Historic Warships Copenhagen Guide: Submarines, Ships & Museum Tips
Many visitors don’t realize that Copenhagen hides a fascinating Cold War museum, better known as the Historic Warships. It was actually the last stop on our Copenhagen adventure, and even though it’s a little further from the city center, we’re so glad we waddled over. The museum is in Holmen, the former base of the Royal Danish Navy from 1960 to 1993, where three historic ships are now on display—including a real submarine you can step inside.
To be honest, we might not have gone if it hadn’t been included in the Copenhagen Card, but that’s exactly what convinced us to visit. And for history fans, naval enthusiasts, or just curious penguins like us, it turned out to be an unforgettable stop.
Read on to find out what it’s like to walk the decks, peek inside a submarine, and explore Denmark’s naval history, so you know what to expect before your own visit.
- Where Are the Historic Warships Located in Copenhagen
- How to Get to Holmen (Historic Warships Museum)
- Opening Hours at the Historic Warships Museum
- Tickets to the Warships Museum in Copenhagen
- Facilities & Amenities at Historic Warships (Holmen)
- Our Waddle Around the Cold War Museum
- FAQ: Historic Warships in Copenhagen
Where Are the Historic Warships Located in Copenhagen
📍 Address: Nyholm, 1432 Copenhagen
The Historic Warships museum is in Holmen. To get there, you can hop on a harbor bus (the yellow water buses) or take a regular boat across from the city center. We chose the ship option and loved gliding over the water before waddling our way to the museum. Public buses also run to the area, but arriving by water feels like part of the experience.
Holmen itself has a fascinating story. It was created by sinking decommissioned ships filled with street waste and harbor mud, forming the artificial island of Nyholm. Copenhagen has had a naval port since the late 13th century; however, the navy wasn’t granted its own shipyard until around 1500. Walking here today, it feels like stepping back into Denmark’s seafaring past.
How to Get to Holmen (Historic Warships Museum)
- Harbor Bus (Best Option): Take the yellow Copenhagen harbor bus directly across the water. It’s scenic and drops you close to the museum.
- Boat Taxi: We used the boat taxi (included in our Copenhagen Card), got off the Opera House, and waddled to the museum from there.
- Bus: Several public bus lines run to Holmen; check Rejseplanen or Google Maps for the closest stop to Nyholm.
- Bike: Copenhagen is bike-friendly, and cycling to Holmen offers beautiful views of the harbor.
- On Foot: If you enjoy walking, it’s possible to waddle your way across bridges and paths, though it takes longer than public transport.
- By Car. If you come by car, there is a parking space on-site. You can enter the grounds by car when visiting the museum, despite the sign at the gate. Don’t get discouraged. We were a little unsure whether we could waddle in; it felt like we shouldn’t be here, but it’s alright. Go in.
Opening Hours at the Historic Warships Museum
Make sure to double-check the opening hours before your visit—we didn’t, and ended up arriving just half an hour before closing. It took some convincing to be allowed on board at least one of the ships.
The museum is generally open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but hours may vary, so always confirm on the official website before you waddle over.
Tickets to the Warships Museum in Copenhagen
Buying (or validating) tickets is part of the adventure. We had the Copenhagen Card, which included admission to all the ships, but even then, you still need to validate your card and pick up an entrance ticket at the designated ticket booth. That booth is next to the largest warship, the frigate Peder Skram; that’s your landmark.
We made the mistake of heading straight for the submarine before validating, and couldn’t find the booth in time. Our advice? Go to the ticket booth first, before doing anything else. You’ll find it docked beside Peder Skram.
- Guided tours for Peder Skram + another ship: 220 DKK
- Guided tours covering all three ships (Peder Skram, Sehested, Sælen): 330 DKK
Also, during peak season, the ships Sælen and Sehested have restricted opening days and hours (mostly weekends).
Ticket Prices – Historic Warships (Skibene på Holmen / The Historic Ships Copenhagen)
- Adults: 160 DKK
- Veterans: 90 DKK
- Youth (5–18 years): 90 DKK
- Children (under 5 years): Free entry
- Plushies: free entry
These tickets give access to all three warships (Peder Skram, Sehested, and Sælen).
Check the official website for the most up-to-date entrance fees and details.
Facilities & Amenities at Historic Warships (Holmen)
-
- Clean toilet facilities available (though no changing rooms).
- Free parking for museum visitors (cars are allowed to drive into the marine station).
- Stroller parking at the ticket booth (at your own risk; bring a chain or lock).
- Bringing food & drinks allowed (outside the ships), with seating tables in the surrounding areas.
- Limited wheelchair access, and many stairs on ships make full access difficult for mobility-impaired visitors.
- Dogs allowed on a leash (no dog bags provided, so bring your own).
- Public transport access: Bus 2A stops at Fabrikmestervej (entrance ~150 m away).
- Harbor bus lines (991/992) also connect nearby, after which you walk ~1 km to the marine station.
Our Waddle Around the Cold War Museum
We waddled in, thinking we’d peek inside a submarine and be done. Honestly, we didn’t expect much. But surprise, surprise, there are three historic warships to explore, and each one has its own story. It turned out to be much bigger than we imagined, and we ended up waddling around for way longer than planned.
Here’s what you’ll find at Holmen:
- HDMS Peder Skram (F352) – a Cold War frigate and the biggest ship on display. This is also where the ticket booth is located.
- HDMS Sælen (S323) – a submarine you can actually go inside, tight corridors and all.
- HDMS Sehested (P547) – a fast attack craft that shows how Denmark defended its waters during the Cold War.
Three ships. Three very different experiences. And for a penguin like me, that meant three times the waddling fun.
HDMS Peder Skram (F352)
The F352 Peder Skram served in the Royal Danish Navy from 1966 to 1988 and was a true pioneer. It was the first large warship in the world to be powered by a combination of gas turbines and diesel engines, giving it an impressive top speed of 30 knots (about 55 km/h or 34 mph). During the Cold War, it was heavily armed and ready to defend the Baltic coast of Germany and the Danish islands against a potential naval invasion from the Warsaw Pact.
Today, you can waddle across its deck, climb inside, and see what life was like for the 200 crew members who lived and worked on board. From the bridge to the sleeping quarters, it’s a fascinating glimpse into Denmark’s naval past. The Peder Skram was officially decommissioned in 1990, but it still feels alive with stories from its Cold War service.
Fast attack craft Sehested
The P547 Sehested has nine sister ships, and they all served as a prominent part of the naval defense of Denmark and NATO during the Cold War. This one is small but vicious.
It was armed with wire-controlled torpedoes, long-range Harpoon missiles, and a 76mm fun. They were also equippedwith modern technology for combat information.
It could reach a speed of 40 knots, about 74 km/h (46mp/h).
The crew has 25 young men and women who lived in cramped conditions.
It was decommissioned in 2000.
Submarine HDMS Sælen (S323)
The S323 Sælen was commissioned into the Royal Danish Navy in 1990. It was the last submarine in service. It’s also the only submarine ever to participate in hostilities.
It’s a diesel-electric especially suited for coastal waters. It was armed with eight torpedo tubes and could deploy navy seals. The submarine was feared by the enemies because of its low detectability.
The crew consisted of 24 sailors.
It was decommissioned in 2004.
The submarine was the only ship we actually waddled inside, and it was every bit as cramped as you’d imagine, but also an incredible experience. At the entrance, it feels relatively spacious, but the further you move toward the back, the tighter it gets. It’s fascinating to see how the crew lived in such close quarters, where they slept, worked, and carried out their missions beneath the sea.
One of the best parts of visiting isn’t just the ships themselves, but the people who keep them alive. The museum is maintained by dedicated volunteers, many of whom actually served on these vessels. That was the case during our visit; we got to talk with someone who had worked on the submarine itself and could answer all of our curious questions. It made the whole experience feel even more real.
FAQ: Historic Warships in Copenhagen
- How many warships are at the Cold War Museum in Copenhagen? There are three historic warships on display: the frigate HDMS Peder Skram, the fast attack craft HDMS Sehested, and the submarine HDMS Sælen.
- Can you go inside the submarine in Copenhagen? Yes! You can step inside HDMS Sælen, the last Danish submarine in service, and explore its cramped corridors, crew bunks, and control areas.
- Is the Historic Warships Museum included in the Copenhagen Card? Yes, entry is included in the Copenhagen Card. However, you still need to validate the card at the ticket booth next to Peder Skram before boarding any ships.
- How long do you need to visit the Historic Warships? Plan for at least 1–2 hours to see all three ships. If you want to explore in depth, talk to volunteers, or join a guided tour, allow up to half a day.
- Is the museum family-friendly? Yes, kids love exploring the ships and submarine. Just note that some areas have steep ladders and tight passageways, so younger children will need supervision.
Even if you don’t step inside any of the ships, it’s still worth a waddle around the docks. Standing next to these massive vessels gives you a sense of just how powerful they once were. You can peek at the decks, take photos, and imagine the life of sailors during the Cold War.
The volunteers who look after the ships are always around, and if they have a moment, they’re happy to answer questions. Everyone we met was kind, welcoming, and clearly passionate about keeping these ships alive. For me, it felt like waddling through floating history, big steel giants with stories to tell, even from the outside.
Put your waddling shoes on and explore the warships!
📍 Save & share on Pinterest
This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a tiny commission, enough to help a penguin keep up its globe-trotting lifestyle. No extra cost to you, just more fish for me. Thank you for supporting the adventure!
