National Museum of Norway
Quick answer
National Museum of Norway in Oslo, Norway — the National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) opened in June 2022 in a landmark new building on Aker Brygge, designed by Kleihues + Schuwerk. Open Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Museum of Norway at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free |
| Free or reduced entry | Free admission for visitors under 18; check the official site for current conditions. |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Tuesday or Wednesday evening until 9 PM for The Scream without daytime crowds. |
| Getting there | Tram: Line 12 to Aker Brygge — museum on the waterfront beside the pier |
| Address | Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway |
| Official website | nasjonalmuseet.no |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Museum of Norway known for?
The National Museum of Norway (Nasjonalmuseet) opened in June 2022 in a landmark building on Aker Brygge, Oslo — designed by Kleihues + Schuwerk. At 54,600 square metres it is the largest museum building in the Nordic countries.
The museum unifies Norway's previously scattered collections of fine art, decorative arts, design, and architecture under one roof. Edvard Munch's The Scream (1893) — the tempera version — is displayed permanently in a dedicated ground-floor room.
The Light Hall (Lys sal) is a 3,600 m² skylit gallery for major temporary exhibitions. Norwegian Romantic landscapes by J.C. Dahl and Hans Gude, Viking-age artefacts, and a world-class design collection complete the display.
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 9 PM offer extended viewing. The building sits on Oslo's waterfront between Aker Brygge and the city hall.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Design enthusiasts
How long do you need at National Museum of Norway?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Museum of Norway without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Scream
📍 Munch Room, ground floor
The 1893 tempera-on-cardboard version — the most famous of Munch's Scream versions, displayed permanently in a dedicated room.
- 2
The Dance of Life
📍 Munch galleries
Munch's frieze of life composition — couples dancing beside the shore, part of the museum's substantial Munch holding beyond The Scream.
- 3
View from Stalheim
📍 Norwegian Romantic gallery
Dahl's dramatic Norwegian mountain vista — the father of Norwegian landscape painting and a cornerstone of the Romantic collection.
- 4
The Light Hall
📍 Upper floor
A vast skylit exhibition space for major temporary shows — 3,600 m² of column-free gallery under natural light.
What are the must-see works at National Museum of Norway?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Scream, The Dance of Life, View from Stalheim and more.
The Scream
Edvard Munch · 1893
📍 Munch Room, ground floor
The 1893 tempera-on-cardboard version — the most famous of Munch's Scream versions, displayed permanently in a dedicated room. The Munch Museum holds additional versions.
The Dance of Life
Edvard Munch · 1899–1900
📍 Munch galleries
Munch's frieze of life composition — couples dancing beside the shore, part of the museum's substantial Munch holding beyond The Scream.
View from Stalheim
Johan Christian Dahl · 1824
📍 Norwegian Romantic gallery
Dahl's dramatic Norwegian mountain vista — the father of Norwegian landscape painting and a cornerstone of the Romantic collection.
The Light Hall
Kleihues + Schuwerk · 2022
📍 Upper floor
A vast skylit exhibition space for major temporary shows — 3,600 m² of column-free gallery under natural light. Architecture as the museum's grandest room.
Collections and highlights
- • The Scream (1893) — permanent dedicated room
- • Edvard Munch — paintings beyond The Scream
- • Norwegian Romantic landscapes — Dahl, Gude
- • The Light Hall — 3,600 m² skylit gallery
- • Viking-age and medieval Norwegian art
- • Design and architecture collection
- • International art — Impressionism to contemporary
Famous works with their own guide
Tips for visiting National Museum of Norway
- 1.
Best time to visit
Tuesday or Wednesday evening until 9 PM for The Scream without daytime crowds. Weekday mornings otherwise.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
The Scream room draws queues — timed viewing may apply. The rest of the vast building absorbs visitors well.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
NOK 220 standard at nasjonalmuseet.no. Under-18s free. Special exhibitions may require supplement.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum café; Aker Brygge restaurants and bars on the waterfront.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible new building. Elevators throughout.
How do you get to National Museum of Norway?
- tram Line 12 to Aker Brygge — museum on the waterfront beside the pier
- walk 10 minutes from Oslo City Hall; 15 minutes from Karl Johans gate
- bus Multiple routes to Aker Brygge and Vika
Address: Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250 Oslo, Norway
National Museum of Norway: frequently asked questions
Is The Scream really here?
Yes — the 1893 tempera-on-cardboard version of The Scream is displayed permanently in a dedicated room on the ground floor. The Munch Museum holds additional versions.
How does this differ from the Munch Museum?
The National Museum holds the most famous version of The Scream and a broad overview of Norwegian art. The Munch Museum in Bjørvika focuses exclusively on Munch and holds the largest Munch collection in the world.
How long should I spend at National Museum of Norway?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of National Museum of Norway. Our 4-stop route — The Scream, The Dance of Life, View from Stalheim and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is National Museum of Norway best known for?
The National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) opened in June 2022 in a landmark new building on Aker Brygge, designed by Kleihues + Schuwerk. At 54,600 square metres it is the largest museum building in the Nordic countries and one of the largest art museums in Europe. Key highlights include The Scream by Edvard Munch (1893) — in a dedicated gallery, Norwegian Romantic landscapes — J.C. Dahl and Hans Gude, The Light Hall — a 3,600 m² skylit gallery for special exhibitions.
How do I get tickets for National Museum of Norway?
Admission: Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/
What is the Light Hall?
A 3,600 m² skylit gallery on the upper floor for major temporary exhibitions — one of the largest single exhibition spaces in Europe. Check what is on before visiting.
Is National Museum of Norway open on Mondays?
No — National Museum of Norway is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are National Museum of Norway's opening hours?
National Museum of Norway is open Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is National Museum of Norway free to visit?
Not for everyone. Standard admission: Standard adult admission is ticketed; visitors under 18 enter free. Free or reduced entry: Free admission for visitors under 18; check the official site for current conditions.
