The Kon-Tiki Museum

Few people have put Norway on the world map like the man behind the Kon-Tiki Museum. Here, you’ll find Thor Heyerdahl’s famous raft, the Kon-Tiki, which crossed the Pacific Ocean in 1947. Did you know the raft arrived at Bygdøy via San Francisco and Antwerp? When it arrived in the autumn of the same year, there was no official welcome, but curious Oslo residents carved their initials into the soft balsa logs—marks you can still see today. The raft was initially placed on the lawn at Bygdøynes before being placed in a small wooden structure, the Kon-Tiki House, where visitors could view this unique vessel. As the interest in Heyerdahl’s adventures grew, the museum had to expand. The current permanent building was completed in 1957 and has since become one of Norway’s most visited attractions. Inside the museum, you can see the original Kon-Tiki raft up close and explore Heyerdahl’s other expeditions, such as Ra and Tigris, as well as the Easter Island excavations. Be inspired by tales of adventure, exploration, environmental activism, and the importance of collaboration and dialogue between people and cultures. The museum is open year-round—welcome to a journey through the world’s oceans and history!