Norsk Maritimt Museum

About the museum

Norsk Maritimt Museum is located at Bygdøynes on Bygdøy in Oslo, next to the Frammuseet (Fram Museum) and the Kon-Tiki Museet. The museum shows Norwegian and international maritime history, maritime art and marine archaeology. The boathouse from 1958 is the museum's iconic building, and today the house is part of Stiftelsen Norsk Folkemuseum (the Norwegian Folk Museum Foundation).

In the exhibition Sjøveien (The Sea Road), the open collection of traditional boats stands alongside archaeological wrecks and finds from Oslo from the 16th and 17th centuries. In Til sjøs! (To Sea!) visitors follow the people who have had the sea as their workplace, from the Viking Age to the present, while I rute (On Route) is about how shipping and travel have linked the regions of the country since the age of the steamships. The museum also has a painting exhibition, Sjøstykker (Sea Pieces), and an exact copy of one of the Viking ships from the Gokstad find, made by the museum's own craftspeople.

The outdoor area has a museum harbour with traditional boats and the schooner “Svanen”, the only surviving three-masted ship of the Norwegian merchant fleet. Around the museum stand sculptures and memorials, including the Amundsen Monument, the War Sailors' Memorial (Krigsseilermonumentet) and Sjøblomst. Children can play and explore in the exhibitions Oppdag havet (Discover the Sea) and På reise med Chiefen og Sally Jones (Travelling with Chiefen and Sally Jones).

Highlights

• The boathouse with traditional boats and archaeological wrecks
• Replica of the Viking ship from the Gokstad find
• The schooner “Svanen” in the museum harbour
• The painting exhibition Sjøstykker (Sea Pieces)
• Children's exhibitions Oppdag havet and På reise med Chiefen og Sally Jones
• The Amundsen Monument and the War Sailors' Memorial outdoors

Permanent exhibitions

• Sjøveien – The open collection of traditional boats and archaeological wrecks and finds from Oslo from the 16th and 17th centuries, shown in the boathouse.
• Til sjøs! – A journey from the Viking Age to the present through the stories of people who have had the sea as their workplace.
• I rute – How traffic and travel along the coast have changed from the age of the steamships to the present day.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Stiftelsen Norsk Folkemuseum

Admission & discounts

The Oslo Pass gives free admission. Free admission also for members of Redningsselskapet, employees of DNV (two adults) and refugees with a refugee pass, on presentation of valid proof. Combined tickets can be bought at the visitor centre and at the other museums at Bygdøynes.

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

All exhibitions have step-free access, and in the boathouse there is a lift between levels 1 and 2. Accessible toilets (HC toilets) on deck 1 by the cloakroom. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the visitor centre. Dedicated accessible parking spaces right by the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's exhibitions Oppdag havet and På reise med Chiefen og Sally Jones. Creative children's workshops every weekend, with boat building on Sundays and activity workshops on Saturdays. Baby changing rooms on deck 1 and deck 3. Children aged 0–17 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 6 km from Nationaltheatret station and 4 km from Skøyen station. A walking and cycle path runs along Havnepromenaden via Frognerkilen and Kongsgården to Bygdøynes, with bicycle parking and Bysykkel (city bikes) outside (not in winter).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café FJORD by the entrance is open during museum opening hours, with open sandwiches, baked goods, cakes and ice cream. Packed food can be eaten in the indoor lounge for schools and nurseries and on the Fjordterrassen in the summer half-year. Museum shop. Lockable cloakroom cabinets on deck 1.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit