Vikingemuseet Ladby
Museum at Denmark's only known Viking ship grave near Kerteminde, with burial mound, exhibition of finds, and the reconstructed longship Ladbydragen.
About the museum
In 1935 the Funen pharmacist and amateur archaeologist Poul Helweg Mikkelsen excavated a Viking ship at Ladby on Kerteminde Fjord that had served in the first half of the 10th century as the grave of a powerful man. The find caused a great sensation and attracted thousands of visitors. Instead of recovering the ship, a concrete vault was built over the grave site, so the traces of the ship still lie in their original location in the mound today; in 1937 the site was opened to visitors.
The Nationalmuseet remains the owner of the burial mound and the finds; Kerteminde Museum, now Østfyns Museer, took over operations in 1994. A research project starting in 1998 yielded new insights about the ship, and in 2007 an exhibition building with many original finds from the excavation was added.
Between 2011 and 2017 volunteers rebuilt the ship at full size as "Ladbydragen" and created the embroidered "Ladbytapetet", which tells of the life and death of the Ladby king. After Kerteminde Municipality acquired about five hectares of land around the museum, Viking houses, a kitchen garden, and a landscaped area were created starting in 2018. Since June 2024 the burial chamber has been presented with new lighting and new information panels.
Highlights
- Denmark's only known Viking ship grave, preserved in place in the burial mound
- Exhibition "Ladbykongens Verden" with grave goods
- Reconstructed longship "Ladbydragen"
- "Ladbytapetet": seven-meter-long embroidery on the story of the grave
- Viking kitchen garden "Frejs Nyttehave" and view over Kerteminde Fjord
Permanent exhibitions
- Skibsgraven – Inside the burial mound lie the impressions and finds of the Viking ship at the spot where it was buried around the year 925; with new lighting since 2024.
- Ladbykongens Verden – The exhibition tells of the burial of the Ladby king and shows grave goods from the excavation.
- Ladbytapetet – A seven-meter-long pictorial story, embroidered by volunteers, about the life and death of the Ladby king.
- Founded
- 1937
- Operated by
- Østfyns Museer
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 125 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 100Students with ID |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers under 18 free. |
| Seniors | DKK 110From age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion with Ledsagerkort free. |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 100With a valid student ID. |
| Groups (10+ people) | DKK 110 per person |
| Families | –No family ticket; children and teenagers are free. |
2026 prices. School classes and members of the museum association free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
Accessible parking spaces at the main entrance. Access to the burial mound has a ramp and a low threshold. Accessible restroom in the basement, reachable by elevator. The paths in the outdoor area are made of gravel and earth and are not entirely level.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Children can dress up as Vikings, search for the Viking king's treasures, and borrow a bag with games and puzzles. During fall break there are hands-on activities (2026: October 12–16, 11:00–14:00, DKK 25 per activity).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Take the train to Odense or Nyborg, continue by bus to Kerteminde, and from there take bus line 482 (Kerteminde – Kølstrup – Rynkeby) to Ladby; about a 10-minute walk from the stop. In summer a summer bus sometimes runs between Kerteminde and Fyns Hoved with a stop at the museum. Telebus (Teletaxi, order two hours in advance at +45 63 11 22 55).
By car
Parking available
Parking lot with accessible parking spaces and a turning area for buses at the main entrance.
- Accessible parking
The museum is about 5 km south of Kerteminde. Bicycles can be rented at the tourist information office in Kerteminde near the bus station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The museum shop offers hot and cold drinks as well as ice cream to enjoy outdoors; tables and benches with a view over the fjord, and you may bring your own food. Dogs on a leash are welcome in the outdoor area (dog parking spaces with water).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours (1–1.5 hours, max. 25 people per group) cost DKK 800 during opening hours, DKK 1,200 outside opening hours; a booking is valid only after written confirmation. From May to September on selected days, free public guided tours by volunteers. School programs from kindergarten to upper secondary level (each about 1 hour). The museum also offers a podcast. |
