If you want to take a historical journey back to the Viking Age, you should visit Vikingaliv, a relatively new Viking museum in Stockholm. We visited this museum last weekend, when we had a "tourist weekend" in Stockholm. Really fun and nice!
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Travelling in Stockholm
Last week, we really travelled in our own city, Stockholm. At the weekend we visited Museum of the Middle Ages and went amphibian bus, and during the week Peter also attended a press tour at the National Museum before the reopening today. It has been great fun to be a tourist in Stockholm and you can probably say that we've got a little blood in our veins.
We have also received many tips for more interesting museums, so there may be a bit more tourism in Stockholm in the future. But first we have to finish our report from last weekend. We had time for one more museum that we haven't told you about yet: Vikingaliv - a Viking museum in Stockholm.
Viking life on Djurgården
The Viking Life Museum, which opened about 1.5 years ago, is located on Djurgården, right next to the city centre. Liquor Museum and not far from Gröna Lund. We choose to call it the Viking Museum even though it is not really a museum, at least not in the true sense of the word. For something to be called a museum, it is usually required to have collections, and Viking Life does not.
If you read the website or talk to the guides, they use words like 'interactive exhibition' or 'experiential museum', which might be a better description. We met Tora Andersson, an archaeologist and supervisor at the museum, and had a look around, of course.
Why a Viking Museum in Stockholm?
Vikingaliv is a private initiative and came about because the organisers felt that there was a lack of an exhibition that only is about Vikings. The Historical Museum in Stockholm also has an exhibition on the Vikings, but since there is great interest in the Viking Age, especially among foreign tourists, it was felt that there was room for a separate Viking exhibition.
Vikingaliv doesn't have nearly as many artefacts as the Historical Museum, but instead offers interactive experiences, realistic figures from the Viking Age and ... a train journey!
Welcome to the Viking Age!
At Vikingaliv, an effort has been made to present the Viking Age visually. On the wall there is a clear timeline showing the different eras of the Viking Age, and in the centre of the large hall you can see a life-size Viking, constructed from a real Viking skeleton.
You will also learn more about how ordinary Vikings lived. For example, you quickly realise that not all Vikings were raiders - the vast majority were ordinary farmers. In addition, you can see what the Vikings ate, find out how Viking children played and maybe, if you want, try a Viking game.
The Saga of Ragnfrid
The Viking Life experience ends with Ragnfrid's Saga, an 11-minute train journey through the life of the Viking woman Ragnfrid. The journey begins at the home of Ragnfrid and her husband Haralds on their farm in 963, and then takes you on a raid and a slave trade. The story is available in seven languages (Swedish, English, Russian, Finnish, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French and German) and is recommended for ages 7 and up.
Ongoing at Vikingaliv
You can book guided tours for groups at the museum if you wish. The tours have different themes, and Tora, for example, guides about women in the Viking Age. Tora also told us that in December the museum will focus on the Norse festival of Jól, which is exciting! I (Helena) have lived in Iceland for a year and have experienced the interesting Icelandic traditions, where a lot has been preserved from the old days.
More about Vikings at the Historical Museum
Haven't you had enough of Vikings? You can walk from Vikingaliv to the Historical Museum, which also has a Viking exhibition. It's more 'traditional' by comparison, but there's a lot to learn about the Viking Age here!
Have you also been to Vikingaliv, Viking Museum in Stockholm? What did you think?
Find Viking Life in Stockholm
- Location: Vikingaliv, the Viking museum in Stockholm, is located at Djurgårdsvägen 48 in Stockholm.
- Tram/bus: You can easily get here by tram 7 or bus 67. Get off at Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund and walk towards Wasahamnen.
- Underground railway: The nearest metro station is Karlaplan. From here you can walk (about 15 minutes) or take bus 67.
- Ferry: If you want to go by ferry, take the Djurgården Ferry or M/S Emelie (Ressel shipping company) and get off at Allmänna Gränd. Then walk towards Wasahamnen/Galärvarvsparken.
- Go for a walk: If you choose to walk to Vikingaliv, walk along Strandvägen, and then cross Djurgårdsbron. Continue past the Nordic Museum.
Guide: Opening hours and prices
- Opening hours: The museum is open 10-17 every day (2019). For current opening hours and possible deviations, see the museum's website.
- Prices: The price for adults is SEK 159 (2019). Children 7-15 years old pay 119 SEK and students and seniors pay 139 SEK. Children under seven years old enter for free. For any changes in prices see the museum's website.
- Payment: It is not possible to pay with cash. At the entrance, shop and restaurant you can pay by card or Swish. It is also possible to pre-purchase tickets online.
- Service: There is a restaurant inside the museum called Glow. There is also a small museum shop.
- Accessibility: It is not possible to take a wheelchair on Ragnfrid's Saga (the train journey), you have to move from the wheelchair to the seat. For the hearing impaired, the script is available in Swedish and English.
- Read more: Museum website
You might also like:
Riddarhuset in Stockholm - interesting to visit
Visiting Skansen - open-air museum in Stockholm
Wrecks - Museum of Wrecks on Djurgården in Stockholm
What to do in Stockholm - 30 sights and experiences
The Historical Museum in Stockholm - from ancient to modern times
East Asian Museum in Stockholm - Japan, China, Korea
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
How exciting! You fit well in the "Queen's Chair" Helena;) but Peter has to work on his madness, looks a little too nice as a Viking... ;D This is written on the list! It will be a week in Stockholm it seems ...
Have a nice weekend!
13 October 2018 - 10:17
Helena says:
Haha, I tell Peter to work on the madness 😉 The museum is worth a visit!
13 October 2018 - 12:26
Ama de casa says:
Ooo... You seem to have become a real museum piece lately 😉 😀.
13 October 2018 - 10:22
Helena says:
Haha, it's our new role perhaps 😉 .
13 October 2018 - 12:26
Lena in Wales says:
Thanks for all the tips from Stockholm, provides inspiration for my next visit to the grandchildren.
Wishing you a nice weekend from a sunny and warm Marbella.
13 October 2018 - 10:49
Helena says:
Great if we can give you tips! Stockholm has a lot to offer. Have a great time in Marbella!
13 October 2018 - 12:27
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
So many fun things to visit in Stockholm. In my younger years I visited most of the museums in the city.
13 October 2018 - 11:07
Helena says:
Yes, there is a lot here, but sometimes it's easy to forget when you live here, for some reason.
13 October 2018 - 13:01
Ditte says:
Fun! Will go here with the grandchildren next weekend. We have seen the exhibition at Historiska and it was also really nice. And Stockholm has lots of museums to visit. Have probably been to all of them (not yet the Viking Museum) and now choose according to different exhibitions that are given. Some are temporary.
13 October 2018 - 12:22
Helena says:
What fun that you are going here! The grandchildren will love it! Fantastic that you have seen so many museums! I've seen a bunch, but I still have a bunch left 😉.
13 October 2018 - 13:05
Solan says:
...must promote the Viking Life shop with tar-scented candles and other items.
An eldorado for future Christmas gifts. Can be visited without an entrance fee ?
13 October 2018 - 13:38
Helena says:
Aha, nice tip! 🙂
13 October 2018 - 18:32
Mr Steve says:
Imagine how much Stockholm has to offer that I haven't seen.
13 October 2018 - 13:46
Helena says:
Yes, and a lot that we haven't seen yet either, even though we live here 😉.
13 October 2018 - 18:33
Ruth in Virginia says:
My heart almost stopped when I saw Peter with the blonde.
"Ivanka Trump" !!!! But it wasn't her.
It all sounds very interesting and fun. Would definitely
if I were in Stockholm.
13 October 2018 - 16:24
Helena says:
Haha, no, Ivanka Trump has not started working at a museum in Stockholm 😉 .
13 October 2018 - 18:35
Ruth in Virginia says:
But you have to admit, that Tora
is very similar to Ivanka. 🙂
13 October 2018 - 22:32
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
A few years ago, we took the camper van to Stockholm and "travelled" for three intense days using the Stockholm Card. Now it looks like it's time for another such trip.
Otherwise, it's mostly visits to some theatre or specific exhibition when we're visiting the big city, often Fotografiska also gets a visit.
13 October 2018 - 17:21
Helena says:
Nice that you made a real "tourist visit"! When you live here, it's easy to forget about it, but we had a really nice tourist weekend last weekend! 🙂
13 October 2018 - 21:17
JoY says:
We are poor visitors to the big city. Have probably thought about a visit to the National when things have calmed down a bit. However, when I was younger I lived near the Historical Museum and went there every other day.
Hugs
13 October 2018 - 17:53
Helena says:
It's probably smarter to visit the National Museum when things have calmed down! The Viking Museum is recommended if you like history!
13 October 2018 - 21:18
Lennart says:
Tourism in your own city is possible this winter.
13 October 2018 - 18:43
Helena says:
Nice to have something to look forward to! 🙂
13 October 2018 - 21:18
BP says:
How cultural you have been this week;-) I had not even heard of Viking life actually. So thank you for this post:-)
Since your mother lives in Täby Kyrkby, you know that the skeleton of Estrid Sigfastsdotter was found there. There are many people in Täby who are named/have been named something with Estrid.
Had a good laugh at Ruth*'s comment that Tora is similar to Ivanka. For once I don't agree with Ruth. Tora is much more beautiful than Ivanka;-)
13 October 2018 - 23:52
Henny says:
Thank you very much for all the tips on good museums in the city. I feel very keen on a trip there now that darkness and cold are approaching. Extra invigorating to read your posts just today, it is always sad to put the motorhome in winter storage.
15 October 2018 - 12:34
Reiselinda says:
Looks like a fun museum! And you don't have to travel so far to experience things! Realise that we are far too rarely in Stockholm!
15 October 2018 - 21:43
Lena - good for the soul says:
Didn't even know that place existed. It seems really exciting. I would like to visit it.
Hug Lena
16 October 2018 - 6:13
Steel city anna says:
Loved this place! Was here with two kids. They would probably have travelled the Viking train a hundred times if there was time, there were only three. Very nice museum.
20 October 2018 - 17:25