Best for
Art lovers, Munch fans, culture seekers
Time needed
1.5–3 hours
Worth it?
Yes — world-class and genuinely moving
Skip if
No interest in painting or modern art
About Munch Museum
The Munch Museum (Munchmuseet) is without doubt one of Oslo's most extraordinary cultural destinations and a must on any serious museum itinerary. Opened in October 2021 in a dramatic 13-storey cantilevered tower in the Bjørvika waterfront district, the museum represents a defining statement about how Norway wishes to present its most significant cultural figure to the world.
Edvard Munch (1863–1944) is the most internationally recognised Norwegian artist — known primarily for The Scream, but the depth and range of his output goes far beyond that single iconic image. He was a prolific, obsessive, endlessly self-examining artist who worked in oils, watercolour, charcoal, pastel, lithography, woodcut, and etching across six decades. When he died, he bequeathed everything in his studio — approximately 26,000 works — to the city of Oslo.
Read the full storyShow less
The museum holds all of this. It is the largest collection of works by a single artist in the world: 26,000 works including 1,100 paintings, over 4,500 drawings, 18,000 prints, and six sculpted pieces, along with extensive archives of letters, diaries, and photographs. No other museum can show you as much of Munch's mind and process as this one.
The Scream exists in four versions. One is in the National Museum (the most famous, in tempera and crayon). Another is in the Munch Museum's collection. A third Munch Museum version is the one most likely to be on display on any given visit — check before you come, as the museum rotates its holdings. The 1895 pastel version was sold at auction in 2012 for $119.9 million.
The building was designed by the Spanish firm Estudio Herreros and is itself an architectural event. The tower's upper floors — which contain the main galleries — cantilever dramatically toward the Oslofjord, and the highest public spaces give panoramic views over the harbour, the fortress, and the Opera House. The rooftop bar and restaurant is one of Oslo's more distinctive destinations.
The museum is a 5-minute walk from Oslo Central Station or 10 minutes from the Opera House. Allow a minimum of 2–3 hours; a full day is rewarding if you are seriously interested in Munch's work. The Oslo Pass covers admission. Timed entry tickets are recommended in summer.
What to See: Highlights
- 1The Scream (multiple versions)
- 2Madonna (1894–95)
- 3The Sick Child (1885)
- 4Rooftop terrace with Oslo Fjord views
- 5Rotating international exhibitions
- 6The Munch Archive — letters and diaries
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Included with the Oslo Pass
Munch Museum is included with the Oslo Pass — a city card that covers entry to 30+ attractions, unlimited public transport, and discounts across Oslo. It can represent serious savings if you plan to visit multiple museums.
Insider Tips
Book timed entry online — the museum sells out in summer
Give yourself at least 2–3 hours
Visit Tuesday–Thursday morning for fewest crowds
Start at the top floor and work down
Thursday evening until 21:00 is a quieter option
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
Edvard Munchs Plass 1, 0194 Oslo
Open in Google Maps →- 1Metro line 2 or 3 to Bjørvika station (2 min walk from exit)
- 2Bus 37 or 60 — stop "Operaen" (3 min walk)
- 3Walking from Oslo Central Station: 15 minutes along the waterfront
- 4Walking from Aker Brygge: 25 minutes along the fjord promenade
- 5Oslo Pass includes unlimited public transport — no need to buy a separate metro ticket
Where to stay
Hotels in Oslo
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Munch Museum worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Munch Museum take?+−
Who is Munch Museum best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Munch Museum?+−
Is Munch Museum included with the Oslo city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You love art, expressionism, or Edvard Munch
- You want to see multiple versions of The Scream in one place
- You enjoy dramatic architecture with fjord views
- You have the Oslo Pass (entry included)
Skip if...
- You're not interested in painting or modern art
- You have less than 90 minutes — it deserves more time
- You're visiting on a Monday (closed)
Stories from Travelers
Real experiences at Munch Museum from our community
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Oslo
Fram Museum
Go aboard the world's strongest wooden ship and relive Norway's heroic polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic.
Viking Ship Museum
Home to the Oseberg and Gokstad ships — the world's best-preserved Viking vessels. Currently closed for reconstruction, reopening as the Museum of the Viking Age in 2027.
National Museum
Norway's largest art museum — successor to the original National Gallery — home to Munch's The Scream and 7,000 years of Nordic and European art.
Norwegian Resistance Museum
A powerful museum inside Akershus Fortress documenting Norway's Nazi occupation, the resistance movement, and the liberation of 1945.