The Viking Museum: Where Viking myth meets truth

Although the Viking era ended long ago, Stockholm’s dedicated Viking Museum continues to grow, evolve and attract. It’s the ideal place to learn more about this historical epoch and a fantastic destination to feed curiosity. And the newly opened restaurant with its fabulous views is a must.

Recent years have seen a spike in the general interest in Vikings. This is hardly surprising, considering the wave of Viking-themed TV shows, films and games that have been released. For the Viking Museum, this is great from an awareness and diversity point of view, as the demand for Viking knowledge comes from all different directions.

“Of course, we welcome children who are learning about Vikings in school, but we also have visitors from all over the world who are simply curious about this mythical period in Scandinavian history,” explains Anne Charlotte Ytter, museum director.

At restaurant Eld, visitors can enjoy a seasonal menu inspired by Nordic flavours.

Raids, journeys and ship building

So, who were the Vikings? Were they brutal, vicious looters, or is there more to their story? Paying a visit to the Viking Museum provides an in-depth introduction to the Viking era, told in innovative and interactive ways. You get the chance to see the Vikings through films, scenery, projections and sound effects as well as archaeological objects.

Guided tours are available in both Swedish and English, led by the museum’s knowledgeable staff. Dressed in Viking gear to look the part, the guides will answer any questions and share their specialised expertise. Norse mythology is present everywhere, and the museum’s many replicas allow you to explore life as a Viking with all your senses. You may learn about raids, journeys, and mastery in shipbuilding as well as everyday life at the farm.

The Viking era is an important and interesting part of Scandinavian history,” says Ytter. “It’s a defining time in history, a time when the Scandinavian countries were formed and when Sweden began the process of uniting under one king and one religion.”

For an even deeper dive into the world of Vikings, visitors are invited to experience Ragnfrid’s Saga. This 11-minute long adventure ride begins at Frösala Farm, where Ragnfrid and her husband Harald are introduced. Visitors are then taken on a remarkable trip to witness plundering in the west and slave trade in the east. Ragnfrid herself narrates the saga, with a little help from sound effects, lighting and atmospheric sceneries.

The eastern route and the Vikings as a brand

This year, the museum will open an exhibition in collaboration with journalist and film critic Göran Ewerdahl, themed around the Vikings as a brand and how Vikings have been portrayed in TV series, films and games. “The term Vikings didn’t exist back then, so they wouldn’t have identified themselves as such,” Ytter says humorously. “It will be fun to take a closer look at the myth about the big and strong man versus the more comic take with a silly Viking figure.”

The Viking Museum also presents a deep-dive into the Vikings’ eastern route. “Most people don’t know that many Vikings actually travelled east, on rivers through Russia and Ukraine, and as far as Baghdad in Iraq,” explains the museum director. “It’s an exciting and relatively unknown part of Viking history.”

At the end of April, the Mead Festival will take place with talks, tastings, tattoo artists and much more. “The museum is in constant development, as research and discoveries in archaeology and history are integrated into its exhibitions. “It’s important for a museum to grow in line with society, and we strive to do exactly that,” stresses Ytter.

Guided tours are available in both Swedish and English.

Eat and drink like a Viking

Hungry for more? Then head to the museum’s newly opened restaurant Eld (Fire). The menu is seasonal and inspired by Nordic flavours, for instance, the game meatballs are a hit. Everything is made from scratch, with local produce and sustainability in mind. As a bonus, the restaurant boosts stunning views of the port and the inlet to Stockholm.

Of course, you can also try mead, the Vikings’ favourite drink, during tutored tastings or on your own. The museum has six different types of mead on offer, as well as mölska which is very popular. The museum’s shop is well worth a visit too. It’s a trove of unique goods, including local handicrafts and souvenirs produced by the museum itself. Everything is selected with care, adding to the overall experience of exploring the lives of Vikings.

Ready to stand face to face with a Viking? Then steer your ship towards Stockholm and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Vikings.

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