The Ultimate Guide to the Munch Museum Oslo: What to See, Do, and Know Before You Go

Perched on the waterfront of Oslo’s revitalized Bjørvika district and set against the glistening backdrop of the Oslo Fjord, the Munch Museum Oslo, known simply as MUNCH,  is as much a celebration of visionary art as it is a triumph of contemporary architecture.

Whether you’re a seasoned art lover, a traveler with an eye for Scandinavian design, or simply curious about the artist behind one of the world’s most famous images, this soaring, 13-story landmark deserves a place on your Oslo itinerary.

Beyond the masterpieces and dramatic building, visiting MUNCH is about connecting with the personal, raw, and often haunting emotions captured by Edvard Munch, a pioneer who reshaped how the world perceived human vulnerability, existentialism, and the human psyche through art.

This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know before your visit: from the life of Edvard Munch to the museum’s exhibitions, history, modern architecture, plus helpful visitor tips to make your experience seamless and memorable.

Who Was Edvard Munch? A Quick Artist Profile

Edvard Munch (1863–1944) was a Norwegian painter, printmaker, and modernist whose intensely personal, emotionally charged works helped shape the foundations of modern Expressionism and Symbolism. Born in the small farming village of Løten, Munch moved to Kristiania (now Oslo) with his family as a child. His early years were marked by grief and hardship; his mother died of tuberculosis when he was just five, and his older sister, Sophie, passed away from the same illness when Munch was 14.

Edvard Munch Self Portrait

These devastating losses, compounded by a childhood often shadowed by illness and poverty, profoundly shaped Munch’s worldview and his artistic vision. Unlike many of his 19th-century contemporaries who idealized beauty, nature, or religious themes, Munch turned his focus inward — exploring the complexities of love, loneliness, anxiety, illness, death, and existential dread.

His career spanned more than six decades, during which he produced an astonishingly prolific body of work: over 1,700 paintings, 18,000 prints, 4,500 drawings and watercolors, alongside early photographs, sculptures, and extensive personal writings.

While The Scream (1893) remains his most universally recognized piece, Munch’s broader portfolio reveals a profound, often disturbing, yet deeply human study of emotion. Works like Madonna, The Sick Child, The Dance of Life, and Puberty confront topics few artists dared to address so directly at the time.

Munch’s innovative techniques in both painting and printmaking, combined with his fearless approach to subject matter, positioned him as a pivotal figure in European modernism. He significantly influenced later movements like German Expressionism, impacting artists such as Egon Schiele, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Edvard’s contemporary, Gustav Klimt.

A Brief History of the Munch Museum Oslo

Though the present-day Munch Museum opened in Bjørvika in 2021, the story begins with Munch himself. Upon his death in 1944, Edvard Munch donated his work to build an astonishing legacy in the city of Oslo: over 26,000 artworks, along with his personal letters, photographs, journals, and belongings.

The original Munch Museum debuted in 1963 in Oslo’s Tøyen district, coinciding with the artist’s 100th birthday. While this first museum admirably housed his work for over five decades, rising visitor numbers, aging facilities, and modern conservation requirements made a new home inevitable.

Enter Bjørvika, Oslo’s fast-developing cultural waterfront neighborhood — already home to the iconic Oslo Opera House and the soon-to-be completed Oslo Public Library (Deichman Bjørvika). In 2021, the bold, dramatically leaning new Munch Museum opened its doors, designed by Spanish architecture firm Estudio Herreros with LPO Arkitekter. The new MUNCH not only honors Norway’s most famous artist but also signals Oslo’s cultural future, marking a stunning addition to the city’s skyline.

The Architecture of the New Munch Museum

At 60 meters tall and spanning 13 stories, the new Munch Museum is impossible to miss. Its bold, asymmetrical silhouette — often likened to a stack of canvases leaning toward the fjord — stands in stark contrast to the more classic city architecture around it.

The museum was intentionally designed with sustainability and functionality in mind. Its façade is clad in perforated, recycled aluminum panels that subtly reflect shifting light throughout the day.

The vertical design maximizes limited waterfront space while offering breathtaking views of Oslo’s skyline and the Oslo Fjord from various vantage points inside.

Bright, light-filled public spaces wrap around climate-controlled gallery rooms, offering visitors unexpected glimpses of the city outside while preserving sensitive artworks within.

A combination of minimalist Nordic interiors and industrial textures creates a modern, open atmosphere that complements Munch’s emotionally charged works.

New Munch Museum Oslo Norway

What to See Inside the Munch Museum Oslo

The museum isn’t just a gallery — it’s a multi-sensory cultural hub. Across its 11 galleries and 13 floors, MUNCH features a compelling mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions, modern art installations, archival displays, public spaces, and educational experiences.

Masterpieces You Shouldn’t Miss:

• The Scream — One of four surviving versions is visible throughout the day, MUNCH rotates which one is displayed to ensure preservation.

• Madonna — A controversial, sensual portrait that challenged religious norms at the time.

• The Sun — a large, radiant, optimistic mural Munch created for the University of Oslo, symbolizing light, life, and renewal.

  
  

Facilities and Visitor Amenities

On the ground floor, you’ll find a stylish café and deli perfect for a light Nordic lunch, artisan coffee, or freshly baked pastries. The museum shop offers an excellent selection of curated art books, prints, home décor, and high-quality souvenirs.

On the upper floors, a sleek rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar boasts one of the city’s best panoramic views — perfect for unwinding after exploring the galleries.

Other conveniences include free lockers, stroller access, accessibility options for visitors with mobility needs, and guided tours in several languages.

Visiting Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

• Book timed-entry tickets in advance, especially during summer and holidays.

• Check The Scream’s viewing times, as its display rotates between galleries for conservation.

• Allow 2–4 hours for your visit to explore comfortably at your own pace.

• Use the free lockers to store large bags and coats.

• Don’t miss the gift shop (to get your own version of the Scream as a Magnet)!

• Time your visit to enjoy sunset drinks at the rooftop bar.

• Consider pairing your visit with the nearby Oslo Opera House or a fjord sauna for a perfect cultural day in Bjørvika.

Final Thoughts: Why the Munch Museum Oslo Is a Must-Visit

The Munch Museum Oslo is more than a gallery of paintings; it’s a deeply personal space that captures the heart of one of modern art’s most vulnerable and unflinching voices. Here, Munch’s work isn’t just displayed — it’s felt. From the quiet ache of his lesser-known pieces to the unsettling gaze of The Scream, every room invites you to sit with the raw, complicated emotions that shaped both the artist and the country he called home.

Whether you’re an art aficionado, an architecture enthusiast, or a curious traveler seeking something meaningful and memorable, a visit to MUNCH is one of Oslo’s most rewarding experiences.