green carriages run along gorges and through some twenty tunnels dug largely by hand.
About two hours return, including the photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall, which crashes down almost within reach. It is the headline excursion of the call and tickets go quickly on busy days: book early.
A wood and steel walkway perched 650 metres above the Aurland fjord. The platform juts 30 metres out from the mountainside and ends in an angled glass wall. Allow about an hour and a half, including the hairpin drive.
The Flåmsbana takes two hours, Stegastein an hour and a half: combining them is possible but tight depending on schedules. If you stay in the valley bottom, count on the Brekkefossen trail, the Flåmsbana museum and the microbrewery.
Yes, it is a Norwegian classic: the track follows the turquoise river between farms and waterfalls on a downhill route. Bicycle rental is available on site in Flåm.
Steep but short: allow about two hours return, with walking shoes. The reward is a plunging view over the village and the fjord, hard to get otherwise without an excursion.
A UNESCO World Heritage fjord, 250 metres wide in places, considered one of the narrowest in Europe. Some excursions take passengers out on silent electric boats; waterfalls fall on all sides and ships look tiny.
The building of the line, an engineering saga carried out in harsh conditions. The museum sits by the water, steps from the quay, and admission is free.
Yes, and it is worth expecting: the day runs to the timetables of the train and the boats, and the village has only a few dozen houses for a great many visitors. Anyone looking for quiet is better off aiming for the Brekkefossen trail than the station.