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.
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 and Fram Museum, 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.
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.
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 170Kr at the time of writing. This includes an audioguide.
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?
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