Mention Lillehammer and the first thing that popped into mind is most likely the 1994 Winter Olympic games. Nestled in the Gudbrandsdallen Valley of the Oppland County in eastern Norway, Lillehammer is a district better known for old mountain farms than modern skyscrapers.<\/p>\n

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Located at a magnificent mountainous region overlooking parts of Lake Mj\u00f8sa and the river L\u00e5gen, Lillehammer\u2019s charm lies in its picturesque landscape.<\/p>\n

Attractions<\/h4>\n

Beyond being known as an Olympic city, Lillehammer also offers a number of attractions worth visiting.<\/p>\n

Maihaugen<\/h5>\n

\nThe biggest open-air in Europe, Maihaugen is a must-see if you visit Lillehammer. Made up of close to 200 buildings and houses over 40 000 exhibits, it gives an insightful look at how the people of the Gudbrandsdalen Valley lived in the last three centuries. There is a set-up of the rural society, complete with intimate churches and homes furnished with beautiful antiques, as well as farmyards equipped with traditional farming methods. You also get to experience the daily life of the villagers and try your hand the handicrafts during this period.<\/p>\n

If you step into the main museum, you can get a detailed look at Norwegian history. There are also recreated craft shops inside the museum, where you can spend some time, admiring at the details put into recreating them.<\/p>\n

The museum is about a 20-minute walk from downtown Lillehammer. Walk up Jernbanegata, turn right at Anders Sandvigs gate and left up Maihaugvegen; bus 007 to Nybu also stops at the museum.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> To spice up your visit to the museum, get a guide to bring you around. They usually have interesting anecdotes of the people who live in the villages and their history. And if you visit in winter, the frozen lake will become a skating rink. You can rent skates and helmets, and traditional tobaggons are available at no charge for use.<\/address>\n

\nIf you have an eye for art, do not miss the Lillehammer Art Museum, one of Norway\u2019s reputable visual arts museums, showcasing the works of Norwegian artists such as J.C. Dahl, Hans Gude, Adolph Tidemand, Frits Thaulow, Edward Munch, Christian Krough and more. With over 1400 works dating from the 1800s to present day, the museum is an exquisite visual feast. It doesn\u2019t matter if you are not familiar with all the artists, all you need is a guided tour, and you\u2019ll be kept up-to-date.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong>It\u2019s common for the museum to organize exhibitions, up to five a year, of both historical and modern art, so before your visit, do a check to see if there\u2019s any that catches your fancy. This will help you plan how much time you need to spend there.<\/address>\n

Winter Sports and Olympic sights<\/h5>\n

Skiing is all the rage in winter. The Hafjell Alpine Center<\/strong> offers the ideal snow conditions that offer ski slopes in both high mountain and forest terrain that each comes with magnificent views of its surroundings. A truly all-rounded ski center, the Hafjell Alpine Center offers an exhaustive slope range, catering for varying skiing proficiency, and providing skiers of all ages with different challenges.<\/p>\n

\nWinter Olympic fans will have a few places to gawk at in Lillehammer. The first is the Lysgardbakken Ski Jump Arena<\/strong>, a hallmark during the 199 Winter Olympics. It was used for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the games. The peak of the Ski jumping tower offers a breathtaking view of Lillehammer and is one of the most popular tourist spots of the city.<\/p>\n

Up north of Lillehammer, some 15 km away lies the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge<\/strong> track. Those seeking winter thrills can attempt the taxibob- a 4-man bobsleigh ride with an authorized pilot. The bobsleigh will take you zipping down the bob track at speeds up to 120 km per hour, fulfilling your lust of speed. However, if you\u2019re not fond of high speed bobsleighs, there is an alternative- bobrafting, also known as the family bob. Riders will sit on a large rubber bobsleigh that can take up to five passengers and reaches up to 80 km per hour.<\/p>\n

\nIf you\u2019re not the outdoors-type of person, but would still like to get into some Olympic action, you can always visit the Norwegian Olympic Museum<\/strong>. It\u2019s the only museum in Northern Europe that showcases the Olympic history from ancient to present times for both Summer and Winter games. There is even a Norwegian Sports Hall of fame with a dedicated section on the Lillehamer \u201994 Olympic Wintergames. Featuring over 7,000 Olympic items, Olympic buffs can pore through all things Olympic, dating from 896 through texts, videos and sound recordings.<\/p>\n

Tip<\/strong>: Be sure to visit the Olympic Room, where you can find a collection of Olympic stamps and one of the world\u2019s largest pin collections.<\/address>\n

Food and Shopping in Lillehammer<\/h4>\n

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It\u2019s not just sports and arts in Lillehammer. Visitors to the city can also enjoy some pretty good shopping at the city center, at a brimming shopping precinct known as Storgata. With over 250 shops, it might take you a while to comb through the stretch.<\/p>\n

For items with a more local feel, the old industrial area of Mesna Brug might fill your needs, here, you can find local handicrafts and knitwear, and if you\u2019re looking for unique souvenirs, visit the glassblower\u2019s cabin and candle shops. Not only can you find one-of-a-kind products, you can even see how the products are being crafted.<\/p>\n

Pubs and clubs are dotted all over the city, and usually open till two in the morning. If there\u2019s one pub that you have to visit, it\u2019s the Felix Pub and Scene. There\u2019s a juke box at the corner of the place, pool tables and dart boards dotted around. It\u2019s a really neat place to just relax and soak in some of the local flavour. There\u2019s also an area for gigs, if you\u2019re in the area, check out the performance schedule for any interesting bands.<\/p>\n

Food in Lillehammer is diverse; one can find anything from Chinese cuisine to Italian fare. If you\u2019re into hamburgers and pizzas, you can find plenty of them in the city. Most eateries are found along the main streets of Storgata, and Elvegata Street.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong>Tipping is not required in restaurants; service and sales tax are included in the bill. But if you\u2019re happy with your server\u2019s attitude, you are welcome to show appreciation.<\/address>\n

Getting around in Lillehammer<\/h4>\n

\nIf you are wandering in downtown Lillehammer, it\u2019s possible to be on foot. Places like Maihaugen and the Art Musuem are all within walking distances from each other and the downtown.<\/p>\n

Lillehammer Skysstasjon is the main transport terminal for buses, trains and taxis. Rail services run\u00a0four to\u00a0six times daily north to Hunderfossen, Kvitfjell, Ringebu and Vinstra. Buses leave the Lillehammer town centre about every 30 minutes to most of the local attractions within Lillehammer and Hafjell\/Hunderfossen.<\/p>\n

From Lillehammer there are also ski buses going to and from Hafjell, Skeikampen, Kvitfjell and Nordseter\/Sjusj\u00f8en skiing areas in winter. In summer there are buses going to and from Hafjell, Hunderfossen, Skeikampen and Nordseter\/Sjusj\u00f8en.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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