Bork Vikingehavn
Reconstructed Viking harbor on Ringkøbing Fjord with a longhouse, wooden church, water mill, ship replicas, and hands-on history.
About the museum
Bork Vikingehavn is located by the small harbor of Bork Havn on the south shore of Ringkøbing Fjord. The open-air museum was created in 2000 with support from the Arbejdsmarkedets Feriefond, the former Egvad Kommune, and Ringkøbing Amt, and today belongs to Ringkøbing Fjord Museer.
The site is based on archaeological finds from West Jutland. The chieftain's longhouse goes back to a farmstead excavated in Tarm, the wooden church to traces beneath the stone church of Vorgod, the landing bridge to a fortified path near Nybro, and the water mill to finds at Sejrup and Omgård. In addition, there are pit houses, a smithy, craftsmen's houses modeled on Haithabu, boathouses (nauster), and a marketplace modeled on early Ribe.
Several ship replicas lie at the jetty, including the Havørn, a scaled-down replica of the Norwegian Gokstad ship, and Ravnunge Bork, based on a find from Roskilde Fjord. The houses have thick thatched roofs, and the walls are made partly of sod or clay-plastered wickerwork – using materials like those used around a thousand years ago.
During the season, costumed interpreters bring the site to life, carrying out crafts and household chores and telling about everyday life in the Viking Age. Annual highlights are the Bork Vikingemarked in August and the evening Lokes Aften in October.
Highlights
- Chieftain's longhouse based on an excavation find from Tarm
- Wooden church Sct. Erasmus Kirke with a replica of the Åby crucifix
- Ship replicas such as Havørn and Ravnunge Bork at the jetty
- Sacrificial site with figures of Norse gods
- Hands-on activities: baking flatbread and archery
- Bork Vikingemarked in August
Permanent exhibitions
- Skibene – Replicas of Viking ships and Faroese boats at the jetty, including the Havørn, based on the Gokstad find, and Ravnunge Bork, based on a find from Roskilde Fjord.
- Husene – Reconstructed houses based on West Jutland excavations – chieftain's longhouse, smithy, pit house, Haithabu houses, boathouses, and marketplace.
- Kirken og Offerpladsen – A consecrated wooden church based on Viking Age finds and a sacrificial grove with Odin, Frey, Freya, and Thor show the transition from the old faith to Christianity.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Ringkøbing Fjord Museer
- Director
- Mette Bjerrum Jensen
- Visitors per year
- approx. 64,010 (2017)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 175 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers aged 0 to 17 accompanied by an adult free; at the Bork Vikingemarked and at Lokes Aften, children aged 3 to 17 pay DKK 50. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · With a companion card (ledsagerkort), the companion has free admission. |
| Groups | –Group visits by arrangement (booking@rfmuseer.dk) |
| Children 3–17 years at the Bork Vikingemarked (August 7–9, 2026) | DKK 50Adults DKK 175, children 0–2 years free |
| Children 3–17 years at Lokes Aften (October 15, 2026, 18:30–21:00) | DKK 50Adults DKK 175, children 0–2 years free |
| Fordelskort Sølv (14 days, all sites of Ringkøbing Fjord Museer) | DKK 3491 person |
| Fordelskort Guld (12 months, all sites of Ringkøbing Fjord Museer) | DKK 4491 person; also valid for Bork Vikingemarked, Naturkraft After Dark, and Lokes Aften |
| Fordelskort Platin (12 months, all sites of Ringkøbing Fjord Museer) | DKK 6991 person and 1 companion; also valid for Bork Vikingemarked, Naturkraft After Dark, and Lokes Aften |
Tickets at the ticket desk or online in advance. With a Fordelskort from Ringkøbing Fjord Museer, admission to all ten sites is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The paths are made of crushed mussel shells; some Viking houses are only partially accessible to wheelchair users. Dogs on a leash are welcome (water bowls, waste bags at the entrance).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Children try out everyday Viking tasks, such as baking flatbread over an open fire or shooting with a bow and arrow. Viking playground for the youngest and a baby changing area. Strollers can get along on the gravel paths, but not into the Viking houses.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking lot at the museum with two charging stations for electric cars (four charging points, operated by EWII).
- Accessible parking
Mailing address: Vikingevej 7, 6893 Hemmet; the site is located at Bork Havn on the south shore of Ringkøbing Fjord.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café in the Viking hall with hot and cold drinks, light lunches, and cake (on all opening days). Large picnic house (madpakkehus) and benches for food you bring yourself. Museum shop with jewelry replicas, books, toys, and delicacies.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Rustic rooms in a maritime setting for meetings and conferences (inquiries via booking@rfmuseer.dk); the wooden church Sct. Erasmus Kirke can be booked for baptisms and weddings.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 15 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | According to the museum, a visit takes 1½ to 4 hours on average. In October, short themed tours (15–20 minutes) are offered daily in German at 11:00 and 14:30 and in Danish at 11:30 and 14:00. |
