Things to do in Hamar – a guide to the city by Lake Mjøsa

Photo: Skyphoto.no/Hamar Kommune

Koigen Beach Park

Koigen is Hamar’s main waterfront recreation area, close to both the city centre and the railway station. A sandy beach and lawns provide space for swimming, picnics and barbecues, while volleyball and basketball courts, a skatepark and outdoor exercise equipment offer more active ways to spend the day.

The best-known feature is the diving tower, reached from the shore by a narrow footbridge. It has become one of Hamar’s most recognisable landmarks, but you do not have to take the plunge to enjoy the area: the lakeside promenade continues past Koigen and makes for an easy walk at any time of year.

Photo: Ingse Kjernmoen/Hamar Kommune

Skibladner

Skibladner has sailed on Lake Mjøsa since 1856 and is the world’s oldest paddle steamer still in scheduled service. Watch the engine and paddle wheels at work, take in the lake views and enjoy a meal in the historic dining saloon as you sail across the lake.

During the summer season, Skibladner calls at Hamar on selected routes connecting towns and villages around Lake Mjøsa, including Gjøvik and Lillehammer.

Furuberget Nature Reserve

Within easy reach of central Hamar, Furuberget offers woodland walks and views of Lake Mjøsa. Several marked paths cross the nature reserve, including Bergstirunden, a 2.3-kilometre circular walk that begins and ends at a small cabin, Dagsturhytta, where walkers can stop for a break and enjoy nature.

The trail follows the hillside above the railway, passing viewpoints across the lake, the remains of an old hill fort and the former limeworks before returning through the nature reserve. Allow around an hour, or explore one of the area’s other routes using this overview of five marked circular walks in Furuberget (in Norwegian).

Helgøya Climbing Park

Set among the trees on Helgøya, the climbing park offers routes for different ages and levels of experience, from low courses for younger children to more demanding obstacles high above the ground. Everyone receives safety instruction before setting out, making it suitable for first-time climbers as well as more confident visitors.

The park also has 20 zip lines, including a 430-metre ride with views across Helgøya and Lake Mjøsa.

Photo: Frederik Garshol/Hamarregionen Utvikling

Domkirkeodden and Hamardomen

Domkirkeodden brings medieval Hamar to life through cathedral ruins, historic buildings, exhibitions and one of Norway’s largest herb gardens. Its best-known sight is Hamardomen, where a striking glass structure shelters the remains of Hamar’s medieval cathedral.

The wider museum site explores the history of Hamar and the surrounding region through both indoor exhibitions and its open-air setting.

Photo: Hamar Kommune

Norwegian Railway Museum

The Norwegian Railway Museum stands beside Lake Mjøsa, north of Hamar city centre. Its indoor exhibitions explore how the railway developed and changed Norwegian society, while the extensive museum park contains station buildings, tracks, locomotives and historic carriages.

During the summer, a narrow-gauge railway runs through the grounds, adding a journey of its own to the museum visit.

Photo: Mette Larsen

Kirsten Flagstad Museum

The celebrated soprano Kirsten Flagstad was born in Hamar in 1895 and became one of the foremost Wagnerian singers of the 20th century. The museum devoted to her stands in Strandstuen, the house where she was born and partly raised.

Recordings, photographs and objects from her career introduce both the artist and the person behind the international reputation. It is a small, specialised museum, but a rewarding stop for anyone interested in opera or music history.

Photo: Hamar Kommune

Atlungstad Brenneri

Set beside Lake Mjøsa south of Hamar, Atlungstad Brenneri has produced spirits since 1855 and is Norway’s oldest working potato distillery. Guided tours and tastings reveal how potatoes and spices are transformed into aquavit while tracing the history of Norway’s distinctive spirit.

The restaurant makes Atlungstad worth lingering over. Its à la carte dishes feature ingredients from local suppliers, with aquavit spices woven through the menu,

Basarene Restaurant

Housed in Hamar’s historic market building, Basarene is a natural choice for visitors who want dinner to feel connected to the city itself. Choose from the à la carte menu or settle in for a longer dinner with a multi-course set menu, with dishes changing throughout the year.

Its central location makes it easy to reach after a day of sightseeing, while the characterful setting gives the evening a stronger sense of place.

Ankerskogen – cross-country skiing in the city

Ankerskogen is a centrally located recreational area used for walking, running and cycling during the warmer months. When snow conditions allow, a short ski trail is prepared through the area, making it a manageable introduction to cross-country skiing without leaving the city. The trail also passes a skating rink, a ski-play area, a toboggan run and a small ski jump.

Gåsbu – the gateway to Hedmarksvidda

Leave the city behind at Gåsbu, where prepared cross-country trails lead into the snow-covered forests and gently rolling hills of Hedmarksvidda. The wider network extends for around 300 kilometres, but you can choose anything from a short circuit near the stadium to a longer day on skis.

For a rewarding half-day, take the floodlit circular route via Stenfjellhytta, with open views and a real sense of being out on the plateau.

Hamar Alpinsenter – downhill skiing close to the city

Hamar Alpinsenter is the convenient choice when you want to ski downhill without travelling to a large mountain resort. The compact local hill has two main runs: one graded blue/red and a steeper red/black alternative for more confident skiers.

A separate children’s slope with a conveyor lift gives beginners an easier place to find their balance.