Address: Vindebader 12
Phone: 46-30-02-00

http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/

Traveler Reviews

Exciting historical backdrop to Scandinavian heritage
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 9, 2008


When I learned I would accompany my husband on a business trip to Malmo, Sweden, I began researching things we wanted to see in the area. We planned to fly into Copenhagen, so decided to see some sights there. Later we discovered our time in Copenhagen would be more limited than we liked, so we chose to see the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, about twenty minutes from Copenhagen by train. Our hotel staff was quite accommodating in providing detailed print-outs of bus and train schedules. We simply walked to the train station and easily found our way to the appropriate stop at Roskilde. Although our directions provided for a bus trip from the Roskilde train station to the Viking Ship Museum, a (typically) hale and hearty fellow train passenger advised us that it was a simple, short walk and we should forego the bus trip. While the route was straightforward, it turned out to be a bit of a hike (all paved or cobbled), but the destination was worth the trip. If you want to view the Viking ships but are not ready for a hike, go for the bus ride. Five Viking ships were scuttled in the harbor in 1050; in the last few decades the remains of those vessels were carefully dredged and preserved. Using the remaining pieces as a guide, archeologists re-created the ships and some have even been taken on sea voyages. Pieces of the original ships are mounted within metal frames inside the museum, along with a lighted display map of the routes the Vikings took, and other interesting historical notes. There is a nice little museum shop with postcards, toys, clothing and books, a small shop selling drinks and some tourist items, and a restaurant. We did not visit the restaurant but it looked nice from the outside. We watched the recommended fifteen-minute movie, which is started by the viewer and available in Danish and English. It is also available in German, French, Spanish and Italian. The movie was helpful in giving good background for our museum visit.

NOT to be missed
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Apr 12, 2007


This is an incredible display of ships recovered from the Roskilde harbor (where they were deliberately sunk to block the harbor entrance and protect the town). The interior display has now be augmented with full-sized replicas of these ships, including the amazing Sea Stallion, the only true Viking longship ever discovered. It is almost 100 feet long, draws just three feet and was able to cross the North Atlantic. If you have any interest at in the Viking era, you will be enchanted. The material is wonderful and the presentation, inspired.

A Dream Come True
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Oct 24, 2006


We caught a train from Copehhagen to Roskilde. Remember to validate your ticket properly as the train gestapo are quite empowered! We arrived in Roskilde on Saturday morning in time to enjoy the bands marching down the street and the local market. The cobbled streets were lovely as was the easy walk down to the Ship Museum. The displays were absolutely enjoyable and would have been better if workers had been present working on the ships but even so, it was great. The guided tour and explanation of the ships was fantastic in detail and in setting the atmosphere. Any children will enjoy dressing up in costume and playing vikings on the ship in a separate area. As this was a dream to visit the museum it would have been hard to be disappointed. Dont expect the ships dug up from the fjord to be intact- they are barely shells- you will need lots of imagination. the ships berthed outside are mostly reproductions but still great. Enjoy your visit.