Leave the city behind and journey into the heart of Norway’s countryside on this private day trip from Oslo to Lillehammer. With your own private driver-guide, you’ll enjoy stunning landscapes, traditional architecture, and Olympic history, all at your own pace. From exploring the atmospheric Maihaugen Open-Air Museum to standing atop the famous Olympic ski jump, every stop is enriched by local stories, expert insight, and the flexibility that only a private tour can offer. It’s the perfect way to see more of Norway while returning to your Oslo accommodation in the evening.

Day Tour From Oslo to Lillehammer – Private Itinerary

Your private tour begins with your friendly guide greeting you at your Oslo accommodation. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the 2.5-hour scenic drive to Lillehammer, the host of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Your private guide will talk you through the itinerary along the way so you know exactly what the day has in store.

You have the option to break up the drive with a scenic stop at Norway’s largest lake, Lake Mjøsa. Take some unique photographs and stretch your legs before continuing on your journey to Lillehammer.

Maihaugen Open Air Museum

You’ll arrive in Lillehammer, with the first stop being the Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, one of the largest and oldest open-air museums in Europe. The museum takes you through more than 1,000 years of Norwegian life, from the Viking Age to the post-war era. You’ll walk among over 200 historic buildings, from medieval farmhouses to a 1950s town street. As you walk through history, your private guide will share fascinating stories from these periods.

Visit the Garmo Stave Church, a 13th-century wooden church that moved to Maihaugen in 1921. You can walk inside the dimly lit church and get a sense of what life was like in medieval Norway.

Traditional Norwegian Lunch

After exploring 1,000 years of history, you may have built up an appetite! Your tour guide can take you to a venue of your choosing, with charming cafes and traditional Norwegian restaurants available to you. Once we know what kind of food and setting interests you, we can find a suitable venue that matches your interests.

Lillehammer Olympic Park

After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Lysgårdsbakkene, the impressive ski jump arena that captured the world’s attention during the 1994 Winter Olympics. You can ride the chairlift to the top and enjoy panoramic views over the Gudbrandsdal Valley. If you would rather not ride the chairlift, there’s still so much more to do at the arena. Walk through the Olympic Plaza and train areas, and watch ski jumpers in training. You may even see junior athletes or national teams perfecting their craft.

You can visit the small ski museum, which features authentic items from the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games, including Olympic torches, athlete uniforms, and official merchandise. Enjoy the interactive exhibits as your private guide shares stories from the 1994 games and recounts how Lillehammer evolved from a small town to a globally recognized destination.

Mesna River & Lillehammer Art Museum

As your time in Lillehammer draws to an end, take a leisurely walk along the Mesna River. You can enjoy beautiful riverside views and its waterfalls in a quiet local spot. Conclude the day at the nearby Lillehammer Art Museum, where your guide can showcase the rich collection of Norwegian and Scandinavian art.

Return to Oslo

After a day in Lillehammer, your private guide will return you to Oslo. The scenic drive home can take you through the countryside, or maybe you wish to stop again at Lake Mjøsa to experience it in the evening sun. Your guide will drop you off at your Oslo accommodation, leaving the evening ahead for you to unwind after a day of exploration.