The Vasa Museum Stockholm
I always visit the Vasa Museum when I am in Stockholm. Perhaps it’s because every group tour passes through there, but honestly I would go on my own too. During COVID, when I was doing virtual tours, I was even given special permission to do a virtual tour around the museum. Over 500 people tuned in – it was awesome!
Why do I love the museum? So many reasons. But I think it’s the sheer scale of the Vasa ship that you feel as soon as you step in. The ship is incredibly well-preserved and that alone fascinates me. But the museum is also well-planned and has a number of wonderful things to do.
Here is my guide for the best way to utilise your time in the Vasa Museum.
Vasa Museum Stockholm
Be sure to read my detailed travel guide for Stockholm, including practical information and things to do.
About the Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum opened in 1990 and has quickly become the most visited museum in Scandinavia. Inside you’ll see the Vasa ship – the world’s best-preserved 17th century ship and one of the most valuable historic artefacts from the time period in Scandinavia.
History of the Vasa Ship
Vasa is a completely unique historic artefact. The ship was constructed between 1626 and 1628 under the orders of King Gustavus Adolphus as part of the military expansion he initiated in a war with Poland-Lithuania (1621-1629). The ship was richly decorated as a symbol of the king’s ambitions for Sweden and himself, and upon completion she was one of the most-armed vessels in the world.
However, there were problems. Big problems!
Vasa, as beautiful as she was, was just too top heavy. Construction had been rushed and overly ambitious. A single gust of wind was enough to topple her.
The Vasa ship sank roughly 1,300 metres (1,400 yards) into her maiden voyage on the 10th of August 1628. Most of the bronze canyons were salvaged, but otherwise the ship sat at the bottom of the Baltic Sea for a little over 300 years.
Vasa was located in the late 1950s and the ship was salvaged with a fully intact hull in 1961. 98% of the ship is original and is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures.
If you want to learn more about the history of Vasa, the museum website has a fantastic timeline: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/explore/vasa-history/timeline
Constructing the Museum
Originally the ship was housed in a temporary structure and she was continuously treated with polyethylene glycol. There was a possibility for visitors to view her, but there were only two levels for people to stand and visibility was limited.
In 1981, the Swedish government decided that a permanent museum should be constructed. An architectural competition was held, and 284 architects sent in models of their ideas. The winners were Marianne Dahlback and Goran Mansson.
The museum was built around a dry dock, and the Vasa was towed into the flooded dry dock under the new building in December 1987.
The museum has a large copper roof with stylised masts representing the height of the Vasa when she was fully rigged.
The Main Hall & the Exhibitions
When you enter the museum, you enter into the main hall. The Vasa stands there towering over you, and it is incredible.
You have the chance to walk around the ship from the ground level before continuing to the exhibitions. On the ground level is a small model of the Vasa ship too.
There are exhibitions on each of the six floors related to the Vasa but also including archaeological finds from the ships. Archaeological finds include two original cannons, various tools and personal items, and objects used on the ship. The displays are interactive and allow you to learn about the ships history and construction.
Highlights for me are firstly the exhibition about the statues on the ship and the original paint colours the ship had. Another highlight is the section where they have recreated part of the ships interior to help you understand what life was like on board.
Vasa Ship Movie
It is well worth starting with the movie when you arrive at the museum, as it perfectly encapsulates the history of the Vasa, recovering the ship, and the work they are doing to preserve the ship. After the movie, try to join one of the guided tours before exploring independently. See information below for guided tours. The movie only lasts for 17 minutes so it’s easy to fit in with your visit.
You can plan your movie screening ahead of time: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/filmen-about-vasa
How to Plan Your Visit
How do plan a Vasa visit? First, order your ticket online in advance. After that, find the movie time that suits you and aim to get there maybe 20 minutes before the movie starts. Drop off your bags at the lockers and then head into the movie.
After the movie, join a guided tour. When the guided tour ends, wander the various exhibits. Then you can head to the restaurant or shop!
Practical Information
Swedish name
Vasamuseet
Getting Here
The Vasa Museum is located on the island Djurgården in the eastern part of Stockholm city centre. The museum is located behind the large brick Nordic Museum. Tram line number 7 goes past the Vasa Museum.
The Vasa Museum is located close to the ABBA Museum, Skansen open-air museum and the Nordic Museum, so you can spend the full day out on Djurgården.
Admission & Prices
Up-to-date prices can be found on the Vasa Museum website: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/hours–admission
Note that the prices vary depending on what time of year you visit.
Book your tickets in advance! You’ll avoid having to stand in line for a ticket on the day. When booking online, just select the day you are visiting – there’s no exact time you have to book in advance. The tickets are fully refundable.
When buying online, you can buy combination tickets with other museums close to Vasa.
The museum is cash free, so if you are planning on doing some spending be sure to have your card ready.
Travelling with Kids
The museum has a special trail for kids to follow when they are in the museum. They also have a film called the “Vasa Piglet” which is based on a picture book and tells the story of the Vasa ship in a much different way.
Read more about kids activities here: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/kids–families
Opening Hours
Try to go outside of busy times (middle of the day) as in summer it gets packed in there. If you want to avoid crowds, either visit the museum as soon as it opens or an hour or two before closing. During the school year you are likely to run into groups, while during school holidays there are lots of families there.
In general, the museum is open daily between 10am and 5pm. On Wednesdays, the museum is open untl 8pm.
You can find up-to-date opening hours on the museum website: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/hours–admission
Bags
Large bags are not allowed into the museum. They have lockers in the main hall that you can use for free.
Guided Tours
The guides at Vasa are excellent and highly trained, and joining one of their tours ensures you’ll get to hear the best of the ships story. They have public guided tours throughout the day, or you can opt to book a private tour. I have never been disappointed with a guided tour at Vasa.
The guided tours are included in the ticket price and English-language tours run more or less every 30 minutes. You can find more information here: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/guided-tours
Wifi
The museum has free Wifi
Wifi
An audio guide in different languages is available. You can find the audio guide here: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/audioguide
Accessibility
The museum is accessible to visitors with disabilities. Lifts are available on all the floors, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at the information desk.
Read more about accessibility here: https://www.vasamuseet.se/en/visit/accessibility
Restaurant
The restaurant inside the museum has standard diner food (sandwiches, meatballs, soups) but is quite nice. Children’s portions are available at a reduced price. For traditional Swedish fika (coffee break), there are cakes, buns and cookies. All food is prepared with Swedish ingredients.
Gluten or lactose free options can be ordered in advance, just contact the restaurant. mail: info@vasamuseetsrestaurang.se
Museum Shop
The souvenir shop is excellent. There’s a vast range of books, kits to build your own Vasa, toys, shirts, and even toy rats!
Enjoy your visit to the Vasa Museum Stockholm!
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or contact me at emma@thehiddennorth.com if you need help planning a trip to Sweden!
Be sure to read my detailed travel guide for Stockholm, including practical information and things to do.
