About the National Museum
The National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) is Norway's largest and most important cultural institution, bringing together the country's premier collections of art, architecture, and design under one spectacular roof. Reopened in June 2022 after extensive renovation and expansion, the museum occupies a magnificent building near Aker Brygge on the Oslo waterfront — a building that is itself a significant architectural achievement in the Scandinavian tradition.
The collection spans an extraordinary range: from Viking-age gold artefacts and medieval church altarpieces to Norwegian Golden Age landscapes, French Impressionism, Nordic design classics, and cutting-edge contemporary works. With over 400,000 objects in the collection and roughly 6,500 on display at any given time, the National Museum rewards repeated visits and can occupy an art-loving tourist for a full day without exhausting its riches.
The museum's centrepiece highlights include the celebrated 1893 tempera version of Edvard Munch's The Scream — the most exhibited version of this iconic image — alongside masterworks by Norwegian painters J.C. Dahl, Christian Krohg, and Harriet Backer. The Light Hall, a cathedral-like space suffused with shifting coloured light through a 700 square metre stained-glass ceiling installation by artist Camille Norment, is one of the most striking architectural spaces in all of Norway.
What to See: Highlights
- The Scream (1893, tempera version) — Munch's most famous version of his iconic image, in the dedicated first-floor gallery.
- The Light Hall — Cathedral-like space with Camille Norment's monumental stained-glass installation spanning 700 square metres.
- J.C. Dahl landscape paintings — The father of Norwegian landscape painting, with works of sweeping Romantic grandeur.
- Viking-age gold collection — Spectacular gold jewellery, weapons, and artefacts from the Migration and Viking periods.
- Norwegian design gallery — Iconic Scandinavian design pieces from the 20th century, covering furniture, ceramics, and glass.
- Medieval church art — Remarkable altarpieces, sculpture, and religious objects from Norwegian medieval churches.
- Architecture gallery — Models, drawings, and objects tracing 200 years of Norwegian architectural history.
Skip the Queue — Buy National Museum Tickets in Advance
The National Museum is one of Oslo's busiest attractions. Booking online guarantees your entry and lets you skip the ticket queue — essential on summer weekends when queues can stretch 30+ minutes.
Prices may vary. Booking fees may apply. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. DisclosureIs the National Museum Included in the Oslo Pass?
✅ Yes — the National Museum is fully included in the Oslo Pass. At 200 NOK per adult entry, the National Museum is one of the single highest-value inclusions in the entire Oslo Pass programme. Combined with the Munch Museum (180 NOK), Fram Museum (175 NOK), and unlimited public transport, Oslo Pass holders typically save over 1,000 NOK per person in the first day alone.
🗝 Get the Oslo Pass — From 495 NOK/day Affiliate link. Commission earned at no extra cost to you. DisclosureInsider Tips for Your Visit
Arrive at opening time: The museum opens at 10:00, Tuesday through Sunday. Early arrivals beat the midday crowds, particularly in the main Munch gallery and the Light Hall — both of which become very busy by late morning. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (open until 20:00) offer excellent late-visit options with dramatically reduced crowds and a more contemplative atmosphere.
Download the museum app: The National Museum's free app provides an outstanding self-guided audio tour of the permanent collection highlights. Download it before your visit as the museum's internal Wi-Fi can be slow during peak periods. The Munch gallery audio guide in particular is excellent, providing art-historical context that transforms the experience of seeing The Scream.
Don't miss the design galleries: Most visitors head straight for the art galleries, but the Norwegian design and architecture collections on the upper floors are genuinely world-class and far less crowded. Iconic Scandinavian furniture, glassware, and ceramics from the 20th century are displayed here in superb condition.
Guided Tours of the National Museum
- 🎨 Highlights tour with an art historian guide (90 minutes)
- 🖼️ The Scream deep-dive guided experience
- 👥 Small group tours covering Norwegian art from 1700–present
- 🌟 Combined National Museum + Munch Museum full-day art tour
Getting to the National Museum
The National Museum is at the western edge of central Oslo near the Aker Brygge waterfront district. From Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), it's a pleasant 15–20 minute walk through the city centre. From Aker Brygge, it's just 5 minutes on foot. The Akershus Fortress promenade provides a scenic waterfront route from Oslo S.
By public transport, bus routes 30 and 31 stop directly outside the museum. The nearest tram stop is Aker Brygge on routes 12 and 13, approximately a 5-minute walk. Metro (T-bane) station Nationaltheatret is about 8 minutes on foot. All public transport is free with the Oslo Pass.
Best Hotels Near the National Museum
Stay within easy walking distance in the Aker Brygge or city centre area. Check Booking.com for the best current rates:
🏨 Find Hotels Near the National Museum → Popular options: Thon Hotel Vika Atrium, Clarion Hotel Admiral, Hotel Continental OsloNational Museum Oslo: FAQ
The National Museum holds the 1893 tempera version of The Scream — widely considered the most famous of Munch's four versions. This is the version stolen in 1994 and recovered three months later, an event that gripped the world's attention. It is displayed in a dedicated gallery with contextual information about Munch's life and the work's creation. The Munch Museum also holds multiple versions of The Scream.
Plan for at least 2–3 hours for a thorough visit covering the main highlights. Art enthusiasts could easily spend a full day — the design and architecture galleries alone deserve 60–90 minutes. If time is limited, a 90-minute focused visit covering the Norwegian painting galleries, The Scream, and the Light Hall covers the most essential experiences. The museum is large enough that a comprehensive visit across all galleries would take 4–5 hours.
Yes, the National Museum is fully included in the Oslo Pass. Simply present your pass (digital or physical card) at the ticket desk to receive free admission. At 200 NOK adult admission, it is one of the highest single-value inclusions in the Oslo Pass, making the pass particularly worthwhile if you plan to visit the National Museum alongside other included attractions.
Yes — the National Museum has an on-site café and restaurant serving Norwegian-inspired dishes, open during museum hours. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully designed space within the building and is open to both museum visitors and the general public. The museum shop is also excellent, with a carefully curated selection of art books, design objects, prints, and gifts.
Photography for personal, non-commercial use is generally permitted throughout the permanent collection galleries without flash. Specific temporary exhibitions may have different rules — look for signs or ask staff members. The Light Hall is particularly popular for photography and visitors are encouraged to photograph and share the spectacular stained-glass installation. Commercial photography and filming require prior permission from the museum.
