Viking Museum Haithabu
Wikinger Museum Haithabu
The heart of the Haithabu–Danevirke World Heritage Site. The museum displays Viking longship remains and has reconstructed Viking trading town houses outdoors.
Haithabu (Hedeby) was one of the most important Viking trading towns in Northern Europe between the 8th and 11th centuries. It lies at the end of the Schlei fjord and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2018, together with the Danevirke rampart. The museum displays excavated Viking longship remains, jewellery, coins and everyday objects. Outdoors, seven Viking houses and a harbour have been rebuilt based on archaeological evidence, and craftspeople give demonstrations in summer. From the museum, a path leads to the ancient town site enclosed by semicircular earthen ramparts. Opening hours are about 09:00–17:00 (in winter, the museum is closed on Mondays and the Viking houses are closed). Admission is about €9. It is about 45 km from Kiel, roughly a 40-minute drive, or you can take a train to Schleswig and then a bus. It can be combined with a visit to Gottorf Castle on the same day.
Opening hours
Apr–Oct 09:00–17:00; Nov–Mar Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Schlei Boat Trip
- Holm Fishing Quarter
- Schleswig Cathedral (St. Peter)
- St. John's Convent
- Gottorf Castle
- Danevirke
- Arnis
- Kappeln & Herring Fence