Gjøvik at a glance
Gjøvik, Norway, lies on Lake Mjøsa and is where every Skibladner route starts and ends in summer. The best-known sights are the Fjellhallen Mountain Hall, built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and Gjøvik gård, a protected park in the town centre. If you come by paddle steamer, start with our Skibladner timetable and tickets.
Some of the sights open only on certain days or in season, so check opening days before you go. The town also has a freshwater swimming area at Fastland and a history of glassmaking.
Gjøvik sights compared
What each place is and how reliably you can visit.
| Place | What it is | Visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Fjellhallen | Olympic hall inside the Hovdetoppen hill | Open ice on single days, check with the hall |
| Gjøvik gård | Protected park with a museum and a main building from 1810 | Guided tours in season |
| Glass exhibition | Historical glass display at the Vitensenteret Innlandet entrance | During the centre's opening hours |
| Fastland | Freshwater swimming area, not in the lake | Free in summer, no lifeguard |
| Skibladner | Paddle steamer from Gjøvik | Summer only |
For most visitors, Gjøvik gård and a walk through the centre are the safest plan. Add the Fjellhallen if an ice day or an event matches your dates, and add the Skibladner if you travel between 23 June and 16 August.
Our pick: a husky visit inland from Gjøvik
This is not a city tour: the kennel visit starts inland at Synnfjell in Nord Torpa, so you travel there yourself. It suits you if you want an hour or two with sled dogs rather than a sight in Gjøvik.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and tickets around Gjøvik and Lake Mjøsa
Boat trips, museum visits and day trips around the lake, with live prices and availability.
Fjellhallen, the Mountain Hall in Gjøvik
Fjellhallen was built for the 1994 Winter Olympics. It opened in 1993. It sits inside the Hovdetoppen hill, and the figure of 120 m often quoted for it is not the depth below the surface. Ice hockey and other sports take place here, and so do fairs and concerts.
You cannot count on walking in on any day. The hall opens its ice to the public on single days, and the hall operator knows which days these are. Check the days and any ticket price with the hall before you go.
Gjøvik gård and the glass story
Gjøvik gård is a protected park in the centre of town. The main building dates from 1810 and was built for Caspar Kauffeldt, who founded the glassworks. There is a museum, and guided tours are offered in season. Prices and dates for 2026 are set by the museum, so check them before you plan around a tour.
Glass has a long history in the town. Do not expect daily glassblowing demonstrations, because none can be promised. A glass exhibition is shown in the entrance area of the Vitensenteret Innlandet, during the centre's opening hours. It is a historical exhibition, not a working glassworks.
Swimming near Gjøvik: Fastland
Fastland has a pond and pool area that is separate from the lake. It is not a beach on Lake Mjøsa. In summer it is free, and there is no lifeguard, so children need an adult nearby.
- Parking: NOK 38 per day, free on Saturday and Sunday.
- Bus: lines B41 and B42 from the Skysstasjon.
For the lake itself, read the bathing rules in our guide to fishing and swimming in Lake Mjøsa.
Skibladner fares from Gjøvik in 2026
Single fares in NOK for the 2026 season, 23 June to 16 August. No scheduled trips on Mondays.
| From Gjøvik to | Route and days | Single fare |
|---|---|---|
| Moelv | North route, Wednesday and Saturday | NOK 285 |
| Hamar | North route, Wednesday and Saturday | NOK 345 |
| Lillehammer | North route, Wednesday and Saturday | NOK 345 |
| Eidsvoll | South route, Tuesday and Friday | NOK 395 |
Times
On the north route the timetable lists Gjøvik at 09:30, Hamar at 11:15 and Lillehammer at 15:00, with the last Gjøvik time at 20:00. On the south route it lists Eidsvoll at 14:40 and Gjøvik at 19:30. These are port times, not guaranteed lengths of stay.
On the pier
Be at the pier 15 minutes before departure. Children under 12 travel free. A bicycle costs NOK 120, an e-bike NOK 180. Book ahead if you want a meal on board.
Outside the season
The steamer runs in summer only. It returns in 2027. Check the 2027 timetable before you plan around it.
Getting to Gjøvik
The RE10 train between Oslo and Lillehammer runs along the east shore and does not go to Gjøvik. Check the connections for your day, or come by Skibladner in summer. Our guide to getting from Oslo to Lillehammer and the lake covers the main route. The cycle route Mjøstråkk runs in stages around the lake, including Lillehammer to Gjøvik and Gjøvik to Hurdal. See the Lake Mjøsa road trip.
More around the lake
Pages that fit a trip to Gjøvik.
Gjøvik: frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik?
Only on days when the hall is open to the public. The hall has open ice on single days, so check the dates with the hall operator before you go. The hall is also used for ice hockey, other sports, fairs and concerts.
Is the Fjellhallen 120 m below ground?
No. The figure of 120 m belongs to the hall in the Hovdetoppen hill and is not the depth below the surface.
Can I swim in Lake Mjøsa at Gjøvik?
The Fastland area is a pond and pool area, not a beach on the lake. It is free in summer without a lifeguard. For the lake, follow the local bathing advice.
Does the Skibladner run from Gjøvik in winter?
No. The paddle steamer runs in summer only, and the 2026 season ran from 23 June to 16 August. It is due back in 2027.
Is this the official website of Gjøvik?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the municipality, a museum or any operator, and it is not connected to them.