Viking Ship Museum Oslo: closure and alternatives

The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo is closed, so you cannot visit the original ships during a 2026 trip. The museum plans to reopen as the Museum of the Viking Age in November 2027, but says the timing can still change. Check the museum's own reopening update before building a future trip around it.

If the old museum is already in your itinerary, replace it according to what you wanted from the visit. Viking objects, digital storytelling and walking aboard a wooden ship are three different experiences.

Choose your replacement visit

What matters most to you	Choose	Know the difference
Seeing the original Viking ships	Wait for the Museum of the Viking Age	The collection is unavailable to visitors during the closure.
Original Viking artefacts	Historical Museum	Viking objects and exhibitions, rather than the three complete ships.
Digital Viking storytelling	The Viking Planet	VR, holograms and interactive displays.
A wooden ship you can board	Fram Museum	Polar exploration, with access aboard Fram, rather than Viking history.

For a first visit focused on Viking history, the Historical Museum is our suggested starting point. If the appeal was mainly the ship itself, consider Fram instead. These are choices by interest, not interchangeable versions of the closed museum.

Why the old museum is closed

The new Museum of the Viking Age is being built at the former museum site on Bygdøy. Work involves the building and the protection of a fragile collection. The official museum FAQ explains the project and why visitors cannot enter the old museum during construction.

Old photographs and saved travel guides can still make the original exhibition look like a current attraction. Do not plan to arrive early, join a museum tour or see the ships on a stop at the closed building. A trip before the planned reopening needs a replacement activity.

Where to find Viking history now

Historical Museum: original objects in the city centre

The Historical Museum currently lists VIKINGR and Miðgarðr among its exhibitions. It also displays the original serpent head from the Oseberg ship in Miðgarðr. This gives you a connection with Viking material culture while the complete ships remain unavailable.

Choose it if your priority is looking at original objects and learning about the Viking Age. The distinction matters for families: a child expecting a room full of ships will be expecting a different visit. The museum currently lists Monday as closed, so check its live opening-hours information before choosing your day.

The Viking Planet: a digital experience

The Viking Planet describes experiences using VR, holograms and interactive digital exhibits. Its Oslo address is Fridtjof Nansens plass 4. Consider it if you prefer a visit built around digital storytelling.

Read the experience descriptions and ticket options before booking, especially if your group has different expectations about VR. Do not book it assuming that its Viking theme means you will stand beside the original Oseberg, Gokstad or Tune ships. Check the operator's current information for the activities included in your ticket.

If you still want a Bygdøy museum day

The closure does not mean you need to abandon every Bygdøy plan. The Fram Museum confirms that visitors can board Fram and explore parts of its interior. It suits someone interested in ships and exploration, provided the switch from Viking history to polar expeditions appeals to them.

Build your visit around an open attraction rather than treating the old Viking museum as the main stop. Use our Bygdøy walking guide for walking ideas, and the Fram Museum's own site for current tickets and opening details. Walking suggestions do not guarantee that a museum is open on your chosen day.

Two ways to adapt your itinerary

Keep the Viking focus in the city centre. Start by checking the Historical Museum's opening day and exhibitions. Choose it as your main history visit, then consider The Viking Planet only if your group also wants a digital experience. There is no need to book both to compensate for the closed museum.

Keep the ship visit on Bygdøy. Choose Fram as the main attraction and decide whether you want a walk before or afterwards. Leave extra museum stops optional. Our Oslo museum guide can help compare subjects if someone in your group would prefer a different kind of museum.

Before committing to either plan:

Remove the closed Viking Ship Museum from your bookable stops.
Check opening days and ticket conditions on the chosen venue's website.
Consult the Historical Museum's visitor information if you need details about lift access or other facilities.
Check your actual travel date and transport options before leaving; this guide does not promise a journey time or a particular seasonal service.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo open in 2026?

No. The Viking Ship Museum is closed during construction of the Museum of the Viking Age. Choose an alternative for a 2026 trip. The museum's official website carries its current visitor notice.

When will the Museum of the Viking Age open?

The museum currently plans to reopen in November 2027, but says the timing can still change. An exact opening day has not been confirmed. Use the official reopening FAQ when checking a future itinerary.

Can I see the original Viking ships at the Historical Museum?

No. The Historical Museum offers Viking artefacts, including the Oseberg serpent head, rather than the three complete ships. It is a different visit from the former Viking Ship Museum. See the current exhibitions before choosing it as your replacement.

Cover photograph: Patrick Robert Doyle on Unsplash, published January 2019.