Akevittfestivalen (Aquavit Festival)
Norway's largest aquavit festival, held every autumn in Gjøvik on Lake Mjøsa and drawing over 30,000 visitors. A celebration of drink, food, culture and tradition.
PlizioGo
Look for this fresh local delicacy at the restaurants situated near the lake.
A traditional game dish often featured in classic Norwegian restaurants downtown.
Grab a freshly baked pastry from one of the bakeries in the pedestrian zone.
Explore the small boutiques near Gjøvik Gård for unique, locally made crafts.
The largest shopping center in the region, well-suited for finding Norwegian fashion brands and daily items.
Relax in the beautiful, well-maintained park surrounding the historic farm right in the city center.
Visit this outdoor swimming pool and recreation area early in the morning for a peaceful retreat.
Water temperature…
Norway's largest aquavit festival, held every autumn in Gjøvik on Lake Mjøsa and drawing over 30,000 visitors. A celebration of drink, food, culture and tradition.
Annual school wind band festival in Gjøvik, bringing together young brass and wind bands from the region in June. Concerts and competitions in the town.
Gjøvik, located on the western shores of Lake Mjøsa in Innlandet county, is a city renowned for its industrial heritage and its role as a regional educational hub. The town's growth was initiated by the establishment of the Gjøvik Glassworks in 1760, which served as its economic foundation for decades; its history is now preserved at the Gjøvik Gård cultural center. A world-famous landmark of the city is the 'Skibladner' paddle steamer, the world's oldest operating ship of its kind, which continues to transport passengers across Lake Mjøsa. Gjøvik gained significant international recognition during the 1994 Winter Olympics when the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall (Fjellhallen), the world's largest cavern hall for public use, was blasted into the mountainside. Today, the city is a major campus for the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), fostering a lively and innovative environment. The local economy features specialized manufacturing, including O. Mustad & Søn, a global leader in the production of fishing hooks. The surrounding terrain features exceptional opportunities for hiking, skiing, and water sports on Norway's largest lake. Gjøvik effectively balances its industrial past with a forward-looking focus on higher education and technology.
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -9 | -8 | -5 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 2 | -4 | -8 |
| Rain mm | 71 | 51 | 52 | 57 | 101 | 109 | 130 | 133 | 92 | 94 | 84 | 66 |
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Your day in Gjøvik begins in the historical heart of the city at Gjøvik Gård. From there, you'll stroll through history, past Kauffeldtgården and the wooden church. At noon, you'll reach the shore of Lake Mjøsa. The promenade is ideal for a relaxing lunch break with a view of the famous Skibladner paddle-steamer. In the afternoon, a longer walk takes you to Gjøvik's industrial and Olympic landmarks, the Glassworks and the impressive Cavern Hall. The evening concludes in the cozy city center, where you can enjoy Norwegian specialties.
Morning starts at Gjøvik Farm with an umbrella in the gardens. At noon, we find shelter within the historic walls of Kauffeldtgården and the church. Afternoon involves a misty walk by Mjøsa before retreating to the warmth of the Glassworks. We end the day perfectly dry inside the Olympic Cavern Hall, deep within the mountain rock.
A snow-blanketed Gjøvik Farm greets us in the morning chill. At noon, we crunch through snow to the church and enjoy the silence of the frozen lake. With the early sunset, we retreat to the warmth of the Glassworks by mid-afternoon. We spend the winter evening inside the rock cavern, where it stays warm regardless of the frost outside.
Hop on your bike and start your day at the Eiktunet Open-Air Museum for a dive into Norwegian history. Your bike tour then takes you uphill to the impressive Olympic Cavern Hall. At lunchtime, you'll roll into the center to Gjøvik Gård, a perfect spot for a break. After visiting the nearby church, you'll cycle to the shore of Lake Mjøsa. The afternoon is dedicated to a relaxing ride along the promenade, with a stop at the historic Skibladner paddle-steamer. The final leg takes you to the Gjøvik Glassworks, where you can end the day admiring fine craftsmanship.
Despite the rain, we start at Eiktunet where old cabins provide shelter. We bike quickly to the Cavern Hall to escape the downpour. Midday is spent at Gjøvik Farm and the church. The afternoon involves a ride along the Mjøsa shore before finally warming up at the Glassworks.
On winter tires, we head to snow-covered Eiktunet in the morning. The downhill ride to the Cavern Hall requires full focus on the ice. Midday involves a quick visit to Gjøvik Farm before riding to the frozen lake. The tour ends at the Glassworks, warming up our frozen limbs with hot cocoa.
By car, you can conveniently explore Gjøvik's attractions in clusters. Start your day at the Eiktunet Open-Air Museum, slightly outside the center. Then, drive to the Olympic cluster to explore the Cavern Hall and the nearby Glassworks on foot. For lunch, park in the city center, where Gjøvik Gård, historic buildings, and the church await you on a pleasant walk. The best way to spend the afternoon is with a short drive to the shore of Lake Mjøsa. Park your car and end the day with a relaxing stroll along the promenade, admiring the majestic Skibladner paddle-steamer.
By car, we easily reach Eiktunet despite the rain. We then visit the Cavern Hall and Glassworks, staying mostly dry throughout. Midday includes Gjøvik Farm, followed by Kauffeldtgården and the church. The day ends at the pier, where we can admire the Skibladner from the comfort of our dry vehicle.
We drive up snowy roads in the morning to reach Eiktunet. The route to the Cavern Hall offers stunning winter wonderland views. Midday includes Gjøvik Farm and the church, with the car serving as a warm base between stops. We finish the day at the Glassworks and harbor before a safe drive home through the snow.
