Universitetsmuseet i Bergen

About the museum

The University Museum of Bergen was originally called Bergens Museum and was founded in 1825. It is one of Norway's oldest scientific museums and formed the basis for the establishment of the University of Bergen in 1946. In 2025 the museum marked 200 years.

From the start the museum built up scientific collections in natural and cultural history, and it has been a central arena for research, collecting and communication in Western Norway. The protected museum buildings at Muséplassen 3 and Haakon Sheteligs plass 10, together with Muséhagen with the Plantehuset (Plant House), are part of this history.

Today the museum manages extensive collections in anthropology, archaeology, art and cultural history, botany, geology and zoology, totalling around 4.5 million objects. As a state university museum it has national responsibility for archaeological material older than 1537 from Vestland and Sunnmøre, and it is a regional centre of expertise and communication.

In the exhibitions at Muséplassen 3, one of the world's largest collections of whale skeletons hangs under the roof of the Whale Hall, and visitors can see birds, an exhibition about the deep sea and one about the growth and fall of mountain ranges. The cultural history museum building at Haakon Sheteligs plass 10 is closed for renovation. The museum also has gardens, including Muséhagen in the city centre and the Arboretum and Bergen Botanical Garden at Milde.

Highlights

• The Whale Hall with a 24-metre-long blue whale skeleton
• The bird collection, from golden eagle to goldcrest
• The Unknown Land – a sensory exhibition about the deep sea
• The growth and fall of a mountain range, an exhibition about geology
• Muséhagen, the Arboretum and Bergen Botanical Garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Hvalsalen – Hanging under the roof is one of the world's largest collections of whale skeletons, including a 24-metre-long blue whale skeleton.
• Fugler – A wide selection of stuffed birds, from golden eagle to goldcrest, with an explanation of how researchers classify birds and follow the routes of migratory birds.
• Det ukjente landet – dyphavet – A sensory exhibition about life at a depth of 3,000 metres, with sound, light and a large panoramic screen.

Founded

1825

Operated by

Universitetet i Bergen

Visitors per year

approx. 76,362 (2025)

Admission & discounts

The ticket applies to the whole museum. Bergenskort, and members of Museumsforbundet and ICOM, also have free admission. UiB employees pay NOK 140 with a staff card. Tickets can be bought at the museum or online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

The museum has a lift and ramps giving step-free access to the whole museum, and an accessible toilet. Visitors needing adjustments for sight, hearing or a quiet environment can contact the museum in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children can get a wonder trail in the shop and a prize when they hand it in after the visit. Pushchairs can be parked outside the building, and a lock for the pushchair can be borrowed in the shop. A few umbrella strollers can be borrowed, but the museum recommends a baby carrier for babies.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Nygårdshøyden in central Bergen. Muséhagen is right next to the museum, while the Bergen Botanical Garden and the Arboretum are at Milde, south of the centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free wireless internet for visitors. Café Christie (Godt Brød) in the vestibule is open to all, also without a ticket. Lockable lockers and a cloakroom are in the lower ground floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit