Top experiences for art lovers in Norway

1. Munch

Check out no less than three versions of the iconic painting The Scream at MUNCH in Oslo.

13 floors are dedicated to the famous expressionist painter Edvard Munch’s life and art.

The Scream by Edvard Munch .
Photo: Halvor Bjørngård / Rena Li / Munchmuseet

The highly distinctive museum building, designed by Estudio Herreros, has been specially designed for major art exhibitions.

With its 26,313 square metres and 11 galleries, the museum is tailor-made for the world's biggest collection of art by Munch, as well as works by other Modernist and contemporary artists, often related to Munch's art.

Munch in Bjørvika Oslo .
Photo: Ivar Kvaal / MUNCH

2. The National Museum

More iconic Munch paintings await in the new National Museum, next to Rådhusplassen, the square by Oslo City Hall.

Once it opens to the public on June 11, 2022 the biggest art museum in the Nordic countries will exhibit highlights from its collection of more than 47,000 art works and objects.

Here, you can experience art from famous international artists like Renoir and Monet, and of course works by Norwegian masters, including ...

The new National Museum in Oslo .
Photo: Frode Larsen / The National Museum

... Harald Sohlberg’s Winter Night in the Mountains – sometimes referred to as "Norway’s national painting".

The museum's collection includes the earliest versions of The Scream, by Edvard Munch.

“Winter Night in the Mountains” by Harald Sohlberg .
Photo: Nasjonalmuseet

... and there is much more art to explore.

Tjuvholmen area with a unique architecture, is home to the Astrup Fearnley contemporary art museum, which features key works by artists including Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, and Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard, as well as major temporary exhibitions. You will also find a number of Norway's most cutting edge contemporary art galleries in the area.

Oslo also has incredible outdoor sculpture parks, including Ekebergparken and the must-visit Vigelandsparken. There's also lots of impressive street art along the way!

Astrup Fearnley in Oslo .
Photo: Einar Aslaksen / Astrup Fearnley Museet

3. Kistefos Museum

Combine the perfect day out in nature with an amazing art experience at the Kistefos Museum, which celebrates the best of Norwegian and international contemporary art with its industrial museum, two big indoor art galleries, and impressive sculpture park.

The museum is located in Hadeland, less than an hour’s (beautiful) drive from Oslo.

Take in the unusual sight of the architectural masterpiece and gallery named The Twist.

Afterwards, stroll through the sculpture park, which is home to sculptures by international artist including Yayoi Kusama, Fernando Botero, and Anish Kapoor, to name a few.

Kistefos Museum and The Twist .
Photo: Kistefos Museum / AVIA

The Kistefos museum is just one of many phenomenal art experiences in the Oslo region.

Read more about the cultural destination Ramme (pictured here), the Henie Onstad Art Centre and other fantastic cultural experiences for art lovers around Oslo.

Havlystparken at Ramme gård .
Photo: Per Sollerman

4.KODE

Ride the scenic and iconic Bergen Railway line across the country to the cultural hub of Bergen, and explore the city's KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, which hosts one of the biggest collections of art, arts and crafts, design, and music in the Nordic countries.

Kode 1 in Bergen .
Photo: Dag Fosse / KODE

Almost 50,000 pieces are exhibited throughout the four museum buildings KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the city center of Bergen, and in the homes of the famous musicians and composers Ole Bull, Harald Sæverud, and Edvard Grieg.

KODE Museum in Bergen .
Photo: KODE

Head straight to KODE 3 if you want to see Jealousy and The Woman in Three Stages by Edvard Munch.

In KODE 1 and KODE 2 you’ll find temporary exhibitions featuring artists ranging from Paul Cézanne, Nikolai Astrup, and Paul McCarthy, as well as contemporary Norwegian artists.

KODE 4 is currently hosting a take-over program with artists and students from the Bergen area.

Munch Video stor Kode .
Photo: Sjur Pollen / KODE

Kode Munch .
Photo: Sjur Pollen / KODE

5.Bergen Kunsthall

Remember to check what’s on at Bergen Kunsthall, which offers contemporary art at its finest.

Located right next to Lille Lungegårdsvannet pond in the center of Bergen, Bergen Kunsthall hosts exhibitions and events by international artists.

Art in Bergen Kunsthall .
Photo: Thor Brødreskift / Bergen Kunsthall

6. Kunstsilo

You can experience even more art in Southern Norway. In Kristiansand, an old grain silo from 1934 is currently being transformed into one of Northern Europe’s most innovative art institutions.

The world’s largest private collection of Nordic modernist art, the Tangen Collection, as well as Sørlandets Kunstmuseum’s permanent collection will be exhibited in Kunstsilo when it opens in 2023.

Kunstsilo Art Museum in Kristiansand .
Photo: Mestres Wåge Arkitekter

7. Hå gamle prestegard

Further up the west coast, art and nature make a perfect combination at Hå gamle prestegard, a rectory in Jæren, about a 45-minute drive from Stavanger.

Hå Gamle Prestegard .
Photo: Asle Haukland

Located right by the sea, four gallery rooms exhibit art in beautiful nature surroundings.

Hå Gamle Prestegard and Obrestad lighthouse .
Photo: Asle Haukland

8. The KaviarFactory

In Norway, you can find world class art in the most surprising places.

After winding your way along one of the world’s most beautiful roads in Lofoten, you enter the tiny fishing village of Henningsvær, where you can visit a truly unique international venue for contemporary art - The KaviarFactory.

The Kaviar factory in Henningsvær .
Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

The venue exhibits works by artists including Olafur Eliasson, Marina Abramovic, and Bjarne Melgaard.

Until October 2022, you can experience an Ai Weiwei solo exhibition – and maybe even some northern lights, if you are lucky!

The building itself is a landmark on the approach to Henningsvær.

The Kaviar factory in Henningsvær .
Photo: Kristin Folsland Olsen

Many artists and artisans have been inspired by the unique light and landscape of the north, and their presence is reflected in the many galleries in Lofoten.

And in the rest of ...

... N orthern Norway. In this region, you will also find Skulpturlandskap Nordland, Artscape Nordland – one of the largest art projects in the country.

International artists have created different sculptures that are located throughout Nordland County, including The man from the sea in Vesterålen (pictured here).

Mannen fra havet Vesterålen .
Photo: Jørn Allan Pedersen / Visitnorway.com

Art installations are strategically located along the Norwegian Scenic Routes, including the Louise Bourgeois memorial at Steilneset on the Varanger National Tourist Route.

Want to experience art in a different way?

Read more about how you can see art from a new perspective!

Steilneset in Vardø .
Photo: Jarle Wæhler / Statens vegvesen Artist: Louise Bourgeois Architect: Peter Zumthor

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Norway – a world class art destination