Since we will be visiting Flam during an upcoming Norwegian Fjords cruise, we wanted to learn a little more about this popular village in Norway.
Known as “the small village with the grand surroundings,” Flam is located in the Aurlandsfjord, the innermost side arm running south off of Sognefjord, the world’s deepest and second-longgest fjord.
Here are 12 Fun Facts About Flam, Norway
1. Flam, Norway is written as “Flåm” and pronounced “flom.” (SIDE NOTE: the Norwegian alphabet contains three more letters than the English alphabet: æ, ø and å.)
2. Surrounded by steep, snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls and green meadows and picturesque farms, the storybook village of Flam only has 350 residents, but attracts nearly 450,000 visitors each year.
A view of the Aurlandsfjord and Flam, Norway. Photo by Kenny Louie.
3. Thousands of those visitors arrive into Flam Harbor via a cruise ship after sailing through the narrow Aurlandsfjord.
4. The Aurlandsfjord that leads to Flam is the innermost arm of Sognefjord, the world’s deepest and second longest fjord, which stretches halfway to Sweden.
5. Flam attracts outdoor-loving visitors who hike in the nearby mountains, explore the Aurlandsfjord and the Nærøyfjord, fish in the Flåmselven river or cycle the Rallarvegen.
The Highest Point at Rallarvegen near Fagernut. Photo by Tine.wv.
6. The Rallarvegen – also known as “the Navies’ Road” – is a construction/access road in central Norway built from 1902 to 1904 in connection with the construction of the Bergen railway line. Today it’s one of Norway’s most popular bicycle trails. Cyclists often begin a scenic 50-mile route at Finse, more than 4,000 feet about sea level, then ride down to sea level at Flam.
7. Flam also receives several hundred thousand train visitors a year via the Flam Railway. Considered one of the world’s most scenic rail trips, the 12-mile ride from Flam goes from fjord to the mountain tops, with views of deep ravines, cascading waterfalls, and mountain farms clinging to sheer slopes.
Flaam church. Photo: Arnstein Rønning
8. Located in the center of town, Flam Church was built by master builder Magne Essen in 1670. The brown, wooden church seats 160 people.
9. The Flam Railway Museum is open daily with free admission. Visitors can learn about the engineering and construction of one of the world’s steepest railways. There’s also a gift shop offering Flam Railway souvenirs and Norwegian handicrafts.
10. The historic Fretheim Hotel has been a part of Flam since the village first became a tourist destination in the mid-1800s. Today the hotel features local salmon cuisine and a 100-variety rose garden. It’s also rumored to have a friendly ghost looking out for guests, ever since the death of Marthe Fretheim, who managed the hotel until her death in 1933.
11. Flam, along with other small farming villages among Norway’s breathtaking fjords and mountains, served as the inspiration for Disney’s hit film Frozen.
12. The Viking-style Ægir Brewery in Flam produces award-winning handcrafted beers. Visitors can enjoy lunch or dinner in the BrewPub, or enjoy at beer and aquavit tasting.
Have you visited Flam, Norway? What fun fact can you share?
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