Where to stay around Lake Mjøsa
Most visitors look for Lillehammer hotels first, and for good reason: the town has Maihaugen, the Olympic Park and a lakefront. But the lake is long, and other towns make equally good bases, depending on what you want to see. Hamar and Brumunddal suit train travellers on the east side, Gjøvik suits the paddle steamer in summer, and Hafjell suits mountain biking and skiing.
Room prices depend on the dates, the room type and the season, and there is no typical rate to quote. Compare your own dates before you decide. If you are building a trip around activities first, our Lillehammer tours and activities help you pick the area to sleep in.
Which base suits you
Five bases compared by what they are best for and how you reach them.
| Base | Best for | Getting there | Close by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lillehammer centre | First visits, museums, shopping | Train station on the Oslo line | Maihaugen, Olympic Park, lakefront |
| Hamar | Lake views, history, train travellers | Train station on the Oslo line | Domkirkeodden, railway museum, Vikingskipet |
| Gjøvik | Paddle steamer trips in summer | Not on the Oslo to Lillehammer train line | Fjellhallen, Gjøvik gård |
| Brumunddal | A night in the timber tower | Train station on the Oslo line | Mjøstårnet, restaurant in the tower |
| Hafjell | Mountain biking, skiing, cabins | Bus from Lillehammer, about 15 minutes | Lifts and trails |
For most first visits, Lillehammer is the easiest base: it has the most sights within reach, and trains stop there. Pick Hamar or Brumunddal if you want to see the middle of the lake, and Gjøvik if the steamer is the plan.
Tours and activities near your hotel
Museums, family parks, lake trips and outdoor activities around Lillehammer and Lake Mjøsa, with live prices and availability.
Hotels in Lillehammer
The town centre is the base for city visits. It has the Maihaugen open-air museum, shops and the historic timber buildings along Storgata. Do not assume any hotel is a short walk from Maihaugen or from the chairlift at the ski jumps; check the distance for the exact address you book.
The town is also the end of the train line from Oslo, which makes arriving without a car simple. Many of the lake's best-known sights lie within reach from here, including Maihaugen and the Olympic Park. Families can add Hunderfossen, which lies near Lillehammer.
Where to stay in Hamar, Gjøvik, Brumunddal and Hafjell
What to expect in the other bases.
Hamar
Hamar sits right on the lake and has its own cultural sights: Domkirkeodden and the Norwegian Railway Museum. The station is on the line to Oslo. City bus B25 runs from the bus station to the railway museum, but not on Sundays.
Hamar guide →
Gjøvik
Gjøvik has the Fjellhallen rock hall, built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and the Gjøvik gård park with its museum. In summer every steamer route starts and ends here. The town is not on the Oslo to Lillehammer train line, so check your connection or travel by car.
Gjøvik guide →
Brumunddal
The hotel in the Mjøstårnet is the main reason to stay. The tower is mixed use, with hotel rooms, flats and offices, and it is 85.4 m high with 18 floors. The restaurant is on the ground floor. Guests can use outdoor parking at no charge.
Mjøstårnet guide →
Hafjell
The ski and bike area offers cabins, apartments and hotels, some of them ski-in and ski-out. Check each property, because not every place in the village has that location. A bus takes about 15 minutes from Lillehammer.
Staying in the Mjøstårnet in Brumunddal
The hotel occupies part of the Mjøstårnet, which was completed in March 2019. Room prices vary by date, and there is no fixed rate. Not every room category has a view of the lake.
The tower has a viewing terrace on the 18th floor, with no smoking. Whether it is open to people who are not staying in the hotel is up to the hotel, so ask before you count on it. The restaurant serves à la carte Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 21:30, Saturday from 11:30 to 21:30 and Sunday from 11:30 to 20:00. Breakfast for outside guests costs NOK 249.
Booking tips for Lake Mjøsa
- Summer: if you want the steamer, plan around its season. In 2026 it sailed from 23 June to 16 August, with no sailings on Mondays. Gjøvik is the base, and the ship also stops at Hamar, Moelv and Lillehammer.
- Museums: Maihaugen has three price periods in 2026. Adults pay NOK 180 in the low season, NOK 205 in the middle season and NOK 235 from 22 June to 16 August.
- Without a car: pick a base on the train line from Oslo: Lillehammer, Hamar or Brumunddal.
- Parking: ask about parking when you book. Rules and prices differ from hotel to hotel.
See our guide to getting from Oslo to Lillehammer for train times and tolls, and the Lake Mjøsa road trip for a route that links the bases. Travelling on to the north? The Tromsø guide covers where to sleep there.
Plan around your stay
Guides to the places near each base.
Where to stay around Lake Mjøsa: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay around Lake Mjøsa?
For most first visits, the centre of Lillehammer. Choose Hamar or Brumunddal to explore the middle of the lake, and Gjøvik for the paddle steamer in summer.
Can I stay in the Mjøstårnet timber tower?
Yes. A hotel is in the tower in Brumunddal. Room prices depend on the dates.
Where should I stay without a car?
Choose Lillehammer, Hamar or Brumunddal, which all have a station on the train line from Oslo. Gjøvik is not on that line.
Are there cabins and apartments near the lake?
Hafjell offers cabins, apartments and hotels, including ski-in and ski-out locations. Check the exact property when you book.
Is this an official website?
No. This is an independent guide to Lake Mjøsa. It is not run by a hotel, a municipality or a tourist board, and it does not take bookings.