National Museum of Norway
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Design enthusiasts
2022
New Building Opened
54,600 m²
Building Size
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
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: ✓ NOK 220 standard adult admission (approx. €19); free for under-18s. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About National Museum of Norway
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.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Museum of Norway without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 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.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define National Museum of Norway — and why they matter.
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 & 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 in our collection guide
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. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and 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?
✓ NOK 220 standard adult admission (approx. €19); free for under-18s 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.
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