Boat Tour to Birka

When visiting Stockholm, you will find it is surrounded by many islands known as the archipelago. Boat tours are very popular for both tourists and residents alike. Among the many tour options, one of the most well-known is the Birka – The Viking City tour. Stromma tours offers a 7-hour round trip boat tour and guided tour of the island for 330 SEK (approximately $35 a person).

The Boat

Boats generally have two levels, with an enclosed bottom level and open air on top. Pastries and beverages are typically available to purchase in the enclosed area. During departure you are treated to a breathtaking view of downtown Stockholm. When the boat is out of the city and populated areas, the landscape changes to the countryside with the occasional small town or grouping of summer homes along the water or on the islands.

Boat Tour

The boat ride out to Birka is about two hours and includes stops at other small towns. Shortly before arrival, the boat passage enters Lake Mälaren, slowly making its way to the west side of the island, to dock at Birka on the island of Björkö. At the dock, there is a Viking restaurant, picnic tables, and play areas for the kids. Further down the there is a small museum with a history of Birka and the Vikings that inhabited the island.

Guided Tour

Guided tours, available in Swedish and English, begin just past the museum at the base of a rolling hills. As you will learn from the guided tours, on the rolling hills rocks are the circular mounds. These mounds are of Viking warrior burial sites and at least one ship buried. The burned remains of warriors were found with silver and jewels, as well as food offerings.

Further to the north of the burial area is what appeared to be the remnants of a slave village. From what excavations uncovered, the slaves were living in filth and trash, and it is suspected that there was a lot of sickness and disease.

Also, on Birka, there is a cross which was erected in 1834 to honor the Christian monk Ansgar. In the late 900s, Ansgar was invited by the Swedish king to convert the Birka people to Christianity and expand the Christian church. Ansgar had success in building a church and evangelizing for two years, but once he left the new Christians were killed.