Norwegian Maritime Museum

The permanent collection covers all of these periods in depth. The Viking section complements (without duplicating) the material at the Cultural History Museum, focusing on ship construction and navigation rather than artefacts. The medieval and early modern sections cover the remarkable transition from Viking longships to the large-hulled cargo vessels that made Norwegian merchants major players in European trade from the 14th century onward.

The Gjøa — Roald Amundsen's ship that completed the first navigation of the Northwest Passage (1903–1906) — is displayed outside the adjacent Fram Museum, and the Maritime Museum's exhibition on polar exploration provides important context for visiting the Fram Museum next door.

The 19th-century whaling section is extensive and honest — Norway was one of the world's major whaling nations, and the museum presents this history with the commercial, cultural, and ecological complexity it deserves. The modern shipping section covers Norway's position today as one of the world's largest shipping nations and a leading offshore oil industry operator.

The rooftop terrace provides views across the inner Oslofjord to the city and the surrounding hills. The café is open in summer and makes a good lunch stop between the Bygdøy museums. The Oslo Pass covers admission. Combine with the Fram Museum and Norwegian Folk Museum for a full Bygdøy day.