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    Norwegian Vikings

    Ship builders and state founders
    The vibes of the Vikings are strong in Norway, with Viking history, museums, tours, villages and other experiences in a surprising number of places around the country.
    Two Vikings in front of the Viking chieftains longhouse at Lofotr Viking Museum, Norway
    Lofotr Viking Museum in Lofoten.
    Photo: Kjell Ove Storvik / Lofotr Vikingmuseum

    What would have been the equivalent of high-tech a thousand years ago? The fast-moving Viking ships, perhaps? These advanced constructions helped to build cultural coherence in Europe, and they were also crucial in the process of unifying the Norse tribes into a state.

    The Vikings put their mark on northern Europe forever, and the many remains of their culture can transform any holiday into an adventure.

    Viking history and culture

    The Viking period began in the year of 793 with the attack on the Lindisfarne monastery in England, which is the first known Viking raid. The occasion that marks the end of their glory days is the killing of king Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.

    Lofoten
    Lofoten.
    Photo: CH / Visitnorway.com

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    Viking warriors

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    • The Vikings come alive and attack on The Viking Planet in Oslo, Norway

      The Vikings come alive

      The Vikings are back – through new, awesome technology. Participate in a rousing Viking show at The Viking Planet in Oslo and experience the dramatic Battle of Hafrsfjord at Viking House in Stavanger.

    Peaceful tradesmen and mead drinkers

    The Vikings are mostly known for their relentless robbing, and rightly so. At the same time, many of them lived peacefully as traders and farmers, and many expeditions were based on barter deals. Those who stayed away from seafaring robbery to work from home supported their families by simple farming activities. Their daily life might have been tough and demanding, but it was not without joy. The most well-known Viking drink is mead (“mjød” in Norwegian), an alcoholic beer-like brew sweetened by honey.

    The end of the Viking age

    The explorers brought their cultural identity to continental Europe, but they also imported foreign cultures, languages and knowledge. By the 1100s, the Vikings were weakened due to domestic disputes and resistance from other European countries, which had painfully learnt to defend themselves against attacks by building fortified targets.

    A Norwegian Viking.
    Photo: Terje Rakke / Nordic life / Visitnorway.com
    A traditional Norwegian Viking ship.
    Photo: Kjell Ove Storvik / Lofotr Vikingmuseum
    The Vikings in Njardarheimr, Viking Valley in Gudvangen.
    Photo: Tuffe Photography
    The longhouse at Lofotr Viking Museum, Lofoten.
    Photo: Kjell Ove Storvik
    Trøndelag
    Lofoten
    Njardarheimr
    Lofoten

    Viking ships

    Top speed? On a good day, the rowers could move at around 15 to 17 knots.

    The swiftness of the Viking ships is key to understanding how these warriors could gain such a sudden and surprising momentum. Their maritime innovations provided a link between northern and southern Europe, which had a strong effect on the continent.

    The construction

    The architecture of the Vikings’ archetypical vessels, known as longships, was adopted by several other cultures and influenced ship construction for centuries. In general, overlapping planks of oak were nailed together and protected by layers of tarred wool and sometimes animal hair.

    The secret behind the fast-moving longships was the long, narrow body, kept stable by a keel. Light enough to be carried, it was designed for speed and easy navigation in shallow waters. The longship was double-ended, allowing it to reverse direction without the need to turn around. This was a significant advantage in a sea filled with concealed icebergs and sea ice.

    Longships had oars along almost the entire length of the boat, and later versions combined rowing power with sailing power.

    Oslo
    Oslo.
    Photo: Johan Berge / Visitnorway.com

    The usage

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    The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo

    Here, you can walk around the world’s best preserved Viking vessels and smell the scent of the tar of the Oseberg ship, the Gokstad ship, and the Tune ship.

    Female power

    What about women’s rights in Viking history?

    Well, women are said to have had a stronger position in Viking society than in most other parts of Europe. They usually had the right to divorce, and if their spouse passed away, they would inherit him and could keep his belongings. In part, they were protected by law against sexual harassment and a woman was respected as the head of the farm when her husband was away, which he could be for a long time. Today’s growing appeal of the Viking culture is not only based on the image of them as relentless sea warriors, but also because of the way they lived and developed a new and more modern society.

    • Gudvangen

      The modern Vikings

      The heritage of Norsemen has a lot more to it than blood and pillaging. Meet two present-day Vikings who aren’t only fascinated by the Viking culture – they live it.

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    Go on a Viking tour

    Visit historical sites, take a sea voyage in a Viking ship, or go all the way and be a Viking for a day.

    Featured
    Viking experiences
    Create your holiday itinerary
    Viking Biking
    Viking Biking
    With Viking Biking you can experience Oslo on a bike – either on a guided tour or on a rented bicycle. Guided bicycle tours Between April and… Read more
    Viking Biking
    The Viking Ship Museum
    The Viking Ship Museum
    Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula with the world's best-preserved Viking ships and finds from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord. The… Read more
    The Viking Ship Museum
    Viking Tour
    Viking Tour
    The Vikings have conquered Hollywood and are now returning home to Norway. Join us and meet the Vikings! Read more
    Viking Tour
    Midgard vikingsenter
    Midgard vikingsenter
    Midgard vikingsenter is situated near the Borre burial mounds, which form one of Norway's most important cultural heritage sites. This historical… Read more
    Midgard vikingsenter
    The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg
    The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg
    Experience the Oseberg ship The world's most important discovery from the Viking era was made just outside Tønsberg in 1904; The discovery… Read more
    The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg
    Viking House
    Viking House
    Viking House is a groundbreaking concept. For the first time, we get a Virtual Reality based world-class visitor centre to tell the Viking history of… Read more
    Viking House
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    Stay in high-standard apartments or comfortable rooms. With our personal service and informal atmosphere, we are confident that you will enjoy your… Read more
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    The Viking Settlement
    The Viking Settlement
    The Viking Farm is situated in beautiful natural surroundings on the island of Bukkøy and is accessible on foot with a 10 minute walk from the… Read more
    The Viking Settlement
    Viking Settlement at Avaldsnes - a feeling of being back in the Viking Age
    Viking Settlement at Avaldsnes - a feeling of being back in the Viking Age
    The Viking settlement is situated in beautiful natural surroundings on the island of Bukkøy and is accessible on foot with a 10 minute walk… Read more
    Viking Settlement at Avaldsnes - a feeling of being back in the Viking Age
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    Hamar Hostel offers conference facilities for both small and large groups. Our meeting facilities include rooms which seats 28 and 30 persons… Read more
    Hamar Hostel Vikingskipet
    Vikingegarden Maurenga
    Vikingegarden Maurenga
    Vikingegarden Maurenga is situated approx. 2 km west of Gardermoen. The building, interior and food, etc., are all based on the Viking theme. Read more
    Vikingegarden Maurenga
    Rollo's Footsteps - the ultimate Viking tour
    Rollo's Footsteps - the ultimate Viking tour
    A guided tour through Aalesund with a historical review of the time when Chieftain Rollo, son of the local Earl Ragnvald, lived at Sunnmøre.… Read more
    Rollo's Footsteps - the ultimate Viking tour
    The Viking Planet
    The Viking Planet
    The Viking Planet resurrects the Viking times with VR-technology, holograms, interactive screens and 270-degrees films. At this digital museum you can… Read more
    The Viking Planet
    Lofotr Vikingmuseum
    Lofotr Vikingmuseum
    An impressive reconstruction of the largest house that has been found dating back to the Viking Age. Read more
    Lofotr Vikingmuseum
    Vikingodden
    Vikingodden
    The world’s most important discovery from the Viking era was made just outside Tønsberg in 1904, The famous Oseberg Viking ship. The… Read more
    Vikingodden
    North Sea Road - Drive the Viking path
    North Sea Road - Drive the Viking path
    Discover the viking spirit along The North Sea Road, from Kristiansand in Southern Norway to Haugesund at the west coast, by car, bicycle and foot. Read more
    North Sea Road - Drive the Viking path
    Viking Village Njardarheimr
    Viking Village Njardarheimr
    Explore the Viking village Njardarheimr in Gudvangen! "Njardarheimr" means the home dedicated to the northern god Njord. Viking valley is… Read more
    Viking Village Njardarheimr
    The Vikingship Gaia
    The Vikingship Gaia
    The Vikingship Gaia, a replica of the Gokstad ship, was built in Sunnmøre in 1990. The ship is 23.55 metres long and 5.25 metres wide with a height of… Read more
    The Vikingship Gaia
    The Vikings` warm lunch
    The Vikings` warm lunch
    Simple, tasty and hearty! Enjoy soup cooked in the big iron pan over the fireplace in the chieftains hall. Read more
    The Vikings` warm lunch
    Kaupang Viking Town
    Kaupang Viking Town
    Kaupang Viking town is open during the summer season. Learn about the history of the Vikings' life in Kaupang town. Read more
    Kaupang Viking Town
    In the Homeland of the Vikings
    In the Homeland of the Vikings
    Travel back to the age of the Vikings and discover what life was really like back in the day. Catch a glimpse inside the Viking kingdom and experience… Read more
    In the Homeland of the Vikings
    Viking Conference Centre
    Viking Conference Centre
    Welcome to Viking Conference Centre - the meeting room with the best views in Stavanger. The arena is perfect for get-togethers, teambuilding and… Read more
    Viking Conference Centre
    Vikinghaug Apartments
    Vikinghaug Apartments
    With fantastic views of water, waterfalls, mountains, fjord, and glaciers, you will find Vikinghaug Apartments in Odda. The guests live in large,… Read more
    Vikinghaug Apartments
    Join us for a Viking feast
    Join us for a Viking feast
    MEET THE VIKINGS AND TAKE PART IN A VIKING FEAST Read more
    Join us for a Viking feast
    Saga Siglar Hallen - Viking documentation Centre
    Saga Siglar Hallen - Viking documentation Centre
    The Saga Siglar Hall - Documentation Centre The remains of the shipwrecked Saga Siglar and Oseberg ships are displayed in the Saga Siglar Hall. Films… Read more
    Saga Siglar Hallen - Viking documentation Centre
    Enjoy lambsoup at Lofotr Viking Museum
    Enjoy lambsoup at Lofotr Viking Museum
    Simple, tasty and hearty! Enjoy a lambsoup cooked in the big iron pan over the fireplace in the chieftains hall. Read more
    Enjoy lambsoup at Lofotr Viking Museum
    The Irish Viking
    The Irish Viking
    Enjoy a nice drink, alone or with friends. In a lovely atmosphere indoors, or outside on our beautiful balcony. We have billiards, darts, chess and… Read more
    The Irish Viking
    Viking feast & Northern light
    Viking feast & Northern light
    Feel the magic and the thrill of the ceremony of sacrifice to the Gods to avoid Ragnarok – the Last Days! Will Volva the Prophetess make signs… Read more
    Viking feast & Northern light
    Gildehallen - The Viking Hall
    Gildehallen - The Viking Hall
    "Gildehallen" - The Viking Hall, is a reconstruction of one of the Viking Age's large halls. It is newly found imprint of such halls in Borre, and it… Read more
    Gildehallen - The Viking Hall
    Winter Fjordsafari | Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking Taste
    Winter Fjordsafari | Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking Taste
    Winter FjordSafari | Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking Dinner Combine a Winter Fjordsafari or a Snowshoe hike with a dinner at Ægir Brewpub.… Read more
    Winter Fjordsafari | Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking Taste
    The Viking Experience
    The Viking Experience
    Do you want to explore the Viking History? For a real Viking experience; Rogaland has several historical sites and places that can be linked to the… Read more
    The Viking Experience
    "Olav - Viking and Saintly King"
    "Olav - Viking and Saintly King"
    Historic day trip for groups Join us on an exciting journey and discover the secrets of Nidarosdomen combined with "etargilde" in the long house… Read more
    "Olav - Viking and Saintly King"
    A different viking story
    A different viking story
    Experience a different viking story! Read more
    A different viking story
    Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking dinner
    Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking dinner
    The trip begins by minibus along the Aurlandfjord and up to the spectacular viewpoint Stegastein, 650 meters above main sea level. Along the way your… Read more
    Snowshoe hike & Ægir Viking dinner
    Enter Tromsø Viking Hotel
    Enter Tromsø Viking Hotel
    In the center of Tromsø you will find the Enter Viking Hotel. Read more
    Enter Tromsø Viking Hotel
    Viking Tour - Horseback riding on Icelandic Horses in Lofoten
    Viking Tour - Horseback riding on Icelandic Horses in Lofoten
    This is a wonderful ride in an ancient cultural landscape with fascinating geology. We start at Hov, ride down to the beach before continuing towards… Read more
    Viking Tour - Horseback riding on Icelandic Horses in Lofoten
    Viking Chieftain Tore Hunds Empire
    Viking Chieftain Tore Hunds Empire
    A RIB takes you on a trip to Harstads archipelago to see the empire of famous Viking Chieftain, Tore Hund. Read more
    Viking Chieftain Tore Hunds Empire
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