Arkeologisk museum
University museum at Våland in Stavanger with real archaeological finds from the end of the Ice Age to the Middle Ages, a new Viking Age exhibition and activities for children.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Arkeologisk museum (Museum of Archaeology) at the University of Stavanger is one of five university museums in Norway. It conducts research, collection management and outreach on people and their living environments, primarily from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. The exhibitions are developed in close cooperation with the museum’s own researchers, archaeologists, conservation department and collection management, and show real finds from the history of Rogaland.
The museum at Våland has exhibitions ranging from the end of the Ice Age to the Middle Ages, including the Finnøy polar bear, which is considered the world’s oldest polar bear, the bronze lurs, the gold bracteates, the Årdal rings and the runestones in the foyer. The exhibition World of the Vikings opened on 3 June 2026 with a ship’s stem (skipsstevn) from Sønnanå, the only completely preserved Viking Age ship’s stem in the country, and with the activity exhibition Yggdrasil for children.
The museum is also responsible for outreach at the reconstructed farmstead Jernaldergården (Iron Age Farm) at Ullandhaug, which is open in the summer season and for booked groups all year round. Around 100 staff and 9 research fellows (stipendiater) work at the museum.
Highlights
- The Finnøy polar bear, the world’s oldest polar bear
- World of the Vikings with the ship’s stem from Sønnanå
- Yggdrasil, an activity exhibition for children
- Bronze lurs and gold bracteates
- Runestones in the foyer
- Jernaldergården (Iron Age Farm) at Ullandhaug in summer
Permanent exhibitions
- World of the Vikings – The exhibition explores how the Vikings set out into the world and shaped it, with finds from the Viking Age and the ship’s stem from Sønnanå, the only completely preserved Viking Age ship’s stem in the country.
- Isbjørnen fra Finnøy – The exhibition shows the world’s oldest polar bear, found at Finnøy and given the name Finn.
- Yggdrasil – Activity exhibition for children where they can learn by trying things out.
- Founded
- 1975
- Operated by
- Universitetet i Stavanger
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 100 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 40Seniors/concessions (honnør) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children under 18 have free admission all year round. |
| Seniors | NOK 40Concession ticket (honnør). |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents have free admission. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group rates for 10 people or more can be booked at am-booking@uis.no. |
| Families | NOK 200Family ticket. |
| Family annual pass | NOK 580Valid for Arkeologisk museum and Jernaldergården. |
| Annual pass adult | NOK 400Valid for Arkeologisk museum and Jernaldergården. |
| Annual pass concession (honnør) | NOK 200Valid for Arkeologisk museum and Jernaldergården. |
In the summer season the ticket can also be used at Jernaldergården.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Most exhibitions are on one level, and there is a lift or ramps to the other levels and floors. The museum has accessible (HC) facilities and one accessible parking space directly outside the museum. There is ample space for pushchairs in the exhibitions and the café.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 200 · Family ticket. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
Children have free admission all year round. The museum offers family activities at weekends and during holidays, where children can explore the Viking Age and solve tasks, and in the activity room Yggdrasil they can learn by trying things out.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stavanger bussterminal
The nearest public transport hub is Stavanger bussterminal/Jernbaneveien and the railway station, a short walk away. Most city and regional buses in the Kolumbus network stop there, including lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and the X lines.
By car
Free parking
Free street parking for 2 hours Monday–Friday 08:00–18:00 and Saturday 08:00–16:00, otherwise free without time limit. A guest card can be bought via EasyPark (rate group 5736). The St. Olav and Jernbanelokket car parks are a few minutes’ walk away. There is one accessible (HC) parking space directly outside the museum.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
Kafé Ask og Embla serves lapper (thin Norwegian flatbreads), cakes, lunch dishes and sourdough pizza during the museum’s opening hours; the café at Jernaldergården is closed in the winter season.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Meeting rooms can be rented.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Most families spend between 1 and 3 hours. Guided tours are offered when they are on the programme: at weekends at 12:00 in Norwegian and at 13:00 in English, and they do not need to be booked in advance. School bookings: skoletjenesten@uis.no. |
