Top 5 Things to Do in Lillehammer, Norway in 2024

The town of Lillehammer is about two hours north of Oslo by car or train, which makes it a great place for a day trip if you’re staying in Oslo! Lillehammer is a popular skiing destination for Oslo residents, and internationally, it is perhaps best known for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics.

If you’re planning a visit, read on to learn about some of the top things to do in Lillehammer, Norway!

Things to do in Lillehammer, Norway

Let’s get started with some fun activities you can do in Lillehammer, Norway!

1. Discover the Norwegian Olympic Museum

The Norwegian Olympic Museum explores the history of the Olympic Games in both ancient and modern times and celebrates the achievements of Norwegian and international athletes. The museum focuses on the 1952 Winter Olympics, which were held in Oslo, and the 1994 Winter Olympics, which were held in Lillehammer itself. If you’re into sports or the Olympics, this unique little museum is definitely worth checking out.

In 2024, a ticket to the Norwegian Olympic Museum is also valid at Maihaugen (see below) and the Norwegian Postal Museum (which is only open in the summer). This is a great excuse to see more of Lillehammer’s cultural offerings during your visit!

2. Explore the historic houses at Maihaugen

Maihaugen is the largest open-air museum in Norway. Its sprawling exhibits feature more than 200 historic houses, with buildings dating from the 13th century to modern times.

It includes buildings showcasing rural life in the 1700s and 1800s, the childhood home of the Norwegian Queen Sonja, a street designed to look like a town from the early 1900s, and more. Maihaugen is a unique place to learn about how people in Norway have lived throughout history.

3. Spend the day at Hunderfossen Adventure Park

Hunderfossen Adventure Park is a popular amusement park located just 15 minutes north of Lillehammer, in the province of Oppland. This is a great stop for families with kids, but people of all ages can have fun here! The park is one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions and sees over 275,000 visitors each summer.

Hunderfossen also features a Winter Park, which runs from February to mid-March each year. The Winter Park features a Snow Hotel, where you can stay overnight in a room (and bed) of actual snow, and an Ice Cathedral. The Hunderfossen Ice Cathedral is the only ice cathedral in Norway south of the Arctic Circle, so if you’ve always wanted to see one, this is your chance to check it out!

4. Experience the Lillehammer Art Museum

If you prefer to spend the day enjoying the arts, the Lillehammer Art Museum is the perfect option. The museum’s main collection consists of around 1,500 works of art that explore Norway’s art history from the 19th century to the present day, and several special exhibitions are featured each year. 

The memorable main building was designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, which also designed the Opera House in Oslo.

If you need a break from looking at art, there is an on-site cafe where you can stop for a coffee and a bite to eat.

5. Go skiing in the nearby mountains

Outdoor activities are some of the most popular things to do in Lillehammer for locals and tourists alike! There are several good skiing and snowboarding destinations in the surrounding area. If you ski, make sure that you spend some time enjoying this beloved part of Norwegian culture in the same town where the athletes of the 1994 Winter Olympics once did!

It might push your day trip into an overnight, but Skeikampen is a mountain located less than two hours north of Lillehammer with great alpine skiing. There is even a hotel right on the mountain for those who want to make the most of their time on the slopes.

How to get to Lillehammer from Oslo via public transportation

The best way to get to Lillehammer from Oslo using public transportation is by train. The train takes about 2 hours to get from Oslo Central Station to Lillehammer Station.

The train to Lillehammer leaves from Oslo Central Station about once every hour. Tickets should cost around 250 NOK each way and can be purchased from the Vy website.

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I hope this post gives you some ideas of things to do in Lillehammer, Norway! You can also check out this post to get inspiration about some of the other easy day trips you can take from Oslo.

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