Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
Frequent trains run between Oslo and Hamar, costing
196NOK ($28) one-way and taking 1
1
⁄
4
hours. Visit www.nsb.no for schedules.
Nor-Way Buss Ekspress runs daily from Oslo. Visit www.nor-way.no for sched-
ules. Motorists should take the E north from Oslo until they see the signposted
turnoff for Hamar.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The local tourist office is at Torggata 1 (
&
62-
52-12-17
), open Monday to Saturday 8am to 4pm. From mid-May to mid-
August hours are Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm. Or visit www.norway.
com/hamar for information.
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Hamar Olympiahall
This modern sports arena hosted events during the
1994 Winter Olympics. It is built in the shape of a Viking ship, lying within
walking distance of the town center. Today it is the site of numerous sports
events, performances, and exhibitions, and can hold some 10,000 spectators. It's
been called a “sports cathedral without equal.” Visits are possible when events
aren't being staged.
Åkersvikaveien.
&
62-51-75-00.
Admission 30NOK ($4.25); ice-skating late July to mid-Aug 50NOK
($7.10). June 30 to mid-Aug daily 8am-8pm.
Hedmark Kunstnersenter (Hedmark Artists' Center)
This restored cen-
ter of art offers changing exhibitions featuring regional artists, mainly painters
and sculptors. Check with the tourist office to see what's currently showing. The
center is beautifully situated by Lake Mjøsa, west of town, which makes for a
pleasant walk along the lake.
Parkgate 21.
&
62-54-22-60.
Admission 30NOK ($4.25) adults, 20NOK ($2.85) students and seniors, free
for children under 16. Tues-Fri 11am-5pm; Sat-Sun noon-5pm.
Hedmarksmuseet & Domkirkeodden
West (1.5km/1 mile) of the town
center, the ruins of the nearly 1,000-year-old Hamar Cathedral jut out into Lake
Mjøsa. The sight can be reached by a scenic walk, or you can take bus no. 6 leav-
ing from the Hamar Library, costing 20NOK ($2.85) one-way. These ruins are
evocative and call attention to Hamar's once-important role in Norway's eccle-
siastical world. The church was constructed of locally quarried limestone, with
Romanesque architecture, although later additions were Gothic.
The ruins are protected by a steel-and-glass cover provided in 1998. This pro-
tective umbrella is the largest glass construction in Europe, fanning out for
Sailing on Norway's Oldest Paddle Steamer
The best way to travel to Hamar is aboard the world's oldest paddle
steamer,
Skibladner
(
&
61-14-40-80
), which calls not only at Hamar but
also at Eidsvoll and Lillehammer, among other points. The ship was built
in 1854 and is still in good shape, stretching 50m (165 ft.) long and meas-
uring 5m (17 ft.) wide. It has a cruising speed of 12 knots, and sails from
the middle of May to September. Onboard is a luxurious 70-seat restau-
rant that's fully licensed and serves regional specialties. The most popular
route is between Hamar and Lillehammer, taking 4 hours and costing
220NOK ($31) per person one-way. Ask about jazz evenings aboard the
steamer; a night's entertainment goes for 450NOK ($64), including food.
Moments
