Fram Museum: Uncovering the Legacy of Norway’s Polar Pioneers

By Sarah Ong Senior Expedition Advisor at Cruise Norway

I recently joined an expedition cruise with Aurora Expeditions to Svalbard (I'll share more about that adventure soon!). My cruise included a one-night pre-voyage stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Oslo Airport, which gave me just enough time to explore a little of Oslo before heading north.

With less than 24 hours in the city, I wanted to do something that would be like a prelude for the adventure ahead. The Fram Museum seemed like the perfect choice, and it couldn't have been a better way to begin my Arctic journey.

After dropping my luggage at the hotel, I caught the train into Oslo and made my way to the museum. I had expected to spend an hour or two there, but before I knew it, nearly four hours had flown by. I honestly could have stayed even longer.

The Fram Museum tells the incredible story of Norway's polar explorers and their expeditions to both the Arctic and Antarctica. The highlight is, of course, the original Fram, the legendary ship used by explorers including Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen that sits in the middle of it all.

MS Fram

As you entered the museum, the first thing was the bow of the ship greeting you. It was hard to imagine this wooden ship surviving some of the harshest conditions on Earth. The museum helps bring that history to life with atmospheric lighting and projections across the walls and ceiling, making it feel as though you were traveling through the drake and ice on the ship. I would say the main attraction of the museum was the ship as visitors could step aboard the Fram. Walking through the ship, seeing the cabins of past explorers, the engine room and out onto the deck gave me a real appreciation of what life must have been like for the crew. It also made me realize just how far technology has come over the past century in expedition cruising.

Gjøa

Beyond the ship itself, there are plenty of incredible exhibits covering polar exploration history, exploration equipment, survival techniques and the scientific discoveries made during these expeditions. The connected Gjøa exhibition was another highlight, telling the story of the first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage. Interactive displays, films and simulators make the experience engaging for visitors of all ages. Do not miss out on the flight simulation experience on the ground floor of the Gjøa exhibition!

I was really impressed with how immersive the museum felt. Instead of simply reading information boards, I felt like I was stepping into the world of the explorers. It made the history feel real, and it was the perfect introduction before boarding my own expedition cruise to Svalbard the following day.

Getting there was very straightforward. I took the Airport Express Train from Oslo Airport into the city centre before changing to Bus 30, which runs to the Bygdøy Peninsula where the museum is located. It's an easy journey and operates year-round. Bus 30 stops directly in front of the museum.

If you're visiting during the warmer months, another great option is the Bygdøy ferry from near Oslo City Hall. The short trip across the Oslofjord is beautiful and adds another enjoyable experience to the day. I did the bus one way and returned by ferry but taking the roundtrip ferry/bus works too. On your way back from the ferry port, you can make your way to the Oslo opera house before taking the train back to your hotel.

The Oslo Opera House

If you have half a day in Oslo, I highly recommend visiting the Fram Museum. Whether you're interested in history, exploration or simply enjoy a great museum, it's a fascinating place to visit. For me, it was the perfect way to begin an unforgettable journey to the Arctic.