Europe
Norway
Eastern Norway
Oslo
Things to Do in Oslo
Norsk Folkemuseum

Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo: Hours, Address, Norsk Folkemuseum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Norsk Folkemuseum

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See all things to do
Norsk Folkemuseum
4.5
3,801
#11 of 521 things to do in Oslo
Historic Sites • Amusement & Theme Parks • History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Norsk Folkemuseum shows how people lived in Norway from 1500 to the present through its collections from around the country. Among the highlights are the Stave Church from Gol, dating from 1200 and an apartment building with homes from the 20th Century. 160 historic buildings in the big Open-Air Museum represent different regions in Norway, different time periods, as well as differences between town and country, and social classes. Indoor exhibits present Norwegian heritage. The museum has a comprehensive activity program and is open all year.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,801 reviews
Excellent
2,281
Very good
1,147
Average
298
Poor
59
Terrible
16
World Prof
Buffalo Grove, IL144 contributions
A "must see" highlight and experience in Norway
This is a fabulous combination of extensive outdoor exhibits including a stave church, numerous farm houses, folk arts, and the like in a lovely wooded island location. Numerous workers dressed in traditional clothing will explain various sites. There is a live traditional music and dance demonstration throughout the day. Don't miss tasting "lefse", freshly baked in the traditional manner. Farm animals and story times await children. There are also several indoor museums with folk art, church art, traditional dress, etc. There is a nice café on location.
If you want to see everything - plan for at least 5 hours.
Bus line 30 will bring you directly to the entrance from central Olso. You can also take a ferry from City Hall - but beware, the ferry ticket may not be included in the Ruter public transportation pass.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
midway42
Minnesota2,936 contributions
Spectacular: expansive museum embracing the entirety of Norway’s regional and cultural diversity.
Founded in 1894 and originally located in Oslo, the Norsk Folkemuseum was moved to its current location in 1902, adjacent to King Oscar II’s royal collection. The latter was incorporated into the museum in 1907, and it has continued to expand to the present day by obtaining collections as diverse as Sami artifacts and historical pharmaceuticals. It currently encompasses over 160 buildings on probably as many acres, including a visitor center and several indoor exhibitions. I visited for an entire day, which wasn’t nearly enough.

After paying admission at the visitor center, I entered the Town Square. A rough, symbolic map is provided with the major buildings presented. Tours in English are given several times a day although I elected to explore on my own. I started roughly in a counter-clockwise fashion at the English and French gardens, towards the school and chapel, with a lengthy stop at the Stave Church. Farm buildings from various time periods and regions in the country follow, including the Setesdal (18th C farmstead), Numeral (village life in the 19th C), and Trondelag (displaying life on a farm in 1959). The festival grounds ensued, with various people playing farm games like horseshoes; the highlight here was definitely the Jaeren farmhouse from ca. 1907 which explained the plight of Norwegian immigrants to the U.S. An expansive Old Town roughly rounded out the open-air portion of the site, with various buildings from Oslo including homes from the 19th and 20th centuries and an old pharmacy and herb garden. Sprinkled throughout the “regions” of the area were character actors doing everything from baking lefse (which you can purchase), telling fairytales, teaching an entire classroom of elementary students, and making a scarecrow among other activities. Numerous indoor exhibits rounded out the intellectual smorgasbord, which included topics as diverse as Sami culture, the Reformation, and Norwegian urban life. I easily spent the entire day here.

In summary: wow. There are museums, and then there are museums. This was not only the best experience I had during my stay in the country but one of the best museums I’ve seen in my seventeen years of international travel. The highlight without question were the actors and actresses, who played their part so authentically it was almost surreal. As much as I appreciate the digital smoothness of indoor museums, the outdoor “analog” version here of watching kids paint with watercolors and seeing a blacksmith help a child make an iron hook was magical. The museum also emphasized Norway’s geographic diversity as well as dispensing with the stereotype of an easy Scandinavian life made possible by wealth; the stories from the Jaeren farmhouse were indelible.

Anyone visiting Oslo for more than 24 hours should make this their number one priority. Fantastic.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ChicaVoya
68 contributions
Immersive not-to-be-missed
Couples
Would highly recommend this wonderful ‘back-in-time’ museum showing visitors through buildings, furniture and live characters how the Norwegians have lived through various eras spanning from the Middle Ages to the 1970s.
Would absolutely recommend. Three very enjoyable hours very well spent on the lush Bygdøy peninsula.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KateCoeur
Vail, Colorado189 contributions
A fine way to spend a leisurely afternoon (or morning)
It was pleasant to walk around outside (it was a lovely day), and quite interesting to see many of the structures. Having staff playacting roles appropriate to the era they were depicting was a great touch. Many (blacksmith, breadmaker, storyteller, dancers) were also showing the daily life of the olden times. We had already seen the real major sights of Oslo, so this is a "next-tier" kind of place in my opinion, but well worth it if you enjoy walking around a large property that has lots of cool stuff to see and do.
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ramon
366 contributions
Quite nice museum, great indoor exhibitions
Couples
We have visited a few alike museums in other countries, so we came with certain expectations. While others often group certain buildings into regions within the country that isn't the case here. With the older buildings, there is also not a lot of information available and you can't enter most of them.
More interesting was the part when the time approaches modern life, something thst was new to us. You walk through a few floors that show life in the 20th century. Was quite cool to see certain items that I partially still saw at my grandparents and later even some that I owned (getting old I guess).
All in all worth the time and money.
Written October 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark g
Brandon, UK105 contributions
One of a few museums that must be visited
Promised myslef a visit to here come rain snow or shine, fortunately even in February this time,it was shine! As with most Oslo museums, very easy to use public transport to get to, a bus stops right outside.
As you are riding past you realise this is a museum that will take a while to explore, all in the open air, examples of Norwegian living from nearly a 1000 years ago to almost present day. The Stave Church is impressive, I am not religious but can appreciate this building inside and out. To me the most interesting part is the 50's-70's apartment building as it brings back memories even to someone from the UK (the 70's anyway . . . i'm not that old!) Everything written is in English as well as Norwegian. Some of the buildings have so much craft put into them, ok some are a bit repetitive but I think this place wants to preserve as much as possible.
Make sure you wear comfy shoes, there is a lot of walking but not to much with hills.
A shame more buildings could not be accessed but glad to have visited.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
permia
Ireland37,788 contributions
Terrific walk through centuries of country life
Beginning with the indoor exhibits was interesting, seeing timelines and interiors of houses from various periods.

A superb collection of houses and other buildings has been assembled, representing different centuries and many parts of the country.

Wooden assemblages are remarkable. The craft involved in making, in the first place, and then preserving them, particularly given the winter severity, is impressive.

A beautiful stave church is a treasure. Originating around 1200 it is magnificent in its complexity.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicholas Rosen
Phoenix, AZ11 contributions
Fantastic time at the Folkemuseum
What I enjoyed about visiting this museum was probably learning about all the parts of Norway and their specific regions. The walking was nice to especially after enjoying the Oslo foodie scene. Definitely was surprised to see people in period clothing and live farm animals but that made it more enjoyable
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Norma P
Minneapolis, MN8 contributions
Favorite place to visit in Oslo
Returned to the museum to share with my extended family. Enjoyed walking around the various locals represented within the museum. The dancing in Trondelag was enjoyable to watch along with listening to the music.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JohnRegoPark
Rego Park, NY970 contributions
A lovely place to spend a fine Norwegian Day. Avoid during the rain.
The real attraction here is the stave church, which is located at the furthest end of the park up a steep hill. As you go along, ask the way because it can get confusing. Some of the other wooden buildings feature wonderful carvings which you might enjoy. There are folk festivals and dances scattered around the park which humanizes the experience. If you are getting off the ferry, ask for directions. it's not immediately clear how to get there. The ferry and the museum take the Oslo Pass.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Norsk Folkemuseum
Norsk Folkemuseum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Norsk Folkemuseum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Norsk Folkemuseum tours on Tripadvisor