Lillehammer is not just a winter destination. When the sun hits the pedestrian street, Mjøsa sparkles blue and the flower plants hang from the lampposts in full bouquets - then this is one of Norway's most pleasant cities to wander around in.
Many people know Lillehammer as the Olympic city and the ski jumping city. But those who visit in the summer discover something else: a vibrant, charming town where the pace is just right, the locally-owned shops have soul, and the cafes sit out late into the evening.
From Lillehammer Fjellstue you are only a quarter of an hour from all the best the city center has to offer. Here are our top tips for a summer in Lillehammer.
The pedestrian street – the city's beating heart
A holiday in Lillehammer is not just about mountains, activities and family parks. The city also offers pleasant shopping streets, cozy cafes and small shops that make it extra nice to stroll around after a day full of experiences.
Many families like to combine their stay with some shopping between activities. In Lillehammer you will find both well-known chain stores and local specialty stores with clothes, interiors, local food and crafts. The town is also known for its nice cafes and small bakeries where it is easy to take a break with ice cream, coffee or something good to eat.
Storgata, called the pedestrian street by all locals, is Lillehammer's proudest address. The street's distinctive charm lies in the combination of red wooden houses, cobbled pavements and a myriad of shops and restaurants that all seem to enjoy themselves as much as the guests.
We at Lillehammer Fjellstue are ourselves a family-run place with a heart in Lillehammer. Perhaps that's why we have an extra keen eye for places run by families with the same values – genuine commitment, personal service and attention to detail. Here are two places we would highly recommend you visit
No9 café and shop
No9 is exactly what Lillehammer needs – a place where the café meets the store and both are equally nice. Here you get a delicious lunch with local ingredients and homemade cakes.
They are keen to use good fresh ingredients and their cakes are rumored - especially their scones, which are super popular and widely known in Lillehammer, and are fresh on the counter every day.
A delicious sandwich with homemade Skagen batter and a large coffee latte - yes, we highly recommend that!
In addition to a cozy café with seating both inside and outside, they sell fun, delicious and different interior products and delicacies, and have earned a status as the city's new gift shop.
No9 is also known for its large selection of atmospheric interiors and decorations for holidays. Here you will find beautiful Christmas decorations, lights, textiles and small details that create a warm and traditional Christmas atmosphere, as well as stylish Easter inspiration with natural colors and Nordic design.
They sell coffee and tea in bulk and have a very good selection of good flavors. No9 Kafè & Butik is located right by the pedestrian street and next to Stortorget with the Art Museum as a close neighbor.
❤️family-run - in the same spirit as Lillehammer Fjellstue
Strada - fashion, interior and inspiration in the middle of Lillehammer
Strada Lillehammer is one of the city's most popular stores for those who like fashion, interior design and small details that create the perfect home or cottage atmosphere. The store offers an exciting selection of clothes, shoes, interiors and gift items in modern Scandinavian style, and is a pleasant stop when strolling through the city center streets of Lillehammer.
Here you will find, among others, carefully selected brands such as Ralph Lauren, Acne Studios and Holzweiler, Camilla Phil, Ella&il, Jeanerica, Ugg and Birkenstock presented with the personal service that only a family-run place can provide. The summer collections are worth a trip alone and they have both men's clothing, women's clothing and children's clothing.
There is also a good selection of interiors for both homes and cabins and accessories for lights, pillows and interior details that fit perfectly both at home and in the cabin. At Lillehammer Fjellstue, we have selected many of the beautiful lanterns from Skogsberg & Smart for decoration in our fireplace room.
At Strada, you get very good help from the entire Strada family, who have run the family business for over 10 years. You also get delicious coffee from your own barista that can be enjoyed inside the store, outside on Lilletorget or on the terrace facing the Mesna river together with a piece of Morty's homemade cakes.
Strada can be found at Lilletorget at the start of Storgata, and there is parking right next door. We warmly recommend a trip to the hotel.
❤️family-run - in the same spirit as Lillehammer Fjellstue
Lillehammer Art Museum - art and architecture right in the city centre
In the middle of Lillehammer city centre, right next to the pedestrian street and Stortorget, you will find Lillehammer Art Museum – one of Norway's most renowned art museums. The museum is known both for the exciting architecture and the great exhibitions of Norwegian art from the 1800s until today.
The permanent collection is a unique treasure, the museum's rootstock. The collection consists of a wide selection of Norwegian and Nordic art from the 1800s to the present day. Parts of the collection can be read as a canon of Norwegian art history. At the same time, it involves many different stories and surprises. The exhibition sheds light on themes such as nature, abstraction, art in Lillehammer, the human face and photography. In addition, it contains several completely new works from Norwegian contemporary artists.
In the collection exhibition, you can experience art from well-known artists such as Johan Christian Dahl, Frits Thaulow, Harriet Backer, Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Henrik Sørensen, Helene Schjerfbeck, Jakob Weidemann, Anna-Eva Bergman, Mette Tronvoll, Matias Faldbakken and more.
Here you can stroll through bright and modern exhibition halls with works by well-known Norwegian artists, before having a coffee in the cozy museum café or continuing further out into the pedestrian street. The art museum is perfect as a quiet break between shopping, café visits and summer life in the city center.
Photo: Tone Iren Eggen Tømte / Lillehammer Art Museum
TIP: Check Lillehammer Art Museum's website for the summer program – there are regular guided tours and special exhibitions in July and August.
Mjøsa and Skibladner travel back in time
Norway's largest lake, Mjøsa, is located just below the city center. A summer's day in Lillehammer can also be combined with an atmospheric boat trip on Lake Mjøsa on board Skibladner – the world's oldest paddle steamer in scheduled traffic. The beautiful veteran boat has sailed on Mjøsa since 1856 and offers a very special experience with shiny water, nostalgic atmosphere and fantastic views of the cultural landscape around Norway's largest lake. Delicious food is served on board.
From Lillehammer, Skibladner goes south on Mjøsa with stops in Moelv, Brumunddal, Gjøvik and Hamar, among other places. Many people choose to get off the boat in one of the cities and then travel back to Lillehammer by train or bus. This makes Skibladner a perfect day trip for families who want to combine boat trips, summer atmosphere and small town experiences during their holiday in Lillehammer.
TIP: Skibladner sails to Lillehammer on selected days and we recommend buying a ticket in advance. Check timetables and price of Skibladner.no
Ready for an unforgettable summer with a visit to Lillehammer?
Lillehammer Fjellstue og Hytteutleie is perfectly located for exploring all that Lillehammer has to offer and much more. We are happy to help you with tips and recommendations when you arrive. Book your stay today and come visit this summer.
