Munch Museum vs. National Museum
Munch Museum vs. National Museum — which should you visit while in Oslo? If you’re wondering about which of the Norwegian capital’s top museums you should visit, I wrote this guide to help you figure it out.
This guide will help you decide between two of the most popular museums in Oslo, Norway. I just returned from a trip to Oslo, and while I was there, I visited the Munch Museum and the National Museum. I can already tell you that in my opinion, both of these museums are well worth your time to visit.
But if you have limited time in Oslo, don’t want to spend money on both museums, or you’re just not a big museum person, you might be interested in visiting only one of them. And I’m here to help you choose!
Which Museum Should You Visit?
One of the most famous artists from Norway is Edvard Munch. He’s best known for his painting The Scream, which is one of the most iconic works of art in the world. Munch actually created several versions of this painting, and four of them are on display in Oslo across the Munch Museum and the National Museum.
Seeing The Scream is one of the biggest reasons many visitors want to come to either of these two Oslo museums. And it’s totally worth it! I’m a big art fan, and seeing The Scream in person was amazing. If you like the style of that famous painting, you’ll also enjoy seeing other works from Munch as well.
And there are many more great works on display at both the Munch Museum and the National Museum. I personally recommend visiting both museums if you can, because each offers an excellent experience.
However, if you’re limited on time, money, or interest, I’m going to give you a breakdown of each museum below, so you can decide which one to prioritize on your trip to Oslo based on your situation:
Munch Museum
The Munch Museum opened in its current location in 2021, and it’s spectacular. This impressive modern building overlooks other modern icons in Oslo, like the Oslo Opera House and the Deichman Library.
The collection of the museum is primarily dedicated to the life and works of Edvard Munch, although there are other rotating exhibits of modern and contemporary artists. The upper floors of this museum offer great views of the city, and there’s even a rooftop viewing terrace, as well as a rooftop restaurant.
If you want to see The Scream, you’ll actually have the chance to view three versions of it here. One is a black-and-white lithograph version, and the other two are more vibrant, colorful painted versions. Because of their sensitivity to light, the paintings rotate every 30 minutes. You’ll want to spend at least a couple of hours at this museum to see every version, as well as have time to peruse the rest of the collection.
You should definitely explore the rest of the museum, where you can learn more about Munch and see many of his other paintings, as well as see works from other modern and contemporary artists.
Who should visit the Munch Museum?
- Single-focused fans: If you’re mainly interested in Munch, this is the best museum for you
- Lovers of cool views and architecture: This museum is striking, with epic views of Oslo
- Travelers on a budget: With free admission on Wednesday evenings, you’ll save some money
- Seekers of The Scream: This museum has three different versions of the iconic painting
Munch Museum Info
The Munch Museum is open every day of the week. The hours are Sunday through Tuesday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM. See full opening hours here.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults: 220 NOK
- Youths under 25: 100 NOK
- Children under 18: Free
You can purchase tickets online or in person. Note that you must select a time slot when buying tickets online. If you’re visiting in peak season (summer), then I recommend buying tickets in advance.
Admission to the Munch Museum is free to everyone on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM except in July and August. I visited during the free hours, and I would highly recommend it if the timing works!
National Museum
The National Museum is the Norwegian state’s public collection of art and design. It has a much larger collection than the Munch Museum, even though the building appears smaller at first glance.
There’s only one version of The Scream at the National Museum, but it’s the original, painted in 1893. I personally found this to be the most beautiful version of The Scream. It’s on display in a gallery with other paintings by Munch, and maybe it was just my timing, but I had a better experience seeing it too.
Whereas the room where The Scream was displayed at the Munch Museum was extremely crowded with dozens of people, the room at the National Museum was much quieter with just a few people.
I enjoyed seeing other paintings by Munch at this museum, as well as the rest of the art collection. There were lots of great Expressionism and Impressionism paintings, which I liked seeing a lot. I will say that the design collection on the first floor was not really to my taste, so I didn’t spend that much time there.
Who should visit the National Museum?
- Munch mavens: Worth it for the original version of The Scream and other Munch works of art
- Well-rounded tourists: This museum will let you see a big collection beyond just Munch
- Design and fashion lovers: This is a large part of the museum’s collection, if that interests you!
- Norwegian history buffs: Learn more about Norway’s national identity at this museum
National Museum Info
The National Museum is open every day of the week except Monday. The hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. See full opening hours here.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults: 200 NOK
- Youths under 25: 120 NOK
- Students under 30: 120 NOK (can only be purchased in person)
- Children under 18: Free
You can purchase tickets online or in person.
Unfortunately, there are no free admission days at the National Museum.
Munch Museum or National Museum? My Final Thoughts
As I mentioned earlier, I honestly recommend visiting both museums if you can.
I really enjoyed the Munch Museum and the National Museum, and I’m glad I didn’t skip either one. However, you can’t go wrong choosing either of these museums if you only want to visit one while in Oslo.
Both offer incredible collections and a great visitor experience. Both museums also offer cafes and restaurants, as well as interactive elements and experiences that are good for families and kids. And both will allow you to see some incredible works of art from Edvard Munch, as well as works from other artists.
Enjoy your trip to Oslo!
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