The Vasa Museum – Why it is Worth Visiting
Why the Vasa Museum is Worth Visiting
Before I get into why the Vasa Museum is worth visiting, I would like to tell the story of how the Vasa Museum became one of Stockholm’s most visited museums.
The story of the Swedish Warship Vasa is one of the more interesting stories I have ever heard. In 1625, King Gustav II Adolph wanted to update the Swedish fleet and build the first Swedish ship ever to have two decks. The King wanted a two-decked ship to match a ship that the Danish were constructing. The story ended in tragedy, which eventually lead to the creation of the Vasa Museum.
During early testing, it was evident that the Vasa was unstable. There was too much weight between the two decks and 64 bronze cannons. The lack of stability was a big problem as the Vasa was supposed to be one of the most impressive warships ever commissioned.
Despite the warnings, the Vasa was put into service on August 11th, 1628. Within minutes of the Vasa’s maiden voyage, the ship capsized and sunk. Due to the salinity of the water in the Baltic, the Vasa did not rot or degrade. After 333 years, the Vasa was pulled out of the harbor. Today, the remains of the Vasa are in the Vasa Museum, which has become one of Sweden’s most visited museums.
In my opinion, the Vasa Museum is definitely worth the visit. This museum offers a unique chance to learn about Sweden’s most famous naval blunder.
Visiting the Vasa Museum - Table of Contents
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How to Get to the Vasa Museum
It is easy to get to the Vasa Museum by foot or public transit. To get there by walking head towards the Djurgårdsbron Bridge. If you choose to take the tram, take Tram Route Seven towards Waldemarsudde and then get off at the Vasa/Nordic Museum Tram Stop.
I arrived at the Vasa Museum as part of my Walking Around Stockholm self-guided tour. After walking down Strandvägen Street, I crossed the Djurgårdsbron Bridge and arrived at the Vasa Museum.
The Vasa Museum - How Much Does it Cost and Hours of Operation
The Vasa Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. During the summer, the Vasa Museum is open until 18:00/ Although many museums in Sweden are closed on Mondays, the Vasa Museum is open seven days a week. I visited it on Monday after realizing that its neighboring Nordic Museum was closed. Admission is SEK190 ($18), and anyone under 18 is admitted free of charge. Upon entering, there was a series of pamphlets available in different languages. Below is the English one that I picked up.
What to See Inside the Vasa Museum
Upon entering the Vasa Museum, the Vasa quickly comes into view. It is located in the center of the museum and can be seen from various angles and floors. When I visited the Vasa Museum, I had not purchased my camera. All of these pictures were taken with an iPhone5 which was not the best for getting bright photos.
Regardless of the photo quality, I assure you that the Vasa Museum is worth visiting. As I walked around the Vasa, it was hard to believe that this warship had been underwater for 333 years.
During my visit, I took my time and tried to imagine what life would have been like aboard the Vasa. Despite being massive for its time in history, life on the Vasa would have been cramped and crowded.
The Vasa is in remarkable shape for being underwater for over 333 years. The highlight of the visit is looking at the carefully sculpted wooden rear of the Vasa.
Through a projection, it is possible to see what the colorful back of the ship would have looked like the day it sunk.
In addition to the actual ship, there are many other things to see, including information about what life would have been like on the Vasa and a few of the actual 64 cannons that went down with the ship.
One of the most interesting parts of the museum was looking at the different types of projectiles that the cannons shot. Below is a picture of the projectiles and their various uses.
I spent about an hour at the Vasa Museum. Before I entered, I had done little research. I was impressed by everything inside the museum, and I believe the Vasa Museum is definitely worth visiting.
Vasa Museum Tours and Packages
A tour of the Vasa Museum is not necessary. It is easy to get to using public transportation, and there are plenty of signs to read that explain the museum’s artifacts. I know some people prefer tours, so I have included four tours below that caught my eye.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
 Stockholm City Walking Tour Including the Vasa Museum - $68.08 STOCKHOLM. 2,5hrs. When you join Stockholm Must Sees, we guarantee a wow-experience - the hidden gems of the Old Town and the oldest, most well-preserved ship in the world - The Vasa Ship. The must-sees in Stockholm according to us! |
 Stockholm stoRy Tour with the Royal Palace and Vasa Museum - $115.26 Stockholm stoRy Tour with the Royal Palace and Vasa Museum is a half-day tour which combines three Stockholm highlights: a guided walk in the Old Town, a guided visit to the Royal Palace, and a guided visit to the Vasa Museum. |
 Private Tour: Stockholm City Walking Tour Including the Vasa Museum - $57.46 Admire three of Stockholm’s highlights on this absorbing 2.5-hour private walking tour. Led by a private guide, explore the charm-laden Gamla Stan (Stockholm Old Town) to see its beautiful Coronation Church and Stockholm Palace. Then, ride a ferry to Djurgården Island to visit the fascinating Vasa Museum. This impressive venue houses the 'Vasa,' a massive warship that sank in 1628 and that has been meticulously restored to its former glory. A fascinating introduction to three of Stockholm's gems, this private tour ensures you enjoy in-depth attention from the guide. |
 Vasa Museum Guided Tour - $72.79 Welcome to the WOW experience that is the Vasa Museum! Our world class guides will take you on a fascinating journey of more than 500 years of Swedish tradition, fashion, art, history and architecture. Together we will discover how a ship that spent 333 years on the bottom of the sea can be so well preserved, how many people died as the ship sank, who was punished for this failure and how it was salvaged. Our package includes entree into the Vasa museum, a professional guide and a tailor made tour designed to give you the most value from your visit. |
 Stockholm Old Town and the Vasa Museum, a small group tour. - $73.64 The two "must see" attractions in Stockholm are the Old Town (Gamla Stan) and the Vasa museum. Few tourists leave Stockholm without visiting these two attractions! |
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