4 Highlights at the Norwegian Maritime Museum

Discover Norway’s maritime heritage at the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo. Dive into exhibitions featuring Viking Age boatbuilding traditions, coastal culture, and life beneath the surface of the ocean. Here we guide you to four experiences you don't want to miss when you visit!

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Viking craftsmanship | Coastal culture & archaeological finds | Stories from the sea | Explore the ocean | More to do at the museum

1. Experience Viking craftsmanship

See Viking-era craftsmanship in the exhibition Viking Age Boat Builder and the KLINK Boat Building Workshop. Here you can experience an 1100-year-old original Viking boat and the replica that is constructed using traditional techniques.

This UNESCO-listed craft of clinker-built boats has left a lasting mark on maritime history. You can experience this legacy up close in the Boat Hall, where a collection of traditional boats is on display.

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A demonstration of traditional Viking boatbuilding techniques in the Viking Age Boat Builder exhibition, where visitors can experience the UNESCO-listed craft of clinker-built boats up close. Beate Kjørslevik
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Original Viking boat from the Gokstad find exhibited at the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Beate Kjørslevik

2. Coastal culture and archeological finds

Along the coast of Norway (which is one of the longest in the world) people and boats have been closely connected throughout history.

Discover this bond as you step into the Boat Hall and see the By Sea exhibition that tell the story of Norway's maritime and coastal heritage.

Here you can experience the largest collection of open traditional boats in Norway: 13 traditional 19th-century boats. Each boat reflects local tradition, unique design and craftmanship.

Also in the Boat Hall, on the mezzanines, you can experience Maritime Oslo, which takes you back to Oslo in the 16th- and 17th-centuries, showcasing shipwrecks, and fascinating archaeological finds from the old Oslo harbor.

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Inside the Boat Hall. Beate Kjørslevik
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Rigging and ropework on the Fembøring, the largest boat in the collection displayed in the Boat Hall, at the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Beate Kjørslevik

3. Explore stories from the sea

On the second floor in the main building, you can experience At Sea! - an exhibition about the people who went at sea, from the Viking Age to the present day.

From vikings and pirates to cooks and boatswains, the drama and everyday life at sea are brought to life through stories accompanied by personal effects, clothing, letters and diaries.

Also on the second floor, explore On Schedule: Ships and Ship Traffic, an exhibition that traces Norway's maritime transport history through texts and ship models.

You can also step aboard the preserved DS Sandnæs and see how people traveled between Sandnes and Bergen over 100 years ago.

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The At Sea! exhibition at the Norwegian Maritime Museum tells the stories of people who lived their lives at sea. Beate Kjørslevik
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Ship models in the On Schedule exhibition illustrate the evolution of Norway’s passenger and ferry transport. Beate Kjørslevik

4. Plunge in and explore the ocean

Explore the Ocean invites you into the wonders and challenges of the sea, from its mythical creatures and hidden marvels to pressing threats like plastic pollution.

Dive into a world where you journey through 500 years of ocean history, from wind-powered ships to today’s quest for green solutions.

The exhibition engages your senses and emotions, trying to spark a deeper love for the ocean and an understanding of why we must protect it for generations to come.

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Explore the Ocean invites you on a sensory journey through the wonders and challenges of the sea. Metro Branding
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Here children can dive into an imaginative underwater world. Metro Branding

More things to do at the museum

Events and activities: Visiting today? Be sure to check out our Daily Program to see what is happening at the museum today!
Eat at Café FJORD: Visit our cosy café by the fjord and unwind with a delicious cup of coffee or something to eat.
Museum Shop: In the Museum Shop you'll find a wide range of gifts for all ages, inspired by the museum’s exhibitions.
Explore the outdoor area: Take a break outside among boats and sculptures right by the fjord at beautiful Bygdøynes.

Ready to visit the Norwegian Maritime Museum? Plan your visit today!

Museum floor plan

The museum offers a lot to explore, so remember to pick up a map from the brochure to help plan your visit and make the most of your time here!