An underground adventure for the whole family
It was an overcast day when we decided to visit Aeroseum – the underground aviation museum just outside Gothenburg. We'd heard it would be something special, but nothing could quite prepare us for what awaited. A massive concrete ramp leads straight into the mountain, and taking the first steps inside feels almost like crossing a border between the present and history. Beyond the heavy gate lies one of Sweden's most fascinating defence facilities – a former top-secret Cold War mountain bunker, built to withstand both nuclear weapons and massive air raids.
And that was exactly where we walked in, wide-eyed and full of curiosity.
This adventure is part of our Family outings & destinations with children.
A place where both children and adults get wide eyes
Right at the entrance we were met by a vast space. Not just physically – it's enormous in there – but emotionally too. The silence, the dim light and the smell of metal and cold concrete set the mood right away. It still feels like a military facility, just one now filled with aircraft, helicopters, stories and experiences.
Leo was a bit hesitant at first, probably overwhelmed by the scale. But as soon as he spotted the first aircraft – and discovered he was actually allowed to climb up to it – all that fell away.
Suddenly he wanted to get behind the controls and push buttons. And in the end, he got to! Right in the middle of the mountain stands an aircraft, a SAAB J 35 Draken, and here you're actually allowed to sit in the cockpit – and not just that, you get to touch everything too! Leo shone brighter than the sun as he took his seat behind the stick and shouted:
"We're flying now, Dad!"
And we kept flying on – from aircraft to helicopters, from Cold War reconnaissance planes to transport helicopters and classic Swedish military equipment. Some cabins were open and free to explore, others you could only look into through plexiglass, but all of them had the same power to spark the imagination.
My sister got stuck at the Cold War exhibits – the pictures, the documents and the stories of how the mountain was built and used in secret. I myself was almost childishly pleased standing a metre away from a JAS 39 Gripen, seeing details you never get close to at an air show.
There's something special about walking through rooms that have been closed to the public for decades. Down here, history feels present, almost physical.
The hidden mountain – the gigantic hangar deepest inside
As you follow the passages further and further in, the crowds thin out. It gets darker, cooler, and you start to sense how isolated life must have been here when the facility was active. After a long walk through the mountain tunnels, a huge hangar suddenly opens up – the heart of Aeroseum.
Here, aircraft stand in every direction: large transport planes, gliders, fighter jets, helicopters and several models you've never seen up close before. From the ceiling hang signs, projections and period equipment showing how everything was used in practice.
Right at the far end you'll also find a flight simulator – and it's a must. Perfect for children, curious adults, and anyone who's ever dreamed of taking control of an aircraft.
Tips for your visit to Aeroseum
- Parking - Free and plenty of space, just a few metres from the entrance.
- Child-friendliness - Very good. The halls are large and you can walk inside many of the aircraft. Tip: Bring a stroller with sturdy wheels – the concrete floor is uneven and a bit hilly.
- Toilets - Available both near the entrance and further inside the museum.
- Food & refreshments - There's a small café, but we recommend bringing your own snacks or a packed lunch. Inside the mountain there are plenty of quiet corners where you can sit down.
Don't miss!
Going all the way into the hangar
The flight simulator
Climbing into the Viggen
The Cold War exhibition
All the open cockpits where the kids get to play pilot
The historical photo walls and construction drawings of the mountain
Our summary
Aeroseum turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly exciting family outings in a long time. There's something quite special about being 30 metres underground and dreaming of flying at the same time. It's grand, educational, interactive and a little mysterious – a combination that truly engages both children and adults.
It's a place where the imagination takes flight, where history comes alive, and where you keep finding something new around the next bend in the rock.
We'll definitely be back. Maybe once Leo is older and wants to try the simulator for real – or when we ourselves feel the urge to dive even deeper into Sweden's aviation history.
- For current opening hours, events and more information – visit Aeroseum's official website.
- Want to see more from Aeroseum? The Model and Hobby Show at Aeroseum – a visit that went off the rails
- You'll find more Saab history in our visit to the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan.
Gallery
A small selection of pictures from our visit to the "new mountain", or Aeroseum. Want to see more from the visit – check out our YouTube video further down!
Directions
Finding your way here is easy. Use the map to see the exact location and get directions straight from where you are now.
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Related guides & outings
Our Short From The Visit
We also caught the visit on film.
Watch The Full Episode!
Did our adventure sound exciting? Then you have to watch the full episode!
Join us down into the bunker where we explore fighter jets, helicopters and Cold War secrets – all through Leo's eyes and with the family's curiosity front and centre.
Watch The Full Episode On YouTube →
