For a small city, Oslo has an amazing number of museums. Many of them are located next to each other and don't take long to visit but, as with most things in Oslo, those with an entrance fee are not cheap. Entrance to many museums is now free.
If you are planning on seeing several of the expensive attractions in a short period of time, then the most cost effective way to do this is to buy an Oslo Pass. It includes unlimited entry to most of the museums and the Holmenkollen ski jump (but not the Royal Palace), as well as free travel on Oslo's quite expensive public transport (NOK 220 for 24 hrs). Students get a 20% discount on the Oslo pass. You could also buy a travel card allowing unlimited travel on public transport (no student discount on this) for NOK 65 (24 hrs). You can buy 24, 48 or 72 hour Oslo passes or travel cards. They can be purchased at Tourist Information Offices in Oslo.
Henrik Ibsen Museum, (Tram 13-19 or bus 30-31 to Slottsparken. Located in the crossing between Arbins gate and Henrik Ibsens gate.). This museum has just re-opened, and is a treat. �
Munch Museum, (T-bane, bus 20-60-67 to Tøyen), . Features paintings by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch. Be aware that some of Edvard Munchs more famous pictures may actually be shown in the National Gallery, so don't complain that "The Scream" is not on display! �
National Gallery, Kristian Augusts gate 23, Oslo, . featuring Norwegian art from the national-romantic period, as well as some art by international artists.Adults: NOK 50, Students: NOK 30, Pensioners/concessions: NOK 30, Children (under 18): Free entrance. Sundays: Free entrance for all. �
Nobel Peace Centre, (Tram 12 to Aker Brygge, bus 70-74 to Vika or walk from T-Nationaltheateret), . Includes some confronting exhibitions as well as an exhibit for every winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. �
Emanuel Vigeland Museum, (T-bane line 1 to Slemdal), . Only open a few hours every Sunday afternoon. Among Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not so well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926, but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door. The main attraction in this museum with no windows is the 800 square meters fresco "Vita", (Italian for "life"), showing the human life from conception till death, but other examples of his art are also on display. �
Somewhat outside the city center is a peninsula called Bygdøy. You can get there by bus (number 30) or, in summer months (Apr--Sep), by ferry departing from pier 3 at Aker Brygge outside the city hall. At Bygdøy, you will find two groups of museums within walking distance of each other:
In the first group, around 800 metres inland:
Woodstore, Museum of Cultural History
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, . a large open air museum featuring typical buildings from various periods in Norwegian history. This includes a city building that shows living conditions from the 1850s to the 1980s. �
Viking Ship Museum. In addition to two 1100 year old Viking-ships (apparently the best preserved in the world), it also contains various other Viking artifacts and a Viking burial chamber, complete with ancient skeletons. 60 KNR Adults, 35 KNR Students / Pensioner, Children and 7-16 years 30 KNR, Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) 140 KNR. �
In the second group, on the harbour:
Norwegian Maritime Museum, . Houses a huge collection of ships and boats and records the impact of Norway's seafarers on their own country and the world. �
Kon-Tiki
Kon-Tiki Museum, . Displays Tor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artifacts from Easter Island. �
Fram-Museum, . Features the vessel Fram, the worlds first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration (with a strong Norwegian focus!) �
The Holocaust Center, . is also located at Bygdøy, in the former residence of the Norwegian World War 2 collaborator and nationalist leader, Vidkun Quisling. The center houses exhibitions and provides research on Holocaust and the plight of religious minorities. �
Some other museums are:
Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology & The Norwegian Telecommunications Museum, (Tram 11 or 12 to Kjelsås, bus 22, 25 or 54 or infrequent local train to Kjelsås stasjon), . A fun and very interactive place for both children and adults. Contrary to information in the common tourist brochures this building. �
Tramway Museum, (metro, tram or bus to Majorstuen), . Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro. �
DogA - The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture, Hausmanns gate 16 (Bus or tram to Hausmanns gate), ☎ +47 23292870 (), . A thriving design and architecture centre providing areas for large and small exhibitions, conferences and meetings, activities for children, as well as a bookshop and café. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Oslo
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Oslo - updated Apr 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Oslo hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
Oslo Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
