The Viking Planet: Oslo's virtual reality Viking raid

A technology-led introduction to Viking coastal life through an award-winning cinematic VR film and a 270-degree immersive experience.

A technology-first museum that turns Viking material culture into hands-on, cinematic experiences. The ground floor route combines interactive touchscreens, life-size holograms and a wraparound 270-degree cinema that presents coastal life and shipboard scenes rather than a dense artefact display. The site sits directly across the plaza from Oslo City Hall and positions itself as a compact, narrative-led primer on Viking navigation, raids and daily life.

The centrepiece is an award-winning virtual-reality film produced with external creative partners that places the visitor on a Viking ship during a coastal ambush; the VR film is presented as a cinematic experience. You sit in motion-controlled chairs to experience a raid from the perspective of a Viking warrior. The technology recreates the ships as they looked 1,000 years ago, complete with colorful sails and intricate carvings.

An optional, separate VR game offers more interactive combat mechanics for visitors who want to try handling bow and sword in a game environment. Content and the museum guide app are available in multiple languages, and the site suggests allowing roughly 1 to 1.5 hours to see the core exhibits and viewings.

The actors in the films speak Old Norse. The creators used linguistic experts to ensure the dialogue sounds authentic to the 9th century, adding a layer of realism to the digital violence.

Highlights

Watch the award-winning VR film that places you aboard a Viking longship and into a coastal ambush.

Take in the 270-degree cinema and life-size holograms that illustrate daily life, shipbuilding and navigation.

Try the optional VR game Ferd for a short, action-focused interactive experience available for an extra fee.

Open in Google Maps

http://www.thevikingplanet.com/

Best time to go

Weekday midday or early afternoon to avoid weekend family crowds; works year-round since it is indoors.

Time needed

45–90 minutes

Getting there

Located at Fridtjof Nansens plass, immediately across the plaza from Oslo City Hall; the site is a short walk from Nationaltheatret station and from the Aker Brygge waterfront area.

What to do nearby

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Oslo City Hall: Inside the Nobel Peace Prize venue

A functioning municipal seat that doubles as a concentrated gallery of postwar Norwegian civic art and the annual host venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

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The National Theatre: Oslo´s 1899 neo-renaissance landmark

Watch classic Norwegian drama (such as Ibsen with English subtitles) in the 125-year-old gilded auditorium, or tour the Golden Hall and backstage areas where Norwegian cultural history has been performed for over a century.