Special museums in Oslo: from science to the city coast — and how not to get confused by the names

Oslo is a fantastic example of what a "museum" can be - it's so much more than just paintings on a wall! Prepare to be amazed by a world of science, urban memories, coastal culture and digital immersive experiences. And that's not all — some of the exhibitions are located right on the waterfront, offering breathtaking views of the city. English-language searches are a fantastic adventure! The Oslo Science Museum, the Oslo Cultural Museum and the Norsk Museum Oslo – what a fantastic trio they make! In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know, show you the most interesting "specialised museums" in the capital and give you some easy-to-follow itineraries for a day out.

What exactly is the Oslo Science Museum?

When people talk about the "Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology" (Norsk Teknisk Museum) in the Kjelsås district, they are usually referring to this place. This is a national museum of science, technology, industry and medicine. It has interactive halls, experiment stations, activities for families and themed exhibitions. These include electricity, communications and medical technology. You can buy tickets on the website. The website also has a guide to the different sections. The address is Kjelsåsveien 143 (you can easily get there by public transport). It's a great place for families and anyone who loves hands-on science.

Is the Oslo Cultural Museum the Folkemuseum or the Historical Museum?

It's a tricky language trap. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) is a museum that shows the history of Norwegian culture. It has a big open-air exhibition in Bygdøy (160 historic buildings, including the Gullfaskirk). The Museum of Cultural History (KHM) is a group of museums. It includes the Historical Museum in the city centre and the Museum of the Viking Age, which is currently being built. They both focus on culture, but the first one looks at everyday life and traditions, while the second one looks at archaeology and ancient artefacts.

What's the best way to make sure people know what you mean when you use the search term "Norsk museum Oslo"?

"Norsk" is Norwegian for "Norwegian", so there are several "Norsk museums" in Oslo:

— Norsk Folkemuseum (museum of Norwegian culture, open-air museum, Bygdøy).

— Norsk Maritimt Museum (a museum about the history of seafaring, Bygdøy).

— Norsk Teknisk Museum (science and technology, Kjøelsås).

However, the Norsk Oljemuseum is in Stavanger, not Oslo. Please check the exact names and addresses.

Where can you find "Coastal scenes" in the city centre, without going to Bygdøy?

Start with the Harbour Promenade (Havnepromenaden), a nine-kilometre-long walking trail with orange information kiosks. Texts and maps tell the story of the harbour, the shipyards and the reimagining of "Fjord City". The route goes past Akershus festning (the fortress that represents control over the port), where you can visit the Armed Forces Museum and the Norway's Resistance Museum in the barracks. The result is a "museum without walls" and two classic institutions right next door.

The Norwegian Maritime Museum is all about the sea. What can you see there?

This is the national museum of maritime culture. It has models and real boats, as well as information about how ships are built, how fishing was done in the past, and the history of maps and paintings. The themes of coastal life and shipping are well covered here. It is in Bygdøy, and you can get there by bus No. 30 all year round or by summer ferry from the Town Hall (Pier 3). The museum has a lot of interesting things to see and is right by the water.

Is "Oslo Museum" just one address?

The Oslo Museum is made up of a number of different places. These include the Museum of Oslo and the Theatre Museum in Frogner Park (Frogner Estate), and the Intercultural Museum in Grønland. The first two museums tell the story of the city and its theatre. The second museum has exhibitions on migration, diversity and stereotypes. All three books show the city from different points of view and are great for understanding Oslo as a living metropolis.

Where can you find the "digital world" in Oslo? VR/AR and other immersive experiences?

In the centre is The Viking Planet, which has a VR film, 270° cinema, holograms and 3D artefacts about the Vikings. In Bygdøy, there is the Fram Museum. It has a new N25 4D flight simulator. This will open in May 2025 to mark 100 years since the expedition. It also has updated multimedia attractions. At MUNCH, the permanent installation Shadows recreates Munch's house in Ekelø. You can walk through a "living archive" of light and sound.

The Oslo Cultural Museum is all about folklore and traditions. It is the perfect place to find them.

To get a full picture, visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, where you can see traditional costumes, art from the local people and churches, as well as old buildings. It's a quick way to see the differences between the regions and understand how climate, crafts and trade affected everyday life. Then compare what you've seen with the archaeology at the Historical Museum (KHM) in the centre.

Which small but important museums show the full picture of the city?

There are three addresses "for the sake of business".

— Oslo Jewish Museum (Calmeyers gate 15B) —

community life, Stolpersteine (memorial slabs) and remembrance work.

The National Museum is on Bankplassen. It has two buildings. One is Grosh's classics and the other is Sverre Fenn's pavilion.

Kunstnernes Hus is an independent institution that has been important to the contemporary scene since 1930. Together, they show the city as a mix of different cultures, memories and buildings.

How can you spend one day enjoying both special museums and the coast?

Morning: Start at the Museum of Oslo, which tells the story of the capital. Then walk to the Harbour Promenade and Akershus, where you can learn about the history of the harbour and defence. Don't miss the Armed Forces Museum. Afternoon: from City Hall, you can get a summer ferry to Bygdøy every 20 minutes. You can get off at the Maritime Museum or the Fram, if you want to. In the evening, go back to the centre and stop at The Viking Planet for a short VR session. The route combines "the city, the coast, the sea and digital technology".

What is the National Museum of Architecture? How is it different from the "big" National Museum?

It is a separate site of the network on Bankplassen. The old bank building (designed by Grosh) and the light pavilion by Sverre Fenn house research exhibitions. These include drawings, models and photos, as well as information about urban planning. It's clear how Norway thinks about space and materials — a great contrast to the "big" museum on the waterfront.

Another Beygdøy landmark: what is the Kon-Tiki Museum and how does it fit in with the coastal theme?

This museum is all about Thor Heyerdahl's voyages and has the original Kon-Tiki and Ra II boats, records, maps and multimedia. It is right next to the Fram and Maritime Museum, so it is a great place to visit if you want to learn about the history of the coast. You can learn about traditions, shipbuilding, maritime experiments and the spirit of exploration. It's easy to get there: just take the bus. You can go on 30 runs any time of the year, or you can take the summer ferry from the Town Hall.

Oslo is a city where museums collaborate in a fascinating way: science explains industry and medicine, city collections bring together the many voices of the capital, the waterfront becomes an open gallery of memory and architecture, and Bygdøy "stitches together" coastal culture, maritime history and polar stories. Now that we've sorted out the names, half the work is done – all that's left is to go and see!

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