Museum of the Viking Age

About the Museum of the Viking Age

The Museum of the Viking Age (Vikingtidsmuseet) at Bygdøy is one of Norway's most celebrated cultural institutions and, when open, consistently ranks among the world's great history museums. At its heart are three actual Viking ships — the Oseberg, the Gokstad, and the Tune — pulled from burial mounds across southern Norway in the 19th century and preserved with breathtaking completeness. To stand beside the 21-metre Oseberg ship is to come face to face with the craftsmanship and daring of Norway's Viking ancestors at their most magnificent.

The Oseberg ship, built around 820 AD and excavated in 1904, is the world's best preserved Viking vessel. Buried as a funeral ship for two high-status women, it was accompanied by an extraordinary array of grave goods: elaborately carved wooden sledges, a cart, tapestries, household utensils, and personal items — an unparalleled window into Viking Age life and belief. The Gokstad ship (built c. 890 AD) is larger and more seaworthy, while the Tune ship, though more fragmentary, holds its own historical significance.

Beyond the ships, the museum's collection includes remarkable Viking Age gold treasures, weapons, tools, textiles, and everyday objects that bring the life of a Viking-era Norwegian vividly to life. The current major renovation will result in a completely rebuilt museum with state-of-the-art conservation facilities, improved visitor experience, and new galleries. It is expected to reopen in 2026 as one of Europe's premier history museums.

What to See: Highlights

• The Oseberg Ship — world's best preserved Viking vessel (c. 820 AD)
• The Gokstad Ship — powerful 9th-century seagoing warship
• The Tune Ship — another remarkable burial ship find
• Oseberg grave goods — carved sledges, a cart, textiles, and personal items
• Viking Age gold jewellery and treasures
• Weapons, tools, and everyday objects from the Viking Age

The Viking Ships: A Closer Look

The Oseberg Ship: Built around 820 AD, this is the crown jewel of the collection and one of the finest artefacts from the Viking Age anywhere in the world. The ship was used as a burial vessel for two women of high status around 834 AD. The burial mound at Oseberg farm in Vestfold, excavated in 1904, yielded not just the ship but a treasure trove of grave goods — intricately carved wooden sledges, a four-wheeled cart, household items, textiles, and personal effects. The elaborate animal-head carvings on the ship's prow exemplify the extraordinary skill of Viking craftsmen.

The Gokstad Ship: Built around 890 AD, the Gokstad ship is a larger, more robust vessel designed for open-sea sailing. It was found in another burial mound in Vestfold in 1880. This ship is considered the classic Viking longship design: flexible, fast, and seaworthy enough to cross the North Atlantic. A replica of the Gokstad ship successfully sailed from Bergen to New York in 1893, demonstrating the extraordinary capability of Viking seafarers.

The Tune Ship: The oldest of the three ships at the museum, the Tune ship dates from around 900 AD and was excavated in 1867. Though more fragmented than the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, it retains significant historical importance and forms a key part of the museum's triumvirate of extraordinary Viking vessels.

Getting to the Museum of the Viking Age

The Museum of the Viking Age is located on the Bygdøy peninsula, a short distance from central Oslo. In summer (May–Sep), take the scenic Bygdøy Ferry from Aker Brygge pier — a beautiful 10-minute fjord crossing. The ferry drops you at the Bygdøynes stop, from where it's a short walk to the museum.

Year-round, Bus 30 runs directly from Jernbanetorget (Oslo S) to the Vikingskipshuset stop at Bygdøy, taking approximately 15 minutes. The Oslo Pass covers both the ferry and bus travel.