The Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, celebrates the work of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Don’t expect too many laughs on the way round.
This guide was updated in February 2026 to reflect current prices.
Mixed reviews of the Nobel Peace Center
Oslo is a city with a lot of unusual, niche museums. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Museum and Norsk Folkemuseum, a short ferry ride away from central Oslo on the Bygdoy Peninsula.
But the Nobel Peace Center is one of Norway’s most popular attractions, and it splits opinions.
I’ve been to the Nobel Peace Center twice, and found it engrossing. Yet, I know travel writer colleagues who have been, and found it very dull.
- Book your tickets for the Nobel Peace Center here.
What is the Nobel Peace Center?
The Nobel Peace Center celebrates the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, which is handed out in Oslo every year.
The centrepiece of the Nobel Peace Center is the Nobel Field, where information about all the Nobel laureates is presented on screens, surrounded by a thousand small lights.
Elsewhere, there are exhibitions looking at the history of the Peace Prize, and efforts being made around the world to promote peace. There are usually a few temporary exhibitions, too, often about grim subjects such as landmines or ongoing conflicts.
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Is the Nobel Peace Center suitable for children?
It’s fair to say that the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo is not a fun attraction. It is incredibly earnest and serious, and your enjoyment of it will depend on whether you’re in the mood for education or entertainment.
There’s a lot of reading, and a lot of information to process. Much of this is about extraordinary acts from extraordinary people, however. Come in a frame of mind for learning, and you will learn a lot.
The seriousness of both presentation and subject matter means the Nobel Peace Center is not ideal for children. Older kids who want to know more will be fine with it, but younger children will get bored very quickly. They may also be disturbed by the subject matter in some parts of the museum.
5 great Oslo experiences to book
- 🚤 Cruise the Oslofjord on a silent boat.
- 🌍 Explore the multicultural Grünerløkka neighbourhood on a guided street food tour.
- 🍽️ Take a three-course dinner cruise with live music.
- 🗺️ Uncover central Oslo’s secrets on a guided walking tour.
- 🚲 Take a bike tour to uncover more of Oslo’s highlights.
Is the Nobel Peace Center worth visiting?
I think the Nobel Peace Center is worth visiting, but I can understand why others may disagree. You’ll need to put yourself in diligent education mode before going in.
Entrance tickets for the Nobel Peace Center cost 180Kr as of February 2026. This includes an audioguide.
Things to do near the Nobel Peace Center
- Visit Akershus Fortress. Around 0.4 miles away, this medieval castle and fortress complex includes museums and exhibitions covering Norway’s military history and royal past.
- Explore the National Museum. Approximately 0.6 miles from the Nobel Peace Center, Norway’s main art and design museum houses works by Edvard Munch alongside decorative arts and contemporary exhibitions.
- Visit the Fram Museum. About 2 miles away on Bygdøy peninsula, this museum lets you step aboard the polar ship Fram and learn about Norwegian Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
- See the Kon-Tiki Museum. Also on Bygdøy, roughly 2 miles from central Oslo, this museum tells the story of Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions and displays the original Kon-Tiki raft.
- Visit the Munch Museum. Around 1 mile east of the Nobel Peace Center, this modern waterfront museum showcases Edvard Munch’s paintings alongside temporary exhibitions and viewing decks over Oslofjord.
Nobel Peace Center FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Nobel Peace Center? | The Nobel Peace Center is a museum and exhibition space in Oslo dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize, its laureates and themes of peace, conflict and human rights. |
| Where is the Nobel Peace Center located? | The Nobel Peace Center is located on Oslo’s waterfront at City Hall Square, close to Aker Brygge and central Oslo. |
| Do I need to book Nobel Peace Center tickets in advance? | Advance booking is recommended during busy periods, although tickets are also usually available on arrival. |
| How long does a visit to the Nobel Peace Center take? | Most visitors spend between 1 and 1.5 hours exploring the exhibitions. |
| Is the Nobel Peace Center suitable for children? | The exhibitions are best suited to older children and adults, with interactive displays and multimedia content focusing on global issues and peace history. |
More Norway travel ideas
Other Oslo experiences include fjord cruises on a silent electric catamaran, bike tours and sea kayaking adventures.
Further Oslo travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Is The Salmon Oslo’s best free museum?
- Is there a Fridtjof Nansen Museum in Oslo?
- What to see at the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park.
- Are there any direct flights from Edinburgh to Oslo?
- Which Oslo museums and attractions are open on Mondays?
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