If you've ever had the urge to embrace your inner viking (or channel major Game of Thrones vibes), then you can't do much better than a trip to Norway. Pro-tip: If this is the kind of Norwegian adventure you're after, get away from the city setting of Oslo and travel north to Flåm instead.
Flåm has something for everyone—beautiful nature sights, hands-on viking-esque experiences, and a high-flying zipline adventure. The picturesque city was also the inspiration for the gorgeous landscapes of the How to Train Your Dragon movies, which should give you an idea of just how stunning it is.
If you find yourself planning a trip to Norway any time soon (which, really, you should be–and you'll agree by the end of this post if you don't already), here's a guide of where to stay, and what to do, eat, and see when you're in Flåm.
Where to Stay
If you're visiting Flåm, we have to recommend the Fretheim Hotel. The hotel, located where Sognefjord ends and the Flåm Railway starts, is historic and truly gorgeous. The rooms are perfectly quaint and the upper floors even have slanted ceilings that will make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
According to the Freitheim's website, the activities around the hotel are "endless," and include, "Biking the Navvies road (Rallarvegen), paddle the Sognefjord, walks in the Aurland- and/or Flåm valley or a ride on a RIB boat to see the UNESCO’s world heritage area are only some of our highlights."
The Fretheim has 122 rooms, each with an amazing view of the fjord or the mountains. There are several different room styles to choose from and you can't go wrong with any of them.
Where to Eat and Drink
There are tons of great local food options in Flåm, starting with the restaurant onsite at the The Fretheim, which is truly top notch. Surrounding the hotel is an adorable little village with several walkable (and very tourist-friendly) dining options, including the Flåm Bakery, which serves pastries as big as your face, and the Toget Cafe.
But the real must-see when it comes to food and drink in Flåm? The Ægir microbrewery.
The Ægir microbrewery offers locally-brewed, authentic Norwegian beers, amazing food, and the ambiance (which happens to be that of an actual viking pub) is perfection.
What to Do
What you should do during your time in Flåm depends on just how adventurous you are. At the lower end of the scale, there are enough amazing sights to see to fill an entire trip. The options for hiking are practically limitless and staring at the fjords just never gets old. If you want the best view of the majesty that the nature of Flåm has to offer, however, head to the Stegastein viewing platform for an unobstructed look at the Aurlandsfjord.
If you want to throw yourself into the history of the area, then the Viking Village in Gudvangen has to make your list. The people in the village live the viking lifestyle and do everything the way the vikings did—from spinning their own yarn and making their own bread to hammering out metal in their on-site blacksmithing shop. The residents are happy to share their skills and knowledge, including lessons in archery and axe-throwing.
And, for the most adventurous travelers, Flåm is also home to one of the longest ziplines in the world. The zipline starts at Vatnahalsen near the Bergen Line and the Flåm Railway and ends up in Kårdalen close to the Rallarrosa Cheese Farm, in the upper part of the Flåm valley. The ride feels like flying and the views are nothing short of breathtaking.
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