At a Glance
Quick OverviewNorway punches far above its weight in the museum world—from the extraordinary MUNCH museum dedicated to the nation’s most famous painter, to the Fram Museum where you can board the ship that sailed farther north and south than any vessel in history, to KODE Bergen housing one of Scandinavia’s finest art collections. Norwegian museums blend world-class exhibitions with stunning architecture, often in locations that make the journey itself part of the experience. Whether you’re drawn to Viking artefacts, polar exploration, contemporary art, or folk culture, Norway’s museums offer exceptional experiences that rival any in Europe.
According to Visit Norway, Norwegian museums range from internationally renowned art collections to quirky local institutions, with Oslo and Bergen serving as the country’s museum capitals.
Oslo Museums
MUNCH—World’s Largest Single-Artist Museum
13 floors dedicated to Edvard Munch:
The MUNCH museum opened in its stunning new Bjørvika waterfront location in 2021, making Oslo home to the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single artist. The 13-storey building houses 28,000 works by Norway’s most famous painter, including multiple versions of “The Scream.”
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Collection | 28,000 works by Edvard Munch |
| Building | 13 floors, opened 2021 |
| Location | Bjørvika waterfront |
| Highlights | ”The Scream,” “Madonna,” “The Sun” |
| Views | Panoramic Oslofjord from upper floors |
Beyond the art:
MUNCH isn’t just a painting gallery. The museum hosts performance, literature, music, film, and dance events throughout the year. The rooftop offers the best views of Oslo and the Oslofjord—reason alone to visit.
Visiting tips:
- Book tickets online to avoid queues
- Allow 2-3 hours minimum
- The café offers fjord views
- Combined tickets available with other Oslo museums
Fram Museum—Polar Exploration History
Board the world’s strongest wooden ship:
The Fram Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula tells the extraordinary story of Norwegian polar exploration. The centrepiece is the Fram itself—the strongest wooden ship ever built, which still holds records for sailing farthest north and farthest south.
According to Visit Norway, visitors can come aboard the ship and experience how the crew and their dogs survived in the coldest, most dangerous places on Earth—the Arctic and Antarctic.
What you’ll experience:
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| The Fram | Walk aboard the legendary polar vessel |
| The Gjøa | First ship to navigate the Northwest Passage |
| 4D Polar Simulator | Experience polar flight simulation |
| Interactive Exhibits | Life in extreme conditions |
| N25 Replica | Amundsen’s polar aircraft |
The explorers honoured:
- Fridtjof Nansen: Led the first Fram expedition (1893-96)
- Otto Sverdrup: Commanded Arctic explorations
- Roald Amundsen: First to reach the South Pole (1911)
The museum expanded in 2013 with a new building connected by underground tunnel, housing the Gjøa—the first ship to complete the Northwest Passage.
Explore Fram MuseumNational Museum
Norway’s largest art museum:
The new National Museum opened in 2022, bringing together the former National Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Museum of Decorative Arts into a single world-class institution. It’s now the largest art museum in the Nordic region.
Collections include:
- Norwegian masters including Munch, Dahl, and Kittelsen
- International art from antiquity to present
- Design and craft collections
- Architecture and prints
Famous works:
- Edvard Munch’s early version of “The Scream” (1893)
- J.C. Dahl’s Norwegian romantic landscapes
- Theodor Kittelsen’s folk tale illustrations
Bygdøy Museum Peninsula
Oslo’s Bygdøy peninsula is a museum cluster accessible by seasonal ferry or bus 30:
Kon-Tiki Museum: Thor Heyerdahl’s original Kon-Tiki balsa raft and the Ra II papyrus boat—vessels that proved ancient civilisations could have crossed oceans.
Norwegian Maritime Museum: Naval history from Viking times to the present, including Norway’s relationship with the sea.
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum): Open-air museum with 160 historic buildings from across Norway, including a stunning medieval stave church.
Historical Museum & VÍKINGR Exhibition
Whilst the Viking Ship Museum is closed until 2027, the Historical Museum displays the VÍKINGR exhibition (until December 2026), featuring:
- The Oseberg serpent head (first public display ever)
- Viking weapons, jewellery, and tools
- Interactive Viking life exhibitions
- Miðgarðr family exhibition on Viking mythology
Bergen Museums
KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes
One of Scandinavia’s largest art museums:
KODE is one of the largest museums for art, crafts, design, and music in the Nordic region. The institution spans four museum buildings plus three historic composer homes, housing over 50,000 artworks.
The Four Buildings:
| Building | Focus |
|---|---|
| KODE 1 | Decorative art and design |
| KODE 2 | Temporary exhibitions |
| KODE 3 | Historical collections, Munch |
| KODE 4 | Modern and contemporary art |
Highlights:
- Norway’s most extensive Munch collection outside Oslo
- European masters: Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, Miró
- Norwegian romantic painters: Dahl, Tidemand
- Rasmus Meyer’s exceptional art collection
Composer Homes:
KODE manages three historic homes of famous Norwegian composers:
| Home | Composer | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Troldhaugen | Edvard Grieg | Norway’s most famous composer |
| Lysøen | Ole Bull | Virtuoso violinist |
| Siljustøl | Harald Sæverud | 20th-century composer |
Troldhaugen is particularly popular—Grieg’s lakeside home where he composed many of his greatest works. Summer concerts are held in the concert hall overlooking the lake.
Visit KODE BergenHanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene
Step into Bergen’s medieval trading history at one of the oldest and best-preserved wooden buildings in the city. The museum, furnished in 18th-century style, provides an intimate picture of life during the Hanseatic days when German merchants dominated North Sea trade.
Bergen Maritime Museum
Chronicles Bergen’s 1,000-year relationship with the sea, from Viking ships to modern maritime industry.
University Museum of Bergen
Natural history and cultural heritage collections, including archaeological finds from western Norway.
Museums Across Norway
Trondheim
Rockheim: Norway’s national museum of popular music, housed in a stunning warehouse building with interactive exhibits spanning Norwegian rock, pop, and electronic music history.
NTNU University Museum: Natural history and archaeology, including significant prehistoric collections.
Archbishop’s Palace Museum: Medieval artefacts in Norway’s oldest secular building.
Stavanger
Norwegian Petroleum Museum: The story of Norway’s offshore oil industry—more fascinating than it sounds, with drill rig simulations and exploration of how oil transformed Norwegian society.
Canning Museum: Unique museum dedicated to Stavanger’s sardine canning history.
Archaeological Museum: Prehistoric finds from western Norway.
Tromsø
Polar Museum: Arctic hunting and exploration history, including exhibits on Norway’s polar heritage.
Tromsø Museum: Northern Norway’s largest museum, covering Sami culture, Arctic wildlife, and regional history.
Science Centre of Northern Norway: Interactive science museum with planetarium and northern lights exhibitions.
Lillehammer
Maihaugen Open-Air Museum: One of Europe’s largest open-air museums with 200 historic buildings telling the story of Norwegian rural life.
Norwegian Olympic Museum: Memories of the 1994 Winter Olympics with interactive sports exhibits.
Other Notable Museums
Lofoten:
- Lofotr Viking Museum (see Viking History page)
- Norwegian Fishing Village Museum (Å)
- Lofoten Stockfish Museum
Western Fjords:
- Norwegian Glacier Museum (Fjærland)
- Flåm Railway Museum
- Norwegian Canning Museum (Stavanger)
Practical Information
Museum Passes
| Pass | Price (2026) | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo Pass 24hr | 30+ museums, transport | |
| Oslo Pass 48hr | 30+ museums, transport | |
| Oslo Pass 72hr | 30+ museums, transport | |
| Bergen Card 24hr | Museums, transport, discounts | |
| Bergen Card 72hr | Museums, transport, discounts |
Typical Opening Hours
Most major museums:
- Summer (June-August): 10:00-18:00, often 10:00-20:00
- Winter: 11:00-17:00
- Closed: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, some close Mondays
Tips for Museum Visits
- Book online: Popular museums like MUNCH sell out, especially in summer
- Go early or late: Mornings and late afternoons are quieter
- Check for free days: Some museums have free entry certain days/hours
- Audio guides: Often available in English (sometimes included, sometimes extra)
- Photography: Usually allowed without flash; check policies
- Combine nearby: Oslo’s Bygdøy and Bergen’s harbour areas cluster museums together
Architecture Worth Noting
Norwegian museums often feature stunning architecture:
MUNCH (Oslo): Leaning tower design by Spanish firm Estudio Herreros—a landmark on Oslo’s waterfront.
National Museum (Oslo): Massive new building by Kleihues + Schuwerk, Europe’s largest museum building of the 21st century.
Fram Museum (Oslo): Tent-like structure designed to evoke polar expeditions.
Rockheim (Trondheim): Industrial warehouse transformed with a striking rooftop addition.
KODE (Bergen): Four historic buildings spanning different architectural periods.
Family-Friendly Museums
Best museums for children:
- Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology (Oslo)—interactive exhibits
- Fram Museum (Oslo)—climb aboard polar ships
- Norwegian Children’s Museum (Stavanger)
- Science Centre of Northern Norway (Tromsø)
- Maihaugen (Lillehammer)—hands-on historic activities
Final Thoughts
Norway’s museums offer far more than expected from a country of 5 million people. From world-class art collections to extraordinary polar exploration history, from open-air folk museums to cutting-edge contemporary spaces, the breadth and quality rival much larger nations. Whether you spend a rainy Oslo day exploring MUNCH’s 13 floors, board the Fram to imagine Arctic expeditions, or wander through KODE’s masterpiece-filled galleries in Bergen, Norwegian museums provide windows into art, history, and culture that reward any visitor willing to step inside.
Plan Your Museum VisitFor museum information, visit Visit Norway Museums Guide.