About The Kon-Tiki Museum
Established in 1949
After the world-famous and sensational Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947, the Kon-Tiki museum opened in Oslo. Everyone wanted to see the primitive Kon-Tiki raft built according to prehistoric knowledge. The museum was opened in a temporary building in 1949, and got its current premises in 1957. Since 1949 close to 20 million people have visited the museum.
Visit us and take part in Thor Heyerdahl's famous life's work, which is characterized by a thirst for research, opposition to established truths, environmental protection, work for a more peaceful and sustainable world, and a deep respect for indigenous peoples.
Thor Heyerdahl was the steadfast and fascinating man who lived out his dreams by exploring the world and living science.
The exhibitions
The exhibitions in the museum are accompanied by good texts in many languages and show Thor Heyerdahl's work from his first journey to Fatu Hiva, to the voyages with Kon-Tiki, Ra, Ra II and Tigris, as well as the expeditions to Galàpagos, Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and Tùcume in Peru.
Visitors can also see models of sharks and fish in an underwater exhibition under the Kon-Tiki raft, walk in a 30-metre long replica of a cave from Easter Island, see the books in Heyerdahl's personal library and an exhibition about the person Thor Heyerdahl.
The Kon-Tiki Museum is open every day throughout the year!
The original Kon-Tiki movie
The 1950 Academy Award-winning Kon-Tiki film screens daily at 12 in the cinema downstairs at the museum. The documentary continues to be shown throughout the day.
Thor Heyerdahl and his crew used cameras along the way on their world-famous journey across the Pacific Ocean on the balsa raft Kon-Tiki. The movie shows authentic clips, supplemented by Heyerdahl himself as narrator. The documentary is approximately 1 hour long. The movie was for a long time the only Norwegian film to win an Oscar.
The Oscar statuette can also be viewed in the museum.
The gift shop
The museum shop is open every day throughout the year during the museum's opening hours. In our "shop in shop" we offer a wide selection of gifts and souvenirs, with an emphasis on Norwegian designers. We also have a small bookstore.
The shop is located independently of the museum itself, so everyone is welcome to shop even without a museum ticket.
The museum is suitable for children
The Kon-Tiki and Ra exhibits are also child-friendly. The children can follow the stories about Johannes the crab who participated in the Kon-Tiki journey and Safi the monkey from the voyage on RA.
Activity corner for children is new is the new addition to the museum. This is a space for the smallest children, where they can slide down from the raft and check navigation. The children can also sit in the cabin and pretend they are on the journey. You will find the activity corner after the caves downstairs, after you have passed the large and scary whale shark.
We have a rebus for all children in both English and German, with a prize for the effort.
Thank you for your support
Help preserve our unique stories for future generations with a donation.
The Kon-Tiki Museum is a private charitable organization dedicated to preserving history without public funding. Every contribution, big or small, helps safeguard our collection and sustain our vital work. Your generosity makes a lasting impact, and we are profoundly grateful for your support.
