Røros is one of those places that feels made for Christmas. This old mining town in Trøndelag is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shaped by copper mining history dating back to the 17th century. In winter, when snow settles on the rooftops and the colorful wooden buildings glow in the blue hour, Røros feels like stepping straight into an old Christmas card.
One of the most important things to plan around is Julemarked Røros, the Christmas market. Do not assume it runs every weekend in December. It only takes place on selected dates, so it is worth checking the official program and planning your trip well in advance. For 2026, the Christmas market is scheduled for December 3rd–6th.
The market is a big part of the Christmas atmosphere in Røros. The streets fill with small market stalls, local food, Christmas gifts, music, Santa in the streets and traditional winter activities such as horse-and-sleigh rides. It is incredibly cozy and atmospheric, but it is also popular, so accommodation should be booked early.
Røros is also far enough from Oslo that it deserves proper planning. The journey takes around five hours by car or train, making it perfect for a long winter weekend rather than a spontaneous day trip.
If you are mainly visiting for the Christmas market and to explore the town itself, we would personally recommend staying for two days, as that is usually more than enough time to experience the highlights. However, if you also want to go skiing, enjoy winter activities or spend more time relaxing, then it is worth adding a few extra days to your trip.
One of the absolute highlights of our trip was booking a horse-drawn sleigh ride, called kanefart in Norwegian. Sitting under thick wool sheepskins while the horse moved slowly through the snowy streets was such a beautiful experience. Hearing the sleigh bells ringing through town while passing the old wooden houses made the entire experience feel magical and very authentic to Norwegian winter culture.
Røros itself is not a large town, but that is part of the charm. You do not come here for big-city sightseeing; you come here to walk slowly, admire the colorful wooden buildings, stop in small independent shops, drink something warm and enjoy the atmosphere. The shops are incredibly cozy, especially around Christmas, and the whole town feels intimate and welcoming.
One thing worth knowing is that Røros is not necessarily a budget destination. We found prices surprisingly high Christmas shops, clothing stores and many local products were generally more expensive than in Oslo so it is smart to budget a little extra for food, activities and shopping.
Speaking of food, we would strongly recommend checking Google Reviews or online restaurant ratings carefully before choosing where to eat. We arrived very hungry after the long drive and picked a restaurant quickly without researching it properly. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a mistake, and the food we received was honestly some of the worst we have ever eaten. Since Røros is a smaller town with fewer restaurant options, it is definitely worth spending a few extra minutes checking reviews before sitting down somewhere.
A must-see in the center is Røros Church, also known as Bergstadens Ziir. The church sits beautifully above the town and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Røros. Especially during winter, it looks stunning surrounded by snow and warm lights from the town below.
For anyone who loves winter activities, Røros is a fantastic destination. There are excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, sledding and other winter activities nearby. The area is also known for its many illuminated ski trails, making it possible to ski even during the dark winter evenings.
We stayed at Røros Hotell, which worked very well as a base. It is within walking distance of the town center, but usually more affordable than staying directly in the middle of town. The hotel is eco-friendly and has a pool, sauna, hot tub and outdoor pool during the warmer months. After spending hours outside in the cold, the spa area was especially nice to come back to.
Our biggest packing tip is simple: dress properly. Røros can become extremely cold during winter, so bring a thick winter jacket, warm boots with good grip, wool layers, gloves, a hat and a scarf. Even with the sheepskins during the sleigh ride, you will still want proper winter clothing.
For us, Christmas in Røros is not about rushing through a long list of attractions. It is about the feeling: snow-covered streets, warm lights in small shop windows, sleigh bells, old timber houses and cozy cafés. Plan your visit around the Christmas market dates, book accommodation early, pack warmly and leave enough time to simply wander through one of Norway’s most charming winter towns
