Viking Ship Museum

Archaeological museum · Roskilde

Viking Ship Museum

Archaeological museum · Roskilde

Vindeboder 12, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Highlights

Explore authentic Viking maritime history with five original ships, hands-on workshops, replica sailing, and family-friendly activities just outside Copenhagen.

Vindeboder 12, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark Get directions

vikingeskibsmuseet.dk

@vikingshipmuseum

@afar

"Take a Day Trip from Copenhagen to the Viking Ship Museum We went to the Viking Ship Museum while visiting Copenhagen . It's about 1/2 hour train ride from the city and another 10 minutes or so on the bus (#203). I expected to spend about a half day here entertaining the kids but we ended up spending much more because it was so engaging. They have actual kid activities that are interesting and fun -- view old viking weapons, learn how to sword fight with wooden shields and sword (a staff member will show you how it's done), decorate your own shield and sword to take home, learn how to make rope -- and this is just one small part of the whole experience. Inside you can view the remnants of the 5 viking ships that were discovered in the harbor and learn about how they recreated them. You can also watch a film about how a crew sailed a recreated ship from Roskilde to Dublin (while seated in a replica ship). The kids can try on traditional viking costumes. And finally, but not least, you can pay a small fee to take one of the replicated viking boats out on the water! There's no motor -- just oars to row out and then use the wind to sail back in. It's beautiful out on the water and to have a view back to town. The kids can participate or just watch all the activity. There was so much to do and a variety of offerings that engaged the whole family. Definitely a must-do with kids on a visit to Copenhagen."

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Atypical Copenhagen

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Mei Chin

Google

At the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, you’ll see the real Viking history — quite literally in pieces. The remains of five original Viking ships are displayed here, each with its own story of sea voyages, trade, and warfare. There are guided tours and activities running throughout the day, so it’s worth checking the schedule when you arrive. The guide shares the fascinating history behind the five ships that were discovered just a stone’s throw from here, in Roskilde Fjord. For those feeling hands-on, there’s a small workshop where you can try building your own miniature Viking ship. The kids especially loved hammering and sawing away. I had signed up for the sailing tour, where you get to sail on a Viking ship and even help raise the sail as part of the crew. Unfortunately, only four of us showed up out of the ten tickets sold — the rain kept the rest away. Without enough people for the weight balance, the trip had to be cancelled. Safe to say, I was pretty disappointed — it’s not every day you get to sail like a Viking. There’s also a restaurant by the museum. I tried the Viking platter — decent, but nothing to shout about.

Julo Mihal

Google

This museum is an incredible place filled with authentic Viking ships, fascinating artifacts, and tons of interesting facts about the Vikings. Both children and adults will find plenty to explore and enjoy. During my visit, there was a blacksmith workshop where a skilled craftsman demonstrated traditional forging techniques. There was also a shipbuilding area where craftsmen were using hand tools to build seaworthy Viking ships — a truly impressive sight. For kids, there’s a small hands-on workshop where they can build their own miniature ships from scrap wood and test them in a water pool. There’s also a replica of a Viking household, complete with Viking clothing you can try on and a play area for children. The museum also has an excellent restaurant with delicious food and a cozy atmosphere. And best of all — if the weather is good, you can join the crew of a real Viking ship replica and sail out to sea. An unforgettable experience!

Deanna Watson

Google

This museum exceeded our expectations! We took the train from Copenhagen, about 30 minutes. It was a beautiful downhill walk (15 minutes) from the Roskilde station, even in a chilly December. There is also a bus from station that will take you to the museum. The entrance fee was very reasonable. Not busy at all on a weekday morning. We did an English speaking tour and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and thorough. You would definitely miss out on a lot of information and details without doing a tour. Tours are included in your admission fee and are in both Danish and English. With the tour, we spent about 3 hours there. Gift shop was very nice and had a large selection of souvenirs. Highly recommend!

Bhushan Bapat

Google

I visited the Roskilde Ship Museum on the weekend and spent about an hour there — definitely worth the stop. The main exhibition hall with the original Viking ships is really impressive. It’s well laid out, with clear info in both Danish and English, and the ships themselves are just amazing to see up close. I also had time to explore the outdoor area. The boatyard and workshops were interesting to walk through, even though no one was working there at the time. It was still cool to see the tools, materials, and boats in progress. The harbor area was peaceful, with traditional wooden boats docked along the pier, adding to the atmosphere. The whole place feels calm and well-maintained, and the staff were friendly. Even with just an hour, I felt like I got a good experience.

Evangelina Lopez

Google

This museum is great. I know it’s not huge, but the 5 ships are great, the rest of the exhibition is well explained and the different tours are done by very knowledgeable guides who are also archaeologists. Their explanations are super clear and interesting, they make you feel they are passionate about it. They also have a few workshops in the outdoor area. I went for an hour and ended up spending 3 :)

Angela M.H

Google

Right location for the display. The ships show great craftsmanship, beautiful pieces of art with incredible depth of skill at the old historical time. Interior design and orientation of visiting is simple, spacious and easy. Outside the museum there are some ships exhibit by the harbor where visitors feel even more interesting! We saw several different Viking ships and we liked the idea in the dark room where visitors could have Live experience sailing on the Viking ships.

Neil Walker

Google

If you're interested in history, maritime history, boat building or Vikings, this is a great visit. Lots to see and well documented exhibits in Danish and English in the main (some panels also have German and French). Audio tours as well as a guided tour if you prefer. As most things are in Denmark, well designed, laid out, clean. Facilities (food and toilets) good. Dogs allowed in outside spaces, but not indoors. It is a working museum, as in they are still learning about the finds they have and in particular they've been reconstructing 5 specific wrecks that have been raised from the sea floor nearby. Really interesting and well worth a visit. Not cheap to get in, but still worth it.

Rawia Furat

Google

The Viking Ship Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in Viking history! Even though the museum itself isn’t very big, it’s absolutely worth the trip. The highlight is the four giant Viking ships, which are truly impressive to see up close. The museum does a great job of bringing Viking maritime history to life, and there are interactive exhibits that make the experience even more engaging. If you're fascinated by the Viking Age, this place is definitely worth visiting!

Angela D.

Yelp

Not as cool as I thought it would be: I wish they had more artifacts, but the little area that showed the replicas actually being built was pretty cool. They do have a little kid section which could be fun for the little ones and they do have boat rides in-season.

Jim R.

Yelp

Definitely worth a visit for an hour or two in order to get a little more understanding of the Viking heritage in Denmark. The center piece of the museum are several partially preserved viking ships over 1,000 years old, the somewhat dated museum also provides glimpses into the crafts of shipbuilding and making rope (hint: starts as tree bark). We spent around an hour and got there just as it opened at 10. It's an easy ride from the central train station in Copenhagen then an easy 20 minute walk out to the harbor and the museum. Here are lots of other activities and things for the kids as well.

Myra C.

Yelp

This is a MUST stop in Denmark. The excavated Viking ships are impressive. The museum has many kid-friendly areas such as: build a mini boat, fight with swords/shields and play tug of war. The Viking sail boat ride is so worth it. We went out in the pouring rain and had a blast. Foul weather gear and life preservers provided. The Captain was patient and ensured we crewed his boat easily. A true Viking experience. Thankful they did not cancel due to rain! Come and appreciate exquisite Nordic ships up close.

Ash O.

Yelp

I enjoy visiting smaller loca l museums and the Viking Museum in Roskilde is definitely work the short train ride from Copenhagen. For obvious reasons, the museum is on the water. The views from the observation decks and the surrounding areas are quietly lovely, even on a cold November day. I can only imagine what it is like to visit here during the summer. I strongly recommend getting a guided tour (which is free) when visiting this museum. Although the exhibits are well marked and placed in chronological order (something I really appreciate), a guided tour really helps further explain the how the ships were constructed and used. Our guide was very informative and engaging, and knew the answers to most questions. The tour took about 45 minutes. Admission was included in the price of the Copenhagen card (something I strongly recommend buying when visiting Denmark, as even trains and buses are included!). The museum is located about a 15-20 minute walk from the train station, and 10 minutes from the cathedral. The walk is lovely and takes you through a well marked path in the park.

Jeannie M.

Yelp

We had already seen Copenhagen and we'd trekked across waterways and into the woods to see all the hidden Giants. What more could we do? We could learn to sail on an authentic replica of a Viking Ship!!! The drive up was about an hour from our hotel in Copenhagen. We had already purchased the reserved day/time ticket two days before. I think if it were warmer weather, we'd have had a harder time finding a ticket for purchase. When we arrived we found the parking was free, the front desk ticket assistance was helpful, and the surroundings were picturesque. They had not just one, but several types of Viking ships in their marina. They also had a working shipyard for building the replicas. After having a coffee and pastry from the diner, which uses the same ingredients and recipes from viking times, we walked over and were welcomed by the captain and mate. After being suited up, we got on a small fishing boat due to the number of guests our group was, only 6 to row. With kind direction and a helpful hand, we rowed out of the marina, raised a sail, and were sailing in the bay with our own hands. My daughter and I had never sailed before. We loved it! An hour plus later we sailed and then rowed back to the marina. We were wet, cold, our hands hurt from the rope, but we were Happy. We had gotten a Viking history lesson and a quick lesson in sailing all at once. We had such a wonderful time. I'd recommend to anyone. However I don't see how ages under 10 could enjoy unless they were well behaved and interested in the tasks they'll need to tackle. The only drawback I'd say is that this museum shop is probably one of the most expensive I've ever seen. However, the prices are somewhat on par with all of the price points found in Denmark.

Kevin M.

Yelp

Great museum and well worth the trip if you're staying in Copenhagen! I went with some friends, not knowing too much about what I was getting myself in to. I'm glad I did! There's a lot of history here. The museum features four different Viking ships that have been recovered and put together as much as possible with the aid of some metal frames. It gives a great perspective into Viking life when they sailed on these ships. If you have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it!

Dani S.

Yelp

This is definitely one of the tourist attractions. The ancient viking boats are very cool to see. This museum is NOT on the Copenhagen card, so you do have to pay $13usd for admissions, they do have a 15% discount if you have the Copenhagen card. The museum itself is pretty small, the viking boats are both inside and outside of the museum on display. There's also an outdoor area adjacent to the museum with coffee shops and snacks and some posters of viking boating history which is very interesting. It was cool, but I wasn't particularly impressed.

Jim B.

Yelp

This is a very interesting Viking museum that showcases five boats recovered from the early harbor. The boats are all very different, ranging from local transport boats to warships. Outside, they have full size reproductions of the five boats, all constructed using the techniques used to build the original boats. You can walk through the boatyard where they are building and repairing Viking boats. There is a restaurant near the boat yard. This was a fun experience.

Flora H.

Yelp

I feel a little bit uncultured and uncouth to just be giving Roskilde 3 stars. But given that it's listed as a must do in every guide book and list, and it was somewhat a journey to get there, my expectations were a bit high. I was only in Copenhagen for two nights and choose to spend a day venturing out to Roskilde, and was disappointed the same way that people are disappointed when they see the Acropolis - there were just slabs of wood kind of reconstructed in a frame to show what the base of the viking ship might have looked like. It required a lot of imagination. The tour that I took was informative and interesting and I did learn a lot, and the replicas were cool, I just don't know that it's worth the journey to get here from Copenhagen.

Carol K.

Yelp

Five original Viking ships were sunk in the harbor off of Rosskilde during the 1000's. 50 years ago- these ships were excavated and this museum built to house those 5 remains. Be sure to start your visit by watching the movie as it explains a lot. Take a look at the actual ship remains but plan your time as you will want to spend as much time in the open air part of this museum where you can see actual floating Viking reproductions, and step on board of the Viking warship also outside. There are also Viking workshops where you can watch craftsmen make rope, weave wool, and carve patterns in wood. My favorite exhibit was the guy who was actually building another boat and the huge stacked timbers that surround that workshop. There are also activities for kids. Restrooms are clean and located on the lower level of the main building or also outside but the cafe where you can grab a coffee and pastry. All in all a really interesting look at the Viking life. If you are in Copenhagen it's about 30 minutes outside of town. There is a public bus stop located out front.

Jared M.

Yelp

This is the coolest exhibit I've ever visited and I've visited quite a few. The recreation of the boats excavated is amazing and then they have exhibits which let you see how all the boats are made and that is quite the spot. You can see how they search for different parts of trees for different portions of the boats and put a lot of thought into it. The exhibit where they show the battles was pretty interesting as well. Down below there are some cool stories about the history of the Vikings and some amazingly preserved artifacts. The things they were unable to find they made good descriptions of and their purpose like how the sails were built 10x10 and the materials used.

Linda F.

Yelp

The history of the 5 viking ships found at Roskilde and their discovery, excavation, and display are wonderfully told by the curators. The front end of the museum begins in the lower level and through a series of text and graphics you get the sense of the excitement the original discovery must have meant for the area. And also the amount of work to restore and display these boats. The actual ships are beautifully displayed in a minimal space with huge windows facing the water. The museum also has working replicas of the ships in the docks next to the museum. Even though it was pouring rain, we clambered into the large war ship and played like giddy kids. And because it was pouring rain we had it all to ourselves. One negative point is that the museum entrance seems designed for cars. And as a pedestrian, the access to the museum seems roundabout and long! Why isn't there a more direct way from the bus stop?! A great way to spend an afternoon. Bring a lunch and eat at the picnic tables by the docks while watching the carpenters work on the ships.

Kate J.

Yelp

This was the best thing we did during a trip full of wonderful experiences. We spent the better part of the day learning about the Skuldelev ships, exploring experimental archaeology, and sailing a Viking ship replica. Be sure to take a guided tour of the museum and to watch the brief film about the Skuldelev ships. That will give you the background to thoroughly enjoy the exhibits indoors and out as well as the ride. I was a little bit nervous about the boat ride because the guest do, in fact, row and sail the ship. It turned out to be a lot of fun and also very safe. Our captain was practical, delightfully gruff, and quite funny in a typically Danish way. I knew that things would work perfectly under his watch and I was very happy to be involved. They have a small museum shop with beautiful goods and souvenirs. There is also a marina next door which is a nice place to take a walk.

Becky M.

Yelp

I enjoyed seeing old ships from 1042 AD. They also house & build ships dating to 300 AD-800AD. It's neat to see and feel what the iconic Vikings used as transport and in battle. You can imagine the strength these people must have had. I also like the location along the water - a beautiful view. You can also experience a ride in a boat if you want as well as see the type of wood that was used to build ships. However, I think the museum could improve in some areas. Perhaps it can be a little more connected and provide more interactive stations for visitors, young & old alike.

August J.

Yelp

Not impressed. The museum is small and in general not that interesting. If you like vikings it might be worth a quick visit, otherwise I recommend visiting the Harbor next to the museum. It is cozy and more lively than the museum.

Dave R.

Yelp

This was an impressive site of historic Vikings. Warriors that dominated a huge chunk of Europe at one time. I enjoyed walking around this museum, a fun experience looking at Ancient Viking sunken ships recovered from the bottom of the ocean. Experience of a lifetime.

Andrew T.

Yelp

Of all the museums I've visited so far in Copenhagen and surroundings, this is probably my least favorite - and also the most expensive. It's not that it's bad. But it didn't enthrall me as much as Kronborg or Rosenborg did. There's quite a bit less actual museum here as compared with the others as well, although it is on a different subject than just Danish royal history, etc. I will say that the main exhibit of Viking ships was labelled in Danish, English, German, and French - the first thing I have seen so far that wasn't in Danish and English only, or even Danish exclusively. And the reconstructed ships themselves are very cool, as well as the practical manner in which the museum has been applied to building reconstructions of the original sunken ships that the main exhibit celebrates. It's clear the passion of the museum staff runs high. Sailing the reconstructed ship from Roskilde to Ireland and back? The coolest part of all this is that...they had to learn what worked in order to do. It's actually fascinating to watch the slightly artsy video of the voyage, noticing that...they really don't know what they're doing initially. But did they learn? Yes. Science! It works! I have to remember that at 115 kroner, it's barely over $20. This doesn't exactly break the bank. But as interesting as the smaller exhibits here are, there's more to see at other places.

Thomas A.

Yelp

I looked this up before we went to Copenhagen and knew this was a must-visit venue. It was easy to get here by train from the city, about a 30-minute trip. We walked over to the Cathedral first for a tour and then we walked down to the museum (about a 15 minute leisurely walk). If you have any mobility problems, I don't recommend the walk. If you're in good health and don't mind walking, it's not bad at all and I rather enjoyed it. The staff at the museum are very helpful and friendly. There is an excellent video presentation at the beginning, in English. The exhibits are remarkable and interesting. There is a model of a ship that way it may have appeared in its heyday. There is a nice little souvenir area. The visit is well worth it particularly if you are interested in history and in Scandinavian and/or Viking things.

Steve B.

Yelp

So damn cool. If you love ships and are willing to take the time that is. It's a bit out there, but there's an easy train line that takes you from Kobenhavn Central station to the Roskilde station. Rick Steves had a walking tour, but it was cold, windy, and rainy so we took a cab, cost about 80kroner. A bus runs a logical route every 30min or so I think as well. So I LOVE ships, especially sunken ships. The place itself doesn't look like much, but if you get into it. . . wowza. No it's no Vasa in Stockholm (if you know what that is, then you should come here) but it's still cool stuff. Watch the video. Read most of the words to understand what happened. Try on the clothing and make stupid poses in the ships farther along on the tour. And read the last stories on the wall before the gift shop, the one where they talk about what they do for a rich man's funeral. It's super-de-duper f'd up, trust me. Just a beautiful museum, well done exhibits that make this a destination if you're into this sort of thing. And I am 100% into this sort of thing, so 5 stars.

Kate W.

Yelp

This is a fascinating and incredibly well-run museum. In addition to several Viking ships, there are many hands-on activities outside for children with wonderfully kind, patient and knowledgeable docents. The museum cafe serves excellent food and the museum shop was easily the best we found in Denmark. We brought back so many gifts from this shop! The kids loved the Viking ship sailing lesson, too. Easily the highlight of our two weeks in Denmark.

Rachel W.

Yelp

The kids enjoyed the dress up area. Next time I'll go without little ones and get the guided tour

M K.

Yelp

I would say this museum definitely underwhelms in terms of what's in there -- basically a few chunks of wood from 1000 year Viking ships. It is a gorgeous space however and they try hard to make it interesting with the re-created ships across the bridge. The whole thing fairly underwhelms however and I'm not sure it is worth a trip from CPH. It needed more of a kid-friendly history of the Vikings, it completely lacks that. The shops look cool at first but then you realize it is just a way to sell you more junk and there's no actual Viking history/learning going on. I must say the cafe was surprisingly excellent. It would be worth a trip if closer to CPH but for a half-day excursion on the train it's definitely underwhelming.

Merve Y.

Yelp

İt wasnt what i expected. Lots of things are for kids.Just a few ships,a little remnants .I expect to see more viking's things.Its nearby the sea and we go through a very beautiful park.

Mark A.

Yelp

What an amazing museum! The remains of 5 Viking ships were on display. As you read thorugh the descriptions of the exhibit and watch the videos, you get a better appreciation of the efforts that went into building up the exhibits. Outside the museum, there are replicas of Viking ships that you can touch. The museum staff were very friendly and eager to help while the museum facilities were well maintained. This museum is definitely worth anyone's time.

@afar

The Best of Summer in Copenhagen

View Postcard for Viking Ship Museum

@afar

Atypical Copenhagen

View Postcard for Viking Ship Museum

@afar

Copenhagen's Best Museums

View Postcard for Viking Ship Museum

Mei Chin

Google

Julo Mihal

Google

Deanna Watson

Google

Bhushan Bapat

Google

Evangelina Lopez

Google

Angela M.H

Google

Neil Walker

Google

Rawia Furat

Google

Angela D.

Yelp

Jim R.

Yelp

Myra C.

Yelp

Ash O.

Yelp

Jeannie M.

Yelp

Kevin M.

Yelp

Dani S.

Yelp

Jim B.

Yelp

Flora H.

Yelp

Carol K.

Yelp

Jared M.

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Linda F.

Yelp

Kate J.

Yelp

Becky M.

Yelp

August J.

Yelp

Dave R.

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Andrew T.

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Thomas A.

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Steve B.

Yelp

Kate W.

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Rachel W.

Yelp

The kids enjoyed the dress up area. Next time I'll go without little ones and get the guided tour

M K.

Yelp

Merve Y.

Yelp

İt wasnt what i expected. Lots of things are for kids.Just a few ships,a little remnants .I expect to see more viking's things.Its nearby the sea and we go through a very beautiful park.

Mark A.

Yelp

Viking Ship Museum

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