The museum is built around the Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank in Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was salvaged 333 years later, in 1961. More than 98 per cent of the ship is original, and hundreds of carved sculptures decorate it. Exhibitions cover the ship’s construction and recovery, life on board and its historical context. Three masts on the museum roof show the height of the ship’s original masts.

A film about Vasa is shown daily in the museum, in several languages. Audio guides are available in several languages for visitors to use on their own phone or tablet; the museum has free Wi-Fi. There is also a restaurant serving drinks, lunch, sandwiches, salads and pastries, as well as a shop with Vasa-related items.

The museum is open 10:00–17:00 every day, with Wednesday hours until 20:00. Adult admission is 195 kronor (about $18.6); entry is free for ages 0–18. A combined ticket with the Vrak Museum costs 315 kronor (about $30.0) and is valid for 72 hours. The museum is cash-free. Larger bags and wheeled bags are not allowed inside; smaller backpacks and handbags are permitted but must remain under your supervision. Buying a ticket in advance does not give priority entry.