Maison Oslo / Art history / The Full Day of Art

Art history · about 6 hours · English or French

The Full Day of Art: the National Museum and an evening at MUNCH

The two halves of the story, in one day. In the morning, Norwegian painting in order at the National Museum, from Dahl's romantic fjords to the young Munch's break with his teachers. After lunch, a private evening inside MUNCH itself, when the museum lets independent guides in: the Frieze of Life, the family paintings, the self-portraits, and the view from the top floor as the light fades over the fjord.

Why you'll love it

  • The whole story of Norwegian painting in one day, from Dahl to Munch's late self-portraits
  • A private evening inside MUNCH, which the museum only allows in summer
  • A relaxed lunch between the two halves, at a table you choose together
  • Never more than 4 guests: this is a private day
  • As technical or as light as you like, in English or French

The route, minute by minute

Nasjonalmuseet, two hours → lunch → MUNCH, two hours (summer evenings only) · about 2.5 km, flat, mostly indoors

When: Summer evenings only, 15 June–15 Sept: Wed, Fri, Sat, National Museum from 10:00, MUNCH from 18:00. Times below are for the first start of the day; later starts follow the same route. MUNCH lets groups bring their own guide only from 15 June to 15 September, Wednesday to Saturday, 18:00–21:00. This full day is built around that window: the National Museum in the morning, a long lunch break, then MUNCH in the evening. Outside that season, choose 'The Scandinavian painters' on its own, which runs all year.

  1. Nasjonalmuseet, two hours

    Meeting point

    The century before Munch, in order: Dahl and Balke's romantic landscapes, Tidemand and Gude's Bridal Procession, Krohg's Albertine, Backer and Kielland, then the Munch room and The Scream.

    Included: Museum ticket and headsets

  2. Lunch

    A table nearby

    A break to talk over what you have seen, before the second half of the day.

    Included: Lunch

  3. MUNCH, two hours

    Arrival

    The rest of the story: the Frieze of Life, the family paintings, the self-portraits from youth to old age, the prints. We choose the exact route on the day, around what is hanging.

    Included: Timed ticket and headsets

  4. The top floor, facing the fjord

    in the museum

    We end high above the harbour with a drink, the fjord and Ekeberg hill in the evening light.

    Included: A drink

F

Your guide · Urban planner and founder of Maison Oslo · English · Français
Every walk is prepared with the makers, curators and sources behind each stop. Ask anything, in English or French.

Add-on

The pre-walk booklet

Route, timeline, glossary and reading list for this walk, to print at home or delivered printed to your hotel.

Preview the booklet

Good to know

Why only in summer?

MUNCH allows independent guides to lead groups only from 15 June to 15 September, Wednesday to Saturday. Outside that season, book 'The Scandinavian painters' on its own: it runs all year and already includes The Scream.

Can we do the museums in the other order?

MUNCH's evening slot is fixed at 18:00–21:00, so the National Museum comes first, in the morning.

Is it tiring?

It is a full day, mostly indoors and unhurried, with a proper lunch break in the middle.

In French?

Yes. Every walk runs in English or French: choose when you book.

Read before you go

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Is the Munch Museum worth it? An honest guide for 2026

MUNCH drew 775,000 visitors in 2025, but the building divides people and the museum faces cuts in 2026. Who should go, how long to spend, and what to see.
Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893, National Museum, Oslo
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Where to see The Scream in Oslo (and why there is more than one)

The 1893 painted Scream hangs at the National Museum. MUNCH rotates its own versions. And the view that inspired it is a tram ride away. How to see all three, and when.