Viking Ship Museum Denmark: Everything You Need to Know!
I have visited my fair share of Viking sites in Denmark, and the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum is by FAR my favorite. Second place is a totally different (but amazing) Viking experience at the Lindholm Høje Viking burial site. Viking ships and Viking burial sites, Denmark has it all.
And, the great news is, the Viking Ship Museum makes a GREAT day trip from Copenhagen. Or, it is a perfect stop on your road trip through Denmark.
I’m not usually a “Let’s stop at every museum on the itinerary” type of traveler. But in my opinion, this Viking Ship Museum is a MUST-SEE!
Related Post: Explore a Beautiful Viking Burial Site in Denmark
Anyway, back to Viking ships. The Roskilde Viking Ship Museum is THE ONLY place in the world where you can experience seeing 1000-year-old Viking ships, followed by walking outside to see amazing full-size replicas of those ships floating in the harbor. You can even go sailing on a Viking ship! But, more on that later.
This post will explain everything the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum has to offer, where to eat, and how to get there. Because trust me- you want to come here. You can find opening hours and admission prices here.
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See real-life, 1,000-year-old Viking ships in the Ship Hall
I recommend starting your experience at the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum in the beautiful Ship Hall. This is where you will buy your tickets and also where you will see the original five Viking ships on display.
The five ships on display in the Ship Hall are over 1,000 years old! They were found about 20 km/12.5 miles north of Roskilde sunken in the fjord to act as a blockade.
Each ship was made for a different job. The ships you will see are:
- Ocean-trading ship
- Longship made for war
- Coastal trading ship
- Small longship made for war
- Fishing boat
The ships were carefully excavated (obviously) from the water and brought to the museum. You will see some ships are missing pieces or have been filled in with wood in areas to help the viewer get a better picture of the ship. However, so much of the original ships are still there!
And, the cherry on top is that the Ship Hall has gorgeous natural lighting and views from the giant windows opening up to the Roskilde Fjord. This makes it easy to get good photos (unlike most museums I’ve been to).
Stroller/Baby Info:
Strollers are not allowed in the Ship Hall. Therefore, you will need to carry your babe or if they are old enough, help them walk through the Ship Hall.
If you need a great baby carrier I have some lovely recommendations. We are very happy with our Beco Gemini Baby Carrier and for younger babes, our ring sling.
Initially, we bought this Infantino Carrier, however, we definitely prefer our more supportive Beco Baby Carrier option. And we’ve always loved our ring sling. It got so much use when our babe was younger and she wanted an extra cozy space to hang out. I highly recommend investing in both types of carriers.
PRO-TIP: There is a very cool interactive ship experience for kids, (and adults 😉 ) just past the Viking ship display. I don’t have pictures because, you know, crappy museum lighting. However, there are two large wooden ships you can climb on with projections on screens surrounding the ships and even some Viking dress-up clothes. You can play Viking and figure out how to navigate the ship in a storm!
Watch Viking ships being made in the Boat Yard
The Boat Yard at the Viking Ship Museum is SO SO cool. The Boat Yard is located right on the water and is an active boat-building area! This means you can walk right up and WATCH the beautiful reconstruction of Viking ships in action.
The ships are all made with ancient techniques–which is insane. The museum takes commissions from other museums and private buyers (anyone out there looking to commission a replica Viking ship 😂?).
This area has something for kids and adults of every age. Like a water play area with small wooden Viking ships for the young ones. And, an indoor workshop area for the older ones to practice their boat making skills!
Pretend to be a Viking with your young ones
Viking games and activities are available outside during the peak travel season. These are located on the lawn right outside the Ship Hall (you can’t miss it).
You can also receive guided family tours during certain times of the year. The high-season usually includes July/August and some weeks in the spring, fall, and winter. You can check the current calendar of events here.
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Climb aboard replica Viking ships in the harbor
Okay, okay, okay. This is one of my favorite parts of the museum! Right outside of the Ship Hall in the beautiful harbor are replicas of the five Viking ships you saw preserved inside!
This means after seeing the Viking ships inside, you can walk outside and STEP ABOARD! In addition to the five replica ships, there are other beautiful Viking ships lining the boardwalk in the harbor as well.
Every time we came upon a new ship, I was surprised and so happy to find out we could climb aboard that ship as well!
PRO-TIP: I recommend seeing the preserved ships in the Ship Hall first before exploring the outside. This way, you will appreciate the restored ships and other experiences even more.
Row out onto the Roskilde Fjord- Viking style
Have you ever wanted to paddle out to sea in a reconstructed Viking ship?? Well, you can at the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum! This is not something we have experience *yet*. However, I am anxiously awaiting this summer to return and sail out onto the fjord!
The sailing trips are only available between July 4th and August 31st. So, plan your trip wisely if you want to participate! And, each trip lasts about 50 minutes and starts and finishes in the museum’s harbor.
The sailing instructor will teach you about rowing and sailing in the Viking age as you set out onto the Roskilde Fjord.
Related Post: Explore a Beautiful Viking Burial Site in Denmark
PRO-TIP: The sailing trip is an additional cost to the typical entrance ticket. At the time of this post, it’s 120 DKK (about $20) extra. There are only 2-3 sailings each day. And tickets are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis starting at 10 am, at the museum, the day of the sailing.
Also, there are a limited number of spots for children ages 4-14 years old. Unfortunately, children under 4 years old cannot participate. You can check the sailing schedule here.
Where to eat or get a snack while at the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum
My biggest (money-saving) recommendation would be to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it on the beautiful green lawn. Followed by delicious ice cream from Paradis Ice Cream on the harbor.
Another option is the museum’s Cafe Knarr, however, it is on the pricey side for us.
We picked up ice cream after our visit and ate it taking in the beautiful views of Roskilde City and the harbor. There are plenty of picnic tables available or you can walk around and see the modern sailboats at this end of the harbor.
PRO-TIP: For a true Danish experience, try any of the licorice (lakrids) flavored ice creams or top your favorite flavor with licorice sprinkles!
How to get to the Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum is located in Roskilde, Denmark only a 35-minute car ride or 25-minute train ride & 20-minute walk away from Copenhagen. This makes it a fantastic day-trip from Copenhagen! Or, a perfect stop on a road-trip through Denmark!
To arrive by train from Copenhagen, you will want to get on the train at Copenhagen Central Station (København H) and get off at the Roskilde Station (Roskilde St).
The train ride is only 25 minutes followed by a 20-minute walk to the Viking Ship Museum. You can buy your tickets in advance here. However, if you don’t know your exact schedule, you can buy your tickets the day-of at the train station.
And that is everything you need to know about visiting the Roskilde Viking Ship Museum! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments and I’ll be sure to answer! I’m a real person who loves to talk travel 🙂
Check out these other posts!
- The Only Itinerary You Need for One Day in Copenhagen
- 24 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen Denmark
- Aarhus, Denmark: 8 amazing things to do, see, and eat!
- 8 Incredible and Budget-Friendly Copenhagen Hotels
- The Ultimate Cheaps Eats Copenhagen Food Guide
- A Local’s Ultimate Guide to The LEGO House
- Explore a Beautiful Viking Burial Site in Denmark
- 8 Unique Canal Tours in Copenhagen You Need to Book
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James bieber
We are visiting from the United States in early June but not clear if this museum and the ships will be open since a search on the web has information that it’s closed for a number of years?
Thank you
jenessa
James bieberHey James! The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark is open 🙂 I think you may be looking at the viking ship museum in Oslo, Norway 🙂 Have a great trip!