Oslo punches far above its size when it comes to museums. Between world-class art, gripping polar exploration, living history, and quirky collections, you can fill days without getting bored. As someone who grew up here and still plays tour guide for visiting friends, I keep a short list of places that deliver every single time, rain or shine.
If you want the quick answer: the best museums in Oslo for first-timers are MUNCH, the National Museum, the Fram Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and the Holmenkollen Ski Museum. Art lovers should add Astrup Fearnley and Vigeland. Families do well with the Natural History Museum and the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology. Many of these are free with the Oslo Pass, and several sit close together on the Bygdøy peninsula so you can combine them easily.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of museums in Oslo, with local tips to help you make the most of your time.
MUNCH
The MUNCH building in Bjørvika defines Oslo’s skyline with its distinctive tilt and views across the fjord. Inside you get the most complete journey through Edvard Munch’s life and art, from early paintings to later experiments that feel surprisingly modern. There are multiple versions and prints related to The Scream that appear in rotation, so you are very likely to see one on display.
I always suggest starting on the upper floors and working your way down. The top terraces are wonderful on a clear day. The museum mixes permanent and temporary shows, so you can balance the classics with something fresh. Book ahead for weekends and arrive early to enjoy the quiet. The café has good pastries and broad windows that make even gray days feel bright.
National Museum of Norway
Just a short walk away, the National Museum brings Norwegian art, design, and architecture together under one roof. It is vast in the best way. You can trace a line from medieval altarpieces to modern classics and Scandinavian design icons without ever leaving the building. Set aside at least two to three hours.
The museum’s top-floor exhibition hall hosts blockbuster shows, while the permanent collection is thoughtfully arranged and easy to navigate. Lockers are free and convenient, which helps if you are between hotels or toting a backpack. If you are curious about where to find a version of The Scream outside MUNCH, this is your other safe bet.
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
Oslo’s open-air museum on Bygdøy is where history breathes. You walk through entire neighborhoods of transplanted historic buildings, including the stunning Gol Stave Church. In summer, costumed interpreters bake, tell stories, and demonstrate traditional crafts. In winter, it quiets down but remains atmospheric, and the Christmas market is beloved by locals.
Wear comfortable shoes. The grounds are large, and the joy is in wandering. If you have kids, look for the old-time general store and the farm animals in season. Pair it with the maritime museums nearby for a full Bygdøy day.
Fram Museum
Still on Bygdøy, the Fram Museum is the single most reliable crowd-pleaser I know. You step aboard the actual polar ship Fram, used by Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, and feel the cramped bunks and heavy timber beneath your feet. The exhibits explain the science and grit behind Norway’s polar achievements without turning into dry textbook pages. There is a cold room and an immersive northern lights space that always gets a smile.
Go in the morning, then continue next door to the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. It is a natural trilogy.
Kon-Tiki Museum
Thor Heyerdahl’s balsa-wood raft and the Ra II papyrus boat look almost impossible up close. The museum tells the story of one of the 20th century’s most audacious experiments in human endurance and cultural theory. You do not need to be a sailor to get drawn in. The scale models, film footage, and natural history curiosities keep it engaging even for short attention spans.
Norwegian Maritime Museum
Often overlooked, this museum fills in the wider context of a country built on shipping and the sea. Exhibits range from boatbuilding craft to Arctic fisheries and modern offshore technology. The setting is right on the water, which makes the café stop feel extra satisfying. If the weather is kind, sit outside and watch the ferries glide by.
Museum of the Viking Age and the Historical Museum
The former Viking Ship Museum on Bygdøy is undergoing a major transformation into the Museum of the Viking Age. It has been closed for several years as the ships and burial finds are conserved and new galleries are built. Reopening is expected after 2025. Until then, the best place to get your Viking fix is the Historical Museum near the university in the city center. It holds gold treasure, weaponry, jewelry, and stave church carvings that speak to the artistry of the period.
A practical tip from locals: if your heart is set on Viking ships, double-check the current status before you arrive. And if it is still closed during your visit, the Historical Museum offers a deep and satisfying alternative without the crowds.
Astrup Fearnley Museum
If contemporary and international art is your thing, head to the Astrup Fearnley Museum at Tjuvholmen. The Renzo Piano building is a sculpture in its own right, with glass and timber arching over the harbor. Inside, rotating exhibitions and works from the permanent collection keep the energy fresh. When you step back outside, you are right by a little city beach and sculpture park. On warm evenings, I like to combine this with a stroll through Aker Brygge for dinner.
Vigeland Museum
Many visitors see the sculptures in Frogner Park and forget there is a museum dedicated to the artist himself just down the hill. The Vigeland Museum occupies Gustav Vigeland’s former studio and home. You get an intimate look at models, tools, and the process behind those monumental forms. It is a compact visit and pairs perfectly with a slow loop through the park outside.
Holmenkollen Ski Museum
Set inside the iconic ski jump, this is one of the world’s oldest ski museums and possibly the highest museum view in Oslo once you ride the elevator to the top of the tower. Exhibits cover polar expeditions, ski technology, and competition history. The panorama over the city and fjord is reason enough to go. If you are visiting in winter, time it with a snow day and watch locals glide past on cross-country trails.
Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden
At Tøyen you find classic natural history galleries, minerals that glow like candy, and family-friendly exhibits that make science feel approachable. Outside, the Botanical Garden is free and lovely year-round. Spring magnolias, summer shade, autumn colors, and the Palm House for rainy days. It is a good breather in a busy itinerary, and there is a sweet little café by the greenhouses.
Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology
Locals simply call it Teknisk Museum, and it is a lifesaver for families, especially on wet days. Interactive exhibits cover everything from electricity and coding to medical history and aviation. Kids can push, pull, build, and learn through play while adults enjoy surprisingly deep sections on Norwegian industrial design and innovation. It sits in Kjelsås, so factor in tram time, then take a peaceful walk along the river afterward if the weather cooperates.
Nobel Peace Center
This is where Oslo’s unique role in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize comes to life through multimedia and temporary exhibitions. The center has gone through renovation periods, so it is smart to check opening status and any pop-up locations during your dates. When operating normally, it is a concise, thought-provoking stop that fits well into a downtown day.
Oslo City Museum and the Intercultural Museum
If you like understanding a place from the ground up, these two branches of the city museum complement each other nicely. The Oslo City Museum in Frogner Manor concentrates on urban life, growth, and everyday stories. The Intercultural Museum in Grønland explores migration and identity in modern Norway. Together they paint a more complete picture than any postcard ever could.
Practical Tips For Visiting Oslo’s Museums
- Use the Oslo Pass. Many of the museums above are included, along with public transport. If you plan two or more museum visits in a day, the pass often pays for itself.
- Cluster your days. Do a Bygdøy day for Folkemuseum, Fram, Kon-Tiki, and the Maritime Museum. In summer, take the small ferry from the waterfront. In winter, buses are frequent and warm.
- Time your visits. Arrive at MUNCH and the National Museum right at opening for the calmest experience. Weekday mornings are generally best.
- Pack light. Most museums have free lockers, but traveling without bulky bags makes moving between exhibitions easier.
- Eat smart. Museum cafés in Oslo are usually good value for the quality. At Bygdøy, I often grab lunch between museums instead of trekking back to the center.
How To Choose If You Only Have One Day
If you have a half-day, go with MUNCH plus a waterfront walk. With a full day, pair MUNCH and the National Museum in the center, or spend the day on Bygdøy doing Fram and the Folkemuseum. For families, swap in the Science and Technology Museum or the Natural History Museum. If your heart leans toward sculpture and parks, pick Vigeland Museum and roam Frogner Park.
Oslo’s museum scene is built for curious travelers. It is big enough to be impressive, small enough to feel personal, and set against a fjord that makes even a quick coffee break feel special. Step inside, take your time, and let the stories carry you.