Oslo, the capital of Norway, is home to several museums that showcase the country's rich cultural and historical heritage. If you're planning a trip to Oslo, there here are some notable museums to consider visiting.

Museums in Oslo
the facade of Nasjonalmuseet


Norwegian National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet)

The National Museum is the largest museum of art, architecture, and design in Norway. It houses a vast collection of Norwegian and international art, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and more. Since the museum's collections are extensive, it offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of Norwegian art and culture. 

Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset)

This museum is famous for its well-preserved Viking ships, including the Oseberg ship, Gokstad ship, and Tune ship. These ships were excavated from burial mounds and provided valuable insights into Viking shipbuilding and seafaring practices. Additionally, the museum displays various artifacts discovered with the ships, such as tools, textiles, and household items.

In addition to the main Viking ships, the museum may have temporary exhibitions and educational displays related to Viking history and culture.

Museums in Oslo
the Oserberg Ship inside the Viking Ship Museum

Fram Museum (Frammuseet)

The Fram Museum is dedicated to the history of polar exploration, particularly focusing on the Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen and his ship Fram. The museum houses the original polar exploration ship Fram, which was used by Nansen and later by Roald Amundsen. Visitors can explore the interior of the ship and learn about the challenging expeditions it undertook, including Nansen's attempt to reach the North Pole and Amundsen's successful journey to the South Pole.

The museum also includes the Gjøa building, which houses the famous ship Gjøa, the first vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage.

Norwegian Folk Museum (Norsk Folkemuseum)

Museums in Oslo
Norsk Folkemuseum - an open-air museum

This open-air museum provides a glimpse into Norway's rural history, featuring traditional buildings from various regions of the country. It also includes indoor exhibits showcasing folk art, costumes, and cultural artifacts.

Kon-Tiki Museum (Kon-Tiki Museet)

The museum primarily focuses on Thor Heyerdahl's famous Kon-Tiki expedition. In 1947, Heyerdahl and his crew sailed a balsa wood raft, the Kon-Tiki, from South America to the Polynesian islands to demonstrate the feasibility of ancient seafaring journeys between continents. The museum showcases the Kon-Tiki raft itself, along with artifacts, photographs, and other materials from the expedition.

In addition to the Kon-Tiki, the museum covers Heyerdahl's other expeditions, including the Ra, Ra II, and Tigris expeditions. These journeys aimed to prove his theories about ancient maritime cultures and migration patterns.

Museums in Oslo
inside the Nasjonalmuseet


These are just a few of the many museums in Oslo. Depending on your interests, you may also want to explore other cultural institutions and historical sites in the city.