Vikingeskibsmuseet

About the museum

The occasion for the museum was a find in the Roskilde Fjord: at Skuldelev, five retired ships had been loaded with stones and sunk in the channel in the late 11th century to block the approach to the royal and episcopal city of Roskilde. In 1962 archaeologists uncovered the wrecks behind a sheet-pile wall and salvaged the pieces within a few weeks. After conservation, the ships were given their own hall directly on the water, which the architect Erik Christian Sørensen designed as a large display case for the finds.

The five Skuldelev ships show the range of seafaring in the Viking Age: an ocean-going merchant ship and a fishing boat from western Norway, a small coastal freighter, a small warship and a large longship built around 1042 in the Dublin area.

The museum island was added in 1997. At the shipyard, boatbuilders reconstruct the finds using replica tools and traditional techniques; the replicas lie in the museum harbor and are tested on experimental voyages. The best known is the longship replica "Havhingsten fra Glendalough", which sailed as far as Dublin in 2007. In addition, the museum carries out research in experimental and maritime archaeology.

A new building is currently under construction that will show the five ships together from 2028 and make the museum accessible; afterwards the existing ship hall will be redesigned. The museum remains in operation during construction.

Highlights

• Five original Viking ships from the Skuldelev barrier (11th century)
• Longship Skuldelev 2, built around 1042 near Dublin
• Museum shipyard with boatbuilders, ropemakers and blacksmiths at work
• Replicas in the museum harbor, including "Havhingsten fra Glendalough"
• Sailing trips on the Roskilde Fjord (May to September)
• Experience room "Stig Ombord" with two walk-on ships

Permanent exhibitions

• De fem vikingeskibe – The five original Skuldelev ships in the Viking Ship Hall, from ocean-going merchant ship to longship, complemented by the story of their salvage in 1962.
• Stig Ombord – Walk-through staging with a merchant ship and a warship, light, projection and the sounds of a sea voyage; barrels and chests may be opened. Contains light effects that can be problematic for people with photosensitivity.
• De fem rekonstruktioner – The seaworthy replicas of all five Skuldelev ships lie in the museum harbor next to traditional Nordic wooden boats.

Founded

1962

Admission & discounts

Seasonal prices: summer season (May 1 to October 18) adults DKK 165, winter season (October 19 to April 30) DKK 130. Bought online, the adult ticket is DKK 10 cheaper and the family ticket DKK 20 cheaper. Members of the friends' association (DKK 350 per year) have free admission. If you come with the Copenhagen Card or an annual/season pass, you only need an additional ticket for the sailing trip.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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

Some areas can be reached only by stairs; there are currently no elevators or stair lifts. Wheelchair users reach three of the five ships, the exhibition "I Vikingernes Kølvand", the children's area and the accessible restrooms via the rear entrance (help at the information desk); two ships, the cinema, "Stig Ombord" and the museum shop are not accessible without steps. The museum island can be navigated, while the shipyard area has gravel and wood chips. Accessible restrooms also in Café Knarr, accessible parking spaces in the main parking lot. The new building is intended to make the museum fully accessible in the future.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

In the basement of the ship hall there is a children's area with a replica Viking village, where children can touch trade goods, pack chests and play. In "Stig Ombord" two ships can be explored. The digital treasure hunt "MuseumsMysteriet" (Danish, English, German) is aimed at children aged 6 and up with adults. Family activities during school holidays and in summer. Strollers are welcome, but because of many stairs in the hall only with help from the information desk. Changing facilities by the restrooms in the hall and in Café Knarr.

Getting there & parking

By car from København about 40 minutes via the Holbækmotorvejen (Route 21) or 45 minutes via the E20.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café Knarr on the museum island (daily 10:00–17:00, kitchen until 15:30, also without a museum ticket; table reservation +45 46 30 02 08) with dishes made from Viking Age ingredients. Museum shop in the Viking Ship Hall. Free lockers in the basement of the hall (DKK 10 deposit). Your own food may be eaten at the picnic tables on the museum island. Dogs outdoors only.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit