Top 10 day trips for art lovers
in and around Oslo
1. Kistefos Museum
Hadeland
In 2019, the Twist at the Kistefos Museum was named one of the coolest buildings in the world.
Even the New York Times recommended a trip to Jevnaker, where you’ll find the celebrated building. The Twist is a gallery that also functions as a sculpture and a bridge across the Randselva river.
If that’s not enough, Kistefos Museum prides itself with an outstanding sculpture park. Walk around works by the cream of Norwegian and international contemporary artists including Bjarne Melgaard, Fernando Botero, Yayoi Kusama, and Olafur Eliasson.
Not to mention the mirror labyrinthine and fountain by Danish artist Jeppe Hein.
Be sure to pack your camera!
2. Henie Onstad Art Center
Bærum
One of many reasons to head to Henie Onstad Art Center is the colourful installations of Yayoi Kusama, also known as “the princess of polka dots”. You’ll find the art center just 15 minutes by train from Oslo central station.
You can also enjoy works by other leading contemporary artists, excellent temporary exhibitions, and an outdoor sculpture park.
The art center is surrounded by beautiful hiking trails and a small beach, so you can take a walk or go for a swim while you’re here.
3. Ramme Farm
Follo
At Ramme, you’ll find an enchanting park, interesting architecture, and one of the best organic farms in the country.
Ramme is situated right by the Oslofjord, around 40 minutes from central Oslo by car. Artists such as Edvard Munch, Oda Krohg and Theodor Kittelsen all visited the area to paint and reflect. Munch even purchased a property here in 1910 and maintained until his death in 1944.
Several of their works are displayed in the galleries of the culture destination Ramme.
Join a guided tour of the farm or around Havlystparken, a park that could have been taken straight out of a fairytale. Afterwards, you can tuck into organic, locally sourced food in the café and the farm shop.
The stylish Ramme Fjord Hotel opened its doors to the public.
4. Haugar Vestfold Art Museum
Tønsberg
With Andy Warhol's tribute to Edvard Munch, art enthusiasts don’t need much persuasion to pay a visit to the largest art museum in Vestfold.
Haugar houses 13 of the 15 images in the Warhol series After Munch as well as key works by artists such as Bjarne Melgaard, Odd Nerdrum and Sverre Malling.
Be sure to check out the temporary exhibitions too!
5. Galleri F 15
Moss
Do you like art that challenges you?
Gallery F 15 offers equal parts rural idyll and edgy, experimental art.
One work of art is edible too – the café's famous Alby pastry! It is even honoured with its own painting.
6. Blaafarveværket
Modum
Pure bliss!
Blaafarveværket was established in 1773 to extract cobalt, used in porcelain and glass production. In today’s eight-kilometre (!) long museum, you will learn about the story of the magical blue colour. You can also enjoy the walking paths in the beautiful cultural landscape.
There’s a summer exhibition every year, and the youngest in the family can try the new Children's Cave with lots of fun activities.
7. Gallery Würth
Nittedal
Escape reality in one of Europe's largest private art collections, with almost 18,000 works!
Gallery Würth displays the private collection of Sammlung Würth, featuring paintings, prints and sculptures. Focusing on European and American art from the 20th and 21st centuries, it includes creations by giants like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Roy Lichtenstein, Anselm Kiefer, and Gustav Klimt.
Last but not least, you can catch a glimpse of paintings signed our own Edvard Munch.
8. Midtåsen sculpture pavilion
Sandefjord
If you want to feed your mind in relaxing surroundings, we’ve got the perfect place for you, on a hill outside Sandefjord.
The Midtåsen sculpture pavilion and sculpture park is a wonderful, airy building where you can see 16 of Knut Steen's marble and bronze sculptures.
Afterwards you can go for a stroll in the huge garden of the former shipping magnate Anders Jahre's villa, which is also open for guided tours on selected days during the summer.
9. Lillehammer Art Museum
Lillehammer
This museum offers art inside and out. The building itself was designed by the famous architects at Snøhetta and dispalys the work "Comet" by Bård Breivik.
The collection at Lillehammer Art Museum includes art from the 19th century to the present, including works by icons such as Hans Gude and Edvard Munch, as well as temporary exhibitions.
Be sure to take a long break in the museum’s lovely Art Garden while you’re here.
10. The Peder Balke Center
Østre-Toten
Peder Balke is one of few Scandinavian artists who have had an exhibition at the National Gallery in London.
His dramatic and romantic representations of Norwegian nature are something you just have to experience.
In the ballroom at the Peder Balke Center, you’ll find the twelve wall paintings he created here in 1834, including View of Lake Mjøsa.
More galleries to visit:
Bastion 5 in Fredrikstad. Here you can experience artists at work and weekly concerts in the café.
Preus Museum in Horten. The National Museum of Photography has two galleries with a permanent as well as temporary exhibitions.
Glasslåven Arts Centre at Gran. In this converted barn you’ll now find a gallery with exciting exhibitions as well as a workshop for artists and writers.
Trafo Kunsthall in Asker. The previous electrical substation has become a popular meeting place for contemporary art.
Soli Brug Gallery in Sarpsborg. What used to be northern Europe's largest sawmill has been transformed into one of the most exciting galleries in Eastern Norway. Apart from art exhibitions, Soli Brug has a frame workshop and a cosy café by the pond.
... and don't forget that you’ll find top-notch art in the capital too.
2021 saw the opening of the brand new MUNCH Museum in the central area of Bjørvika, followed by the new National Museum in 2022.
Experience other exciting exhibitions at Astrup Fearnley Museum and lots of smaller galleries at Tjuvholmen, the Ekeberg and Vigeland sculpture parks and terrific street art.