Wanderyn
Maihaugen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Maihaugen

Getting around: Maihaugen is a short walk (10-15 minutes) uphill from central Lillehammer, or a quick local bus ride.
Hours: Open daily in summer with fuller access to buildings and activities; reduced days and hours in the off-season, when many buildings close and only the indoor exhibits remain accessible.

Maihaugen is one of Norway's largest open-air museums, gathering more than 200 historic buildings - farmhouses, workshops, the relocated Garmo stave church - into a walkable landscape illustrating rural and small-town life in the Gudbrandsdalen region across several centuries. It began as the personal collection of a 19th-century dentist, Anders Sandvig, and grew into a major institution.

Costumed staff and demonstrations during the summer season add life to the buildings that's largely absent in winter, when the site becomes a quieter, more static walk through the historic structures with only indoor exhibition halls fully staffed.

Maihaugen FAQs

How large is Maihaugen?

It holds over 200 historic buildings, making it one of Norway's largest open-air museums.

Is the Garmo stave church part of Maihaugen?

Yes, it was relocated here and is included in a visit to the museum.

Is Maihaugen worth visiting outside summer?

It's a quieter experience - many buildings close and demonstrations stop, though the indoor exhibition halls stay open, so it's still visitable but less lively.

How long should I plan for a visit?

2-3 hours to walk the grounds properly, more in summer with demonstrations running.

How did the museum start?

It began as the personal building collection of a 19th-century dentist, Anders Sandvig, who gathered structures from around the region before it became a formal museum.

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