Lillehammer is a city that is mentioned in ancient Viking legends. Every year, this quiet and peaceful town in Norway welcomes thousands of tourists, not only for its excellent ski slopes, but also for its rich cultural and historical heritage. The town’s coat of arms features a unique image of a Viking skiing. So, what makes this small town so appealing to tourists?
Lillehammer-general information
The city is located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Mjøsa, south of the village of Eier and southeast of the city of Jøvik. The distance from the main airport in Oslo is just over 140 km. The most convenient way to travel from Oslo to Lillehammer is by train, which takes only 1 hour and 40 minutes. If you plan to travel independently, follow the E6 highway, which crosses the entire city. The city has a population of approximately 28,000 people.
Information about the first settlements in Lillehammer dates back to the Iron Age. The event that made the quiet town famous is undoubtedly the Olympic Games. Since then, the whole world has learned that Lillehammer is the city of which country, and it has become one of the most popular winter sports centers in Norway (and around the world).
The central part of the city has beautifully preserved buildings from the 19th century, and offers a beautiful mountain landscape and Lake Mjøsa. This part of Lillehammer is the best place for shopping and trying local cuisine.
Attractions
Maihaugen Museum Complex
Lillehammer’s list of attractions includes the unique open-air historical complex of Mayhaugen. This complex covers a vast area, making it the largest in Norway and Northern Europe. It features over two hundred historical buildings from various historical periods. The oldest building is a wooden church dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The museum also includes farms, mills, a lake with a bridge, gardens, and workshops. The museum is most active during the summer months. Pets are raised here, which brings special pleasure to young visitors.
Another part of the park is decorated in an urban style. There is a post office, a train station, and buildings typical of Lillehammer in the 19th and 20th centuries. Several houses in the town host various craft exhibitions, including a 1900s photography studio, a tailor’s shop, a hat shop, a barbershop, and an artist’s workshop.
Opening hours and cost of visits
- In summer, the museum complex is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. In other months, the museum is closed on Mondays, and on other days, the attraction is open from 10:00 or 11:00 to 15:00 or 16:00, depending on the month (check the official website for details).
- During the low season (from August 16 to June 14), adult tickets cost 135 CZK, children’s tickets (6-15 years old) cost 65 CZK, and tickets for pensioners and students cost 95 CZK.
- Prices for the summer period: 175, 85, and 135 NOK, respectively.
- Address: Maihaugvegen 1, Lillehammer 2609, Norway
- Official website: https://eng.maihaugen.no/
Hunderfossen Park
It is located 13 km from Lillehammer. The park is a special world created by director Ivo Caprino. The recreation area is located in the forest. It is a fairy-tale land with a farm, rafting, a swimming pool, and the opportunity to watch 4D movies. There are more than fifty attractions in the park.
It’s best to visit the park in the evening, when children are scared by fairy-tale trolls and funny devils. All the attractions are located in specially built igloos. If you visit the park in winter, you can warm up in a cafe or restaurant. One of them is made of ice.
This is interesting! The most exciting attraction is a huge ship that swings 70 degrees and rises 14 meters into the air.
Prices and opening hours
- The full ticket price for 1 day is 269 NOK, for children (90-120 cm) it is 199 NOK, for people over 65 years old it is 239 NOK, and children under 90 cm are admitted free of charge.
- The schedule of the Hunderfossen is complex and varies greatly depending on the time of year. The park also has many days off and is not open on holidays. For the exact schedule and ticket prices, please visit the official website of the park.
- Address: Hunderfossen Familiepark, Fossekrovegen 22, 2625 Fåberg
- Official website: https://hunderfossen.no/en/
The city of Trondheim is the former capital of Norway
Olympic Park
The Olympic Sports Complex is the best and most modern in Norway. Each sports arena of the attraction is dedicated to a specific winter sport:
- Birkebeineren Ski Stadium;
- Hakons Hall is equipped for rock climbing;
- The Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track is unique in that anyone can ride a bobsled and experience some of the most thrilling moments of their life;
- The Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena complex is dedicated to snowboarding and skiing;
- Lysgårdsbakken is a ski jump.
Each of the centers offers opportunities for recreation and training. The park also features cafes and restaurants.
This is important! The Olympic Park offers a wide range of attractions for strong-willed and resilient individuals. It is not recommended for tourists with weak hearts or spinal problems to visit these attractions.
Before visiting, check the opening hours and ticket prices on the official website, www.olympiaparken.no, as different facilities in Lillehammer Olympic Park have different schedules.
Address: Nordsetervegen 45, Lillehammer 2618, Norway.
Nordseter Village
The attraction is located at an altitude of 850 meters and 15 km from Lillehammer in Norway. Here, you can ski on the mountain slopes or in the forest. The ski resort is open from December until early April.
During the summer months, people come here to ride bicycles, horses, or go hiking. You can also hunt, fish, and kayak.
Fabrikken
This is a shop where you can buy handmade souvenirs and gifts. A unique attraction is a place where you can find handmade products, including soft toys, paintings, and sculptures. Tourists can also watch the process of glass blowing.
The store is located at Loekkegata 9, Lillehammer 2615, Norway.
What to do in Lillehammer
Lillehammer is an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its excellent sports school and infrastructure.
There are four major winter resorts near the city:
- Hafiel is the largest;
- Kvitfjell is new and suitable for professionals;
- Sheikampen;
- Norseter-Skålen is recognized as the best ski resort in Northern Europe, with a total length of 350 km.
All the resorts are attractive and have their own characteristics. By the way, the winter season lasts from late autumn to the second half of spring. The distance from Lillehammer is only 15 km, and you can get there by public transport or free buses.
If you are on vacation with your family, it is better to go to Geilo and Gausdal, they are adapted for novice athletes, there is a ski school, you can go sledding or just look around. For professionals, the resort Kvitfjell is more suitable.
Please note! Tourists can purchase a single ski pass that allows them to visit all the ski resorts in the region.
There are various entertainment options for tourists in the city’s surroundings:
- ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding;
- horseback riding or dog sledding;
- winter safari;
- travel on snowshoes.
You can visit a moose farm or take a walk around the city, stopping by museums with interesting exhibitions. Creative people will surely enjoy the works presented at the Museum of Arts. The most interesting street in the city is Storgata, where wooden buildings from the second half of the 18th century have been preserved. At the end of February, Lillehammer hosts an annual art festival.
You can take a fascinating trip on Lake Mjøsa on an old-fashioned paddle steamer, which has been operating for 155 years. After the trip, the captain of the ship issues a certificate with his personal signature.
If you are not afraid to take risks, be sure to climb to the highest point of the Scandinavian archipelago – the top of the mountain Galhøpiggen, which is located in the Jotunheimen National Park. The mountain is almost 2.5 km high.
For a family vacation, the children’s farm located in the city is perfect. Here live dwarf pigs, chickens, pheasants, turkeys. Adults can ride horses, and children can ride ponies. After an active vacation, a cozy cafe invites you to have a snack, where they serve national cuisine. Unfortunately, you can visit the farm only during the warm season.
Weather and climate
t first glance, it may seem that tourists will experience cold weather, frost, and snowdrifts. However, Lillehammer is located in close proximity to the warm Gulf Stream. During the winter, no ports in the country freeze, and in some regions, there is no snow. Lillehammer has a mild, continental climate.
It always snows here in winter, which is why the city was chosen to host the Winter Olympics. The winter season lasts from November to May. The average temperature ranges from +2 to -12 degrees Celsius.
In the summer, you can go hiking in the mountains, cycling, visiting farms and various attractions, fishing, and participating in festivals and cultural events. The temperature in the city and the surrounding area ranges from +15 to +25 degrees Celsius.
How to get
The easiest way to get to Lillehammer from Oslo is by train. The capital is the main railway hub, and trains run to all parts of Norway. There is a direct train connection between Oslo and Lillehammer, and you can enjoy beautiful views along the way.
Trains (R10) to Lillehammer depart from the main station in Oslo (Oslo S) 1-2 times per hour from 6:34 a.m. to 11:34 p.m. The travel time is 2 hours and 6 minutes. It is recommended to check the schedule in advance on the Norwegian Railway website, www.nsb.no. The fare varies from 249 to 438 NOK, depending on the class of the train.
It’s good to know! You can also take a train from the railway station near Oslo Lufthavn Airport.
From the city of Oslo to Lillehammer, you can also get by bus. The transport companies are Lavprisekspressen and Nettbuss.no. Transport departs from the main bus station in the capital. There is also a bus station near the airport. There are few flights, so this way to get to the place of rest is not reliable. The cost of travel from 289 – 389 NOK.
You can travel by car. The journey takes almost 2 hours. Keep in mind that there are 45 toll roads in Norway, and the E6 Gardermoen-Moelv toll road is also available on the way to Lillehammer.
Lillehammer is a city of winter sports, museums, and amazing parks. A trip here is sure to be an exciting experience.
