Bygdøy is one of Oslo’s cultural treasures, an idyllic peninsula within easy reach of the city centre that is home to some of Norway’s most fascinating museums. It is an ideal place to dive into the country’s maritime history, polar exploration, and traditional culture, with stunning natural landscapes as a backdrop. Our best of Bygdoy tour allows you to explore 2 of the peninsula’s most important institutions: the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Fram Museum, with a local guide and tickets included, with a round-trip from a convenient meeting point in Oslo city centre.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
- Discover the beautiful Bygdøy Peninsula with a private local guide;
- Travel from the city centre together, with all transport and tickets included;
- Learn about the geography of the peninsula and how it became one of Oslo’s major cultural hubs;
- Delve into Norwegian history and heritage on a visit to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History;
- Make your way through its extensive collection of objects and artefacts, gaining insights into Norwegian culture, from the Viking Age to the 20th Century;
- Explore the amazing open-air exhibitions, home to over 160 historic buildings relocated from around Norway, including a striking stave church from the 13th century;
- Visit the Fram Museum, a truly unique site built around an actual polar exploration ship that was used on multiple pioneering expeditions;
- Step inside the ship itself and find out about the Norwegian explorers who changed the world, including Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole;
- Enjoy a relaxing journey back to central Oslo, taking in the picturesque scenery along the way.
Set off on a captivating journey into Norway’s past and present on this private 5-hour tour to Bygdøy, Oslo’s cultural peninsula. Beginning at a convenient meeting point in the heart of the city, you’ll join your local guide for an adventure that combines history, heritage, and epic tales of exploration. A short bus ride takes you across to Bygdøy, where your guide will introduce the peninsula’s geography, its evolution into one of Oslo’s most important museum districts, and the role this scenic area has played in shaping the nation’s identity.
Your first stop is the outstanding Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, where you’ll step back in time to explore Norway’s story from the Viking Age to the modern era. Inside the museum, you’ll encounter a remarkable collection of artefacts and cultural objects that illuminate the country’s social traditions, crafts, and daily life. Outside, the vast open-air museum awaits: more than 160 historic buildings brought from all over Norway, each offering a tangible glimpse into the nation’s diverse landscapes and regional cultures. The highlight is the stunning 13th-century stave church, a soaring masterpiece of medieval woodwork and one of the most photographed structures in the country. After a short pause for coffee or a snack of your choosing, you’ll continue toward your next destination.
The adventure continues at the Fram Museum, a temple to Norway’s polar legacy. Built around the original Fram, the strongest wooden polar ship ever constructed, the museum immerses you in the extraordinary world of Arctic and Antarctic exploration. With your guide leading the way, you’ll step aboard the ship itself, tracing the footsteps of Roald Amundsen, Fridtjof Nansen, and other pioneers who pushed the boundaries of human endurance. Original equipment, personal belongings, scientific instruments, and gripping exhibits bring their expeditions vividly to life, while additional displays highlight polar wildlife, the Northern Lights, and the challenges of modern research in extreme environments.
Your visit concludes with a relaxing journey back to central Oslo. During the summer months, you may return by ferry, gliding across the waters of the Oslofjord and admiring panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding islands. At other times of the year, the return is by bus, offering a comfortable and scenic ride through Oslo’s charming neighbourhoods, a peaceful finale to reflect on Bygdøy’s unique treasures and the incredible stories uncovered throughout your journey.
