Hamar

Countryside idyll just outside of Oslo

Along with nearby Lillehammer, the city of Hamar played host to the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Here you can visit the Hamar Olympic Hall, known as the "Viking Ship" for its uniquely shaped rooftop, and the Northern Lights Hall sports arenas. 

Of course, there are also attractions here that aren't sports-related. One fine example is the Hedmark Museum, a folk museum and active archaeological site with a collection of Iron Age relics and preserved medieval buildings, including the ruins of the 12th century Hamar Cathedral under an enormous steel and glass shelter nicknamed the “Glass Cathedral”.

As the city is located on the shores of Norway’s largest lake, Lake Mjøsa, you can also take a ride on the world’s oldest paddle steamer, the DS Skibladner, to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.