Otternes Bygdetun — Local services in Aurland

If you want to know about the history of this area and traditional life in Norway - you‘ll find a gem here. Around 3km from Flåm on bike and after a 0,5km rather steep climb you reach one of the best preserved (and historically richest) cluster farms in Norway- with the oldest bulding dating from 1700. The open air museum was opened to the public only recently (winter 2024/25) and is now run by a foundation which aims to preserve the farm houses and their history for the coming generations and who try to keep it real, affordable and safe from Mass tourism. You can really feel the personal dedication and enthusiam of the people. We had a most excellent tourguide - a french cook who‘s been living in Flåm for 10y and loves history - who had an answer to every (trick) question and the conversation meandered from viking burial sites to the sea creatures to be found in the fjords to the reason why potatos became part of every norwegian dish. And if you are not a history enthusiast - the view from Otternes into the surrounding area is simply breathtaking - calm and majestic. (It helped that we had a perfectly warm and sunny day too). If there would be more stars I‘d give them...

We really enjoyed our visit here! We did the guided tour, which gives you the opportunity to see inside more buildings as well as learn more about the history of Otternes. It was really interesting and informative! Then after the tour we had some delicious waffles while enjoying the view. It was definitely one of the highlights of our Norway trip in terms of both the experience and the view!

Practical info: There is a QR code on the gate when you enter where you can buy your entrance ticket or you can go to reception. You can also book the tour on Norway's best.

For parking, there's not much, and it's a one-lane road, so I'd recommend either taking the shuttle or walking from Flåm (there's a path the whole way along the fjord). I don't recommend walking from Aurland, as there's no path in...

We were lucky enough to visit this charming little town when Maxime (one of the people who runs it) was there. He welcomed us, open one of the houses so we could have lunch since it was raining, gave us brown cheese samples that we bought cause it was yummy, showed us around and explained the history of the place passionately. The inside of the houses was super interesting and the views from outside were breathtaking even if it was a rainy day. Highly recommended and super worth it. Maxime was really friendly, generous and knowledgable. We wish you the best with all your promising plans for the town and hope to be able to come...