Hamar Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Hamar with this comprehensive travel guide. Discover the best places to visit, food and drink scene, where to stay, and more.


  • Introduction to Hamar
  • List of Places to Visit in Hamar
    • Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places
    • Natural Attractions of Hamar: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views
  • Hiking/Biking Routes of Hamar
    • Hiking Trails
    • Biking Trails
  • Best Things to Do in Hamar: Activities and Tours
  • Week-Long Itinerary for Hamar
  • Food and Drink Scene of Hamar
    • Must-Try Dishes
    • Local Beverages
  • Where to Stay in Hamar: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
  • What to Buy in Hamar: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
  • Local Culture and Customs of Hamar
  • Best Time to Visit Hamar
  • Do's and Don'ts of Hamar
    • Do
    • Don't
  • Safety and Health
    • Safety in Hamar
    • Health in Hamar
  • Getting to Hamar: Transportation Options and Logistics
    • Airports Near Hamar
    • Bus Stations Near Hamar
    • Other Options
  • How to Get Around in Hamar
  • Where to Go Next from Hamar: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
  • Conclusion

Introduction to Hamar

Nestled in Hedmark, East Norway, Hamar is a picturesque destination that boasts scenic views and a rich cultural heritage. The city is famous for its ancient buildings, museums, and outdoor activities. This travel guide will help you explore the best places to visit, food and drink scene, where to stay, and more.

List of Places to Visit in Hamar

When in Hamar, there’s no shortage of exciting places to visit. Here is a list of the top attractions that should be on your must-see list:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Hedmarksmuseet
  • Kirsten Flagstad Museum
  • Vikingskipet Olympic Arena
  • Domkirkeodden
  • Hegefjellshotellet

Natural Attractions of Hamar: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Mjøsa Lake
  • Langsua National Park
  • Hedmarksvidda
  • Hamar Waterpark
  • Helgøya Island

Hiking/Biking Routes of Hamar

Hamar offers plenty of hiking and biking trails to explore. Here are some of the best routes:

Hiking Trails

  • Helgøya Island Hike
  • Pilgrimsleden
  • Gårdsjøen Rundt
  • Djuvecampen

Biking Trails

  • Mjøstråkk
  • Slørdalsruta
  • Rødhammeren Rundt
  • Espa Rundt

Best Things to Do in Hamar: Activities and Tours

Hamar caters to a wide range of interests, and here are some of the best activities and tours that you can experience.

  • Visit the Kirsten Flagstad Museum
  • Explore the city’s rich history at the Hedmarksmuseet
  • Try your hand at skiing or snowboarding at Kvitfjell Ski Resort
  • Check out the Hamar Waterpark
  • Experience the Vikingskipet Olympic Arena
  • Go on a cycling tour with Hamar Cykleklubb
  • Take a scenic walk around Lake Mjøsa
  • Listen to live music at Hegefjellshotellet

Week-Long Itinerary for Hamar

If you have a week to spare, here’s how you can maximize your time in Hamar.

Day Activity
Day 1 Visit the Kirsten Flagstad Museum and Hedmarksmuseet
Day 2 Explore the city’s historical sites, including the Domkirkeodden and Vikingskipet Olympic Arena
Day 3 Go skiing or snowboarding at Kvitfjell Ski Resort
Day 4 Visit the Hamar Waterpark and Hegefjellshotellet
Day 5 Take a scenic walk around Lake Mjøsa
Day 6 Go on a cycling tour with Hamar Cykleklubb
Day 7 Head to Helgøya Island for a day trip

Food and Drink Scene of Hamar

Hamar’s food and drink scene is diverse and exciting. Here’s a list of must-try dishes and local beverages:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Fårikål - boiled lamb and cabbage stew
  • Tjukkmjølk - thick buttermilk porridge
  • Rømmegrøt - sour cream porridge with sugar and cinnamon
  • Pølse med lompe - a hot dog wrapped in a potato pancake

Local Beverages

  • Brennevin - traditional Norwegian liquor
  • Mjød - a sweet, honey-based drink
  • Nøgne Ø - a famous local beer
  • Aquavit - a popular Norwegian spirit

Where to Stay in Hamar: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Hamar offers accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. Here’s a list of some of the best hotels, hostels, and guesthouses:

  • Scandic Hamar
  • Clarion Collection Hotel Astoria
  • First Hotel Victoria
  • Hamar Vandrerhjem Hostel
  • Hamar Guesthouse

What to Buy in Hamar: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Don’t leave Hamar empty-handed! Here’s what you should buy:

  • Handcrafted woolen sweaters
  • Traditional Norwegian knives
  • Trolls of all sizes
  • Handpicked berries and wild mushrooms
  • Jams and jellies made from local fruits

Local Culture and Customs of Hamar

Hamar, like most Norwegian cities, has a rich and distinctive culture, and here are some customs you may encounter:

  • Saying “takk for maten” after a meal is customary
  • Respecting personal space is important in public
  • Drinking alcohol in public is strictly prohibited
  • Punctuality is highly valued.

Best Time to Visit Hamar

The best time to visit Hamar is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is warm and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the countryside.

Do's and Don'ts of Hamar

Here are some things you should and shouldn’t do when in Hamar:

Do

  • Try traditional Norwegian dishes
  • Respect the local customs and traditions
  • Try skiing, biking, and other outdoor activities
  • Enjoy the scenic views

Don't

  • Drink alcohol in public places
  • Litter or damage the environment
  • Be excessively loud or disruptive in public
  • Be late for appointments or dates

Safety and Health

Safety in Hamar

Hamar is a relatively safe place, but it’s always good to exercise caution when going out at night and when in crowded areas.

Health in Hamar

Norway has a very high standard of healthcare, and there are a few medical centers and hospitals in Hamar.

Getting to Hamar: Transportation Options and Logistics

Getting to Hamar is easy, and here are some transportation options you can consider:

Airports Near Hamar

  • Oslo Airport - 80km away

Bus Stations Near Hamar

  • Hamar bus terminal
  • Kongsvinger bus terminal

Other Options

  • Train
  • Rental car

How to Get Around in Hamar

Hamar has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and trains. Taxis and rental cars are also available.

Where to Go Next from Hamar: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Hamar is a great hub for exploring other destinations in the region, and here are some places to consider going on an excursion:

  • Lillehammer
  • Oslo
  • Gjøvik
  • Jotunheimen National Park

Conclusion

With its beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and exciting cultural experiences, Hamar is a city bustling with energy and life. A trip to Hamar is sure to leave you with a lasting impression of the beauty of this stunning Nordic destination.

The city of Hamar from air. Roads and railway form the south runs across the river mouth which is also a wetland nature reserve. Lake Mjøse left hand. Vikingskipet speed skating rink on the shore. The city of Hamar from air. Roads and railway form the south runs across the river mouth which is also a wetland nature reserve. Lake Mjøse left hand. Vikingskipet speed skating rink on the shore. Domkirkeruinene (cathedral ruins with protective building) Domkirkeruinene (cathedral ruins with protective building) Interior of Vang church at Ridabu. Interior of Vang church at Ridabu. The settler church at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum The settler church at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum Bathing at Koigen during the summer. Bathing at Koigen during the summer. Skibladner Skibladner Hamar seen from Gjøvik across Helgøya island and Mjøsa lake. Hamar seen from Gjøvik across Helgøya island and Mjøsa lake.