The museum is located at Bygdøy, a short distance from the centre of Oslo and is easily reached by bus or, in the summer season, by ferry from the City Hall quayside. Our closest neighbours are the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. The Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum are within 15 minutes walk. The Bygdøy peninsula is therefore popularly known as the museum peninsula. Bygdøy is one of Oslo´s main places to go.
The area itself is an attraction with, among other things, its rich hiking and recreational areas and the opportunities it provides for swimming in the sea. It is also home to His Majesty the King´s summer residence, Kongsgården.
The number of visitors has varied from 18 000 the year it opened down to 5000 during World War Two 1940-1945. After the war the number of visitors increased annually, and in 2009 we achieved the current record of 286 155 visitors. On August 5th 1999, the member of total visitors reached 10 million.
The number of visitors has varied from 18 000 the year it opened down to 5000 during World War Two 1940-1945. After the war the number of visitors increased annually, and in 2009 we achieved the current record of 286 155 visitors. On August 5th 1999, the member of total visitors reached 10 million.
The main exhibition in the Fram building has explanatory texts in ten languages and describes the three great Fram expeditions.
You can enjoy a northern lights show every 20 minutes from the main deck of the Fram. In the activity centre behind the ship you can test your strength and accuracy.
In June 2013 we inaugurated our new Gjøa building, which is connected to the Fram with an underground tunnel. The centerpiece here is Gjøa, the first ship to navigate the whole of the Northwest Passage. There are brand new historical exhibitions on the expeditions of Gjøa and Maud, of the airplanes N24 and N25 as well as of the airship Norge, John Franklin's legendary expedition and those of Henry Larsen and Eivind Astrup.
We also present current issues facing the High North such as polar bears, ice melting, gas and oil etc. There is a 116 seats cinema showing a polar introduction movie every fifteen minutes.
Temporary exhibitions are made continually on different polar issues. In both buildings as well as in the tunnel, you will find objects from the different expeditions.
