Go inside a submarine and see other historic warships
Many don’t know about the amazing Cold War museum, also known as Historic War Ships located in Copenhagen. There are three ships displayed – all located in Holmen, which was the main base or shipyard and anchorage of the Royal Danish Navy from 1960 to 1993. People don’t waddle to the museum as it’s a little further from the center compared to other things see worthy. Read on to get to know more about the museum and see what the inside of a submarine looks like.
Where are the historic warships located in Copenhagen
The museum is located in Holmen, which was established by lowering decommissioned ships filled with waste from the streets and mud from the harbor, thus creating the artificial island of Nyholm.
Copenhagen maintained a military port as far back as the late 13th century. However, it’s interesting that the navy was not granted a shipyard until around 1500.
How to find and get to the Historic Warships Museum
It’s straightforward – by car, on foot (waddling), or by bicycle. We used the boat taxi (included in our Copenhagen Card), got off the Opera House, and waddled to the museum from there.
If you come by car, there is a parking space on-site. You can enter the grounds by the car when visiting the museum despite the sign at the gate. Don’t get discouraged. We were ourselves a little unsure whether we can waddle in, it felt like we shouldn’t be here, but it’s alright. Go in.
Tickets to the Warships Museum in Copenhagen
Buying or getting the tickets is fun on its own. We had the Copenhagen Card, and the entrance to all ships is included. But, you still have to validate the card and get an entrance ticket. For that, you have to waddle next to the biggest warship, the frigate Peder Skram where the ticket booth is located.
We came to primarily see the submarine and didn’t know about the whole ticket thing and ran to find the booth, which we first couldn’t find, and our time was running out. Whatever you decide to see, go first to the ticket booth.
We were at the submarine when the guide told us we needed to get our card validated, and you have to waddle all around the buildings to get to the ticket booth.
Remember – the ticket booth is next to this biggest ship.
- Adults: 160 DKK
- Veterans: 90 DKK
- Children under three years old: free entry
- Children over three years old: 90 DKK
- Penguins: free entry
- Admission included in Copenhagen Card
Keep in mind those are the entry fees for the entire museum. If you are interested in one of the ships, the prices vary.
Check their website to see more detail about entrance fees –link.
Opening Hours at the Historic Warships Museum
Make sure to check the opening hours. We didn’t and came half an hour before closing, and it took an effort to make them let us enter at least one of the ships.
Opening hours are daily from 11 am to 5 pm.
Read also: The Cisterns, once a reservoir containing the drinking water supply for Copenhagen
What warships are at the Cold War Museum
Frigate Peder Skram
The F352 Peder Skram was part of the Royal Danish Navy from 1966 to 1988. It was the first large warship in the world to use a combination of gas turbines and diesel engines for propulsion. The speed it could reach was 30 knots, around 55 km/h (34 mp/h).
In case of war, it was heavily armed, for example, in defense of the Baltic coast of Germany and the Danish islands against a naval invasion from the Warshaw Pact.
You can waddle around the ship, get inside, and experience the life of the Danish navy during the Cold War. There were 200 crew members who lived and worked here.
The Peder Skram was decommissioned in 1990.
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 equipped with 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 Sælen
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 shop we waddled inside. When entering, it is as cramped as you imagine but nevertheless an amazing experience. In the beginning, it is more spacious compared to the back, so be prepared for that. It is interesting to see how the crew lived, where they slept, worked, etc.
The best part about all the ships is that they are maintained by volunteers, some of whom served as the crew on board the ships. It was the case for us, and we could ask many questions someone who directly worked on the submarine.
Even if you decide not to go inside any of the ships, it is great to waddle around and see the ships from the outside. The people working there will answer questions if they have time as well. Everyone was very nice.
