5 Best Sights in Hamar, Central Norway

The four Romanesque arches that formed part of the wall of the medieval cathedral that once stood on this spot now form the centerpiece of Cathedral Point. The impressive glass superstructure constructed over and around the ruins makes this one of the most unusual museum buildings in Europe. Also on the grounds sit 50 or so idyllic grass-roof houses from around the region that show what life was like when Hamar was a flourishing town. An organic garden has 350 different types of herbs.

A 50-minute drive south along Lake Mjøsa, Eidsvoll House is one of Norway’s most important national symbols because this was the place where the Norwegian Constitution was drawn up and signed in 1814. It is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. Today the museum is made up of the house itself, several ancillary buildings, and the surrounding park. There's a souvenir shop and a café with outdoor seating.

Shaped like an upside-down Viking ship, this impressive stadium hosted the speed-skating and figure-skating events of the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994. The best way to see the interior is to watch an event inside. 

Hamar's beach area by the lake of Mjøsa is located a few steps away from the city center. Here you will find the talk of the town—the most expensive diving tower in Norway, as well as a sandy beach with an artificial island, basketball courts, volleyball courts, skate facilities, a barbecue area, bathrooms, and a well-equipped playground. The beach walk is serene and scenic year-round.

One of Europe’s first railway museums, opened in 1896, the museum documents the development of Norway’s railways. There is plenty of train memorabilia inside, while locomotives and carriages are on narrow-gauge tracks just outside. You can take a short ride on Tertittoget, the last steam locomotive built by Norway’s state railway, from mid-May to mid-August. The museum enjoys a beautiful location by Lake Mjøsa, north of Hamar.