Vasa Museum, Stockholm

The Vasa, a magnificent warship that sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm harbour in 1628, and was raised 333 years later almost intact. It's the world's only preserved 17th-century ship, with 98% of its original wood and hundreds of carved sculptures, displayed in a dark, towering hall.

It's Scandinavia's most visited museum; go early. It's on the island of Djurgården, along with Skansen, the open-air museum of old Swedish buildings and Nordic animals, and the ABBA Museum.