Top Sites to Visit for Retracing Vikings' Steps

Kammerslusen, Bjerrumvej, Ribe, Denmark
Kammerslusen, Bjerrumvej, Ribe, Denmark | Photo by MaChriFe on Unsplash
Aliki Seferou

The history and culture of the Vikings has captured people’s imaginations all over the world. Stories and myths about fearless kings and their expeditions have been written about in books and made into movies and TV series. But if watching Ragnar Lothbrok’s adventures isn’t enough, these sites in Scandinavia will help you get closer to the real deal as you retrace the steps of the Vikings.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Ribe

Ribe is located in the southwestern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark and it is said to be one of the most important cities during the Viking Age. Scientific explorations and excavations have shown that Vikings were living in Ribe for many years and the Ribe Viking Center exhibits findings from the area, which sheds light on he Vikings’ lives. The Viking Center has created three different environments: the Marketplace and adjoining ship, which is an authentic copy of a site from the early 8th century, the Great Farm which is a long-house with five connected buildings that dates back to 980AD and eight town-houses from 825AD.

Birka

A stroll around the city of Birka is a must-do for those who literally want to retrace Vikings’ steps. Birka is Sweden’s first town and it was founded in the mid-700sAD. It became a vital trading centre in Northern Europe and for 200 years around 1,000 people called it home. Nowadays, it has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Guided tours around the archaeological area take place from July until September, while reconstructions of the Vikings’ house and special events offer a real taste of how life was in one of the most important cities of the Viking Era.

Lindholm Høje Museum

Viking enthusiasts can take a journey in the Viking Age through the 3D animations, illustrations, and reconstructions at Lindholm Høje Museum. Vikings’ daily life habits and customs are presented through interactive exhibitions and installations. Moreover, the museum stands right next to one of the most major Vikings’ burial sites. Hundreds of stones that mark the men’s and women’s graves create an awe-inspiring sight.

Viking Ship Museum Roskilde

D6J901 Viking age replica ship and Viking Ship Hall, Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde, Zealand, Denmark, Scandinavia, Europe

At the Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde, history buffs not only see five Viking ships that were found in the Roskilde Fjord near Skuldelev in Denmark, but they can actually sail a reconstructed Nordic boat or a Viking ship. Boat trips take place from May until the end of September and last for approximately one hour. Through exhibitions, digital installations and the reconstruction of the ships (based on how they looked 1,000 years ago), you’ll be awed by the maritime skills and craftsmanship of the Vikings.

National Museum of Denmark

The National Museum of Denmark is located in the 18th-century former Prince’s Mansion

The National Museum of Denmark displays a great selection of artefacts from the Viking Age, covering the period from 800 to 1050AD. Through the museum’s collection, visitors can learn more about the warriors’ food, religion, weapons, clothing and everyday lives.

The Viking Ship Museum, Oslo

Wooden ship, Viking Ship Museum, Oslo, Norway / Vikingskipshuset

The Oseberg, the Tune and the Gokstad: the three best-preserved Viking ships are displayed in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. The first ship that was discovered was the Tune, excavated in 1867 from the island of Rolvsøy, near Fredrikstad, and 13 years later, two teenagers discovered the Gokstad ship at their farm at Sandefjord. As for Oseberg, that ship was discovered in 1904 at Lille Oseberg’s farm at Slagen in the county of Vestfold. Beside the three awe-inspiring ships, the museum screens a film that presents the process that was followed when a ship was constructed then sailed in the Norwegian fjords and finally ended up as a grave ship for a king, displaying a great exhibition of Viking finds.

Lofotr Viking Museum

An excavation that started in 1986 uncovered the largest house of the Viking Era. The 83 metre-building that used to be the house of the chieftain of Lofotr has now be reconstructed and houses the Lofotr Viking Museum. Divided into five different rooms just like it was in the Viking Era, the building hosts several items from that era and, through exhibitions, installations and film screenings, presents the customs of the Vikings. Moreover, visitors can sit around the fire and enjoy a meal like a real Viking or sail on a reconstructed Nordic ship.

Swedish History Museum

With a great collection of objects, Historiska Museet in Stockholm shows the different aspects of the Vikings’ civilisation. Jewellery, clothes, tools and other items that symbolise the Vikings’ religious beliefs and customs are displayed in the museum’s exhibition, revealing details of the culture of the world-famous fearless warriors.

Gamla Uppsala

The story of Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala) dates back in the 3rd century AD. The historic village outside the city of Uppsala in Sweden was, for many centuries, one of the most significant religious, economic and political centres. Visitors can take a guided tour in the area and visit the ruins of Uppsala’s first cathedral and look at the artefacts from the royal mound at the Gamla Uppsala Museum.

Storholmen Viking Village

The open air museum of Storholmen offers guided tours and activities for young and old, while an exhibition hall displays reconstructed Viking items. Storholmen Viking Village is located right next to an Iron Age burial field with 166 burial mounds and antiquities of the Viking Age. During the tour through the Viking Village of Storholmen, visitors will hear stories of the Viking Age as well as learn about their habits, celebrations and their travels to the east. Special events, such as the sauna and barbecue evening where guests can play Viking games and experiment with handicrafts, take place throughout the year.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article