Vasa Museum Verified listing

The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum located on Djurgården Island in Stockholm, purpose-built to house the remarkably preserved 17th-century warship Vasa. The ship famously sank just minutes into its maiden voyage in 1628 and lay at the bottom of Stockholm’s harbour for over 300 years before being salvaged in 1961. Today, the Vasa remains nearly fully intact—approximately 98% original—and features hundreds of intricate wooden carvings that showcase the craftsmanship of the time.

Inside the museum, the ship is displayed in a dramatic, multi-level hall that allows visitors to view it from every angle, from the keel to the stern. Surrounding exhibitions explore life on board, the politics and naval ambitions of 17th-century Sweden, the causes of the ship’s sinking, and the extraordinary salvage and preservation process. Visitors can also see personal artifacts recovered from the wreck, detailed scale models, reconstructed crew members’ faces, and informative films, with tours and audio guides available in multiple languages.

Admission is typically required, with a standard fee for adults and free entry for visitors under 18. Combo tickets that include nearby maritime attractions are also available. The museum includes a café, restaurant, gift shop, and the outdoor Vasa Garden featuring plants cultivated during the ship’s era. Because the museum is climate-controlled to preserve the wood, visitors may find the indoor temperature slightly cool. The Vasa Museum is widely regarded as one of Stockholm’s top attractions, offering an unforgettable glimpse into Sweden’s maritime past.