The Vikings are never far from mind when you think about Scandinavia, and Stockholm is a good place to dive into their history. From museums and archaeological sites to rune stones hidden in the city streets, there are plenty of ways to explore this part of Sweden’s past.
The Viking Museum
The Viking Museum on Djurgården tells the story of Viking life beyond the stereotypes. You’ll find reconstructed scenes, artifacts, and even a ride that brings you into the daily life of a Viking family. It’s a good starting point if you want an introduction to the era.
Address: Djurgårdsstrand 15
Website: https://thevikingmuseum.com/en/
Birka – a day trip into history
Birka was Sweden’s first town and an important Viking trading hub. Now an archaeological site and open-air museum, it sits on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren. Boats depart from central Stockholm in summer, making it a popular day trip. Walking among the fields and old burial mounds gives a sense of how the Vikings lived more than a thousand years ago.
Address: Björkö 5, 178 92 Adelsö
Website: https://www.birkavikingastaden.se/en/
Rune stone in Gamla Stan
In the middle of Stockholm’s Old Town, Gamla Stan, you can spot a rune stone built into the wall of a house at Prästgatan 58. It’s easy to miss, but worth seeking out. Seeing the runes tucked into a city street is a reminder of how long history has been layered into Stockholm.
Address: Kåkbrinken 1
The Swedish History Museum
The Swedish History Museum (Historiska museet) has one of the world’s biggest collections of Viking artifacts. Weapons, jewelry, and everyday objects show both the artistry and the practical side of Viking life. Their permanent exhibition gives a more detailed look at the era, with context that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Address: Narvavägen 13-17
Website: https://historiska.se/home/
Aifur – dining like a Viking
Aifur in Gamla Stan is a restaurant with a Viking theme. It serves food inspired by the period, such as mead and hearty meat dishes, and the interior is designed to feel like a Viking hall. It’s atmospheric and theatrical, more of an experience than a historical reenactment, but a fun way to end a day of museum visits.
Address: Västerlånggatan 68b
Website: https://aifur.se/en-GB/aifur-en/
Runriket in Vallentuna and Täby
North of the city, Runriket (“The Rune Kingdom”) is a collection of runestones and historic sites in Vallentuna and Täby. It’s an open-air experience, with trails linking the stones and information along the way. This area has one of the highest concentrations of runestones in the world.
Address: Runriket at Google Maps
Website: https://www.vallentuna.se/runriket/in-english/
Storholmen Viking Village
On the shores of Lake Erken, Storholmen Viking Village is a reconstructed settlement where you can step into Viking life. With longhouses, crafts, and seasonal events, it’s especially popular with families. It’s a bit outside Stockholm, but makes for an engaging excursion if you want something hands-on.
Address: Varjagvägen 1, 761 73 Norrtälje
Website: https://www.storholmen.org/en/the-viking-village-of-storholmen/
Sigtuna – Sweden’s first town
Sigtuna, founded in the late 10th century, is one of Sweden’s oldest towns. Just an hour from Stockholm, it’s full of narrow streets, old church ruins, and rune stones scattered around the town center. A walk here connects you to both the Viking past and the beginnings of medieval Sweden.
Address: Sigtuna on Google Maps
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigtuna
Guided tours and walking experiences
Several companies offer guided Viking-themed tours. Sweden History Tours runs excursions to nearby areas rich with runestones and Viking history. For something lighter, there’s the Free Viking Walking Tour, which mixes storytelling with local sights in central Stockholm (you just tip what you like at the end).
