The essential guide to the best museums in Oslo

Oslo is probably your best option if you want to visit any city in Scandinavia purely for its museums. Institutions in the Norwegian capital cover a huge range of genres, and the best museums in Oslo tend to feature exhibitions in both the native language and English. 

Many Oslo museums are within close proximity of one another, making it easy to hop between them. And even the ones further afield are easily reachable by public transport, meaning that you can cover significant ground in a single weekend (just keep in mind that many are closed on Monday!). 

You will find plenty of temporary and permanent exhibitions at museums in the Norwegian capital and slightly further afield. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll be pleased to know that many are hugely interactive. So, you’ll have a lot of fun — even if you’re not interested in the topic. 

And so, without further ado, here’s our list of the best museums in Oslo. We’ll give you a brief overview of our favorites, and you’ll also learn about pricing and more. 

Are museums free in Oslo?

The answer to this question depends on the museum you visit. Sometimes, you do not have to pay an entrance fee for museums in Norway’s largest city. But in many cases, you’ll need to purchase a ticket before you can view all of the exhibitions inside. 

While Oslo is an expensive city to visit, the good news is that many museums are affordable. And if you’re a student or pensioner, you’re typically entitled to a discounted fee — as long as you show proof of identity.

Scandinavia is a very child-friendly region, and like museums in Copenhagen, children will often receive free entry in Oslo. And if you plan to move to Norway’s capital city, you can purchase memberships that provide unlimited entry for a year. 

If you’re only visiting Oslo for a few days, you can save money on museums in the city by purchasing the Oslo Card. Doing so will give you discounts elsewhere, along with free travel on public transport in Zones 1 and 2.  

Okay, so now you know what you can expect from Oslo’s museums, here’s our list of the best museums in Oslo (in no particular order). 

MUNCH Museum 

The newly-refurbished MUNCH Museum is one of Oslo’s hottest attractions. Its original version opened in 1963 and was located in the eastern district of Tøyen. But in October 2021, the new-and-improved edition officially opened to the public along the waterfront. 

The new MUNCH building is in the trendy Bjørvika neighborhood, and it’s the culmination of the municipality’s 2008 plan to move the museum somewhere new.  

The MUNCH Museum offers a comprehensive overview of Edvard Munch’s life. You can see some of his most famous works and learn more about his residence outside of Oslo. Moreover, you can see artifacts recovered from his home. 

You’ll find an interactive map of cities he impacted, along with a lovely view over downtown Oslo from above. 

The Viking Ship Museum

It’s almost impossible to think of Norway without the Vikings coming to your mind. The Viking era was a crucial part of Norwegian history, and you will find evidence of their legacy throughout the country. 

One of Norway’s most popular museums is the Viking Ship Museum, which is on the picturesque Bygdøy peninsula in the city’s western parts. 

The original Viking Ship Museum opened in 1926, and inside, you will find real-life versions of ships used during the era. At the time of writing in July, it’s closed for major renovation works. The new version is expected to open in 2026, and it will be called the Museum of the Viking Age. 

Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

Over the past couple of decades, Oslo’s waterfront area has been dramatically renovated. What was once largely industrial has now become a hotbed of trendy districts, intriguing architecture, and fancy bars and restaurants. 

Sitting among all of that is the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, which is in the modern Tjuvholmen district. 

The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art’s original version opened in 1993. However, the latest version started welcoming members of the public in 2012. The museum is located in an intriguing wooden building, which was designed by Renzo Piano — a renowned Italian architect. 

Inside, you will find several exhibitions featuring contemporary artists worldwide. 

Fram Museum

Norway has the world’s third-longest coastline; only Canada and Indonesia beat it to the top spot. As you might expect, the country has had a close relationship with the sea for all of its history. 

The Norwegians have always been keen explorers, and one of the best places to witness this for yourself is at the Fram Museum — which focuses specifically on polar exploration. 

The museum is on the Bygdøy peninsula, and you’ll easily notice its triangular structure. 

The Fram Museum has been around since 1936, and its name derives from Fram — a ship used for Arctic exploration from 1893 until 1912. Today, you can see the ship in the museum. You will also find the ship Gjøa inside, along with various other bits and pieces from adventures in the deep north. 

If you want to buy a ticket to visit both Fram and the Kon-Tiki Museum, you can only do so at the front desk. However, you can purchase tickets solely for Fram online. 

Nasjonalmuseet

As you have probably guessed by now, Norway has had a fascinating history. Its journey to one of the world’s most prosperous nations has been a long one, and it continues to write an intriguing story today. 

The Norwegian National Museum is the best place to take a journey through time, and it has recently received a huge facelift to make visiting even more worthwhile. 

The renovated version of Nasjonalmuseet opened on June 11th, 2022. You will find a huge variety of art from multiple eras at the museum, in addition to over 47,000 artifacts, including clothes, cutlery, and much more. 

The museum is on Aker Brygge and close to Oslo’s City Hall, making it easy to reach by foot or tram. 

Norsk Folkemuseum

Once you’ve learned all about Norwegian history at Nasjonalmuseet, why not check out an outdoor version of the country at the Norwegian Folk Museum? 

The concept isn’t too different from the Skansen Open Air Museum in Stockholm, and you’re guaranteed to have an enjoyable day — regardless of whether you go on your own or with others. 

The Norwegian Folk Museum features several aspects synonymous with the country’s culture. You’ll find people roaming around in traditional dress, for example, in addition to a large Stave church that’s well worth visiting. 

In the museum’s Old Town, you can find older buildings from Oslo and its surrounding areas. The museum also has several exhibitions, along with a café and much more. Pricing differs depending on the season you visit. 

The Nobel Peace Center

The Nobel Peace Prize has become one of the most prestigious awards to win, and each year, the winner receives their prize in the Norwegian capital — even though Alfred Nobel was actually Swedish. 

To commemorate the award and showcase its importance, the Nobel Peace Center opened its doors to the public in 2005. 

Believe it or not, the building that the center is located in used to be a railway station. Known as Oslo West in its heyday, it operated from 1872 to 1989. Now, however, you will find various exhibitions related to several causes — with the aim of inspiring you to help make a positive impact on the globe. 

The building is right next to Nasjonalmuseet and Oslo City Hall, and you can reach it by tram. 

Holmenkollen Ski Museum

Skiing is one of Norway’s favorite pastimes, and the country almost always excels at the Winter Olympics. The country has hosted a couple of events in the past, including the 1952 edition — which was held in Oslo. 

The Holmenkollen Ski Jump was used during that tournament, though it has since been renovated. At the ski jump, you will find the oldest skiing museum. 

The Holmenkollen Ski Museum has been around since 1923, and you will find several interesting exhibitions about the sport held here. You will discover examples of clothing used to get around on skis, along with a comprehensive history of how things have evolved. 

As part of your ticket, you can also enjoy a fantastic view over Oslo from the top of the ski jump tower. 

22. juli-sentret

Norway is typically one of the world’s most peaceful countries, and the events of July 22nd, 2011, shocked the globe. After detonating a bomb at the main government building in Oslo and killing eight people, Anders Breivik shot a further 69 dead on Utøya island. 

The terror attack was the deadliest in Norwegian history, and the 22nd July Center offers a chance for visitors to take in what happened that day. 

22. juli-senteret is located in the government quarter, which was significantly damaged during the initial bombing. You can read public accounts from those who were caught in the wrong place on that tragic Friday afternoon, along with an in-depth overview of how Norway and the world reacted to the attack.

The Vigeland Museum

If you’ve ever visited Oslo before, you’ve probably been to Frognerparken. The park features the largest outdoor exhibition of sculptures featuring only one artist, and it’s popular with tourists and locals alike. 

Gustav Vigeland designed those sculptures, but not as many people know that there’s an accompanying museum — which is one of the best museums in Oslo. The Vigeland Museum is actually right next to Frognerparken, meaning you can combine the pair of them in a single day. 

The Vigeland Museum officially opened in 1950, and it features several sculptures created by one of Norway’s most celebrated individuals. In addition to the permanent exhibition, you’ll find various temporary collections. 

On top of that, the museum hosts several concerts throughout the year; if you’re into music, you might want to consider checking one of them out. You can only visit the museum on certain days.

Kistefosmuseet

Okay, so the Kistefos Museum isn’t technically a museum *in* Oslo. However, this impressive institution just outside the city is well worth a day trip, even if for nothing other than its picturesque surroundings and impressive architecture. 

The museum opened in 2019 and is only open for a select period during the year — with the exception of the sculpture park, which you can visit year-round.  

At the Kistefos Museum, you can immerse yourself in wondrous forests and enjoy various works of art in equal measure. You also have the opportunity to visit the iconic gallery The Twist, which has already won the affection of architecture buffs worldwide. 

During the main season, you can get an express bus from Oslo. For the 2022 season, you can visit from April 30th to the 16th of October. 

The Norwegian Maritime Museum

If you have a little more curiosity about Norway’s relationship with the sea after visiting Fram, you can satisfy this at another museum in Oslo. Conveniently, the Norwegian Maritime Museum is located right next to the Fram Museum — meaning you can easily combine the pair of them in a single day. 

At the museum, you can see a Viking boat reconstruction — in addition to various shipwrecks and information about the importance of boating in Norway. 

The Norwegian Maritime Museum also has a broad range of temporary exhibitions, which focus on seafaring both in Norway and further afield. You can learn more about what it’s like to be a sailor and how that has changed over time. On top of that, you’ll also find works of art — plus more. 

Kon-Tiki Museum

Another of the best museums in Oslo that you must visit is the Kon-Tiki Museum. The museum opened in 1949 and is dedicated to Kon-Tiki — an epic voyage by Thor Heyerdahl. 

In 1947, Heyerdahl spent almost four months traveling by raft across the Pacific Ocean. The Norwegian went from South America all the way to the Pacific Islands, and his story has been well-documented since. 

At the Kon-Tiki Museum, you will find the raft that was used on the journey. You will also find various exhibitions related to many of Heyerdahl’s other expeditions, which included trips to places like Easter Island and the Maldives. You will find pictures and much more. 

The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

Close to the starting point of the Akerselva River and Maridalsvannet, you’ll find the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology. Known as Tesknisk Museum in Norwegian, the museum is one of the best museums in Oslo if you’re traveling with children. 

You will find several interactive exhibitions related to a broad range of science fields, along with more within the technology space. 

The Teknisk Museum has several permanent exhibitions, along with a selection of temporary ones. You can take the tram or bus toward Kjelsås from the city center; it’s usually the last stop on the line. 

The Natural History Museum 

The Natural History Museum in Oslo is the largest of its kind in Norway, and it’s a must-see if you’re coming to visit museums in Oslo with children. You will find several exhibitions related to zoology in the Nordic region, in addition to a spacious and picturesque botanical garden. 

Norway is one of the world’s most climate-conscious countries. Morten Harket — lead singer of a-ha — is one of many vocal individuals in this respect. At the museum, you will find various exhibitions related to climate change and global warming. 

The museum is in the Grünnerløkka district, which isn’t far from the city center. 

The Armed Forces Museum

Norway isn’t a huge country, but it does have an extensive military history. Conscription is mandatory for men and women in the country, and Norway is a full member of NATO. Norway was also involved in World War II after German forces invaded the country, forcing it to reconsider its original neutral stance. 

And if you’re curious to learn more for yourself, you can do so at the Armed Forces Museum in Oslo. 

The Armed Forces Museum is part of Akershus Festning, and you will find a broad range of exhibitions from various points throughout history. On top of that, you can check out multiple artifacts — plus much more.

You will find similar museums in other Norwegian cities, such as Bergen and Trondheim. 

The best museums in Oslo are also some of the best in Europe 

We can guarantee that you will find a museum in Oslo that interests you, no matter how fussy you are. The city has a huge range of cultural institutions that make it well worth visiting, and its many museums are well worth checking out year-round. 

You can enjoy discounted access if you have an Oslo card or travel as a family. And if you’re looking for a place to stay overnight, Oslo has plenty of hotel options you can book.

At museums in Oslo, you will find plenty of exciting interactive experiences. You can also enjoy more than one in a single day, thanks to how easy it is to get around the city — and the fact that many are clustered within a single area. 

Now that you know more about the best museums in Oslo, why not learn more about the Norwegian capital itself?

Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.