From Vikings to Modern Art: Top Museums to Visit in Oslo

Spend time in Oslo and immerse yourself in art & history.

Traveler's Tip: Purchase the Visit Oslo Pass for best access to museums. local transportation, walking tours & more.

An open-air museum featuring over 150 historic buildings from various parts of Norway, including a stunning stave church from the 13th century.

Dedicated to the works of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, the museum holds an extensive collection of his paintings, including "The Scream" and "Madonna."

This museum is centered around the polar exploration ship Fram, used by famous Norwegian explorers like Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. It offers interactive exhibits about polar exploration.

This recently consolidated museum (combining the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and other collections) showcases Norway's largest collection of art, architecture, and design.

This was an unexpected highlight for me; Dedicated to the expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl, particularly the 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition where he sailed across the Pacific on a balsa wood raft. The museum includes the original raft and other artifacts from his travels.

This museum tells the story of the Nobel Peace Prize, its laureates, and their efforts to promote peace. Interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations make it an engaging experience.

Exhibits on Norway's maritime history, including ship models, maritime artifacts, and an impressive collection of traditional boats. It also features an outdoor area with a beautiful view of the Oslo Fjord.

Focuses on the history and development of Oslo from the medieval period to the present day. It includes models, photographs, and artifacts that tell the city's story.

The Vigeland Museum is situated in the Frogner area of Oslo, adjacent to the Vigeland Park (also known as Frogner Park), which is home to over 200 of Vigeland's sculptures. The museum building was originally designed by Gustav Vigeland himself and served as his studio and residence. It was constructed between 1921 and 1926. After his death in 1943, the building was converted into a museum to house his extensive body of work. The museum features a comprehensive collection of Vigeland's sculptures, including his preliminary models, sketches, woodcuts, and letters. Visitors can see the creative process behind many of the monumental sculptures displayed in Vigeland Park. The Wheel of Life