Norwegian Fisheries Museum - Museum Vest

About

Visit some of Norway’s newest and best exhibitions about life along the coast and in the sea!

About

The Norwegian Fisheries Museum is located on the seafront in Sandviken, a short walk from Bryggen. This exciting and dynamic museum is housed within the cog-jointed walls of authentic 18th-century wharfside warehouses, which communicate the important history of Norway’s coast and fisheries.  Delve into our exhibitions on fishing and fishery traditions along the coast and waters of Norway, and learn more about how our long coastline and bountiful sea have provided Norwegians with a living through the ages. 

Exciting exhibitions for adults and children alike
You can explore room upon room of physical and digital exhibitions at the Norwegian Fisheries Museum. The museum imparts important knowledge about Norway's fisheries history, old building techniques, boat engines, aquaculture, herring processing, seal hunting and stockfish trade. You can also see some of the best preserved wall paintings that used to adorn the interior walls of these warehouses, and learn about the history of these beautiful works of art. The museum has interactive and playful exhibitions that are suitable for children and adults alike.  

Sandviken – the Venice of the North
The wharfside warehouses that house the Norwegian Fisheries Museum in Sandviken are built on pillars in the sea. The original canals between the warehouses have been reconstructed to provide a glimpse of what ‘The Venice of the North’ once looked like. You can quite simply immerse yourself in the history of fisheries in authentic surroundings! 

Activities for the whole family
Visit the museum on a weekday or make an outing of it at the weekend. The Norwegian Fisheries Museum has activities for children and adults of all ages, in all kinds of weather! The museum is in a beautiful location beside the sea, and is surrounded by Norway’s biggest vintage boat harbour.  

Hire a rowing boat
The museum has traditional rowing boats for hire for those who want to explore the lovely harbour and immediate area. You will be given life jackets, oars and a box containing a signal whistle, map and waterproof bag for mobile phones for the boat trip. Please note: There’s every chance of catching saithe and mackerel in the sea right outside the museum. Good luck! 

Borrow a kayak
Borrow one of our kayaks and pick up rubbish in the sea while you enjoy the beautiful scenery from the kayak. You can borrow a kayak and pertaining equipment free of charge, and just set off! The only condition is that you pick up any rubbish you find. You get a bucket and a grabber when you borrow the boat. 

Find marine animals in the ebb
The sea is full of life, and the ebb is no exception. Borrow a species chart, bucket and net in the reception area, and look for small animals at the water’s edge! How many species can you find? 

Try your hand as a seafood producer
You can learn about the production of seafood in our virtual gaming room. In Fin City, you produce salmon and other seafood from roe to the finished product. The game has been developed for children, but is fun for adults too! Each gaming station deals with a link in the seafood production value chain, from hatching to finished product. Could you set a new points record? 

Take Bergen’s most beautiful sea journey to and from the museum!
During summer, you can climb aboard our historical Beffen ferry and see Bergen from the sea. Hop on and off, and see Bergen’s biggest attractions; Bryggen, the Rosenkrantz Tower, Håkons Hall, Nordnes and the wharfside warehouses in Sandviken. A day pass and single ticket gives you a 20% discount on admission to Bergen Aquarium, the Norwegian Fisheries Museum and Old Bergen Museum. 

Café and shop
Hungry and thirsty? Our charming café, Bod 24, offers a tasty menu of dishes made from scratch using fresh produce. It serves delicious lunch dishes, cakes and other temptations while you enjoy Bergen’s best sea view. Its setting in the historical warehouses creates a unique atmosphere, whether you enjoy a drink or bite to eat outdoors or relax inside the cosy café. 

The museum shop is full of lovely items. From books about the history of fisheries and seafood, to high-quality knitwear, decorative items for the home, games, toys and lots more. 

The museum has a universal design.