Last Updated on January 28, 2019

Written by Lisa from Fjords & Beaches

Flåm and the Nærøyfjord have been one of Norway’s most visited places in the past years, and I was lucky enough to be born and raised in the area.  There are so many things to do in Aurland, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site is only one of them.  I would love to show you the stunning villages where I was born and raised – right in the heart of the Norway Fjords!

Where to stay on a budget in Aurland

In the Flåm/Aurland area, there are several hotels, hostels and camping grounds- something to fit all budgets!  You will find lots of options, but I’ll let you in on where my heart belongs.

The Vangsgaarden Inn is owned and managed by a local family living on site.  It is a beautiful hotel and Pub/Restaurant, with only 17 rooms and 6 cabins (right on the fjord, they sell out incredibly fast!).  Some of the buildings on the property are from the 1700s, and breakfast is actually served in one of them!  If you are looking for that specific Norwegian charm, this is the place for you.  Prices start from 1150 NOK per night (for a double room including breakfast), which really isn’t too bad when you are visiting one of the world’s most expensive countries.

Where to eat in Aurland

Located only an 8-minute drive from the centre of Aurland village (or 15 minutes by boat along the fjord) you will find Flåm Marina & Apartments, right in the middle of the bay of Flåm.  They serve up a mean nachos for your hangover days, a ‘grown-up’ milkshake for your weekends (including vodka and Kahlua – my all time favourite), and if you are looking for an amazing meal; try their homemade burgers or maybe something from their selection of local meats from Haugen Farm.

Prices vary, nachos cost 85 NOK and burgers are 160 NOK.  The best view in Flåm is included in the price.

The views and landscapes in and around Aurland are stunning!

Things to do in Aurland

The Sognefjord area is extremely popular among tourists, and there are hundreds (sometimes thousands) of travellers passing through each day.  I always make sure to bring my visiting friends to the Stegastein Viewpoint.  Stegastein is a panoramic viewing platform 650 metres above sea level giving you stunning views (and Instagram photos) of the Sognefjord.  You can see as far as Flåm on one side, and all the way to ‘Beitelen’ (the mountain marking the beginning of the UNESCO World Heritage Site) on the other.  It is definitely worth a visit and is available either by booking a tour, going by taxi or driving yourself.  A few people also walk here on their own, but that takes a while.

I’ll also let you in on a local secret!  If you enjoy an active holiday, I always advise travellers to take a hike up to the Prest mountain top.  The trail starts about 1km further up the mountain from Stegastein and takes about 3 hours from start to finish (breaks included).   This hike is rather steep in some places, but I promise you that when you get to the top you will have forgotten all about it!  The views are absolutely breathtaking, just make sure you don’t forget to put your name in the mountain top book you’ll find at the top! (Rule #1 for hiking in Norway: If your name isn’t in the book, you were never there).

What not to do in Aurland

The Flåm area (port and train station) is extremely crowded with tourists and travellers.  That makes it rather uncomfortable in the summer months.  Most tourists worry about getting enough time in Flåm, as they (wrongly) believe that it is where all the action is.  To be honest, most tours/attractions there involve leaving Flåm in one way or another. So I wouldn’t waste too much time there.  You will either go on the Nærøyfjord Fjord Cruise (leaving Flåm by boat) or take the Flåm Railway (leaving Flåm by train).  You can also go to the Stegastein Viewpoint (leaving Flåm by bus or car).

My point is: do not worry to much about Flåm itself.  This village is not the attraction or the point of visiting the fjords.   Just enjoy the nature, look around and take it all in.  It doesn’t matter if you are in Flåm, Aurland or Gudvangen.  As long as you can appreciate the majestic mountains and fjords of Norway!

Tips for visiting Aurland

If you are visiting during the summer months, try and be here for the first weekend of July. This is when the Aurlandsmarknad (‘The Aurland Festival) takes place, which will add so much fun to your trip! It is a short festival/market weekend with bands and music at night (the locals get CRAZY, trust me!), and market booths and entertainment during the daytime. It is not something I would miss!

The Fjord Pass gives you a discount on selected tourist boat routes with Fjord1.

If you prefer the locals to the tourists – visit the pub Duehuset in the centre of Aurland.  It is where all the locals get together for a beer at the end of the week.  It is also where you will meet the most interesting people!  Pro tip: Buy us a drink and we’ll forget that you’re a tourist for the night.

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Author :  HI!  A quick introduction is due since you’ve already read my top tips for visiting my home town!  My name is Lisa, I am a 24 year old wanderluster from Aurland, Norway (you guessed it!).  I love travelling, writing and sharing, so I figured out blogging was my ideal frontier.  I started my blog LisaLDN.com when I moved to London to get my Law Degree, and decided to continue blogging as I crossed the ocean to spend a year working in Walt Disney World, Florida.  Since then I have moved back to Norway, but I make sure to go on an adventure every day – if not international, then local! I would love for you to follow me on my journey!