War, bloodshed and power are just a few of the words that come to mind when we think of the Viking Age. The Vikings were a group of seafaring warriors from Scandinavia (modern Norway, Sweden and Denmark) who left their homeland from around AD 793 to 1000. The voyagers sailed across the seas to parts of Europe and beyond, taking control through conquests, raids and trade. The Vikings truly left their mark and traces of this turbulent time are dotted all over the world. From ancient settlements and ships to themed museums and festivals, here we take a look at the most incredible Viking attractions around the world.
Located in Denmark’s oldest town, the Ribe VikingeCenter brings the history of the era to life. Established in 1992, parts of Ribe have been reconstructed as it was during the Viking Age. Visitors can experience the town’s heyday during this period by exploring the houses and marketplace which pay homage to the 8th century. Costumed characters are dotted across the site including craftsmen, blacksmiths, pearl makers and a falconer with eagles. Visitors can get involved too and try archery, making bread, warrior training or playing Viking games.
Located in Iceland's capital Reykjavík, the Saga Museum intimately recreates key moments in the country's history. The museum features life-like wax figurines, some were moulded from real Reykjavík residents to bring the Vikings to life. Many of the figures were also created based on descriptions found in Viking sagas and chronicles. Visitors will enjoy a chronological journey learning about the lives of the early settlers in the late 800s to the 1550s, through audio-guided tours, depicting scenes from ancient sagas and stories.
One of the most important historic sites in Denmark, these series of ancient stones and mounds can be traced back thousands of years. Around AD 965, Viking King Harald Bluetooth had a message chiselled on a Runestone here, dedicated to his father King Gorm of the Old, his mother Thyra, and his new-found Christian faith. Today, the stones are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serve as a monument to the beginning of the conversion of Scandinavians to Christianity. The site is often regarded as one of the finest Viking Age monuments in Europe and the figure of Christ on the biggest stone is featured on the Danish passport.
Ladby’s Viking Ship Museum is home to the only known ship grave from the Viking Age in Denmark. Located on Museum Island, the shipyard is where the King of Ladby was laid to rest in around AD 925, along with his horses, dogs and precious belongings which were discovered at the gravesite. Step back 1,100 years in time and discover the ship’s remarkable remains including 2,000 iron nails, sacrificed horses and a well-preserved ship’s anchor. Visitors can see a replica of the Ladby Ship on the fjord nearby or take a guided tour to delve into the gravesite’s history in more detail.
Named after the Isle of Man’s mythological sea god Manannan, this impressive museum guides visitors through the island’s rich Celtic, maritime and Viking past. Situated on Peel Quayside, the House of Manannan (Thie Vanannan) is packed with fascinating characters, telling stories and myths from the island’s history. The highly interactive museum includes exploring a reconstructed Celtic Roundhouse, a replica of Odin’s Raven (a Viking ship) and the chance to experience what life was like in a Viking longhouse.
Just outside Schleswig’s city gates, the Viking Museum Haithabu sits on one of the most important archaeological sites in Germany. The ancient settlement of Haithabu brought people and trade together from all over the world. On the outskirts of the former trading hub, the museum features models, original findings from around 1,000 years ago and modern media to bring the town's former inhabitants to life. A footpath leads to the historic grounds where seven houses and a landing bridge have been reconstructed so visitors can imagine what life was like here during the Early Middle Ages.
Housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building, the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo is home to Norway’s largest collection of historical artefacts. One of the museum’s biggest draws is its incredible VÍKINGR exhibition which contains some of the most exquisite objects from the Norwegian Viking Age. The collection, which portrays three aspects of the Viking Age: journeys, warriors and a changing society includes chainmail, brooches, swords and a royal coin.
Founded in 1964, Lejre Land of Legends is an open-air museum just west of Roskilde. Stretching across 106 acres, the archeological site features reconstructions from an Iron Age village, a Viking marketplace, a sacrificial bog, an 18th-century farmstead and the largest Viking King’s Hall in Denmark. A unique historical playground, visitors can stay in the village, cottages or Stone Age camp-site during summer and fully immerse themselves in the past through boat rides, and shooting with bows and arrows.
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The Midgard Viking Centre lies near the famous Borre burial grounds, one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Norway and the largest collection of monumental Viking grounds in northern Europe. First opened in 2000 to promote Vestfold’s Viking heritage, the centre is filled with incredible exhibitions which explore different aspects of the area’s history. There’s plenty to explore, such as the Viking Hall, which is an impressive reconstruction of a royal guildhall from the Viking Age. It was here that Borre chiefs and men would have lived and been buried. Another attraction is the lost Ship Mound, which was excavated in 1852 – many of its objects are on display.
The Viking Ship Museum in the Danish city of Roskilde offers an in-depth insight into the world of Vikings and their time on Earth. The museum is home to five Viking vessels from the 11th century, known as the Skuldelev ships, and several sailing reconstructions. Split into two sections, one area of the museum houses the famous vessels, while the other is where archaeological work takes place. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Roskilde Fjord, it’s easy to imagine the maritime adventures that these incredible ships went on. Visitors can also have a go at axe throwing, meet the traditional craftsmen at the boatyard or take a boat trip on the fjord.
The world's largest Viking longhouse ever found and excavated serves as the basis of this fascinating museum in the village of Bøstad in Norway. For over 1,000 years, the chieftain’s seat at Borg lay forgotten until it was discovered by a farmer while ploughing his land in 1981. The museum is a full-scale reconstruction of the chieftain's house, with the smells of tar and an open fire wafting through the home. Visitors can also get a taste of the Viking Age with a traditional meal in the Feast Hall. Dishes on offer include Vestfjord ham (or whale meat), fish soup and barley-grain cream with seasonal berries for dessert served up by the Vikings of Lofotr.
Seemingly floating in the air at the Viking World Museum, this Viking vessel serves as a striking sight for drivers on their way to Keflavík Airport in Iceland. The impressive attraction is an exact replica of a ship known as the Íslendingur (or the Icelander), discovered during an excavation in Norway in 1880 that was thought to have been built around AD 870. The replica ship was built using only tools and materials that would be available to the Vikings. Designed by architect Guðmundur Jónsson, the glass building beautifully highlights the ship and is home to several exhibitions exploring the ship’s history, the Vikings’ journey across the North Atlantic and Norse mythology.
Located next to one of the most beautiful burial sites in Denmark, the Lindholm Høje Museum is where history comes alive. Within the museum, there are recovered relics, reconstructions, illustrations and 3D animations that explore Viking life. For more than 600 years (up until around AD 1000), people were buried at Lindholm Høje, their graves marked by stone circles from both the Iron and Viking Ages. The museum tells the story of the people who lived and died here and also houses an exhibition on ancient times in the Limfjorden area.
Norway’s first digital museum offers visitors the chance to experience the Norwegian Viking Age in a whole new way. Using VR technology, holograms, interactive screens and films, Viking Planet in Oslo transports visitors into the world of the Vikings and their stories while appealing to the senses. The museum explores Viking culture, religion, mythology and heritage. Notable attractions include the Viking Windows, which is a series of interactive Viking-themed experiences, and the 270-degree cinema which has an epic 13-minute film showing original Viking content and experiences.
Denmark’s largest museum in Copenhagen is set to open a brand new exhibition on the Viking Age. The special exhibition, known as The Raid, will feature the country’s largest collection of Viking treasures. Visitors will get to experience the lives of the Vikings through artefacts, including the legendary Danish ship Roskilde 6. Built in the 11th century, it is the largest Viking ship in the world. While Fӕstedskatten, Denmark's largest treasure trove weighing a total of 1.5 kg (3.30lbs), is also on display. Part of a trilogy, the exhibition will be open for three years from 25 June.
Nestled in the UNESCO-listed fjord landscape in Gudvangen, the Viking Valley (also known as Njardarheimr) is a Viking experience unlike anywhere else in Norway. A living, cultural-historical site dedicated to the northern god Njord, the attraction was built using materials found throughout the fjord and features authentic houses, ironworks and carvings from Viking era designs. The village features “real” Vikings who have adopted the Viking Age as a lifestyle, ready to share their knowledge with visitors and re-enact the past.
First opened in 2016, Stockholm’s Viking Museum uncovers the mysteries and secrets of the famous seafarers. In the vibrant exhibition, movies, scenery, projections, sound effects and Viking Age objects explore how the Vikings lived. From brutal raids and battles to everyday farm life, the museum covers it all, with knowledgeable costumed guides to answer any questions. Highlights include Viking era swords and helmets, an exhibit on shipbuilding and Ragnfrid’s Saga, a thrilling ride that takes visitors on a trip back in time.
Founded in AD 800 as a hub for trade and production, Kaupang (also a Norse term for marketplace) is often regarded as one of the most significant former Viking villages in Norway. Today, Kaupang is home to an exhibition detailing how archaeologists discovered the town and the history behind it alongside a reconstruction of a Viking house and a model of how Kaupang would've looked. In summer, the site hosts plenty of fun activities including Family Day, where children can take part in an excavation, taste Kaupang soup and watch the puppet theatre, which tells the story of Nicolaysen’s Vikings.
You may be surprised to discover that Scotland also has its own Viking ship. Residing in the Shetland Islands, the Skidbladner is a full-sized replica of the Gokstad ship which was discovered in a Viking burial ground in Norway in 1880. The original ship is thought to have been built during the reign of Harald Fairhair. Like the Gokstad ship, the Skidbladner is mostly constructed from oak, built in the clinker fashion which made it light and flexible. A popular landmark since 2006, visitors can board the ship and experience what it was like on a Viking vessel.
One of Scandinavia's most prominent cultural sites, the Old Uppsala Museum in Sweden is steeped in myth and legends. The museum explores Uppsala’s history across 5,000 years, focusing on its Viking roots and the centuries-old myths surrounding the area. The displays showcase archaeological finds from Old Uppsala and tales from the Viking Age alongside pagan gods and the wars of the Iron Age. There are tours throughout the site which can be combined with outdoor activities such as historical archery and fighting games.
Regarded as the birthplace of Christianity in England, the historic Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island has a dark history with Vikings too. Just off the Northumbrian coast, in AD 793 Vikings attacked the church of St Cuthbert, destroying the building, stealing goods and causing bloodshed. The brutal attack on the sacred site was the first recorded Viking raid in England and was thought to mark the beginning of the Viking Age in Europe. Despite the attack, the cult of St Cuthbert survived and Christianity lived on. Located in the Lindisfarne museum, a 9th-century grave marker known as the Domesday Stone depicts seven armed men with Viking-style gear and weapons.
Known as the only authenticated Viking site in North America, the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is truly a unique experience. The site contains the remains of a complete 11th century Viking settlement, the earliest known evidence of Europeans in America. L'Anse aux Meadows features eight timber-framed turf structures built in the same style as those found in Greenland and Iceland from the same period. Today, visitors can be transported back to where the Vikings once stood at the UNESCO-listed site. At the Viking Encampment, you can try blacksmithing or weaving and talk to costumed characters that bring Viking history to life.
The oldest and biggest of its kind in Iceland, visiting the Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður feels like you have been transported a thousand years back in time. Held since 1995, crowds of Vikings from all over the world flock to the small town to take part in the Viking Age-inspired festivities which include food, battle re-enactments and market stalls. Vikings sell their wares which include leather goods, silver and jewellery while others roast lamb, dance and tell stories. The festival takes place in the second week of June.
One of the top museums in the Irish capital, Dublinia is at the heart of Viking and medieval Dublin. Within the walls of the historic Synod Hall, the museum explores the medieval and Viking history of the city. Visitors can discover Viking weaponry, what life was like onboard a Viking warship and discover what it takes to be a warrior. Highlights from Dublinia include trying on clothes from the era, visiting a cramped house and learning about the legacy the Vikings left on Dublin.
Perched high on a small mountain near Hafrsfjord, the mighty Sverd I Fjell (or swords in rock) are a spectacular sight. The monument commemorates the battle in Hafrsfjord, which was thought to take place in AD 872, where Harald Fairhair gathered Norway into one kingdom and is thought to be one of the most important battles that contributed to Norway and West Norway becoming one country. Built by sculptor Fritz Røed, the monument consists of three massive bronze swords fixed into the ground and serves as a striking symbol of the Viking Age.
This open-air museum is one of the most unique Viking attractions in Sweden. Built using materials and techniques of the period, the Foteviken Museum is a reconstructed late Viking Age town. Made up of real solid houses, the area is inhabited by volunteers that live like the Vikings did, making the town feel like it's frozen in time. The site has lots to explore such as the Town Hall, a bakery and the guard tower which watches over the landscape. The museum hosts plenty of events throughout the year, including Viking Week between 28 June-3 July. Vikings meet from all over the world to show their crafts and sell Viking Age replica goods such as jewellery and swords.
The festival is not the only Viking attraction of Hafnarfjörður, another draw to the town is its Viking Village. One of the most visited tourist attractions in Iceland, the village consists of a hotel with 42 luxury rooms, two restaurants and several guesthouses all decorated in a Viking or Nordic theme. The Fjörugarðurinn restaurant offers guests traditional meals in a Viking-style setting, with dishes such as mountain lamb and skyr– a yoghurt-like dessert with fruit. Guests at the restaurant can request a Viking "kidnapping" where they'll be brought into The Cave to listen to the Vikings sing Icelandic folk songs while drinking mead.
In the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East on the River Suir, the country’s oldest city owes its existence to the Vikings. Waterford is thought to have been founded in AD 914 by the Viking Ragnall, who was the grandson of Ivar the Boneless, its prime spot on the river was ideal for trade. Today, the Viking Triangle is the oldest part of Waterford, and features one of the city's landmark attraction, Reginald's Tower. Originally built by the Vikings, inside the historic tower there is an exhibition exploring Viking Waterford.
Scandinavia is not the only place with incredible Viking attractions, the JORVIK Viking Centre is a must-see attraction in the heart of York in northeast England. The centre was built on the site of the Viking city of Jorvik, whose remains include houses, workshops and backyards that were discovered by archaeologists in an excavation between 1976-81. Today, visitors to the museum can discover the sights, sounds and even the smells of York during the 10th century. The attraction includes reconstructions of Viking-Age streets and displays, life-like animatronic mannequins and ancient artefacts.
Denmark's Faroe Islands are home to this atmospheric village, the southernmost settlement on the isle of Streymoy. There were once about 50 houses here and though these have dwindled, some fascinating remnants remain. Among them is the ruins of St Magnus Cathedral, built in the 14th century – a Viking-era runestone (known as the Kirkjubøur stone) was unearthed near this sacred building in 1832. You'll also see one of the world's oldest inhabited timber houses, which dates back to the 1100s.
Situated in west Zealand’s picturesque countryside, this foreboding fortress is one of the most important Viking Age monuments in Denmark. The gigantic circular fortress (also known as a Trellborg) is thought to date back to around AD 980, built by King Harald Bluetooth and is the most well-preserved fortress of its kind in the world. The museum at Trelleborg features archaeological finds, models and reconstructions to paint a vivid picture of the fortress and its inhabitants.