Is there a Fridtjof Nansen Museum in Oslo?

There’s no specialist Fridtjof Nansen Museum in Oslo, but you can learn a lot about the Arctic explorer and humanitarian at the Fram Museum and Nobel Peace Center.

Fridtjof Nansen is one of the most remarkable human beings who ever lived. The Norwegian explorer, statesman and humanitarian was one of history’s polymaths. And you can learn more about him on a visit to Oslo.

Fridtjof Nansen Museum in Oslo?

There is no specialist Fridtjof Nansen Museum in Oslo (although there is one in Yerevan, Armenia). However, significant sections of the Fram Museum are devoted to Nansen.

The Fram Museum is built around the Fram, best known today as the ship that took Roald Amundsen to Antarctica.

However, before Amundsen took off for the South Pole aboard the Fram, Nansen used it in his attempt to reach the North Pole.

Fridtjof Nansen at the Fram Museum

The Fram Museum has significant sections devoted to Fridtjof Nansen and, in particular, his 1893-1896 Arctic expedition.

His mission was based on the theory of an east to west current across the Arctic Ocean. Nansen’s plan was to not fight the freezing Arctic ice but to instead use it to carry a ship closer to the North Pole. He would let his ship freeze into the ice and drift west.

Nansen’s Arctic Expedition

The Fram was an unusual ship, with a rounded hull designed to withstand the pressure created by the ice. The smoothed sides also meant the ice couldn’t get a grip to press the sides down – instead, the ship was pushed up, like a round nut squeezed between two fingers.

The Fram Museum tells the story of the expedition, which eventually ended in failure to reach the North Pole, but showed that Nansen’s theory of using the pack ice to drift was viable.

Fridtjof Nansen the humanitarian

But while a pioneering explorer, Fridtjof Nansen’s later career is arguably more impressive. He was Norway’s first ambassador to Great Britain from 1906-08, then later became heavily involved in the League of Nations.

In 1920, he began coordinating the repatriation of more than half a million prisoners of war. He then turned his attention to providing aid for the victims of the Russian famine, and became the League of Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees.

While in that role, he created what became known as the Nansen Passport, allowing stateless refugees to flee countries. This work won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

Oslo’s Nobel Peace Center

Some of Fridtjof Nansen’s humanitarian work is covered in the Fram Museum, but for more on it, head to the Nobel Peace Center in central Oslo.

It’s possible to cover both the Fram Museum and the Nobel Peace Center in one day – just take the Bygdoy Peninsula ferry to reach the Fram Museum.

Things to do near the Fram Museum in Oslo

The Fram Museum is located on the Bygdøy peninsula, an area known for its concentration of museums and waterfront scenery. Several major attractions are within easy walking distance or a short bus ride.

Kon-Tiki Museum
Situated next door to the Fram Museum, this museum explores Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions, including the original Kon-Tiki raft and other vessels used in his journeys.

Norsk Folkemuseum
A short walk away, this open air museum presents traditional buildings from across Norway, including a medieval stave church, offering a broader view of Norwegian cultural history.

Viking Ship Museum
Located nearby on Bygdøy, this museum houses some of the best preserved Viking Age ships in the world, recovered from burial mounds around Oslo.

Bygdøy beaches
The peninsula is also known for its small beaches and coastal paths. These areas provide a relaxed break between museum visits, particularly in warmer months.

Akershus Fortress
Reached by bus or a longer walk back towards the city centre, this medieval fortress overlooks Oslo Harbour and offers insight into Norway’s military and royal history. Other attractions around Oslo Harbour include The Salmon and the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park at Aker Brygge.

More Norway travel ideas

Other Oslo experiences include fjord cruises on a silent electric catamaran, bike tours and sea kayaking adventures.

Other Norway travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• Whitewater rafting in Voss, Norway’s action capital.
• Which Oslo museums and attractions are open on Mondays?
• A practical guide to visiting Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
• Five lessons learned from a Norwegian fjords cruise.
• Complete guide to Mostraumen fjord cruises from Bergen.

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