LILLEHAMMER

Family fun and heritage

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Maihaugen in Lillehammer .
Photo: Veslemøy Furuseth / Maihaugen

In the lush Gudbrandsdalen valley …

Lillehammer in Gudbrandsdalen .
Photo: TrueStories / Bleed / Visit Oslo Region

…you’ll find Lillehammer.

This UNESCO City of Literature offers an irresistible mix of a rich cultural life and urban vibes just 200 kilometres north of Oslo.

Gågata lufta .
Photo: Geir Olsen/FjellNorge

First, you should travel back in time and explore the Garmo stave church from the 13th century at the open-air museum Maihaugen.

The church is only one of many beautiful sights here, as the museum is home to around 200 restored buildings.

Lillehammer has also achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is sustainable, it does mean that it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.

Garmo stave church at the Maihaugen museum .
Photo: Ian Brodie

Another bucket list attraction in the region is Hunderfossen Adventure Park – a fairy tale in snow and ice …

Hunderfossen winter park in Lillehammer .
Photo: Esben Haakenstad / Hunderfossen eventyrpark

… and in the middle of summer.

The amusement park is one of the biggest and most popular in the country, with a lot of thrilling rides and attractions.

Not far from Hunderfossen, the youngest kids can enjoy the adventure park Lilleputthammer, designed for kids between one and eight years old.

Here, they are allowed to do most things all by themselves!

The princess and the girl .
Photo: Joakim Mangen

Are you ready for some action-packed adventures?

Zip line in Hunderfossen Adventure Park .
Photo: Hunderfossen eventyrpark

In the Lillehammer region you can try everything from mountain biking in Hafjell and fishing in lake Mjøsa to rafting in the Sjoa river.

Biking in the Venabygdsfjellet mountain .
Photo: Didrick Stenersen / Visit Lillehammer

When you’re in the city centre, head over to Lillehammer art museum – one of Norway’s leading art museums, located in a building designed by Snøhetta for the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994.

Relive the good times at the Norwegian Olympic museum (pictured), which is also an adventure centre where you can time-travel through years of Olympic Games history.

The Norwegian Olympic museum in Lillehammer .
Photo: Ian Brodie / Visit Lillehammer

No wonder the Winter Olympics was arranged here – it’s a winter sports paradise!

From Hafjell and Skeikampen to Kvitfjell, Sjusjøen and Gålå – five of Norway’s most popular ski resorts are located within a one-hour drive from Lillehammer.

Many of the Olympic arenas are still in use as well, and they are open to visitors. You can even try bobsleighing here!

Skiing in Lillehammer .
Photo: Hafjell

The area is also a great place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Skiing in Lillehammer .
Photo: Jørgen Skaug

Lillehammer is an agricultural area with a rich food heritage and lots of tasty treats.

So when it's time to refuel, ask for short-travelled meat of moose, locally grown vegetables, fish, cured meat, or lefse – a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread.

Local food in Lillehammer .
Photo: TrueStories / Bleed / Visit Oslo Region

And you can't visit the region without trying the Norwegian food icon "brunost" (brown cheese).

The nation’s all-time favourite is the sweet Gudbrandsdalsost, a cheese made from goats and cows’ milk – and it originated right here in the Gudbrandsdalen valley!

Food in Lillehammer .
Photo: Ian Brodie

You can also taste the local food traditions and get a true winter wonderland experience at Maihaugen’s famous Christmas market, hosted every year in December.

Christmas market at Maihaugen museum in Lillehammer .
Photo: Bård Gundersen / Visit Lillehammer