A day with the Vikings in Roskilde
Discover the original Viking ships at the Viking Ship Museum, have lunch at Café Knarr and explore Roskilde Fjord from the shore or on a seasonal sailing trip. Find inspiration for a day of Viking experiences in Roskilde, starting with a train journey.
Discover the Viking ships and the craftsmanship behind them
Start your day at the Viking Ship Museum, where the five original Skuldelev ships tell the story of Viking voyages, trade and warfare. The ships served different purposes, and at the museum you can explore both their history and how they were built.
Continue to Museum Island and the boatyard, where work on wooden boats keeps traditional crafts alive. Check the daily programme if you would like to watch the craftspeople at work or join the museum’s activities.
Have lunch on Museum Island
Take a break at Café Knarr, where ingredients known to the Vikings are used in modern cooking. The café is on Museum Island, so you can enjoy lunch among wooden boats and boatbuilding before continuing your day.
Set sail on Roskilde Fjord
Would you like to experience sailing in a wooden boat? During the sailing season, you can join the Viking Ship Museum on Roskilde Fjord. With guidance from the crew, you help row and handle the sail when conditions allow.
A sailing trip can be part of your museum visit. Check the season’s options and plan lunch and your other stops around your chosen departure.
Enjoy the harbour and walk through Byparken
There is plenty to enjoy if you stay ashore too. Walk along the harbour, look at the boats and find a spot overlooking Roskilde Fjord.
From the harbour, continue uphill through Byparken towards the town centre. Along the way, stop for a break on the grass and look back across the fjord before exploring the town.
Time for a visit to Roskilde Cathedral?
Roskilde Cathedral stands at the top of Byparken. If you would like to explore more history, continue from the Viking ships to medieval church architecture and royal tombs.
Visit the cathedral if you have plenty of time after the museum and any sailing trip. You can also take a walk around the building on your way back to the station.
Take the train to Roskilde
From Copenhagen, take the train to Roskilde Station and continue on foot through the town to the Viking Ship Museum and harbour. Allow around half an hour for the walk from the station.
The museum, Café Knarr and the sailing trips are all based in the same area, so you do not need a car for the day. On your way back, walk through Byparken and the town centre to the station.
Check the museum’s opening hours and sailing options before setting off. Find visitor information and booking details on the pages above.
Find more Viking experiences in Fjordlandet
Would you like to discover more of the Viking world? Find inspiration for outings with children, more Viking traces in the landscape and a trip to Lejre.
