The Museum of the Viking Age and the Historical Museum belong to the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History, and together they tell Norway’s story from prehistory through the Viking Age and into the Middle Ages. If you are planning a trip to Oslo, you will see both names come up a lot. One is a brand-new world attraction in the making. The other is the place where you can dive into real Viking treasures today.
Short answer: The former Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy is closed for a full rebuild and will reopen as the Museum of the Viking Age, with the current target set for 2027. In the meantime, the Historical Museum in downtown Oslo is open with excellent exhibitions, including VÍKINGR, where you can see some of the finest Viking objects on display. If you are visiting Oslo now, plan your Viking fix at the Historical Museum and pair it with other Bygdøy museums. When the Museum of the Viking Age opens, expect timed entry and high demand.
Curious what that looks like on the ground, how to get there, and how locals plan a smart museum day in Oslo’s center and on Bygdøy? Let’s take a deeper dive into both museums and how to visit them without stress.
What Is the Museum of the Viking Age
The Museum of the Viking Age is the completely rebuilt and expanded home for Norway’s iconic Viking ships and thousands of finds from major burial sites like Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune. It replaces the old Viking Ship Museum that closed in 2021. The new museum will be larger, climate controlled, and purpose built to protect fragile wooden ships that are more than a millennium old. Expect modern storytelling, labs with public views into conservation work, and spacious galleries that let the ships breathe.
Important: The museum is not open yet. The official target for reopening is 2027. Construction and conservation are meticulous work, and the timeline reflects that. If you are planning a 2025 or 2026 trip, you will not be able to see the ships in person. I know that is disappointing if you grew up seeing those photos in schoolbooks, but keeping the timbers safe for the next hundred years is the priority.
Where It Is and How You Will Get There Later
The Museum of the Viking Age sits on the Bygdøy peninsula, west of central Oslo. When it opens, you will have two easy routes:
- Bus: Ruter bus 30 runs from central Oslo to Bygdøy all year. It is the most reliable option in winter and on rough-weather days.
- Ferry: In the warmer season there is a passenger ferry from Aker Brygge to Bygdøy. It is a lovely way to arrive, especially on a sunny morning. Locals use it too when the fjord is calm.
My Oslo habit is to go early, take the ferry out when it is quiet, and bus back after lunch. If you are moving on to the Fram, Kon-Tiki, or the Norwegian Maritime Museum the same day, all are within a short walk on Bygdøy’s waterfront.
What You Can See Now at the Historical Museum
While you wait for the ships, the Historical Museum in central Oslo is where to point your curiosity. It is ten minutes on foot from the National Theatre and the new National Museum, at Frederiks gate 2. The collections cover Norwegian history from the Stone Age through the medieval period, along with Arctic ethnography, coins, and rotating special exhibitions.
For Viking fans, the VÍKINGR exhibition is the headline. You will not see full ships, but you will find beautifully preserved weapons, jewelry, tools, and everyday objects, the kind of pieces that make the Viking Age feel human and close. I always tell friends that VÍKINGR is where you understand the people behind the myths. Look closely at the metalwork and wood carving and imagine the hands that made them by firelight.
Good to know: The Historical Museum is typically open Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays closed outside peak seasons. Admission is free with the Oslo Pass. Children usually go free. Hours and prices change seasonally, so check same-week details before you go.
Practical Tips From a Local
- Go early or late in the day. Mornings are calm, and you will have space to read the labels and take in the objects without feeling rushed. Late afternoon is another sweet spot, especially outside high summer.
- Travel light. Both museums offer storage for bags, but I bring a small daypack. Big backpacks and tripods can be awkward in galleries.
- Read the object labels. Norwegian museums put care into clear, bilingual text. The short context blurbs often answer the exact question you were about to ask.
- Pair the Historical Museum with the National Museum. They are close neighbors. If you like a full culture day on foot, start with history, break for lunch, then finish with art.
- With kids, make it a treasure hunt. In VÍKINGR, pick a theme like animals or weapon types and see how many variations you can spot together. It keeps younger visitors engaged longer.
Accessibility and Facilities
The Historical Museum is housed in an early 1900s building that has been updated thoughtfully. There are elevators to the galleries, accessible restrooms, and staff who are used to helping visitors navigate the older architecture. If you have any mobility questions, ask at the entrance when you arrive. On Bygdøy, the new Museum of the Viking Age is being designed with accessibility in mind, with level access and wide circulation through the ship halls.
Food wise, I recommend a coffee break on Tullinløkka near the Historical Museum, then a late lunch by the water if you are heading to Bygdøy the same day. On sunny days, locals sit on the steps outside the National Museum with takeaway and people watch. It is very Oslo.
How To Plan Your Day Right Now
If you are visiting Oslo in 2025 or 2026, here is a simple plan that works well.
Morning in the city center
Start at the Historical Museum when it opens. Give yourself 90 minutes for VÍKINGR and a skim through the prehistoric and medieval sections. If you are moving slowly, two hours is comfortable. Grab a coffee nearby before moving on.
Optional midday art stop
The National Museum is a five minute walk away. Even a short visit to the Munch room or the medieval tapestries pairs nicely with what you just saw.
Afternoon on Bygdøy
Hop on bus 30 or, in season, the ferry from Aker Brygge to Bygdøy. Visit the Fram Museum for polar exploration, the Kon-Tiki Museum for Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum if you like boats and coastal culture. If you still have energy, the open air Norsk Folkemuseum is a beautiful stroll through historic buildings and stave church architecture.
You will end the day with a strong feel for Norway’s seafaring past, even without seeing the Viking ships themselves. When the Museum of the Viking Age opens, this Bygdøy cluster will be an even stronger package.
Tickets, Passes, and Timing
- Oslo Pass: If you plan to visit several museums in one or two days, the pass can be excellent value. It includes free public transport and free or discounted entry to most major museums, including the Historical Museum and the other Bygdøy highlights.
- Single tickets: Buy at the door or online for the Historical Museum. Keep the digital receipt handy if you like to move fast through entrances.
- Future timed entry at the Museum of the Viking Age: Expect timed ticketing and a capacity limit once the new museum opens. If your travel dates are set for 2027 or later, book early once sales go live.
As a local, my rule is simple. If you are in Oslo before the new museum opens, treat the Historical Museum as your Viking anchor, then build a Bygdøy afternoon around polar history and Norwegian coastal life. If you are coming in 2027 or later, flip it. Start on Bygdøy, book the Museum of the Viking Age first, then fill the rest of your day from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the Viking ships anywhere in Oslo right now?
No. The ships are undergoing conservation and are not on public display until the Museum of the Viking Age opens. That is the only way to keep them safe long term.
Is the Historical Museum worth it without the ships?
Absolutely. The VÍKINGR exhibition is carefully curated and full of standout objects. You will come away with a solid sense of Viking craft, trade, warfare, and daily life.
How long should I plan for each museum?
For the Historical Museum, set aside 90 minutes to 2 hours. When the Museum of the Viking Age opens, count on 2 hours plus if you want time to sit with the ships and explore the side galleries.
What is the best way to Bygdøy?
Bus 30 runs year round and is the most predictable. In late spring through early autumn, the small passenger ferry from Aker Brygge is a scenic option that many of us use on nice days.
What about Mondays?
In Oslo, many museums close on Mondays outside peak seasons. Check the Historical Museum’s hours for your week and plan accordingly.
Final Local Advice
Set your expectations by the calendar. Before 2027, aim for the Historical Museum for Viking treasures today. From 2027 onward, the Museum of the Viking Age will become Oslo’s most in-demand museum. If you are the type who likes empty galleries, arrive right at opening, take your time with a few objects, and let the stories do the rest. That is how we locals fall in love with these collections again and again.