Hamar

Hamar is a city in Hedmark, Norway, facing the impressive Mjøsa lake. The city, which has a population of 31,000, was first established in the middle of the 11th century, but destroyed by a Swedish army in 1567.

In 1849 the city was re-established, and is now the largest city in the Norwegian inland (i.e. the counties not connected to the ocean). During the 1994 Winter Olympics three of the sporting events were held in Hamar: Figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating.

• Vikingskipet, Åkersvikveien 1. The Viking Ship, officially known as Hamar olympiahall (Hamar Olympic Hall), is a modern speed skating arena, and was built for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. It name comes form its appearance: an upside-down Viking ship. It regularly hosts major speed skating events, such as world championships. Also known for hosting The Gathering each Easter, a computer gathering mainly for young people which has had over 5,000 participants. Each spring and fall, the Vikingship also hosts a very popular 3-day long market for second-hand/ antique goods. The Viking Ship is situated near Åkersvika, a nature reserve, known for it's rich bird life. At the parking lot there is a "bird tower", where you can get a good view of the bay. 30 NOK.
• Domkirkeodden, Strandvegen 100, 2315 (From city center follow signs for museums, +47 62 54 27 00. A must-see. Medieval cathedral and folk museum along Lake Myøsa. The ruins of the cathedral are encased in a glass house. Lovely walks and beaches by the lake. The open air museum is free and open year round, all the time. The opening hours of the museum vary according to season. There's a nice cafe there as well. Concerts and theater productions are often held in the glass house, but be sure to bring a blanket with you in the evenings- even in the summer, it gets cold there after the sun sets! The Medieval Festival usually takes place here over a long weekend in June.
• Railway Museum, Strandveien 163 (Follow the signs for museums (Museene) form the city center. Then follow the signs marked Jernbanemuseet. You can also walk along the lake, past Domkirkeodden (about 3km). Or city bus 1 from the train station/city center, +47 62 51 31 60. Vary according to season. Documents the history of the Norwegian railroad system. Lots of child-friendly exhibits. Also has its own library.
• The Norwegian Emigrant Museum, Åkershagan, +47 62 57 48 50. Tue-Fri: 9AM-3:30PM. Museum showing emigration from Norway, with a collection of six buildings (amongst them a church built in 1896 in Minnesota). NOK 50.
• The Kirsten Flagstad Museum, Kirkegata 11 (Located right next to Hamar's main church., +47 62 54 27 00. Museum dedicated to Norway's most famous opera singer, Kirsten Flagstad. NOK 60.

Vikingskipet, Åkersvikveien 1. The Viking Ship, officially known as Hamar olympiahall (Hamar Olympic Hall), is a modern speed skating arena, and was built for the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. It name comes form its appearance: an upside-down Viking ship. It regularly hosts major speed skating events, such as world championships. Also known for hosting The Gathering each Easter, a computer gathering mainly for young people which has had over 5,000 participants. Each spring and fall, the Vikingship also hosts a very popular 3-day long market for second-hand/ antique goods. The Viking Ship is situated near Åkersvika, a nature reserve, known for it's rich bird life. At the parking lot there is a "bird tower", where you can get a good view of the bay. 30 NOK.

Domkirkeodden, Strandvegen 100, 2315 (From city center follow signs for museums, +47 62 54 27 00. A must-see. Medieval cathedral and folk museum along Lake Myøsa. The ruins of the cathedral are encased in a glass house. Lovely walks and beaches by the lake. The open air museum is free and open year round, all the time. The opening hours of the museum vary according to season. There's a nice cafe there as well. Concerts and theater productions are often held in the glass house, but be sure to bring a blanket with you in the evenings- even in the summer, it gets cold there after the sun sets! The Medieval Festival usually takes place here over a long weekend in June.

Railway Museum, Strandveien 163 (Follow the signs for museums (Museene) form the city center. Then follow the signs marked Jernbanemuseet. You can also walk along the lake, past Domkirkeodden (about 3km). Or city bus 1 from the train station/city center, +47 62 51 31 60. Vary according to season. Documents the history of the Norwegian railroad system. Lots of child-friendly exhibits. Also has its own library.

The Norwegian Emigrant Museum, Åkershagan, +47 62 57 48 50. Tue-Fri: 9AM-3:30PM. Museum showing emigration from Norway, with a collection of six buildings (amongst them a church built in 1896 in Minnesota). NOK 50.

The Kirsten Flagstad Museum, Kirkegata 11 (Located right next to Hamar's main church., +47 62 54 27 00. Museum dedicated to Norway's most famous opera singer, Kirsten Flagstad. NOK 60.

• Go to a HamKam football match.. HamKam is the local football team, which bounces between the first and second division. Watch the normally reserved Norwegians cheer on this team to victory (or not!). Hamar has recently built a beautiful new football stadium called Briskeby Arena for the home games. You can find out when the next match will be from the website. "Next match" = "Neste kamp" in Norwegian. If HamKam is listed before the other team, then it's a home game. Wear green and white to show your support!
• Ankerskogen swimming hall, Ankerskogveien 7, 2319, +4746918000. Mon - Fri 10.00 - 21.00 Sat & Sun 10.00 - 17.00 Early morning swimming-Mon-Wed- Fri 06.30 - 08.30. The main pool is one of Norway's largest, 25x50m. Part of this pool is roped off and has all sort of special floats for kids. There's also a specially heated pool for rehabilitation, a kiddie pool, and a hot tub (cost 10 kr per round), a shallow outdoor pool which is open in summertime. Also a 65 meter slide which kids love. There are huge windows all around the pool, so in the winter you can swim while you watch the snow blowing outside. The changing rooms have saunas. You need a 10 kr coin to operate the lockers, or bring your own lock. Ankerskogen also has indoor tennis courts and a Nautilus gym. You'll also find a cafeteria here. The center was due to be renovated starting in 2010, but they planned on staying open to the public the whole time. weekdays: adults 157;student/youth/senior 130; children 3-12 100;children 0-2 53 (nappy suitable for bathing included). At weekends all tickets are NOK 10 more expensive.: Ankerskogv. 7, 2319 Hamar.
• Koigen. Beach area close to the city. Excellent for bathing during the summer. Also possible to use the beach volleyball court or the skate park.
• Skibladner. Skibladner is the world's oldest preserved paddle steamer, and sails on lake Mjøsa during the summer. Prices from kr. 210 per person. Return fare: single fare + kr. 100,-.
• Gåsbu / Vangsåsa. A recreational area for the citizens. During the winter there are good possibilities for cross-country skiing. Check out ut.no for hike and trail routes.

Go to a HamKam football match.. HamKam is the local football team, which bounces between the first and second division. Watch the normally reserved Norwegians cheer on this team to victory (or not!). Hamar has recently built a beautiful new football stadium called Briskeby Arena for the home games. You can find out when the next match will be from the website. "Next match" = "Neste kamp" in Norwegian. If HamKam is listed before the other team, then it's a home game. Wear green and white to show your support!

Ankerskogen swimming hall, Ankerskogveien 7, 2319, +4746918000. Mon - Fri 10.00 - 21.00 Sat & Sun 10.00 - 17.00 Early morning swimming-Mon-Wed- Fri 06.30 - 08.30. The main pool is one of Norway's largest, 25x50m. Part of this pool is roped off and has all sort of special floats for kids. There's also a specially heated pool for rehabilitation, a kiddie pool, and a hot tub (cost 10 kr per round), a shallow outdoor pool which is open in summertime. Also a 65 meter slide which kids love. There are huge windows all around the pool, so in the winter you can swim while you watch the snow blowing outside. The changing rooms have saunas. You need a 10 kr coin to operate the lockers, or bring your own lock. Ankerskogen also has indoor tennis courts and a Nautilus gym. You'll also find a cafeteria here. The center was due to be renovated starting in 2010, but they planned on staying open to the public the whole time. weekdays: adults 157;student/youth/senior 130; children 3-12 100;children 0-2 53 (nappy suitable for bathing included). At weekends all tickets are NOK 10 more expensive.: Ankerskogv. 7, 2319 Hamar.

Koigen. Beach area close to the city. Excellent for bathing during the summer. Also possible to use the beach volleyball court or the skate park.

Skibladner. Skibladner is the world's oldest preserved paddle steamer, and sails on lake Mjøsa during the summer. Prices from kr. 210 per person. Return fare: single fare + kr. 100,-.

Gåsbu / Vangsåsa. A recreational area for the citizens. During the winter there are good possibilities for cross-country skiing. Check out ut.no for hike and trail routes.

Torggata, the pedestrian street in Hamar, got some shopping possibilities, with two small shopping malls connected to the street. Maxi Storsenter is the largest shopping mall, located a bit outside of the city. In 2014 a new mall will open closer to the city centre.

• Maxi Storsenter, Aslak Bolts gate 48. This is the largest shopping mall in Hamar, with 70 stores.
• CC Mart'n. Shopping mall with Hamar's only Vinmonopolet (wine and liquor store).
• Løiten Lys, Løten Brænderi. Norway's largest distributor of hand-made candles.

Maxi Storsenter, Aslak Bolts gate 48. This is the largest shopping mall in Hamar, with 70 stores.

CC Mart'n. Shopping mall with Hamar's only Vinmonopolet (wine and liquor store).

Løiten Lys, Løten Brænderi. Norway's largest distributor of hand-made candles.

• Alle Tiders, Torggata 73 (In the center of town on the pedestrian street, 5-minutes' walk from the train station., +47 625 30 145. Mon-Sat 10-12, Sun 14-21. This cafe has the best cakes in all of Hamar. Great for lunch and light dinners. Outdoor seating overlooks the pedestrian street. Centrally-located.
• Larsen, Strandgata 53, +47 413 27 903. Cafe and vintage store combined.

Alle Tiders, Torggata 73 (In the center of town on the pedestrian street, 5-minutes' walk from the train station., +47 625 30 145. Mon-Sat 10-12, Sun 14-21. This cafe has the best cakes in all of Hamar. Great for lunch and light dinners. Outdoor seating overlooks the pedestrian street. Centrally-located.

Larsen, Strandgata 53, +47 413 27 903. Cafe and vintage store combined.

• Kolonihagen, Storhamargata 2 (Located in Basarbygningen, built in 1896., +47 919 000 90. Tues-Thu 11-22, Fri-Sat 11-02, Sun 11-17, Closed Mon. Eco-friendly gourmet. Popular, so reservations are a must, at least in the evening. Main courses NOK 255-315 (Lunch NOK 100-150).
• Kunstbanken (Hedmark Art Center), Parkgate 21, 2317 (1 minute's walk from the train station in the center of town, +47 625 42 260. Tues-Fri 11-18, Sat 12-17, closed Sun and Mon. Sandwiches, cakes, coffees, and culture. The perfect place for lunch. Enjoy your meal and tour the museum afterwards
• Leonardo, Torggata 34 (In the eastern end of the pedestrian street, near the Østre torg., +47 625 30 820. Italian restaurant with pasta and pizza located in a quiet backyard. NOK 140-NOK 260 (main courses).
• Nagomi, Strandgata 21 (One minute walk from the railway station, +47 625 211 02. 11:00-22:00. Sushi restaurant and cocktail bar.
• Volume, Østre torg. American inspired menu.
• Hot & Spicy, Torggata 21, +47 62 52 02 60. Chinese and thai.
• Hamarstua, +47 62 52 34 62.
• Royal India, Strandgata 37, +47 62 11 07 11. 15:00-23:00. Decent Indian food, but a bit pricey. Main courses NOK 190 - NOK 250.

Kolonihagen, Storhamargata 2 (Located in Basarbygningen, built in 1896., +47 919 000 90. Tues-Thu 11-22, Fri-Sat 11-02, Sun 11-17, Closed Mon. Eco-friendly gourmet. Popular, so reservations are a must, at least in the evening. Main courses NOK 255-315 (Lunch NOK 100-150).

Kunstbanken (Hedmark Art Center), Parkgate 21, 2317 (1 minute's walk from the train station in the center of town, +47 625 42 260. Tues-Fri 11-18, Sat 12-17, closed Sun and Mon. Sandwiches, cakes, coffees, and culture. The perfect place for lunch. Enjoy your meal and tour the museum afterwards

Leonardo, Torggata 34 (In the eastern end of the pedestrian street, near the Østre torg., +47 625 30 820. Italian restaurant with pasta and pizza located in a quiet backyard. NOK 140-NOK 260 (main courses).

Nagomi, Strandgata 21 (One minute walk from the railway station, +47 625 211 02. 11:00-22:00. Sushi restaurant and cocktail bar.

Volume, Østre torg. American inspired menu.

Hot & Spicy, Torggata 21, +47 62 52 02 60. Chinese and thai.

Hamarstua, +47 62 52 34 62.

Royal India, Strandgata 37, +47 62 11 07 11. 15:00-23:00. Decent Indian food, but a bit pricey. Main courses NOK 190 - NOK 250.

• Docile Kontor & Pub, Kirkegata 3 (In the church hill, near McDonalds.. Shows football matches on multiple screens. Can play dart there..
• Hamar Sportsbar. Shows football matches on multiple screens. Possible to play dart and shuffle board.
• Casanova, Strandgata 71. One of the few places to go for people between 18 and 20. Young crowd.
• Irishman, Strandgata 31. Pub for a bit older crowd. The backyard is a good place to be during the summer.
• Nellie, Torggata 23. Formerly known as Dirty Nelly. Cozy place with occasional dancing.
• Sebs hotel, Grønnegata 34. Rock and metal pub.
• Svare og Berg, Strandgata 71 (Stortorget.. Nightclub and a good place for dancing.
• Gregers, Grønnegata 70. Bar and concert scene.

Docile Kontor & Pub, Kirkegata 3 (In the church hill, near McDonalds.. Shows football matches on multiple screens. Can play dart there..

Hamar Sportsbar. Shows football matches on multiple screens. Possible to play dart and shuffle board.

Casanova, Strandgata 71. One of the few places to go for people between 18 and 20. Young crowd.

Irishman, Strandgata 31. Pub for a bit older crowd. The backyard is a good place to be during the summer.

Nellie, Torggata 23. Formerly known as Dirty Nelly. Cozy place with occasional dancing.

Sebs hotel, Grønnegata 34. Rock and metal pub.

Svare og Berg, Strandgata 71 (Stortorget.. Nightclub and a good place for dancing.

Gregers, Grønnegata 70. Bar and concert scene.

Norway is a fairly safe country in general, and Hamar is no exception.

• Lillehammer, another olympic city located close to lake Mjøsa.
• Trysil, Norway's largest ski resort.
• Elverum, has one of Norway's most visited museums in Skogmuseet (the Forest museum).