Oslo's World-Class Museums: A Complete Guide
Oslo boasts some of the world's finest museums, from Viking artifacts and polar exploration ships to Edvard Munch's masterpieces and modern art. With over 50 museums in the city, Oslo offers cultural experiences for every interest. This comprehensive guide covers the must-visit museums, ticket information, opening hours, and insider tips for making the most of your museum visits in Oslo.
Oslo Pass Benefits
Most major museums offer free entry with the Oslo Pass, which also includes free public transport. If you're planning to visit 3+ museums, the pass typically pays for itself within a day.
Viking & Maritime Museums
Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset) →
Home to the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, the Viking Ship Museum houses three ships from the 9th century: the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune ships. These magnificent vessels were discovered in burial mounds and provide incredible insight into Viking Age craftsmanship, burial customs, and seafaring traditions.
Key Highlights
- • Oseberg ship: Most ornate Viking ship ever found
- • Gokstad ship: Seaworthy replica crossed Atlantic in 1893
- • Burial goods: Textiles, sleds, carts
- • 1,000+ artifacts from Viking Age
Visitor Info
- Entry: 150 NOK
- Oslo Pass: FREE
- Hours: 10:00-16:00 daily
- Duration: 1-2 hours
Pro Tip: Visit early morning (10:00 opening) to avoid cruise ship crowds. Combined ticket with Fram Museum saves money. Ferry from City Hall to Bygdøy is scenic and included in Oslo Pass.
Fram Museum (Frammuseet) →
Enter the actual polar exploration ship Fram, the strongest wooden ship ever built. This museum tells the story of Norwegian polar explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen's expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic.
What to See
- • Walk through original Fram ship
- • Gjøa ship (Northwest Passage)
- • Polar equipment and artifacts
- • Interactive polar exhibits
Details
- • Entry: 150 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Hours: 10:00-17:00 (summer), 10:00-16:00 (winter)
- • Location: Bygdøy peninsula
- • Family-friendly
Kon-Tiki Museum →
See Thor Heyerdahl's famous Kon-Tiki raft and Ra II reed boat from his legendary expeditions across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
- • Entry: 150 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Best for: Exploration history enthusiasts
- • Duration: 1-2 hours
Norwegian Maritime Museum →
Explores Norway's 1,000-year relationship with the sea through ship models, paintings, and maritime artifacts. Located next to the Fram Museum on Bygdøy.
- • Entry: 120 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Best for: Maritime history enthusiasts
- • Duration: 1-2 hours
Art Museums
Munch Museum (MUNCH) →
Opened in 2021, this spectacular 13-story building houses the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's works, including multiple versions of "The Scream." The museum contains over 26,000 works by Norway's most famous artist.
Collections
- • "The Scream" (multiple versions)
- • "Madonna" and "Vampire"
- • Complete Munch chronology
- • Temporary exhibitions
- • Rooftop with panoramic views
Visit Info
- • Entry: 170 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Thu-Sun), 10:00-21:00 (Fri-Sat)
- • Duration: 2-3 hours recommended
- • Restaurant on-site
Insider Tip: Visit Friday evening (18:00-21:00) for fewer crowds. The 11th-floor viewing terrace offers stunning Oslo Fjord views. Book tickets online to skip queues.
National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) →
Opened in 2022, the National Museum is the Nordic region's largest museum, combining Norway's National Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, and more into one spectacular building. Houses 400,000 objects spanning 5,000 years.
Must-See Works
- • Edvard Munch's first version of "The Scream"
- • Norwegian romantic paintings (Dahl, Fearnley)
- • Contemporary Scandinavian art
- • Ancient and medieval art
- • Design and decorative arts
Details: Free entry for all visitors | Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Thu 10:00-20:00 | Location: Sentrum, near City Hall
Astrup Fearnley Museum →
Contemporary art museum featuring works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and other international contemporary artists. Located in a stunning Renzo Piano-designed building on Tjuvholmen waterfront.
- • Entry: 140 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Strengths: Contemporary art, sculpture park
- • Hours: Tue-Sun 12:00-17:00, Thu 12:00-19:00
History & Culture Museums
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) →
Open-air museum with 160 historic buildings from all regions of Norway, including a stunning 13th-century stave church. Experience traditional Norwegian life from the 16th to 20th centuries.
Highlights
- • Gol Stave Church (1200s) - authentically relocated
- • Traditional houses from all Norwegian regions
- • Sami culture exhibition
- • Traditional crafts demonstrations (summer)
- • Folk costumes collection
Visit Info: Entry 150 NOK (free Oslo Pass) | Hours: 10:00-17:00 | Location: Bygdøy | Best visited: Summer months for outdoor experience | Duration: 2-3 hours
Nobel Peace Center →
Interactive museum telling the story of Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Peace Prize, and the laureates. Located in former Oslo Vestbanen train station near City Hall.
- • Entry: 120 NOK (free with Oslo Pass)
- • Interactive exhibitions on peace and conflict
- • All Nobel Peace Prize laureates featured
- • Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00
Resistance Museum (Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum) →
Chronicles Norway's resistance during World War II occupation. Located in Akershus Fortress with moving exhibits on wartime Norway.
- • Entry: 80 NOK (free Oslo Pass)
- • Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00
- • Duration: 1 hour
Science & Specialty Museums
Natural History Museum →
Dinosaurs, minerals, botanical garden, and Norway's natural history. Great for families.
Entry: 100 NOK (free Oslo Pass) | Location: Tøyen | Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00
Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology →
Interactive exhibits on technology, industry, and innovation. Perfect for families with children.
Entry: 120 NOK (free Oslo Pass) | Location: Kjelsås | Best for: Families
Vigeland Museum →
Former studio and home of sculptor Gustav Vigeland, featuring sketches and models from Vigeland Park.
Entry: 100 NOK (free Oslo Pass) | Near Vigeland Park
Money-Saving Tips for Oslo Museums
Oslo Pass
Free entry to 30+ museums plus public transport
- • 24h: 495 NOK | 48h: 745 NOK | 72h: 895 NOK
- • Pays for itself with 3-4 museum visits
- • Skip ticket queues
Free Museums
Some museums always free
- • National Museum (always free)
- • Many museums free first Sunday/month
- • Under 18 free at most museums
Combined Tickets
Save with museum combinations
- • Bygdøy Museum Pass (5 museums)
- • Viking + Fram combo ticket
- • Student discounts widely available
Timing Tips
Beat the crowds
- • Visit early morning or late afternoon
- • Weekdays less crowded than weekends
- • Book popular museums online
Museum Neighborhoods
Oslo museums cluster in specific areas, making it easy to visit multiple in one day:
Bygdøy Peninsula
Museum island accessible by ferry or bus 30
Viking Ship • Fram • Norwegian Maritime • Kon-Tiki • Folk Museum
City Center (Sentrum)
Walking distance from each other
National Museum • Nobel Peace Center • Resistance Museum
Bjørvika
Modern waterfront district
Munch Museum • Opera House • Deichman Library
Planning Your Museum Visits
1-Day Museum Itinerary
- • Morning: Munch Museum (2-3 hours)
- • Lunch: Mathallen food hall
- • Afternoon: National Museum (2-3 hours)
- • Evening: Stroll along Aker Brygge waterfront
Bygdøy Day Trip
- • Take ferry from City Hall (scenic 15-min ride)
- • Viking Ship Museum (1-2 hours)
- • Fram Museum (1-2 hours)
- • Lunch at museum cafe
- • Norwegian Folk Museum (2 hours)
- • Return by ferry or bus 30
Book Museum Tickets Online
Skip the lines at Oslo's most popular museums by booking tickets and tours in advance. Many museums offer timed entry to manage crowds.