Experience Eastern Norway

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From buzzing city life and coastal charm to lush valleys and world-class culture.

Eastern Norway is a great destination for families, adventure seekers, art lovers and everyone who loves the good life.

Eastern Norway .
Photo: Visit Greater Oslo / One Big Happy Family / Visitnorway.com

The fjordside city of Oslo is at the heart of the region.

There is always something new to experience, yet the capital city is small enough to let you sample a lot on a weekend break.

Seaside promenades, exciting shopping, nordic cuisine and swimming in the fjord …

Oslo .
Photo: Babusjka / Mr. H / Visit Norway

… and the most exciting arts scene in the country.

The Opera House has been a landmark for years. The new Munch Museum is opening next door. And when the new National Museum opens in 2022, Oslo will truly become a world class arts destination!

The events calendar is also chock-full of concerts, theatre and exhibitions.

Art and culture in Oslo .
Photo: Babusjka / Mr. H / Visit Norway

There are also many exciting day trips for art lovers in the Greater Oslo area.

In Hadeland, an hour's drive northwest of Oslo, the Kistefos Museum features The Twist, named one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Isn't it amazing?

Kistefos Museum and The Twist .
Photo: Kistefos Museum / AVIA

You should also pay a visit to the charming coastal towns along the Oslo fjord. Explore the western side with Drammen, Asker and Bærum, or the eastern side with Drøbak and Follo.

Havlystparken at Ramme Gård .
Photo: Ramme

Continuing further south, you reach either Østfold or Vestfold, where sunseekers flock in the summer.

Sunny summer days, skerries, small town charm and swimming spots galore. Need we say more?

Hvaler in Østfold .
Photo: Fredrikstad Hvaler / HouseofIkigai.co

Hvaler in Østfold .
Photo: Visit Fredrikstad Hvaler / HouseofIkigai.co

Here, lovely small towns dot the coastline. In the west, you'll find Tønsberg, Stavern, Sandefjord and Kragerø. On the eastern side, lies Fredrikstad, with its charming old town, and the border town of Halden.

The World's End in Tjøme .
Photo: Visitvestfold.com

In this area, you can also travel back in time and check out some of the best Viking experiences in Norway,

Follow the Viking trail, hop on a Viking ship or visit a living museum.

Saga Oseberg .
Photo: Ole Harald Flåten

In Romerike, northeast of Oslo, one of the main attractions is Eidsvoll, the stately manor home where the Norwegian constitution was penned.

Eidsvoll north of Oslo .
Photo: Edin Kadribegovic

...while the lush valleys are the place to go if you are seeking tranquility, more active adventures or magnificent nature.

From the Hallingdal and Gudbrandsdal valleys to Valdres and Numedal, you will find plenty of fun activities for the whole family.

Not to mention living cultural heritage at places like the Maihaugen museum in Lillehammer and the Domkirkeodden ruins in Hamar.

Hemsedal Bygdatun .
Photo: Aurelijus

Family vacation?

Several of the most popular amusement parks, zoos and visitor’s farms are situated in Eastern Norway, including TusenFryd, Hunderfossen Eventyrpark, Bjørneparken, Langedrag and Bø Sommarland.

The theme park TusenFryd in Norway .
Photo: TusenFryd AS

TusenFryd in Akershus .
Photo: TusenFryd AS

Are you an adrenaline junkie?

Try mountain biking in Hallingdal, Hafjell or Trysil – or go airborne on one of the many ziplines or wind tunnels across the region.

Biking in Hafjell .
Photo: Hafjell.no

And if you’re not scared of the water, you can try rafting or canyoning.

Rafting in Numedalslågen river .
Photo: Dagali Fjellpark / Vojtech Lukes

What better way to turn the pace down a notch than a boat trip?

Take the paddle steamer Skibladner across the lake Mjøsa (pictured here), navigate the Haldenkanalen or hop on a boat at the smaller lakes of Femunden near the Swedish border and Bygdin in the Jotunheimen mountains.

Skibladner on Lake Mjøsa, Hamar .
Photo: Frederik Garshol

In the Jotunheimen mountains, you can cross the turquoise waters of the Gjende mountain lake aboard the Gjende boat.

But your pulse will quicken again if you set out to cross the renowned Besseggen mountain ridge nearby.

Several of Norway’s national parks are also located in Eastern Norway, offering plenty of other peaks to climb.

Check out the best hikes in the region!

Hiking Besseggen in Jotunheimen, Eastern Norway .
Photo: Visitnorway.com

In the Dovrefjell mountains you can also take a guided safari in the musk ox's domain.

Musk ox in Dovrefjell .
Photo: Marcel Gundel / Nasjonalparkriket

Or maybe you want to check out the view from the roof of Norway?

On a clear day, you can see as much as one-sixth of the Norwegian mainland from the Gaustatoppen peak in Telemark.

Hike all the way to the top or take a quick ride on the Gaustabanen funicular.

Gaustatoppen in Telemark .
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

Are you always the first one to hit the slopes when there's snow?

Eastern Norway has several of the biggest ski resorts in the country.

Skiing in Trysil .
Photo: Skistar Trysil

And there are miles and miles of groomed cross country skiing trails throughout the region, especially around Skeikampen.

Ski year round in the indoor skiing resort SNØ, just outside Oslo!

Cross-country skiing at Sjusjøen, Eastern Norway .
Photo: Geir Olsen

Ah … relax!

After all the fun-filled action you deserve to unwind a bit. What about visiting a water-side sauna, like the one at Soria Moria in Dalen?

The sauna Soria Moria .
Photo: Visit Telemark

You can also fulfill your childhood dreams of living in a super-cool tree house – at least for a night or two.

Pan Treetop Cabins in Finnskogen in the Elverum region is only one of many unique places to stay in Eastern Norway.

PAN treetop cabins in Finnskogen .
Photo: Marcus Ek

Or maybe you’re more in the mood for a cozy farm stay?

Some of the beautiful farms near Hamar and Gjøvik, such as Hoel Gård, even offer proper rural luxury.

Check out all the welcoming farms in the area.

Rural luxury at Hoel Gård in Ringsaker .
Photo: Hoel Gård

If you’re looking to go more upscale, you can choose among some of Norway’s finest hotels.

Relax in a spa hotel by the sea or in the mountains – maybe take a girl’s trip?

Engø gård at Tjøme .
Photo: Nikolas Gogstad Andersen

Read more about attractions and great places to stay and eat – plan your trip to Eastern Norway.

Engø gård at Tjøme .
Photo: Nikolas Gogstad Andersen

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