Ready for a Norwegian Viking adventure? Don't miss out on Oslo's Viking experiences, and make sure to include a city break to the capital in your historic itinerary. Here is what you should see and do in Oslo if you're interested in Vikings.
It's no wonder that the Viking period, Scandinavias most famous historic period, fascinates curious minds all over the world. We do, however, hope that visiting Viking afficionados will channel their inner explorer kind of Viking and not the raiding and plundering kind!
Viking visits
The most famous Viking attraction in the world, the Museum of the Viking Age, is currently undergoing extensive constructions.
While this does mean that we must wait until the end of 2027 to see the three spectacular Viking ships from Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune once again, this necessary upgrade will ensure that these historical marvels are preserved for many more generations to come.
Mark your calendar for the end of 2027, and be among the first to see some of the world's best-preserved viking ships in their new home.
Who were the Vikings?
While you wait for the big event in 2027, Oslo offers other engaging ways to explore Norway's Viking heritage. Make sure to stop by The Viking Planet, a modern digital museum where cutting-edge VR and 3D technology bring the Viking Age to life.
Step aboard a longship, explore a reconstructed longhouse, or even witness a Viking battle in full cinematic detail. Through these immersive experiences, the life of Vikings will feel immediate and alive.
The Viking Planet also offers its visitors a chance to see the currently unavailable Viking ships through interactive 3D-technology.
To see Viking treasures and weapons up close, head to the Historical Museum, home to one of Norway’s richest collections of Viking artefacts.
Travelling with young Viking fans?
The exhibition Miðgarðr at the Historical Museum offers fascinating insight into the beliefs and stories that impacted the lives and practices of the Vikings.
Crawl into the Serpent's Lair, learn about runes and weaving, and get acquainted with the mighty Odin.
Perhaps the most marvellous object at this particular exhibition is the original Serpent's head from the Oseberg ship (the ship itself is sporting a copy of the head). This artefact has never been displayed before.
Swords, jewelry and the world's oldest rune stone are on display, giving visitors a detailed insight into craftsmanship and traditions of the Viking age.
Over at Bygdøy, the peninsula where the new Museum of the Viking age will open its doors in future, you can still get your dose of Viking-adjacent history, as well as a broader look at Norwegian culture.
While not strictly Viking, these museum shows how Viking culture, aethetics and explorations have influenced Norway through the ages.
Wander among historic buildings – including a real, wooden stave church with the characteristic carvings and dragon-like adornments – at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
The Norwegian Maritime Museum teaches you about shipbuilding and exploration across the ages, while the neighbouring Fram Museum and Kon-Tiki Museum celebrate modern adventurers whose daring voyages echo the Viking spirit.
The Viking garden
Oslo's Botanical garden contains a true hidden Viking gem: A 33 metres long grounded Viking ship that contains plants, rocks and animal products that were commonly used by the Vikings.
The Vikings brought back both plants and animals from their extensive travels. Some plants were imported whole, others as seeds, including seeds inadvertently imported in the stabilizing ballast of the ships. The Viking Garden serves as a little time machine that lets you study these fascinating imports.
Meet like-minded viking rockers
Does your appreciation for Viking history overlap with a penchant for rock music, by any chance? You're in luck! As Norway is known for being the birth place of Black Metal, you can be certain to find some like-minded people in Oslo.
Oslo also happens to have an astounding number of concerts going on throughout the year, so check out our concert calendar and start planning your musical exploration of Oslo.
Viking dinner
Although we don't know for certain what a typical Viking meal looked like, we can all easily picture roasted meat on a bonfire in dark, wooden interiors or under the open sky.
Vikings and beer
Ringnes Brygghus, a historically significant brewery and bar, sometimes hosts events highlighting the role of mead and beer in Viking Culture. Check out their Facebook page to catch upcoming events.
Frognerseteren Restaurant serves traditional Norwegian dishes in an equally traditional setting. Admire the wooden details both inside and outside the building, but pay special attention to the dragon-like carvings sticking out from the roof.
For a true bonfire experience, book yourself a spot by the fire pits at SALT or Grefsenkollen.
At Den Glade Gris, you can order their signature dish of pork knuckle, grilled for a minimum of five hours.
Many restaurants in Oslo place a special emphasis on using local produce in all of their dishes, so you can easily imagine what kind of flavours the vikings themselves enjoyed. Their diet was also rich in fish, which you will find in abundance in Oslo at the many excellent seafood restaurants.
Sleep like a viking
Did you know that you can sleep in a hotel with viking-like wooden adornments, with a magnificent view of Oslo down below? Or that you can go glamping in Oslo's surrounding forest, under the nordic starry sky in a glass igloo, warmed by a wood stove? Combine modern comforts with connection to nature and a traditional Nordic aesthetic.
Some of the texts on this page have been written with the help of AI and reviewed and modified by humans.