Gjøvik: Culture and Experiences by Mjøsa
Accommodation in Gjøvik
Gjøvik lies on the shore of Lake Mjøsa and brings together cruises, cultural history and activities for a variety of holiday experiences. The city is the Skibladner’s home port: there are services to and from Gjøvik on every sailing day. Other highlights include the Gjøvik Olympiske Fjellhall and Gjøvik Gård, as well as opportunities for swimming, climbing and exploring. When choosing a holiday rental, you might consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on the lake and culture or more on outdoor activities and family experiences.
Aboard the Skibladner on Mjøsa
In summer, the Skibladner sails from Gjøvik to places including Kapp. In good weather, you can take your bicycle on board and cycle back. This lets you combine a trip on the lake with a bike ride, without implying that there is a circular route. A voyage from Gjøvik is described as a leisurely journey through the Lake Mjøsa landscape, with a meal of salmon and strawberries served on board.
If you want to make the cruise the focus of your stay, you can use the service from Gjøvik as the starting point for your plans. The sailings and the summer bicycle option give your stay a different focus from a day devoted entirely to activities on land.
Cultural history above and below ground
The Gjøvik Olympiske Fjellhall was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics. It is the world’s largest public hall inside a mountain. The hall houses a permanent exhibition of rock carvings, considered Norway’s largest exhibition of its kind. This brings together a building associated with the Winter Olympics and an exhibition about rock carvings as a cultural highlight in one place.
Gjøvik Gård, a protected park, is located in the centre of Gjøvik. The estate was built in 1810 by Caspar Kauffeldt, founder of the Gjøvik Glassworks. Today, Gjøvik Gård is a museum, and guided tours of the main house are offered in summer. The estate also hosts various cultural events, including the free concerts Toner fra Tunet and Sommerslagere.
Trails, water and outdoor activities
There is an extensive network of hiking trails throughout the municipality. If you’d prefer an activity that combines exercise with navigation, try Stolpejakta: this free activity involves searching on foot or by bicycle for marked posts shown on a map. Residents of the municipality and visitors can also borrow modern sports equipment free of charge from BUA Gjøvik.
Bassengparken combines walking paths with two small ponds inhabited by fish and salamanders. There are also four small mini-golf courses, mini trampolines and an obstacle course for children aged seven to thirteen. Benches, tables and barbecue areas are available too. Anyone can fish for trout there all year round. The mix of walking paths, play facilities and fishing opportunities offers several ways to enjoy time outdoors.
Fastland is a free outdoor swimming facility with a 200-metre pool and a ten-metre diving tower. There is a separate area for young children who cannot yet swim. If you’re planning a day of swimming, this offers a different kind of water experience from a trip on Mjøsa.
Explore and be active together
At Gjøvik Klatrepark, the climbing courses range from 0.5 metres to just under 15 metres above the ground. They are suitable for adults and children and have varying levels of difficulty. The park is at Øverby, a five-minute drive from the centre, and offers full-body experiences and treetop adventures for children and adults. The different heights and difficulty levels make climbing a distinct activity option alongside swimming, walking and cycling.
Vitensenteret Innlandet encourages visitors to try things for themselves: this popular science experience and learning centre focuses on mathematics, science and technology. Visitors learn by experimenting. It complements outdoor activities with an opportunity to explore, putting curiosity and hands-on participation first.
When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to weigh up the kinds of days you want: cruises and museums, trails and bike rides, swimming or climbing courses each offer a different focus.
For more information about nearby places, see the pages for Gjøvik, Bybrua, Snertingdal, Hunndalen and Biri.
For the broader travel overview: Oppland.
More destinations
More places in the same destination:
