Munch Museum
Good for: Art Lovers · Architecture Enthusiasts · Symbolist Art Fans
26,700+
Works in Collection
2021
New Building Opened
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway — the Munch Museum (MUNCH) moved to a spectacular new 13-floor building in the Bjørvika waterfront district in 2021, designed by Estudio Herreros. Open Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thursday until 9:00 PM (closed Mondays). Admission: ✓ NOK 160 standard adult admission (approx. €14); free for under-18s. Book timed-entry tickets ahead in peak season. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Munch Museum
The Munch Museum (MUNCH) holds the world's largest collection of works by Edvard Munch, bequeathed by the artist to the city of Oslo upon his death in 1944. In 2021 it moved to a spectacular new 13-storey building in Bjørvika, designed by Estudio Herreros of Spain.
The building leans dramatically over Oslo's waterfront, its perforated aluminium facade changing colour with the light. Thirteen floors of galleries display paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures spanning Munch's entire career, from The Scream to late self-portraits.
The museum holds multiple versions of The Scream — including the 1910 tempera on cardboard — along with Madonna, The Sick Child, and The Dance of Life. Only a fraction of the 26,700-work collection can be displayed at once, so exhibitions rotate regularly.
Bjørvika is Oslo's regenerated waterfront district, home to the Opera House, barcode skyline, and new residential towers. MUNCH anchors the cultural end of this transformed harbour.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Munch Museum without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 1
The Scream
📍 Top-floor Munch Gallery
One of several versions Munch created of his iconic image of existential anguish.
- 2
Madonna
📍 Munch Gallery, Floor 11
Munch's sensual, haloed figure of a woman, surrounded by sperm and a fetus in the painted border — one of his most provocative Symbolist works.
- 3
The Sick Child
📍 Munch Gallery
Munch returned to this subject of his dying sister throughout his career.
- 4
Self-Portrait with Cigarette
📍 Munch Gallery
An early self-portrait showing the artist in a haze of smoke, exemplifying his exploration of psychological states through paint.
- 5
The Dance of Life
📍 Munch Gallery
A central panel from Munch's Frieze of Life series, depicting couples dancing between innocence and death on a summer shore.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Munch Museum — and why they matter.
The Scream
Edvard Munch · 1910 (tempera version)
📍 Top-floor Munch Gallery
One of several versions Munch created of his iconic image of existential anguish. The 1910 tempera on cardboard is in the MUNCH collection.
Madonna
Edvard Munch · 1894–1895
📍 Munch Gallery, Floor 11
Munch's sensual, haloed figure of a woman, surrounded by sperm and a fetus in the painted border — one of his most provocative Symbolist works.
The Sick Child
Edvard Munch · 1907
📍 Munch Gallery
Munch returned to this subject of his dying sister throughout his career. The 1907 version is among the most emotionally devastating.
Self-Portrait with Cigarette
Edvard Munch · 1895
📍 Munch Gallery
An early self-portrait showing the artist in a haze of smoke, exemplifying his exploration of psychological states through paint.
The Dance of Life
Edvard Munch · 1899–1900
📍 Munch Gallery
A central panel from Munch's Frieze of Life series, depicting couples dancing between innocence and death on a summer shore.
Collections & highlights
- • Edvard Munch paintings — complete career
- • Multiple versions of The Scream
- • Prints and lithographs — 18,000+ works
- • Drawings and watercolours
- • Sculptures including Self-Portrait in Hell
- • Temporary exhibitions of Munch's contemporaries
- • Estudio Herreros building and harbour views
- • Conservation and study centre
Frequently asked questions
Which version of The Scream is here?
The Munch Museum holds several versions, including the 1910 tempera version and multiple pastels. The 1893 tempera version — the most famous — is at the National Museum.
Is the building worth visiting for its architecture?
Yes — the asymmetric leaning tower has become an Oslo landmark and the views of the fjord from the upper floors are exceptional.
How long should I spend at Munch Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Munch Museum best known for?
The Munch Museum (MUNCH) moved to a spectacular new 13-floor building in the Bjørvika waterfront district in 2021, designed by Estudio Herreros. The building has become one of Oslo's most striking pieces of contemporary architecture, leaning dramatically over the harbour. Key highlights include Multiple versions of The Scream — the most famous image in Norwegian art, The Madonna — Munch's other iconic image, Melancholy, Puberty, The Sick Child.
How do I get tickets for Munch Museum?
✓ NOK 160 standard adult admission (approx. €14); free for under-18s Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.munchmuseet.no/en/
Is the building worth visiting for architecture alone?
Yes — the leaning tower by Estudio Herreros has become an Oslo landmark, with exceptional fjord views from the upper floors.
How does this compare to the National Museum?
The National Museum has one Scream and a broader collection. MUNCH is entirely devoted to Munch with vastly more works and deeper coverage of his career.
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