Best for
Walkers, view-seekers, anyone interested in rural Norwegian building history
Time needed
1–2 hours for the grounds and walk; longer if an event is on
Worth it?
Yes for the view and walk alone — a bonus if an event has the buildings open
Skip if
You specifically want guided interior access and can't check ahead for an open event
About Eiktunet Open-Air Museum
Eiktunet has been Gjøvik's open-air folk museum since 1954, and since 2006 it's been run as part of Mjøsmuseet alongside Gjøvik Gård and Kauffeldtgården. Rather than one building, it's a collected 'village' of 33 historic timber structures moved here from farms across the wider district — a watermill from 1850, a smithy, a plumber's workshop, a forest hut, a schoolhouse and a working farmstead among them — arranged across a hillside at Øverby, on what locals consider one of the best short hikes above town.
The setting does a lot of the work here. Eiktunet sits high enough on the hillside that the view over Mjøsa and the town below is genuinely one of the best free vantage points in the Gjøvik area, and the walk up from the centre (or the shorter approach from nearby parking) is part of the appeal rather than an inconvenience.
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An octagonal exhibition hall on site holds rotating permanent and temporary exhibitions on the district's rural cultural history, and one of the historic buildings houses a local history archive with genealogical source material — a niche draw, but a real one for anyone researching Norwegian-American or local family roots.
The honest caveat: Eiktunet doesn't run on standard museum hours. The outdoor grounds are accessible 24 hours a day, year-round, and free to wander — but the buildings themselves are generally only opened for scheduled events (a seasonal calendar includes 'Naturens dag' and 'Eiktunetdagen'), or for pre-booked group tours. If you want to see inside the historic interiors rather than just walk the grounds, check the event calendar or call ahead rather than just showing up.
What to See: Highlights
- 133 historic timber buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, relocated from across the district
- 2One of the best free viewpoints over Gjøvik and Lake Mjøsa
- 31850s watermill, forge, schoolhouse and working farmstead
- 4Octagonal exhibition hall with rotating cultural-history displays
- 5Local history archive with genealogical records
- 6Grounds free and open 24/7 — no ticket needed to walk the site
Insider Tips
Check the seasonal event calendar before visiting if you want to see inside the buildings, not just the grounds
The uphill walk from town doubles as a scenic hike — wear real shoes
Weekend café (11:00–16:00 in season) is the only reliable food option on site
Combine with Gjøvik Gård and Kauffeldtgården for a full Mjøsmuseet day
Good rainy-day-adjacent option since the grounds themselves need no ticket or booking
Getting There
Øverbyvegen 108, 2825 Gjøvik
Open in Google Maps →- 1About a 30–40 minute uphill walk from Gjøvik town centre, or a short drive/taxi (roughly 5–10 minutes). Free on-site parking.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You enjoy hillside walks with a payoff view over a lake and town
- You're interested in Norwegian rural/vernacular architecture
- You're visiting during a scheduled Eiktunet event weekend
- You want a free, unticketed outdoor stop to break up a day of paid museums
Skip if...
- You specifically want the historic interiors open and haven't checked the event calendar first
- You have mobility limitations and can't manage the uphill approach
- You're short on time and need to prioritise Skibladner's seasonal sailing schedule instead
More to See in Gjøvik
Gjøvik Gård (Mjøsmuseet)
The manor house that founded Gjøvik — a preserved early-1800s estate with period interiors, parkland gardens and one of the world's oldest working electric cars, run as a summer museum by Mjøsmuseet.
Kauffeldtgården
A protected early-1800s townhouse in central Gjøvik, built by the town's founding glassworks family and now a compact gallery space run by the local history and art societies.
Hovdetoppen
The free viewpoint hill directly above Gjøvik's town centre — a short, well-marked walk to ruins of a burnt-down restaurant and the best panoramic view over the town and Lake Mjøsa.