Visit Norway
The Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights, the majestic fjords – Norway is an eco-tourist’s dream come true. But there is more than breathtaking scenery, fresh air, and world class sports. The country also has a vibrant arts scene and fascinating museums. Here are 10 of Oslo’s best.
Norway is a paradise for eco-tourists and nature lovers. With some of the most stunning and unspoiled nature sites in the world, you surely won’t be disappointed if you make your next trip to the Land of the  Midnight Sun.
But Norway is not just about nature. The country also has a rich cultural history and a lively contemporary arts scene, especially in Oslo, the nation’s capital.
A short-list of Oslo’s top 10 museums follows.
Click on the museums’ names below for direct access to their websites for details on permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, performances, dining facilities, how to get there, and other information.
- Vigeland Museum – a sculpture museum showcasing the works of Gustav Vigeland, in particular, and sculptures, installations, and video-based art, in general. Don’t miss the statue of the Angry Baby!
- Fram Polar Ship Museum –a museum celebrating polar expeditions. Don’t miss the world’s strongest wooden ship, the Fram! You can actually go inside and check out the cabins, lounges, cargo hold, and engine room!
- Norse Folk Museum – This museum open-air museum houses 160 historic buildings, including cottages, farmhouses, and log cabins that have been there transported to a sprawling site from all over the country. You will also find folk costumes, folk art, religious art, and representations of the Sami culture. Don’t miss the Gol Stave Church, which dates back the 13th century!
- Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Ski Jump Tower – open 365 days a year, this is the world’s oldest museum dedicated to skiing. The museum is located beneath a ski jump. Don’t miss the newly opened, the Ski Simulator, which allows would-be skiers the chance to experience cascading down some of the world’s toughest downhill slopes!
- Viking Ship Museum – the largest archaeological and ethnographic collections in Norway, with Viking ships. Ecclesiastical art from the Middles Ages, and objects from classical antiquity. Don’t miss the Gokstad Viking Ship, the world’s best preserved Viking ship!
- The Nobel Peace Center – learn about the beginnings of the Nobel Peace Prize and how it has evolved over the decades.  over time, as well as about the various recipients.
- Norway’s Resistance Museum – housed in a charming stone edifice, this museum documents Norway’s involvement in World War II. Don’t miss the adjoining memorial to Norwegian patriots executed during the conflict.
- Norwegian Museum of Technology – this museum showcases technological advances from electricity to woodcutting.  –Don’t miss exhibits on industries specific to Norway such as oil drilling.
- Astrup Fearnley Museum – the museum has a collection dating back to the 1960s, with a focus on major works of contemporary art rather than movements or historical periods. Don’t miss the building, which was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. It is a considered a work of art in itself!
- Museum of Oslo – last but not least, the Oslo Museum showcases the city’s colourful history through models, paintings, and photographs. Don’t miss Frogner Manor, which houses beautiful halls and interiors from 1759 to 1900. It is located next to the museum.
Transport
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, is the main international airport serving Oslo. It is a hub for Norwegian Air Shuttle and Scandinavian Airlines System.
The following Accidental Travel Writer affiliates serve Oslo International Airport:
- Air France
- Emirates Airline
- Iberia
- Lufthansa German Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Swiss International Air Lines
Recommended: Stockholm’s Top 15 FREE Museums>>
Further Reading
There is more to Norway than Oslo, and there is more to Oslo than museums. If this top 10 list has aroused your curiosity, check out Jen Reviews 100 Things to Do in Norway for more details!