The Norwegian Maritime Museum, or Norsk Maritimt Museum, is the quieter neighbour of the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums at Bygdøynes. Founded in 1914, it covers the broader story of Norway's relationship with the sea: fishing, shipbuilding, navigation, trade, and marine archaeology.
The ground floor displays thirteen traditional boats representing the entire Norwegian coastline, from slender northern Nordlandsbåter to broad southern cargo vessels. Norway's boat collection of open traditional craft is the most important of its kind in the country. There are also ship models, paintings, and navigational instruments spanning several centuries.
The most interesting thing happening in the museum right now is in the basement. Boatbuilders are constructing a replica of one of the Viking boats from the Gokstad discovery using traditional techniques: axes, hand planes, and iron rivets, exactly as it was done 1,100 years ago. The original Gokstad boat is also on display. The UNESCO-listed craft of clinker-built boats, where overlapping planks are riveted together, is a Norwegian tradition that shaped maritime history across northern Europe. The project started in 2023 and will take several years to complete. Check the museum's website for the days when the boatbuilders are working, as watching them is half the experience.
The Maritime Museum does not draw the same crowds as its neighbours, which means you can take your time. Plan about 45 minutes to an hour.
The ground floor displays thirteen traditional boats representing the entire Norwegian coastline, from slender northern Nordlandsbåter to broad southern cargo vessels. Norway's boat collection of open traditional craft is the most important of its kind in the country. There are also ship models, paintings, and navigational instruments spanning several centuries.
The most interesting thing happening in the museum right now is in the basement. Boatbuilders are constructing a replica of one of the Viking boats from the Gokstad discovery using traditional techniques: axes, hand planes, and iron rivets, exactly as it was done 1,100 years ago. The original Gokstad boat is also on display. The UNESCO-listed craft of clinker-built boats, where overlapping planks are riveted together, is a Norwegian tradition that shaped maritime history across northern Europe. The project started in 2023 and will take several years to complete. Check the museum's website for the days when the boatbuilders are working, as watching them is half the experience.
The Maritime Museum does not draw the same crowds as its neighbours, which means you can take your time. Plan about 45 minutes to an hour.